Page 172 of Damaged Protector

I absolutely adored Jennifer Gentry. I was prepared for a sobbing mess of a woman. That’s probably how I would be if I’d had a breast removed today, but her attitude was so incredibly positive.

We’d talked at length about dancing, and she’d shown me some behind the scenes pictures from her movie. She even opened up to me about why she stopped pursuing a film career. Her mother’s asshole boyfriend’s attack on her had caused her to withdraw for a long time, and she didn’t want to be in the public eye.

That made me sad because she’d had such a promising career.

After eating some chicken broth, her eyes had grown drowsy, so she was napping when my phone rang with a call from Cam. Stepping into the hall, I answered it.

“Hey, Camel Toe.”

“What the hell is going on, Mallori?” he demanded, and my heart rate sped up.

“Wh-what do you mean?”

The puff of air being expelled from his lungs floated down the phone line. “I mean, what’s going on with Hawk? First you went to his cabin back in the summer, and I just found out you’re in North Carolina with him.”

Shit. I forced a calmness and a bit of indignation into my voice. “Well, we’d just survived a tornado, and there was no electricity. Do you know how hot it is in Texas in August without air conditioning? He had a cabin with full electricity, and we took advantage of it.”

There was a pregnant pause, and then he said, “Okay, fine. I guess I understand that, but why did you go with him to North Carolina?”

“Because his sister had a breast removed this morning, Camden Fitz.” My voice snapped with anger. “Do you have any idea how traumatic that is for a woman? I thought she might need another female around to talk to. She’s certainly not getting it from their bitch of a mother. That woman showed up here a little while ago while Jennifer was napping. She dropped off some flowers and left. Barely said two words to Hawk.”

“Shit, that’s fucked up,” Cam replied, the edge gone from his tone.

“And also, I thought it might be nice if Hawk didn’t have to travel alone. His sister is very important to him, and this is hard on him. He may not show it on the outside, but watching his sister fight cancer eats at him. All you guys have welcomed me into your group, and you’re all my family now. I would do this for any of you if your wives or sisters or mothers were sick.”

I could almost see him nod as he answered in a chastised tone. “You’re right, Mal. I’m sorry. Do you think the guys and I should fly out there?”

“No, it’s fine. Jenn should be released tomorrow. I know Hawk wants to stay a few days to make sure she’s settled. If he stays longer than that, I’ll fly back alone since I have finals the week after Thanksgiving.”

“Okay, is there anything I can do to help? I think Shark ordered some flowers for Jennifer from all of us. Should be delivered today.”

“You might call or send a text to let Hawk know you support him.”

“We’ve already been doing that in the group text,” he replied, “but you’ll let me know if there’s something he needs? He’s not great at asking for help.”

“I will.”

“Thanks, Mal. And thanks for being there for my friend. I just… I worry about you. I wish you’d come to live with me and Shiloh after the shitshow with your dorm.”

I softened my voice. “I’m sorry, but my schoolwork is very demanding, and my study schedule is insane. It’s quiet at Hawk’s house.”

He chuckled. “Are you saying my kid is loud?”

Laughing, I gave him a diplomatic answer. “I’m saying I don’t want you and Shiloh constantly shushing Bella in her own home because I need quiet time to study. That’s not fair on a kid. Plus, the studio is right there in Hawk’s house so I can teach my private lessons two days a week and not have to drive through Dallas traffic to get there.”

“Yeah, I understand what you’re saying. It does make sense.” He hesitated for a second. “So there’s nothing going on with you and Hawk?”

“Not a thing.” Not now, anyway. This summer though…

“Does he, uh, have women over while you’re there?”

A knife-like pain shot through my gut at the thought of Hawk with someone else. “No, but I don’t get home until late on the nights I have study group. Maybe he has lady friends over then.”

I didn’t know if that was true or not. It might be, but I was too chickenshit to ask him because I really didn’t want to know about it if he did. I didn’t think it was, though perhaps that was wishful thinking. The scent of women’s perfume never hung in the air when I arrived at the house, and I usually found Hawk in the kitchen, busy warming up something for me to eat on my late nights.

He was so good to me, always making sure I had enough to eat while I lost myself in my studies. And every Sunday, he helped me meal prep my lunches for the week.

“Yeah, maybe,” Cam chuckled. “It makes me feel better that he’s not entertaining while you’re there.”

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