Twisted Collide: The new sports romance in the Redville Saints series
Twisted Collide: Chapter 72

We have a game tonight, but that doesn’t stop me from driving to Coach’s house. After parking, I head to the door and knock.

Sherry answers the door with a large smile on her face. “Dane? Was Robert expecting you? He’s not here.”

“I’m actually not here to see Robert.”

“Checking in on Josie again?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

“She’s in her room resting, but if you want to go up there . . .”

“I’ll do that.”

She steps out of the way, and I walk into the house and show myself to the room upstairs where Josephine is staying. I rap my knuckles on the door.

“Come in.”

I take a step in and see Josephine sitting up in the bed. She looks so small among the giant fluffy pillows and large bed. It makes me want to scoop her into my arms and tell her I’ll never let anything hurt her again, including myself.

“You’re back.” She tries to hide her excitement, but her eyes give her away. They shine brighter than usual.

I lean against the doorjamb. “That I am.”

Her nose twitches, and I have to hand it to her. She’s trying really hard not to smile, but there’s no hiding it. She’s happy I’m here. Thank fuck.

“Let me guess . . . more groveling?” she asks with the most serious face she can muster.

“I won’t stop until you tell me you love me.” I shrug. That’s the plan, at least. “Want to know why? Because I love you, Hellfire, and I’ll keep telling you until you believe me.”

“Interesting angle.”

“It’s the only angle I have. I’ll be here today, tomorrow, and every day until you smile at me and tell me I didn’t fuck up the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“I want to, but I have a hard time—”

“I know. You can’t trust me yet . . . yet being the operative word. But you will. I’ll make myself worthy of your trust.”

“Don’t you have a game to play?”

“I do, but I wanted to stop by first and check in on you.”

I close the distance until I’m standing next to her bed, then point at the bed. Even though she let me sit with her yesterday, I still need her to give me the go-ahead. “Can I?”

She scoots over, leaving a free space.

I take a seat, then incline my head in her direction. “What’s on tap for today’s grovel?”

Her hand reaches out, and she rummages through the sheets. “Well, since you asked, today, I’m making Pinterest boards.”

“You’re doing what?”

She pulls her hand out, now clutching her phone. Her finger moves over the screen until she replaces the app she’s looking for, then she points the phone in my direction.

“Making boards. Like online, I have boards where I have outfit inspos, favorite recipes, things like that.”

“Interesting.”

Not really, but I’ll never admit that. If this makes my girl happy, then it’s the best thing in the world.

She shrugs. “I think so.”

I incline my head toward her cell. “Can I help?”

“Not really sure this is something you can help with.”

“Try me.”

“Fine.” She moves over and gives me the spot right next to her in the bed so I can watch as she looks through images on the app.

After a few minutes of scrolling, Josephine stops. A pasta recipe with broccoli rabe is what she’s looking at. “Looks good, right?”

“It does.”

“Great, that means I’ll add it to my recipe board.”

She taps on the saved board and then adds it.

“Can I see that?” I reach my hand out.

“Sure.”

I take her phone in my hand and scroll through the pictures in the saved folder, noting in my mind the recipes and foods she’s deemed her favorite. Perfect.

A plan forms in my mind of what I’ll send her later today. She can’t come to the game, but I know she’ll be watching it from here, so I’ll send her favorite snack, and by the looks of it, it’s donuts.

“What are you smiling about over there?”

“Nothing.” I smirk.

For the next hour, we play on her phone, and then, with a quick kiss on her cheek, I get up and head to the door.

“Kick ass tonight.”

“I plan to.”

I walk out of her room and let myself out of the house without saying goodbye. Once I’m no longer in earshot, I grab my phone and call Molly.

“Hey,” she answers.

I press the ignition, and my car roars to a start. “Where are you?”

“Again. Hello, Dane. How are you? I am fine, thank you.”

“Anyone ever say you’re annoying?” I pull the car out of the driveway and start heading home to prepare for today’s game.

“Anyone ever tell you that you have no manners?” She snickers into the phone. Gotta love my sister. Never one to bite her tongue.

“Yeah, a few times,” I admit, most likely shocking my little sister.

She laughs. “What do you need?”

“I need you to replace me the best donuts in town.”

“You don’t eat donuts.”

“They aren’t for me.”

“Look at you, taking my advice and trying to win back the woman you love.”

“Molly,” I playfully scold.

“What? You’re adorable.”

“Will you help me? I kind of have a game to be at,” I deadpan.

“What would you do without me?”

“Stop surviving.”

“You’re being too hard on yourself. I’m sure you could function for half a second, and if you convince Josie to forgive your sorry ass, she can handle you.”

“Are you quitting on me, Molly?”

“Never. You’ll have to fire me,” she teases.

“That will never happen.”

“Okay, so now that we have that settled, why don’t I get to work? I don’t have all day, after all. I’m supposed to go to this hockey game.”

“Thanks, Molly,” I say.

“My pleasure. And for what it’s worth, I like her for you.”

“I like her for me too.”

I hang up the phone, smiling to myself. Making Hellfire happy makes me happy. I can’t wait till she gets her package.

Hours later, and still sweaty, I meet Molly in the parking lot of the arena.

“You got the goods?”

She looks at me with slightly narrowed eyes. “Does this look like amateur hour?”

I raise my hands in the air. “Sorry, just had to ask.”

Her mouth twists. “No. You didn’t,” she chides as she extends her arm and hands me the box. I’ve decided that rather then have these delivered before the game, I’d deliver them myself after it.

I want to see Hellfire’s face.

“Thanks, Mol.”

“You’re welcome, Dane.”

Now, with the box in hand, I head to my car, and then get in and drive away.

My palms feel slick against the steering wheel from not showering after the game, but it’s getting late, and I didn’t want to miss Hellfire.

Traffic is practically nonexistent at this time of night, so I get to her house in record time, which is a good thing since every minute it takes means she could be sleeping.

The house is dark, and only a few small spotlights illuminate the way.

I park the car and step out, then head to the door. Once there, I hesitate. Coach might be home. How will I explain this? Fuck it.

I don’t even care if he knows.

Hellfire will.

Good thing I think on my feet. I’ll figure out something to say that will make sense.

My knuckles rap on the wood, and the door flies open a few seconds later.

“Hellfire, why are you out of bed?” I practically scold.

“’Cause you knocked.” She rolls her eyes. “Who else did you think would answer? I’m the only one home.”

Shit. I hadn’t thought of that.

“What are you doing here, Dane?” She looks me up and down. “Did you come straight from the game?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

That’s when I remember the box of donuts in my hand. I thrust my hands up. “To bring you these.”

“You brought me food?”

“Not just any food.” I smile. “Only the best donuts in Redville.”

A small laugh bubbles out of her mouth. “You didn’t have to.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Josephine. I did.”

And I’ll keep doing it. For however long it takes for her to admit she loves me too.