Page 37 of A Little Complicated

“I think he’s good,” I mutter. “But asking Maverick for help sounds about as pleasant as getting a pap smear.”

“You’ve had a pap smear?”

“I had to get one when I got on birth control for my shitty periods in high school.”

His eyes dance with mirth. “Hot.”

Smacking him in the chest, I argue, “You have no idea how easy guys have it.”

“Trust me.” He grins ruefully. “We know.”

“Aw, you bought me pizza?” Maverick asks as he heads into the family room from the hallway. My head snaps in his direction. With narrowed eyes, I watch him approach. Sure enough, the asshole reaches for a slice of supreme pizza and shoves it into his mouth without waiting for me to offer it.

“That’s mine,” I inform him.

“Ah, Opie, you shouldn’t have. And my favorite flavor, too? You’re a real peach.”

“It’smyfavorite flavor,” I argue.

Lifting the slice in a cheers motion, he counters, “Who knew you had such good taste?”

He did.

We’ve been the only two in the families who like supreme pizza for as long as I can remember. The fact he doesn’t remember stings way more than I’d like to admit. Or maybe he did know, and he’s hiding it. Hiding how he knows me the same way I know him. Or knew him, considering how he broke my heart and has kept me at arm’s length ever since.

“Hey, so we were thinking,” Archer announces.

Regret lines my insides, and I sit up straighter, fighting the urge to slap my hand over Archer’s mouth to keep him from talking. I bite the inside of my cheek as my attention cuts to his twin brother. I’m caught between curiosity and terror as to how this will turn out.

Maverick’s chewing stops mid-bite. He swallows the bite of pizza whole and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “Yeah?”

Archer nudges my shoulder, and Maverick’s eyes fall to me. “Spit it out, Opie.”

“Don’t be a dick,” Archer warns. “I’m going to the bathroom. I’ll be back in a minute.” He stands and looks at me as if to saythe floor’s all yours.

Perfect.

It’s rare when I want to smack Archer, but as I watch him round the corner, throwing me to the wolves—er,wolf, since there’s only one Maverick Buchanan—my hand feels twitchy. I tuck it under my thigh and let out a slow breath. Once we’re officially alone, I run my tongue along my teeth, unsure what to say or how to get out of this mess.

“Are we gonna stand here all day? Or…?” Maverick folds his arms and cocks his head. Like he’s waiting for me to get to the point.

“I’m surprised you’re so anxious to hear me out,” I note. “I figured pissing me off is the highlight of your day, and you’d want to bask in it for as long as possible.”

“Can you blame me?” He bends down and grabs another slice of pizza from the box but stops when he’s close to me, his eyes practically drinking me in as he drops his voice to a husky whisper. “Watching my ex snuggle with my brother in my family room, only to see her squirm as soon as she sees me, isexactlyhow I enjoy spending my time, don’t you think?”

I glance from his mouth to his dark blue eyes. “You’re a dick.”

“Never claimed to be the knight.” He stands up straight again, making me feel tiny in comparison. “Now spit it out, Opie.”

Fine.

“I told Archer about how you kicked my ass on the ice today.”

“And?” he prods. He’s on edge. I can see it. Feel it. Practically taste it.

“And Archer thinks I could learn a thing or two from you.”

“Archer thinks you could learn a thing or two from me, oryouthink you could learn a thing or two from me?” His eyes gleam knowingly.

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