Page 49 of Shot to the Hart

Me

No, Tatum. I haven’t apologized. I’m hiding in my room like a coward.

Tate

You’re better than that dude. Give her time to cool down tonight and then talk to her. Buy her flowers or some shit.

28

KODI

WINE, CHEESE, AND AN ORGASM

Ican’t believe I let myself get so hot and bothered with Maverick the other night. We can’t do this. He was right, but the sting of rejection still hurt. I’ve been avoiding him for days. I respond to his texts and I’m cordial when we run into each other in the house, but our typical routine after Bella is down has been halted for the time being. No longer talking about our day, eating junk food in secret, and watching TheBig Bang Theoryuntil one of us falls asleep.

I don’t know how to explain to him how I’m feeling and he is clearly just as flustered. He smiles but it’s more of a grimace when we bump into each other, and he’s hiding in his room when he is home. He’s been so busy with practice, media and games that we haven’t really had the opportunity to address it.

God, the other night was so hot. I could have come just with his tongue in my mouth and my hips rotating on his hard length. But no, he had to be the boss and stop it. This man is simultaneously the sweetest and most frustrating man I’ve everinteracted with. I don’t have the slightest clue what to do about it.

I’m getting ready to do my nighttime routine as I watch Bella sleep on the monitor when my phone buzzes beside me.

Maverick

If you’re up when I get home, can we talk? I’m leaving the stadium now.

Ugh, I don't want to. I don’t want to hear him reject me again, even if it’s just to restate the boundary that was set after our time on the couch. We need to talk. I want to talk.

Me

Sure. I was just getting ready to lay down but I can stay up.

Maverick

Thanks. I appreciate it. See you soon.

Me

Drive safe.

I quickly wash and moisturize my face then grab two Gatorades—as much as a beer sounds good he’s going to need electrolytes after practice—and pace the back porch sipping mine until I hear the sliding glass door behind me. I turn to find Maverick in a tightfitting athletic tee, black sweats, with a black hat sitting backwards on his golden locks and—what the fuck—a dozen colorful daisies in his hand. There’s no way he remembers that conversation where Dom grilled me for my favorites.

Tentatively, he pushes the flowers towards me. Taking them and handing him one of the Gatorades, I say, “Thank you. These are beautiful. Um, why did you get them?”

“Because I was a jerk the other night. I couldn’t even properly explain to you why we couldn’t keep going.” I am getting ready to respond but he continues. “Will you sit with me?” Gesturing towards the gray, cushioned patio furniture that surrounds the fire pit. “Listen, I haven’t been with anyone since Lily. We haven’t even had any other women in the house aside from your friends. Not even the guys are allowed to bring women around unless they are seriously dating. You’re so fucking beautiful Kodi, but I don’t feel like I can have you, especially with this bond that you’ve formed with my daughter. Arabella’s heart is more important than mine. I have to make sacrifices to keep her safe, even if it’s to my detriment. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you that the other night. I felt like such a jackass and I wanted to apologize, but I felt like you were avoiding me.” He sighs. It hurts me to think that he doesn’t feel like he deserves happiness too but it isn’t my place to tell him that, not in this moment at least.

“I was because I didn’t know what to do or how to handle the rejection.” He flinches. “But, I accept your apology. I understand why you didn’t want to go any further. I do wish you would have been able to verbalize that the other night though.” I rush to get out before he keeps apologizing or says something that might make my heart flutter in my chest.

I finally have the nerve to look into his eyes and it knocks the air out of my lungs seeing his mesmerizing blue eyes burning into me from across the pit.

“Do you think there is something else you can do for me?” He asks, never breaking eye contact.

“Sure, what's up?”

“My dad called earlier today, he asked about coming to spend a few hours with Bella this week. My schedule is super packed though. Do you think you could take her to the park or something with him one day this week?”

“Yeah, Mav. Of course, just have him text me and we can set something up. I’d love to meet him,” I reply, giving him my best grin.

“Thanks, Kodi. I truly appreciate it. I don’t want to be rude, but I’m exhausted. Do you mind if I head in?” he asks me with a worried expression.

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