Page 13 of Headstrong Like Us

“Yeah,” he says with full belief. “They’re strong.” He searches the room for more clothes, and I go back to the air mattress for my phone.

I missed a recent text from my father. “Shit.”

Med call: 9 a.m. at Birdsboro Quarry. Ryke Meadows & Sullivan Meadows are climbing.

Whenever the Meadows family rock climbs, an on-call doctor goes on-site, and ever since Sulli has moved back home, she’s been speed climbing more with her dad.

It’s pulled me away from Maximoff more than I like, but I go where I’m needed. And I love helping these families.

“What happened?” Maximoff asks, tugging his arms through a green crewneck.

“Med call for rock climbing.” I pull my black slacks to my waist and find my security radio on his dresser. If Banks can’t go on-duty for Maximoff, I might lose my shit on Akara.

Banks Moretti switches out with me every time I have a med call.

Until recently.

I fit in my earpiece and raise my mic cord to my mouth. “Farrow to Akara, I have a med call at 9, and Maximoff has to be at the Philly Aquatic Center at 9:30.”

Akara responds through comms. “Banks is on Sulli’s detail today, so I’ll send a new temp over to Maximoff.”

My jaw tenses, and I comb a hand through my hair. There might be social media upsides to Akara’s new firm, but there are downsides to this fledgling company. We can’t use any of the temp guards from Price’s firm. So we have less manpower when a 24/7 personal bodyguard needs extra security or to go off-duty.

And while Akara is busy with business shit, he’s been hogging Banks and using him for Sulli’s detail. Which leaves Maximoff leftovers in the form ofgreentemps. Who we’re all taking turns training when we’re off-duty.

I click my mic. “The temps can barely tie their fucking shoes right now.” He’d never put one on Sulli.

“That’s the best I have, Farrow.” He sounds apologetic. “Work with me here.”

I lock eyes with Maximoff.

“It’s okay.” He tries to fix pieces of his hair. “I’ll be fine on my own for a couple hours.”

I run my tongue over my molars, pissed. I know he thinks he can protect himself, and that’s exactly what Akara believes too. But Maximoff could easily be in a situation where he needs another set of experienced hands, a trained bodyguard—and if he’s alone…

“My uncle can pick up the med call—”

“No.” Maximoff buttons his jeans. “You’re not bailing on a fucking med call. I’ll just cancel today’s swim class and go with you to the climbing site.”

I attach my radio to my waistband and give him a harder look. “We have a problem, wolf scout, because that’s not happening either.” We’re both stubborn.

Maximoff nears me, his stride unwavering and confident. “It’s two hours. I’ll be fine.” He stares deeply into me, his arm curving around my shoulders.

I hold his gaze.Do your motherfucking job, Farrow.I’m a bodyguard and a doctor. My job keeps flipping between protecting him and protecting his family, and times like this, it kills me to put Maximoff second to anyone.

I love the fuck out of him.

“Just ask Akara for that one temp with the chin dimple,” Maximoff says.

“The butt chin,” I correct.

He smiles. “Chin dimple.He wasn’t that bad last time.”

I nod a few times.Fine.I click my mic. “Maximoff is requesting Butt Chin for duty.” I grin wider as Maximoff glowers.

He blinks. “I’m sorry, man. I totally forgot you have hearing problems.”

I roll my eyes, but honestly, I stare at him with more concern. “If you need me, call me. Don’t do the selfless Wolf Scout thing and suffer alone.”