Page 50 of The Final Rose

“What’s going on?”

I turn around and like every day ofThe Final Rose, there’s crew walking in all directions, talking loudly and making it impossible to have a private conversation.

As much as I got used to their comings and goings, I couldn’t talk about any of my doubts without being overheard.

“Let’s go for a ride.” I nod toward the door.

“A ride?” Maverick makes a face.

“Come on, you can’t possibly forget how to horseback ride.”

He scoffs, finally moving on his feet, not before murmuring. “Oh, my bollocks.”

As I imagined, Maverick knows how to ride, if I’m to ignore all the complaining he’s determined to do. By the time we reach the back of the property on our horses, where no crew risked going yet, I heard all I never wanted to know about hisCrown Jewels.

“Callie,” I interrupt another long-winded sentence about his balls. “The producer.”

“Oh, yes. Tell me about young Callie.”

“We kissed.” As I say out loud, I almost doubt if it really happened. I was drunk. It was quick, and she left me even quicker.

“And I’m only asking because I like to be meticulous, you know? But Callie is not a contestant?”

“No. Callie is the producer.” I take a deep breath and trot the horse.

Maverick’s horse follows the pace I set. “You’re not supposed to kiss the producers, mate. Isn’t an all-you-can-eat buffet over here.”

“I swear I’ll shred your balls, Maverick–”

“Little Star here is already going for it. Don’t worry.” He moves unstable on the back of the poor horse but finally sobers up. “Tell me exactly what happened.”

I try to be clinical about it, so I tell him the events, the facts.

Fact: I brought Callie to meet Bea.

Fact: We were drunk.

Fact: We kissed, and she’s yet to talk to me about it.

And of all the threads I thought Maverick was going to follow, once more he surprises me. “Why did you invite Callie to meet Bea?”

I frown at him, looking back, but face ahead quickly. “I thought they would get on.”

He chuckles. “That house is crawling with a crew. You’ve been dating twelve women at the same time for the last several–”

“People should stop saying I’m dating them all. It’s not like that.”

“It’s exactly like that. You have a little group situation going on. You’re friendly with many people, aren’t you?”

I roll my shoulders back. “I’m a charismatic man.”

“Oh, I’m sure you’re extra charming with her.”

I slice him a look that, of course, infuses no heat. “Mate, you liked her way before the kiss.” He finally reaches his point. “You brought her to meet your family. I think I brought Fael home after a year together. Mostly because I felt bad to subject them to him.”

“You introduced me to Fael on your third date.” I kindly remind him. “It was a very awkward affair.”

“Oh well, it’s better to keep them on their toes.”

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