Page 77 of Never Too Late

He’s hyperventilating.

Putting aside the conversation we’ve just had; I rush to his side.

This is a dance we’ve done a thousand times before on and off the field.

I bend my knees and sit in front of him on the floor, my hands on top of his knees, adding pressure to his body.

“Breathe with me, soldier, come on now. One, two, three.”

His body starts to relax. His breathing becoming normal.

“That’s good, Noah. You’re doing good.”

When I notice Noah has calmed down and his breathing has gone back to normal, I stand and head towards the sofa I was previously sat on when I notice my phone light up with two missed calls and a text from Tyler.

Tyler: I need help, I’m worried about Dax. I didn’t know who else to call. Please.

“FUCK!” I shout, throwing my head into my hands.

My body has now switched to autopilot.

The only thing I want to do right now is get to Dax.

Nothing else matters.

“What’s happened?” Noah peeks from behind his hands.

I don’t have time to explain.

He’s already made it obvious he doesn’t understand.

I need to get to Dax.

“There’s a spare key in the unit near the front door, I have to go, Noah. You can stay if you want to.”

And before he can respond, I’m out the door.

Chapter forty-two

Jae

“Things are getting hard. I don’t know how to think or how to feel. But what I do know is, above everything, I love you.”

It probably wasn’t fair to leave Noah the way I did, but I didn’t care. Adrenaline was rushing through my body at high speed. The world could freeze over right now, and I’d still find a way to get to Dax. I attempt to ring Tyler another two times while I start the car. He answers neither.

Their house is on the other side of town, but thanks to the bad weather and most people deciding to stay at home, the roads are empty, allowing me to get there in no longer than twenty minutes, speeding through all three red lights on the way.

I will welcome those speeding tickets with open arms.

Pulling into the driveway, my eyes go straight towards the bike lying on the ground. Dax would never do that normally. Something is wrong. His bike is his pride and joy. Turning off the engine hastily, I climb out, rushing towards the bike and standing it up against my car. If there’s one thing Dax wouldn’t forgive me or himself for, it would be for ruining his bike.

Please be okay.

Striding towards the house, I’m filled with nothing but nerves and panic. Instead of knocking and waiting for someone to answer, I immediately try the door handle. I’m thankful to find it unlocked and walk straight inside, closing the door behind me; but I am on alert soon after, when the first thing that catches my attention is the sound of pain. The sound of hurt.

Someone’s crying.

And it's not the brother I thought it would be.

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