Page 65 of Because of the Dar

I'm happy,is my first thought as I wake up next to King for the third day in a row. What an odd sensation after such a long time.

After her almost-freak-out the first evening, she tried arguing with me again the second, using Echo as an excuse to go home after her shift. So, I did what every guy would do: I brought her dog to my house.

Wednesday was her night off, and I told her to meet me at the townhouse. Kai announced at practice that he would be spending the night at his newest bedwarmer's place, so I planned to pick up dinner and finally have some real alone time with King.

She and Echo followed me into the garage when I pulled in. Heading up the stairs, she made her way into the kitchen but stopped short, causing me to bump into her with the take-out bags. Her hands flew to her mouth, eyes bouncing back and forth between the food dishes on the floor and me. I had stopped quickly at the local pet store after my morning class, not wanting Echo to have to eat and drink out of our unused pots again for her meal.

Suddenly unsure if I had done the right thing, I attempted to downplay it. "It's just bowls."

She wrapped her arms around me, pressing her cheek against my chest. "Thank you."

Had anyone ever done something nice for her?

Still loaded with bags, I awkwardly hugged her back, mumbling, "It's nothing."

Being the amazing woman she was, she dropped the topic. We ate dinner, watched a movie on the couch—her lying on top of me, humming in contentment—and the rest of the night I spent buried deep inside of her.

Yup, I was happy.

My mood tooka dive when I had to say goodbye to her on Friday. It was just for a night, but this entire week, she didn't have one nightmare. From what I gathered by eavesdropping on a conversation King had with Kiwi, this was unusual. The thought of her going back to her place and not being able to sleep made my chest constrict.

"I've been fine long before you came along, Sheats." She smirked at me, but the smile didn't meet her eyes. I placed a kiss on her forehead and made her promise to call if she woke up. I didn't spell it out, but it was clear what I meant.

She didn't call, and I didn't ask her when I got back Saturday afternoon, even though every cell in my body demanded to know. The fierce need to protect her from any harm had grown the more time we spent together.

We've fallen into a routine,and I would be lying if I said I didn't like it. Is this too soon? Probably. But the inner peace she brings me outweighs any possible consequence. King and Echo spend every night at my house. Some nights, I pick Echo up while King is still at work. Others, they come over together.

I'm at practice when Coach blows the whistle in the middle of the sprint exercise. It's the day before our second away game, and he always tortures us a little extra for those. For what, I haven't been able to figure out.

"SHEATS!"

I stop short at my name and turn.

"Answer your freaking phone. It won't stop ringing."

I look around at my teammates, mentally taking count of whoever isnothere. All the usual candidates are present, except—a hollow sensation settles in my chest, and I take off toward the bench where I had left my bag.

King or Den.

I pull it out from the side pocket, and the screen lights up automatically. Eight missed calls from King. Shit. I tap on her name and don't have to wait for more than two rings before my sobbing girlfriend answers the phone.

"Sh-she i-is in s-surgery," are the four words coming through the speaker.

I grip my hair with my free hand. Stay calm. Figure out what's going on. I've been through hell with my friends; I can do this. But hearing King nearly hysterical—

"She who? Princess, what's going on?" Deep breaths.

"E-Echo."

I close my eyes. Please no. "What's wrong with Echo?" As relieved as I am that King is okay, the dog has grown on me, and she means the world to King.

Footsteps in the background indicate that she is pacing. "S-she got hit by a c-car. She j-jumped out of the Jeep and—" I can picture the rest.

"Where are you?"

King gives me the address of the vet, and I'm on my way. Grabbing my bag, I yell in Coach's direction that there is an emergency, and I have to go. I don't wait for his response. Kai can tell me later if I'm benched tomorrow.

The drive takes ten minutes, and I burst through the door of the clinic, finding Mags walking back and forth in the waiting area. Her head snaps up. "Oh, thank God!"

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