HazardsDare (31 page)

Avery offered her hand out, smiling when Guinness trotted
over for her to scratch his ears. Silently, she wondered if Hazard received the
Kindle Fire she’d preloaded with books, popular apps, movies and an extensive
music playlist complete with
Bad Things
and songs that would remind him
of their time in Dare.

Hazard wasn’t a flowers and candy kind of guy, so she
thought the lightweight tablet would be just the thing for when the team
traveled. She hadn’t been sure if wives and girlfriends sent gifts to kick off
the playoff season, but she went with her gut on this one and sent him a
present to let him know she was with him in spirit.

The game began after the teams were officially introduced to
the stadium crowd and the national anthem was performed by a
Baltimore–Washington–Virginia area rock band. The same band would play during
the halftime show.

A flourish of fireworks went off and the stage was set. The
Griffins won the coin toss and elected to defer. That meant the Griffins’
offense, led by quarterback Ricky Weathers and a solid offensive line, a
bulldog of a running back and wide receiver, Dallas McKay, would get the ball
first in the second half of the game.

It also meant the Griffins’ defense would take the field
after the kickoff. The Griffins’ winning season was largely due to a strong
defense that routinely kept the opposing teams to field goals and three downs
and out with a punt, allowing the Griffins’ explosive offense to wear out
opposing defenders.

At the start of the game, the Griffins’ placekicker blasted
the football so far down field that the Wolves’ kickoff returner was downed on
the five-yard line. They had a long way to go if they were to score.

The Griffins’ defense held up to their statistics. Before
the first three minutes ticked down, the Wolves were three and out. The
corresponding punt was high and short, giving the Griffins’ special teams kick
returner plenty of room to advance the ball to the forty-yard line.

A touchdown pass by Ricky Weathers to Dallas McKay gave the
Griffins six points eight minutes into the first quarter. Rather than going for
two extra points that early in the game, the Griffins’ kicker went for the sure
thing by splitting the uprights, one point.

By the end of the first quarter, the Alexandria Griffins
were ahead by seventeen to three, with Hazard Osbourne credited with a
quarterback sack, two tackles and an assist. At halftime, the Griffins were
ahead twenty-four to six.

Everyone at the party was pulling for their friends in
Alexandria, Virginia, the food and drinks flowed easily and laughter was
contagious. The pizza was delicious and the beer was good, though Avery
switched to soda after having two beers.

When the Griffins took the field after the half, they
maintained their dominance. The Wolves managed to add a TD late in the third,
but after that, the Griffins’ D shut them down for good, giving Ricky and
Dallas and running back Jerrod Marks plenty of time to shred the opposing
team’s tired red zone defense.

In the end, the Alexandria Griffins won the division,
earning the right to play for the regional title and possibly the championship.

“Looks like we’re all heading for Houston in a few weeks,”
Phalen pronounced after he’d fist-pumped with his brothers. “I’m thinking some
time away from New England would do us all some good.”

“The Griffins have to win the regional title first,”
Alexander pointed out. “But if the offense and defense plays like they did
today, their chances of a championship are really good.”

“The only way Morgan and I are going is if her doctor and
the midwife assure us it’s okay to fly,” Ethan stated.

“We’ll be fine,” Morgan assured. “If the Griffins make the
league championship, I’m not missing it.”

“Midwife?” Taran questioned, looking back and forth at Ethan
and Morgan.

“Morgan’s elected to give birth at home, if at all
possible,” Ethan said.

“And you’re okay with this?” Taran demanded, shaking his
head. “What happened to my levelheaded brother?”

“I support what my wife wants,” Ethan said. “She and the
baby are getting excellent medical care.”

“The use of midwives has been around for centuries,” Morgan
commented. “I’m not overly fond of hospitals, Taran. You must know that by
now.”

“But you’re having a baby!”

Morgan grinned so wide, she lit up the room. Avery watched
the interplay with interest. It was clear Taran loved her like a sister. His
concern was admirable, but Avery was totally onboard with her friend’s choice
to have a midwife.

“Yes, I am,” Morgan said to Taran. “And I love you, you big
dolt. Don’t go worrying about this. Everything will be fine. The baby’s growing
stronger and I feel great.”

“Phalen, is Cassie doing this midwife-home-birth thing?”

Phalen stood next to Cassie, his hand at her back where he
gently massaged. Cassie’s baby bump was more noticeable than Morgan’s. “She
prefers the hospital, but she’s talked to the midwife and is learning more
about delivery options. There’s plenty of time to make that decision.”

“For the record, I don’t like it,” Taran stated, then
switched his focus to Sam, who was currently dishing up a big bowl of chowder
at the long buffet table set up for the party. “If we have a baby, you’re going
to the hospital. We clear?”

Sam frowned, looking around to belatedly discover everyone
in the room was focused on her now.

“You won’t have to worry about it, big boy,” she finally
said.

“Like hell I won’t,” Taran told her. “If something happened
to you or the baby, it would destroy me.”

Sam put her bowl down carefully. “Don’t you dare do that!”
she snapped so sharply the dull conversations going on about football ended.

“Do what?” Taran asked.

“Think your Maddox charm is going to dominate and seduce me.
You don’t call for weeks. You don’t acknowledge that I’m even in the same room
most of the time. And suddenly, when we’re among friends, you act like you
care. That’s bullshit.”

Taran smiled as if he’d won a prize. “You think I’m
charming?” he challenged.

“There will be no midwife or obstetricians, okay? Leave it.”
Sam was in panic mode.

If Taran didn’t back off or say something she needed to
hear, he was going to take a giant step backward in his attempts to charm
Detective Samantha Riley. It was Morgan who stepped into his path and kept him
from marching across the room to face off with Sam.

Morgan whispered something, calming him with her customary
gentleness. He kept his eyes on Sam, who didn’t move one single inch.

Regardless, it wasn’t in Taran to say absolutely nothing.
Still standing where he’d been, he turned his attention to Sam. “Never doubt
that I care about you. I gave you time, doll. Time’s up.”

Sam retreated several steps and was about to make a run for
it when Avery’s cellphone started playing
Bad Things
. Unhooking it from
her jeans pocket, she answered.

“Congratulations, Hazard!” Avery greeted, getting caught up
in hearing him answer.

“Hey, baby, thank you for the cheer and for the gift,” he
said. “It was a real nice surprise.”

“You liked it?”

“Loved it, but I’m holding off on reading the Ransom Hunter
collection until I’m with you. I’m hoping we’ll get started on that tonight.”

“Tonight?”

“Check your inbox on your phone,” Hazard replied.

A cacophony of male voices and celebrations could be heard
over the cellphone connection. It sounded as if a party was going on wherever
he was calling from.

Checking her email, she discovered a flight itinerary.
“You’re coming up here?”

“If you don’t mind celebrating with a banged-up linebacker,
yeah,” he said. “My muscles are going to be protesting real soon and I’m going
to need my personal physical therapist to assist. Think you can handle the
job?”

“I’d love to. What about your dad and brother?”

“We had a great visit. I’m taking them back to the airport
as soon as I take a shower and finish up with the press. I should get to Boston
by eight.”

Avery’s heartbeat danced a happy jig. Hazard was coming to
see her. “Your coach isn’t going to object?”

“I’m not required to be anywhere until Tuesday morning.
After that, preparations begin for the next playoff game. I bought the plane ticket
with an open-ended return flight. I figured if we lost, you and I could
commiserate. If we won, you and I could celebrate.”

“Then you should get your ass to the airport and I’ll meet
you at Logan,” Avery commanded playfully.

“I can always rent a car and use GPS to get to your
apartment.”

“No. I’ve got something in mind.” Her newly cleaned red
dress came to mind. The stilettos would make her ankle beg for some healing
massage and RICE later, so she would have to wear some more modest heels, but
she was going to make a lasting impression on Hazard Osbourne tonight, despite
her shoes.

“In that case, I’m only bringing a carryon bag, so don’t go
to baggage claim.”

“Okay. There’s a place for drivers to park close to the
terminal while waiting to pick up arriving passengers. I’ll text the location
to you and pick you up at the closest entrance to that area.”

“Looking forward to it,” Hazard replied as someone called
his name. “Avery, I have to go. I love you and can’t wait to see you.”

“Same here.” They said goodbye and ended the call.

Avery let out a happy shriek.

“What’s all the excitement for?” Eve asked.

“Hazard’s flying up to Boston to see me tonight.”

“Guess that means someone’s going to disappear for the rest
of the weekend,” Phalen commented.

“I’ve got to get ready,” Avery stated. “Except, Alexander,
if you and Ryan want me to stay to help clean up, I will.”

Alexander came up and brought her in for a hug. “Go ahead
and take the time you need. We’ve got this covered. Your time with Hazard will
be limited until the playoffs are over.”

“Hell, Alex, when did you stop being a hard-ass? Thought for
sure you’d want to break the linebacker’s nose for dating your sister,” Taran
quipped.

“Since he met me,” Ryan said. “Be careful, Taran, you tease
my husband again, I’ll wrestle you until you say you’re sorry.”

Taran loved a challenge. Naturally, he puffed up his chest
and stepped forward.

“You just want the chance to grab my ass.”

“Only part of me you’ll have to worry about is my foot when
I kick your scrawny ass,” Ryan declared with a menacing smile that promised he
was not intimated by the youngest but tallest Maddox in the room.

“According to Morgan, Taran has a fabulous ass,” Sam added,
much to everyone’s surprise. “From where I’m standing, I’d say she’s right.”

Taran swung around and faced off with Sam. “No need to be
jealous, doll. If you’d like to check out what I’ve got in private, I’m all
yours.”

“I’m likely to bite,” Sam warned.

“My kind of lady,” Taran countered with ease.

And with that, Avery decided to take her leave. She had
baskets of laundry to put away and fresh sheets for her bed.

Most in the room were too caught up in watching Sam and
Taran banter to notice Avery quietly slip out, gather her coat and purse from
where she’d left it in the kitchen and go outside.

It only took a minute or two to reach her Honda, climb in
and head home. Oh, the tales that red dress could tell, and would tell again!

* * * * *

Hazard’s flight was the longest hour of his life. It wasn’t
that anything went wrong.

As a matter of fact, the pilot touched down without much
hassle and the flight attendant in first class was professional and easy to be
around. During the flight, he agreed to sign some autographs and didn’t mind
talking to those around him about football.

He was proud of the Griffins making it to the next round of
the playoffs. Now that the plane was parked at the gate, what he really wanted
was to see Avery and spend the next forty-eight hours in bed.

A little sore and a lot horny, Hazard waited for his turn to
disembark and remembered to turn on his phone for Avery’s text. There was
nothing.

Thinking the signal was delayed or hampered due to the
plane, he made his way into the terminal and checked the phone again. Still no
text from Avery.

His flight was on time. Maybe she’d gotten caught in
traffic. He texted Avery just to let her know he’d arrived and went to an
information desk to ask where the temporary parking area for those waiting to
pick up arriving passengers was located and headed in that direction.

His carryon was light. He wore a game-day business suit, as
all players were required to do for a home or an away game. The dark-brown
pants, matching suit coat and medium brown shirt were complemented by the tie
that he tucked into his pocket as he walked.

He hadn’t bothered with a winter coat. But a step outside on
a cold winter evening in Boston reminded him that he should have.

Checking his phone again, he frowned. It was so odd for
Avery not to text or call or be so silent. When they weren’t in bed, they
talked a lot, laughed a lot. He’d hoped to hear her soft chuckle again.

Deciding to give her a call, he didn’t like that it went to
voicemail. Next, he called her apartment, again, she didn’t answer. Since it
was possible she was caught in traffic, he thought to text Alex to see if he
knew what time Avery had left Danvers.

Alex called within a few seconds. “Osbourne, why are you
asking me about Avery. She’s supposed to be with you by now.”

Hazard frowned. “She’s not. I’m worried, Alex. It’s unlike
her to leave someone hanging like this. Could traffic delay her this long?”

“Logan can be tricky to navigate. Try her home number, but
if you don’t hear from her in five minutes, call me back.”