Page 96 of Drifting

“I never should have done that. I was being a jealous jerk and looking for attention. When she started pawing me, I didn’t like it, though, and told her to stop. When she didn’t listen, I pushed her off and came back to the table. It doesn’t make what I did right, but I’ll try to be better at telling you when I’m feeling needy. Most importantly, I didn’t cheat on you, and I never will. I’ve seen how cheating can destroy lives. I really did just go to the bathroom to pee. When I came out, Dom explained what my actions looked like to you. Then, he slapped me good.” Mav rubs the back of his head. “He told me I was fuckin things up with you. I wanted to explain what happened, but you were gone. I wanted your attention, and others had it, so I acted wrong.” His sad, black eyes stare into mine, reaching to my soul. “Can you forgive me?”

I peer over to Dom, silently asking if what Mav said was true since he saw what happened at The Diner.

He scowls at his brother. “He pushed her off, but he shouldn’t have flirted with her, to begin with.”

I sigh. “What happens when you need me, and I’m not around? What would you do then, Mav?”

“I understand trust is hard for you, and that you need to trust me to be with you. But, I promise that I will never cheat on you! As to what I’ll do, I’ll call someone and tell them what I’m feeling or use one of the coping mechanisms I learned.”

“You hurt me tonight, Mav. Seeing you flirting hardcore in front of me like I didn’t even mean anything to you…” I clench my fists to fight. “It hurt more than when Evan slapped me.”

Mav cringes.

“But I appreciate you explaining everything, and sharing your past isn’t easy,” I continue. “When you feel that way, talk to me, and we’ll work it out together.”

Some might say I’m a fool for forgiving him so quickly, but I believe he meant nothing by his flirting. I didn’t get upset when Cam flirted with Paige at the game. But, Mav went too far by letting that girl sit on his lap. He needs to communicate more, and I need to trust him more.

He picks me up and sits me on his lap, wraps his arms around me. “I’m so damn sorry. I’ll do everything in my power to make it up to you, starting with what I came up with tonight.”

“What?”

He squirms around with me on his lap. “Babe, you’re going to love me after I tell you what I thought up.”

Who’s saying that I don’t love him already?

Wait, I didn’t just think that, did I? Oh boy, I’m in deep shit.

“At the party, everyone was taking turns keeping an eye on Hannah—well, everyone but me. I was too angry at myself to babysit. I think it was Cam’s turn, so the rest of them were sitting around chatting, enjoying the party. I was pounding beers, thinking of a way to get back in your good graces, and I kept coming back to what you told me about your cousin. I want to do something. Nobody should have to go through what your cousin is going through. Plus, Dom and I don’t like what it’s doing to you, the way you walked around school today like an unhappy zombie.” He waves his hands all around. “Anyway, I wanted to make up tonight, so I was determined to come up with a plan to help you. But how could I help you if Brainy couldn’t even find a loophole? Then, realization struck like a bolt of lightning.”

Shivering, I pull his shirt closer to my body. “Oh my god, Mav, just tell me what your idea is. I’m not exactly wearing the right clothes to run down memory lane in.”

Mav’s lustful eyes roam my body. “Yeah, but you look sexy as all hell in my sweatshirt.”

I don’t have to look at Dom to feel his eyes also looking at my body, and another shiver runs through me, this time not from the cold.

“Now, where was I? Oh yeah, my idea. I’m a Knight.” Mav gives me a confident smile.

I raise an eyebrow, waiting for more. That’s his big idea? ‘He’s a Knight.’ I peek over at Dom, who shakes his head.

About to let lose it on Mav, Dom speaks up, “What my idiot brother—”

“Hey, I’m not an idiot!” Mav pouts. “I came up with the plan.”

Dom sighs. “What my idiot brother is trying to say is that our name carries weight. You told me your uncle owns his own shop. Maybe we can threaten his livelihood and get him to sign the emancipation papers.”

It’s a dirty plan. Uncle Brett raised me, but Cin comes first. I chew my lip. “It might work. I’m willing to try anything.”

Mav smiles widely. “Good, we’ll pick you up at noon and drive you to your uncle’s place. It’s time to get your cousin out of there.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I direct the question at Dom. Right now, Mav would do just about anything, and I don’t want this to backfire and tarnish their name.

“Of course, we want to help you!” Mav blurts out. “We love you and want you to be happy, so you’ll keep being our girlfriend.”

What? Did he just say he loves me? I scrub my face.

“How much have you had to drink, Mav?” I look at Dom. “Please tell me you drove here?”

Dom gives me an of course look.

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