Page 62 of Bitter Beats

“Might as well get hot dogs too,” Mav chirps.

Kimberly’s gaze ping-pongs between the two of us. She stares like we’re giving her the creeps, and Mav and I both erupt into laughter at her horrified expression.

Kimberly shakes her head. “You guys are freaking me out. What do you want me to book besides the hotel, the Broadway show, and brunch?”

“Nothing,” Mav and I say in unison.

“We’re…winging it,” I admit, shocked that those words are coming out of my mouth. I don’t “wing” things. Like Kimberly, I plan, process, and execute according to a list. But with Mav, the idea of a long weekend in New York City, being a tourist and a holiday reveler, is thrilling. I don’t want to plan and process; I want to feel and experience.

Mav drapes an arm around my shoulder and tugs me into his side. “We got this, Kimberly. The public loves Mckenna and me together. Don’t worry about New York. We’ll charm the label execs, and you’ll get your perfect holiday romance photos.”

I snake my arm around Mav’s waist. “I’m a great plus-one in a corporate setting.”

“My first choice.” Mav glances down at me and winks.

“I’ll go dress shopping this week,” I confirm.

“And shoes. Get sexy shoes, Mckenna. We want these uptight pricks to think?—”

“I got you,” I reassure him, patting his hip.

Kimberly slips her phone into her back pocket. “I don’t know what’s happening anymore.” She lets out a shaky sigh. “You two are either fucking with me and doing a great job or fucking with yourselves.” I open my mouth, but she waves her hand. “I don’t want to know. Mav’s right; you are trending well in the papers and on socials. The fans actually like you.” She points at me, her voice wrapped in surprise.

Mav chuckles.

“Thanks, Kimberly,” I say.

Her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “I didn’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just, the fans never like any of the girls. It took them a while to warm up to Allegra. And they straight up hate Amelia.”

“Amelia’s a bitch,” Mav says simply.“Jameson was better off when he was with Marisa.”

Kimberly shakes her head. “They like you,” she tells me sincerely.

Her words force me to dip my head. I bite my bottom lip and try not to grin as a wave of assurance washes over me. The fans like me.

It shouldn’t mean as much as it does, but…in some weird, strange way, I currently fit in Mav’s life. We belong together, and it feels better than I thought it would.

It matters more than it’s supposed to.

Even bantering with Mav is fun instead of annoying. His quirks make me giggle when I used to find them infuriating. Our lives mesh a million times better than I thought possible. And I like it.

“If anything,” Kimberly continues, “you need to watch out.” She pokes Mav in the chest. “Even your male fans are obsessed with Kenny.”

A growl rumbles through Mav’s chest, and the corners of his mouth pinch. “What do you mean?”

I smile, a flush working over my face. Is he jealous?

Kimberly laughs. “The women think she’s good for you, and the men think she’stoogood for you. I think ‘too hot’ is the post I read. For the first time ever, Maverick, you are batting above your average.”

Mav scoffs and rolls his eyes. “Well, obviously.”

Huh? I lift my chin to study his expression. Is he serious? Does Mav really think I’m too hot or good or whatever for him?

He changes the subject before I can get a read on him. “A baseball reference? Really, Kimberly?”

Kimberly blushes. “It just popped out.”

“She used to date a pitcher,” Mav whisper-hisses to me.

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