Page 32 of Coming Home to Maverick

“She’s never had it as good as you have.”

“That’s not even fair. It might have been true when we were kids, but my life hasn’t been roses, Maverick. And I’ve learned a few things. One of them is that I don’t have to put up with any haters in my life.”

“Fair enough, but—”

A scream interrupted him, and he leapt out of the truck, taking off down the ravine path toward their swimming hole. Adrenaline raced through his body. A part of him registered the sound of Bailey coming behind him. That comforted him. If something was really wrong at the water, they’d need to work together to get help. And there weren’t too many people he’d rather have at his back than Bailey.

One time in high school, when they were out on the football field, one of the guys collapsed. Bailey had run out to him, beating the medical staff. She’d immediately run back to the stands, once they’d begun easing off his helmet, to tell his parents that he was conscious and breathing.

He rounded the corner, and the water came into view. His pace picked up, and his breathing hitched when he saw a splash of bright red on the rocks at the side of the water.

“Tiff!” he shouted.

“Maverick? Oh, Maverick! I’m here!” Her voice sounded strong.

He pushed through the last brush and almost ran into Tiff holding her head. Blood dripped down her face.

“Whoa there, Tiff.” He reached out to steady her, and she let herself collapse into his arms.

“I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t know what to do.”

“Are you alone?”

“No, but they’re no use.”

Her two friends were up here with her. She pointed to a trail of vodka bottles and her two girlfriends sitting back up against a rock in a daze.

“This is ridiculously dangerous.” He pulled off his shirt, and her eyes widened as she openly checked him out.

Bailey approached. “Oh no, you’ve got to put some pressure on that.”

He held up his shirt, and Bailey stretched it taut while he ripped off pieces. He handed the first to Tiff. “Put this up against your cut, right there.”

She held the ball of fabric up against the cut, her pout coming on strong. She scowled at Bailey. “What’s she doing here?”

“We’re hiking the rim.” He didn’t have time for whatever spat they had going between them. Bailey ripped a few more strips and tied them together without him asking. Then he wrapped it around Tiff’s head, holding the first wad of fabric in place to hopefully stop the bleeding. “What happened?”

“Oh, you know. We were just messing around. I jumped off the high rock, but I slipped.”

He shook his head. “We’ve got to get you three out of here. Do you think they can walk?”

She shrugged and then swayed.

“How much have you had?”

“I’m not drunk. Well, maybe legally I am, but I can walk.”

He looked her over. “Does anything else hurt?”

“Nah. I’m fine now that you’re here.” She leaned into him, giggling.

Maverick steadied her. “Let’s get you over there by your friends.”

When he leaned down to help her get situated, she pulled him forward. He was off-balance and tipped to the side so that he was lying in her lap. “Hey now.” He smiled. “That’s not the kind of outing I’m on.”

“You’ve never complained before.”

He gritted his teeth at her false insinuation.

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