Page 56 of Fought and Freed

“And we will,” she assured him. “You have my number. You can call me at any time, and I’ll answer.”

Anger and fear twisted his features. “Can’t you just stay?”

She reared back. “Grant, how can you ask me to do that? This is a big deal for my brother, and I want to be there for him. Plus, I need to get away from everything going on right now for my sanity.” She took both his hands in hers. “You’re stronger than you realize. You can do this.”

“You’re right.” He pulled his hands free. “I didn’t mean to make you worry. Go and have fun.”

“I’ll only be a phone call away,” she reminded him.

He smiled and nodded.

She pulled him in for a quick hug, then waved goodbye.

“What’s his problem?” Skylar huffed out as she climbed back into the Jeep.

“He’s scared and doesn’t want me to go.” Maddy stared out the window as Grant headed into the house, worried for her friend. “He doesn’t have anyone else.”

“It’s fucked up that he’s guilt-tripping you for leaving.” Skylar’s finger on her chin drew Maddy’s attention to him. “He’s not your responsibility.”

“He’s not, but we promised to be there for each other.” Maddy took a deep breath and buckled in. “I did tell him it wasn’t right for him to ask me to stay, though. I need to get away from here for a bit.”

“Good for you.” Skylar checked his mirrors and pulled back onto the street, driving them home.

When they walked into the house, Ryder, Jace, and Cody were all sitting in the living room.

Maddy smiled. “Since everyone’s here, I got all your Christmas gifts. They’re not wrapped, but I can give them to you now.”

“If that’s what you want, baby girl, we’re good with that.” Jace grinned at her.

Maddy ran upstairs to grab their gifts, then hurried back down with the large bag she’d put all the guys’ presents into.

Ryder scooted over to make a place between himself and Jace for her to sit on the couch. Skylar sat on the floor so he could hand out the gifts under the tree, and Cody took his usual spot by the fireplace.

“How are we going to do this?” Skylar grinned like a kid on, well, Christmas. “One at a time or a free for all?”

“One at a time. This is a first for me, and I want to see your expressions.” Maddy ducked her head. “Plus, you all are hard to shop for, and I’m scared you won’t like what I got for each of you.”

“It’s from you, Maddy. No matter what, we’ll love it,” Jace reassured her.

She reached into her bag and pulled out another bag, handing it to Skylar.

A big smile spread over his face as he took it. He opened the bag and gasped. “I love it, Maddy. Is that us on the back?”

She’d gotten him a leather jacket with a silhouette of two people on a motorcycle on the back. “They only had a few different silhouettes. This one was the closest to us.”

“I’d say it’s really close. It even has curly hair.” He leaned over and kissed her. “Thank you. I needed a new one.”

He grabbed a present from under the tree and handed it to her. “Our turn. This is from Jace and me.”

Maddy took the square box, unwrapped it, and opened it. Inside was a charm bracelet, and it already had a few charms hanging from it.

Jace pointed to each one. “The tool represents me, the paintbrush is Ryder, the boxing gloves are Cody, and the bike is Skylar. Of course, the heart with the forever symbol is all of us.”

“I love it. It’s like having a piece of each of you with me all the time. Would you put it on me, please?” She held out her wrist and Jace clipped it on.

Looking at each charm, she smiled before she reached into her bag and pulled out an envelope.

She handed it to Jace. “I know it doesn’t look like much.”

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