Page 18 of Waiting for Sunshine

“Why is she shaken up, Max?” she demands, her voice hard and cold.

“We had an attempted robbery tonight, she was the one behind the bar when the guy came in and he held a fake gun to her and slapped her around. She’s not hurt, but she seemed pretty shaken by it.” If looks could kill I’d be headed to the morgue.

“And you just fuckingleft her? Where is she? Did she call Leah or Lauren?” Taylor asks. She starts frantically scrolling through her phone, trying to text Shane or one of the other two people she just mentioned, but her hands are shaking and she can’t seem to steady them.

“I asked her if she was okay to get home, and she said yes. I asked if we could call someone and she said no. So I brought Tucker here to get stitches and she went home I guess.”

“Which, could I maybe get someone a little calmer to do my stitches?” Tucker chimes in.

“Of course she didn’t call anyone else. It’s almost one o’clock in the morning and Shane will never burden someone else for her own benefit, even when she needs it the most. It’s one of the infuriating and endearing things that makes her who she is. But she shouldn’t be alone right now.” Taylor states, slightly calmer than she was before, but still very much stressed out.

“Look, I know you have to be here, mostly because my friend really does need stitches.” I glance over at Tucker and he wears the biggest, most obnoxious smile on his face. Taylor’s cheeks flush when she looks his way. “If you would like, I can drive by after I take him home and check on her.” I offer. Taylor stares at me through squinted eyes, mulling the idea over. She finally takes a deep breath and agrees.

“As much as I would love to leave and do it myself, I really can’t tonight. We are so understaffed it’s ridiculous. I’ll give you our address and you can drive by and check on her. I’m gonna text and check on her really quick first.” She fires off a text and sets her phone down, turning back to Tucker. She takes a deep breath and smiles.

“Okay, mister. Let’s take a look.” She washes her hands and puts on her gloves, then gets started cleaning Tucker’s wound. He was right, that shit is pretty deep. A few minutes later Taylor’s phone chimes and she glances over.

“It’s from Shane, do you mind checking it since –” she holds up her hands that are hard at work on Tuckers. I pick up the phone, hold it to her face to unlock it, and we both freeze.

“What’s your address?” I bite out.

“155 Third Street. It’s a blue house with white trim.” She says quickly. I set her phone back down and look over at Tucker.

“I’m gonna call Tank and have him come pick you up. I’ll see you tomorrow, brother.” I clap him on the shoulder and he nods his head. Then I’m out the door and headed to Shane.

CHAPTER9

SHANE

The whole drivehome from the bar my hands were shaking. I did my best to take deep breaths to fight off the panic attack that threatened to make its appearance. I tried to think of anything other than the events that just occurred, but every time I would close my eyes, it all came rushing back. I had pulled into the driveway just as my breaths started coming in so rapidly that I felt like Icouldn’tbreathe. I texted Taylor to tell her it was happening. I haven’t had a panic attack since my first year in college, I had hoped I would never have to experience another one.

I hold my phone in a shaky hand as tears start to fill my eyes and a lump forms in my throat. The sobs start coming rapidly, as the tears begin to stream down my face. The weight of my anxiety has me feeling like I am seconds away from throwing up, and since I seem to be immobile, I imagine it will land directly in my lap. I check my phone again, through blurry vision, with no new notifications.Why isn’t she texting me back?Before I know it my door is being swung open. I throw my phone and scream, still unable to see clearly through my tears.

“Shane, Shane! It’s okay, it’s me. It’s Max. You’re okay.” Max’s deep voice washes over me and I blink a few times to clear my vision. He pulls me out of my Jeep, and into an embrace.

“Shh, I got you.” His grip around me is tight and secure. He places his chin on the top of my head as my body shakes against his. I let the sobs take over my body to rid myself of them, before starting to try and regain control of myself.

“You’re okay. I’m here. You’re safe.” I still haven’t been able to muster a single word after throwing my phone at him. But my breaths are starting to slow down and I feel a wave of calmness wash over me. This is probably the fastest I have ever come down from a panic attack after it started.

I stand here in Max’s arms until I am breathing normally again, he never once loosens his grip on me or stops telling me that I’m safe. I move my head to look up at him and he finally lets me loose a little bit.

“How did you know where to find me?” I ask, my voice raspy from the screaming and sobbing.

“I was with Tucker and Taylor when you texted her. She gave me your address so I could come to you.” I feel a warmth wash over my body. I can’t believe he was so willing to rush over here to be with me in the middle of what’s charting as one of my worst panic attacks.

“I can’t believe you did that,” I say, looking down at my feet. Max sighs, catching my attention. I look back up at him and he’s got his deep blue eyes locked with mine immediately.

“To be honest, I hated that you came home alone in the first place.” I feel my cheeks heat at his comment. He must notice too because he quickly adds to his statement. “I just knew you were shaken up and I wanted to make sure you made it home okay.” I nod in response.

I knew he didn’t mean he actually wanted to comehomewith me. However, after being held by him, having his strong arms and the warmth of his body against mine, I would toss the down comforter out for him any day.

“Well, thank you for showing up. I haven’t had a panic attack since I started college, this was probably one of the worst ones I’ve ever had.” I admit. He looks at me with concern on his face, but he doesn’t press me for more information. Instead, he changes the subject.

“Meet me at the gym tomorrow. 10 AM.” He commands. It’s so sexy I don’t mind that it wasn’t a question.

“Um. Why?” I question, quirking a brow at him. He stares back at me and without words tells me not to ask questions, to just do as I’m told. And fuck it, after the way he showed up for me tonight, I will.

“What gym?” I ask instead, hoping for a verbal response since I am not actually in his head to retrieve the answer for myself. This question makes him smile and I want to remember Max’s smile forever.

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