Page 69 of Resilient Rhythms
EIGHTEEN
MCKENNA
I waketo the sound of Dad’s urgent tone and Maverick’s frantic whispering.
I bolt upright in bed, concern blazing through me as my mind plays catch up.
“It just happened,” Dad says.
“I can’t fucking believe it,” Maverick replies.
“Tell me about it,” Dad laughs. Laughs?
I squint my eyes in the early morning light, as if that will help me hear them better.
“We have to tell Mckenna,” Mav urges.
“Of course. I just, I don’t want to wake her.” Dad’s voice is quiet. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s…okay. She slept soundly the last two nights,” Mav says, relief threading through his voice.
Dad sighs. “Good. That’s good.”
“Yeah. Want a coffee?”
“Coffee would be good,” Dad agrees.
Their footsteps shuffle away from the closed bedroom door and I frown. Whatever they were talking about is obviously important news—something they consider waking me to share or they wouldn’t have been chatting outside my bedroom door.
Moving gingerly to the side of the bed, I swing my legs over the edge and suck in a deep breath. I’m sore everywhere but feel the acute ache in my ribs. I take a moment to stretch out my limbs, wincing at the tightness that laces my muscles. But then, I stand and pull on a pair of comfortable shorts. I change into a tank top, run a brush through my hair, and brush my teeth. When I’m presentable, I take the stairs down to the kitchen where I find my dad and Mav drinking espresso and chatting like old friends.
It’s a sight I never thought I’d behold and yet, I like seeing them get along. I like knowing that they’re both in my corner. The two most formidable men I’ve ever known and they’ll do anything in their power to protect and support me.
“Good morning,” I say, my throat scratchy.
Their eyes snap in my direction. Dad stands, relief crossing his expression when he sees me. He closes the space between us in four large strides before carefully wrapping me in his arms.
“You okay, Kenny?” He kisses my temple.
I nod, hugging him as tightly as I can.
His hand flattens in the center of my back, grounding me. Reminding me that whatever comes next, he’s here. Him and Mav.
I pull away and walk over to Maverick. He holds out an arm, wrapping it around me and tucking me into his side. “How’d you sleep?”
“Okay,” I murmur, breathing him in. “What’s going on?”
Mav helps me slide onto a barstool while he moves toward the stove. “Tea?”
I nod.
He fixes me a green tea with honey while Dad sits across the butcher block island. I quirk an eyebrow.
Dad grins. Then, his smile falls.
I lean closer, my brows knitting together.
Dad shakes his head. “I shouldn’t be smiling. It’s awful news. But it’s helpful to your case.”
