Page 87 of Talk About… Rivalry

“You do, I promise. The furniture belongs to the cottage, the quilt was just an old one I found in the house. I’m not attached to any of it other than my clothes, some books, and my personal items.”

He looked at me with pain in his hazel eyes. “You live like a ghost.”

That hit me square in the chest. Had that been what I’d been doing? Keeping my things minimal so when I was inevitably tossed out of someone’s life that I wouldn’t have to take long to gather my things?

He pulled me in again like he couldn’t help but crush me in a hug.

Having someone as big as Maverick wrapped around you was an amazing, comforting feeling.

It chased away the doubts even more.

“I’m going to go grab the boxes,” he finally said, letting me go.

“I’ll come, too,” I rushed out. I refused to stay in here alone ever again.

He didn’t argue, just held out his hand for me. When my fingers intertwined with his, he pulled me with him, heading back for the truck.

My steps faltered when I saw my dad standing there, looking at the boxes in the back of Maverick’s truck bed, arms crossed.

When he heard us approaching he turned. His face was as stone cold and unreadable as always. Maverick’s hand tightened around mine, a silent reminder that I wasn’t alone.

“You leaving?” my dad questioned. Then his green gaze shifted to Maverick “With him?”

“Yes,” Maverick answered for me. “She has a pack now.”

“Were you even going to say goodbye?” my father questioned.

The fact that he sounded hurt was insane to me.

“Yes, I was,” I said firmly. His shoulder slumped a little and he nodded.

“Not that I deserve it. I should have been there for you, Sidney.”

For the first time in my entire life my father looked small. The years had taken a toll on him. There were weathered lines on his face, his hair and beard were gray now, and he looked downright sad. It was like my father aged overnight. Or maybe I hadn’t looked at him closely in a long time.

“All I wanted was for you to show me that you cared,” I admitted, refusing to hide from the fact that he never tried to be close to me. “I lost my mom and then I had you who wanted nothing to do with me.”

He winced at the truth in my words.

“I have a lot of regrets in my life, Sidney, but having you was never one of them. I’m proud of you and I’m glad you have someone that can show you how amazing you are.”

My eyes burned and a tear fell down my cheek. My dad walked forward, pulling me into a quick hug. It was so fast, there and then he wasn’t.

“Love you, kid. Don’t be a stranger.”

Then he turned and walked away, leaving me stunned and shaken.

I never imagined my goodbye turning out this way.

Maverick gave me a moment to process before he pulled me over to the truck. He gathered up the boxes in one hand, never letting go of me for a second.

His hand in mine was like a lifeline and I clung to it through the entire process of packing up my cottage.

He didn’t let go of me until he helped me into the front seat of his truck, going back and forth only three times to put everything in the back.

Just as Maverick was about to pull out of the lot, he turned to me, eyes full of frustration, but pride.

“We’re coming back for that cat.”

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