Saving Lotte Sullivan | Collingwood/Carlton

25: Daicos Residence

'I can't remember what she looks like' Trent Bianco said, as he walked alongside his older teammate from security check in.

'I'll know her when I see her. I just hope she hasn't left the airport yet. We've arrived hours after she left' Darcy Moore said, as he tiredly dragged his bag along. He'd stupidly assumed he would be finishing up after the game and going home to Melbourne. Apparently not.

'Well then, she could be anywhere in the state. Why are you so worried anyway? And why can't we tell Daicos and Gin?' Trent asked, reminding Darcy of a young child who asked far too many questions in an annoyingly short amount of time. He'd driven him mental on the plane from Sydney to Adelaide. But he was the only teammate he could trust that wouldn't run his mouth. And Darcy felt Lotte would be able to relate to him in a way.

'If she's not here, I think she'll be hiding around her brother's old suburb. Come on, let's look' Darcy said, as Trent sighed and followed him through the airport. So much for sleep.

...

'I don't know what to tell you, Nick. I got lost. I got on the wrong flight and never realised, and I guess the airline staff didn't either. Are you done grilling me?' Lotte asked tiredly, as Nick Daicos stressfully paced around her, biting what was left of his already destroyed finger nails.

'You got lost. You got on the wrong flight, instead of Melbourne, you went to Adelaide. Before the game had even ended. And nobody noticed' Madison Daicos said, as she folded her arms and looked down at Lotte, doubtfully. 'Yep' Lotte said, as she looked up at Darcy, who tiredly glared back at her, not meaning it. He was just so exhausted.

'Josh lost his mind with worry and panic, and you come back with these idiots, like nothing had even happened' Nick said, gesturing over to Darcy, who buried his face in his arms, desperate for five minutes of sleep.

'Don't call them idiots. I tried to shake them off, but they wouldn't leave' Lotte said quietly, as Nick sighed and exchanged a look with his older sister.

'Where is Josh anyway?' Trent asked, as he walked back into the room and sat down at the table next to Darcy.

'His daughter's in the hospital again, he's staying with her. It's a routine thing' Maddie briefly explained, as Trent nodded and thanked her. She quickly left the room.

'Did you manage to get him on the phone and calm him down?' Darcy asked, looking up, half asleep. Again, Trent nodded.

'Yeah. He's been waiting for Lotte to get home forever, terrified something bad had happened' Trent explained, as Darcy exchanged a knowing look and nodded, happy enough with whatever explanation that was. His brain couldn't take it anymore.

'Is this about Josh?' Lotte asked quietly, as Darcy shook his head and groaned. 'Hurry up Ella' he added.

'Jack. I mean, Gin. No one is more worried about you than him right now' Trent said softly, as Lotte nodded. That made a lot of sense. Jack was never far from her sight from long, she was surprised he himself hadn't moved into her apartment yet.

'I don't believe you' Nick suddenly said, as the three of them looked up at him, shaking his head and looking at Lotte in disbelief.

'Oh no, the cheater is calling me the liar. However shall I sleep tonight?' Lotte asked sarcastically, smirking as she looked at the others for a reaction. Darcy was leaning his chin on his hand, eyes closed, asleep for a few seconds. Trent was scrolling through his phone, completely unfazed. A sudden knock in the door made the two jump, as Darcy stayed asleep.

'Maddie?' Nick called out, as she yelled down the stairs 'I'M BUSY!', Nick quickly disappearing to get the door.

Lotte looked back at Trent, bored as he ignored her looks, Darcy waking and loudly yawning. 'Where the hell is she?' He asked, checking his phone again.