Page 80 of Healer's Call

“Getting ready in case—” something jumps out of the bushes, and I scream as I throw the pillow over my face. “What was that?” I yell into the pillow.

“What wasthat?” he retorts, and I realize he’s laughing.Laughing!

I lower the pillow to look at him. “Are you laughing at me?” The woman on the screen screams, and I scream too and cover my face again. Her scream rises in pitch. “Turn it off!” I yell at him. The screaming continues, and desperation hits. I drop my pillow and lunge at him, trying to grab the controls. His quick reflexes kick in, and he keeps the remote out of my reach. I grab my pillow and hit him with it. Hard. The creepy music starts again, and I yell at him. “Maverick! I will never forgive you!” I reach again for the controls and only manage to fall into him. Thankfully, his plate is nowhere in sight. I grab at his hand andgrab the controls and scramble to push the stop button. I finally manage to do it, and silence blesses my eardrums. I turn to him. “I’m going to wake you up every hour tonight when I can’t sleep.” It’s only then that I realize the position I’ve managed to put us both in. I’m practically in his lap. I quickly scramble away from him and to my side of the bed as I try to slow the beating of my racing heart.

“I don’t think that’s quite the punishment you think it is,” he says in a low voice, and it takes my mind a moment to catch up. When it does, I turn back to him. But he’s already picking up his plate and carrying it to the trash. I stare after him a moment, trying to find my equilibrium.

Chapter38

Rose

I wake up the next morning and realize it happened again. I must have fallen asleep during the movie, and Mav let me sleep. I look over at the other side of the bed. It doesn’t look like it was slept in. I grimace and sit up, feeling bad for chasing Maverick out of his own bedroom and bed. Again. I hate that he can’t even stay in the same room as me, but it is what it is. I slip out into the hallway and into my bedroom before I see anybody. After a shower and a cup of tea, I feel more human and ready to face the day. A knock on the door startles me, and I head that way quickly in case somebody needs me for healing. I’m surprised to see Maverick on the other side of the door. “Is everything okay?” I ask quickly. He gives me an odd look.

“Yeah, why?”

I pause. “I just thought somebody needed healing or something.”

“Nope. Do you have a swimsuit?”

His question catches me by complete surprise. “What?”

“Do you have a swimsuit?” he asks, slower this time. I nod, because that’s all I can do. “Have you been to the pool yet?”

My eyes widen. “No. Is that what we’re doing?”

“Yeah. You need to take a break. Do something fun.”

“And you’re Mr. Fun now?” I ask, attempting to hold back my smile.

He crosses his arms over his chest. “Do you want to go or not?”

I bite back another smile. “Yes! Let me throw on my suit under my clothes. Give me five minutes.” I attempt to close the door, but he catches it.

“Can I wait for you in here?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Oh, yes. Sure.” I step over to my dresser drawers and grab what I need before heading to the bathroom. Five minutes later, I’m ready to go. My hair is braided and I’m wearing my swimsuit under my shorts and t-shirt. “I just need to grab sunscreen,” I say more to myself than him.

“I already have it.” I glance at him and realize for the first time he has a large bag.

“I need to grab a water bottle.”

“I already packed one for you,” he says.

“What else do you have packed in that magical bag?” I ask with a grin.

“Snacks, towels, aloe for when you get burned, bug spray, sunglasses,” he pauses. “I think that’s about it.”

“Wow. I’m impressed. You’re really prepared.”

“I’m always prepared,” he mutters. “Now, can we get going?”

“I just need to check in with Amber to see if anybody needs healing,” I start.

“Already done. You’re free for the day. Nobody’s allowed to bother you. Now, let’s go.” He walks over to the door, and I follow.

“Should I check with Ava?”

“Already did. Blondie doesn’t want to go. Shocker.”

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