Page 79 of A Little Complicated

“And you didn’t correct me,” she interrupts. “I want to know why.”

“Because you were drunk, and I didn’t feel like confusing you.”

Her upper lip curls. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not,” I lie.Again.“Truth or dare?”

“Dare,” she snaps.

“I dare you to tell me how long it took you to figure out it was me walking you home instead of Archer.”

A dry, sarcastic laugh slips out of her. “You really think I don’t know you?”

“Was it before or after the kiss?” I push.

“You think you’re so interchangeable, Maverick? You think I wouldn’t know you by your eyes? Or your smell? Or the way your jaw tightens? Or the way my name rolls off your tongue compared to your brother’s? I didn’t need to kiss you to know it was you.”

“Then why did you?” I rasp.

Her tongue darts out between her pretty, full lips. “It isn’t your turn.”

“Answer the question.”

“It isn’t. Your. Turn,” she seethes. “Truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

She hesitates, a gleam of fear and uncertainty swirling in her pretty caramel eyes.

When she’s quiet for too long, I push, “Don’t stop now, Goose. You have me right where you want me.”

A spark consumes the fear, and she holds my gaze, her voice never wavering. “Why did you stop kissing me when I called you Mav?”

My eyes fall to her lips as I damn near drown in want and guilt and fucking need. “Because my name had never sounded sweeter. I’ll meet you out front.”

I turn to leave, but she calls out, “I don’t need a ride.”

“I don’t care,” I reply. “I’m gonna give you one anyway.”

Then I get the hell out of there.

26

OPHELIA

You know what really sucks? Being in a fight with your best friend all because you started dating him and picked a fight, ending said romantic relationship over something as stupid and juvenile as a kissing booth.

We still haven’t spoken. Instead, I’ve been lying in bed while my phone blows up with messages from my hockey teammates.

The same teammates who were at SeaBird the night Maverick got shit-faced.

Yeah. Group texts? Sometimes, they suck too.

Grace

So…I need everyone’s advice. Ever since we went to SeaBird, I can’t stop thinking about Maverick Buchanan. I saw him on his motorcycle earlier today, and *fans self* I’m dying over here. What I wouldn’t give to climb into his bed and screw his brains out right now…

Emily

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