Page 67 of Shot to the Hart

“Do you want me to listen, or do you want my opinions?” I ask. Support comes in so many different ways, I don’t know if at this moment he just wants to get everything out or hear what I have to say.

“Just listen for a second. Thank you for asking.” He gives my hand a reassuring squeeze. “I mean she just shows up out of nowhere to dump all of this on me. No phone calls or texts for almost three years. Fucking unbelievable.”

I don’t blame him for being upset. Everything he expected to happen didn’t, instead he got hit with something that’s arguably bigger.

“I can’t even describe if I’m relieved that she doesn’t want anything from me or anything to do with Bella. Or, if I hurt for my daughter, who might one day grow up and ask me why her Mom didn’t want her.” Tears are falling down his face now and I feel my own welling in my eyes.

“Can I say something?”

He doesn’t answer but nods, wiping at his tears then at my own. Gentle hands swiping the tears away as I begin to speak. “That little girl is never going to feel unloved or unwanted, Maverick. This family that you have created for her is going to supply her with more love and support than she can ever ask for. I uh. . .You know that my dad left me too, and he has a family that got everything I didn’t. What you’ve given Bella is everything that I could have ever asked and wished for. My mom is wonderful, don’t get me wrong, but she didn’t have people supporting her the way that you do. Bella might ask questions about Lily as she gets older, and when she’s old enough you can tell her the truth, you can leave the door open for her to know Lily. In the end, it’s up to you and your partner when that time comes.”

“You, it’ll be up to me and you.” My heart stutters, those blue eyes piercing into my own. “I don’t care that she doesn’t wantme. I have everything I need in a woman right here. I don’t need anyone else, Darlin’. I need you. I need that hair fanned out over my pillow while you snore. I need your nervous rambles. I need you caring for Bella. I need chocolate chip pancakes. I need Big Bang Theory and your head on my shoulder.” He peers over at Bella before pulling me into his lap, each of my legs resting outside of his, tears falling down my face as he confesses everything he needs and wants from me.

“Mav—” A gentle finger comes up to my lips before I get the chance to respond.

“I’m not done. I love you, Kodi Roscoe. I’ve realized I don't need anyone else, but I can’t fight it anymore, I don’t want to.”

“Oh, wow.” I could feel Mavericks love before he admitted it. In the way he cares for me, the way he remembers the little things, and cares what I think even when it feels miniscule, the way that my happiness is just as important as his, the way he apologizes to me, and the way he’s looking at me right now.

One golden brow lifts at me. I giggle realizing that he caught me so off guard that I haven’t said it back.

“I love you too, Mav.” Pressing my lips into his gently at first but quickly deepening it, pouring every ounce of affection I have for him into it.

“Oh, one more thing baby. You’re fired.”

“Wha-what?” I stutter, confused and taken aback.

“You can’t be my girlfriend and my employee, Darlin’.” He’s smiling at me now. The tension from earlier has left his shoulders.

“Girlfriend, huh?” I cock a brow at him. “I don’t remember you asking me to go steady, Mr. Hart.”

“So, are you going to ask me to be yours or are you going to assume my answer is yes?” I feel my lips tip up into a sexy little grin.

“Will you go steady with me Kodi?” he asks, and now I know that I am full-blown smiling.

“I’d like that old man.” I giggle, and a smile I was so desperate for spreads across Mav’s face.

“You’re a brat, you know that?”

“But, I’m your brat.” A thought hits me just then, “Uh, how am I going to pay my bills?”

“That you are.” A contented sigh leaves my lips. “And as far as bills go, you can keep helping with Bella and I’ll give you money for whatever you need or want.Ifthat’s something you’d be okay with.”

“Wait a minute, I can get my streaming services again?” I joke.

“I take it back,” he smiles, pushing my hair behind my ear and holding my cheeks so that I can’t look away from him he whispers, “But seriously, thank you for today and everyday Ko. I love you.”

“You’re welcome, Mav. I like it when you tell me that you love me.” That earth shattering smile growing even wider.

“Baby?” Gently he nips at my bottom lip.

“Yes, Mav.”

“I love you.” I’m giggling again, Mav is laughing, and fuck, I love that sound. I wish I could bottle it up to play on a bad day. “Let’s go watch Simba with our girl.”

39

MAVERICK

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