Page 40 of Teasing

“You’ve always been the first one to jump into shit, Mav. You got me in so much trouble growing up because you had to do everything I was doing, like a little dickhead. It didn’t matter that you were younger. You were fearless. Act first, think later. How many times did our moms get on us about that shit?”

We both laugh because it’s true. He got in more trouble than I did because Mom and Aunt Amelia always said he was older and should know better. Guess that made me a little asshole.

“Wanna tell me what’s changed?” Maddox pushes as the song changes and the beat of one of Lilah’s biggest hits starts bouncing off the rafters.

What’s changed?

What hasn’t is a better question, but either of them are simple to answer.

“Rosie.” I picture the way she smiles at Emmie. “She changed it all. My life. My priorities. Rosie changed everything. Her happiness and her safety trump everything else.”

“Bullshit. I’ve watched you hookup with plenty of people since Rosie was born. You didn’t stop because of her, you just became more discreet. But rumor has it the new nanny has you tied in knots.”

What fucking rumor?

Who the hell is talking about this shit?

“Since when do you believe everything you hear?” I want to tell him I’m not tied in knots, but I’m not a liar. Although my thoughts have me questioning if I’m a damn coward.

“Answer one question, and I’ll leave you alone.” He lifts his glass to his lips but stops short. “Better yet, answer me one question, and I’ll get everyone to leave you alone.”

“Cite your source, and I’ll answer,” I counter, needing to know who has the big mouth.

“Dude, my mom mentioned it, pretty sure she’s been talking to your mom.” Well, that makes sense. “Jamie may have said something the other night when he stopped at the bar for dinner. And Ryker mentioned the hot nanny last week at the poker night you skipped out on. Even Killian?—”

“I never said a word to Killian,” I argue as my head starts to spin. I’m surrounded by gossipy little shits.

The fucker grins. “You didn’t need to. Lilah was at your house when some dude showed up at the nanny’s house, and she said you went ballistic.”

“I didn’t go ballistic, and she has a name,” I mumble but remember the rage that filled me when Camden showed up at Emmie’s house. “What’s your question?”

Maddox tilts his head like one of those creepy fucking dinosaurs fromJurassic Worldright before they strike. “What’s holding you back? What are you scared of?”

Right for the jugular.

“That was two questions.” I look out at the sea of people below and try to figure out whether I even know the damn answer.

“Two questions—one answer. Same goal. You’ve hooked up since Rosie. But you haven’t dated since Denae showed up at your doorstep pregnant. You didn’t love her. I’m not even sure you liked her. But you haven’t dated since her either, and I’m pretty sure you want to date this girl.”

I look up at the black industrial pipes on the ceiling, frustration growing.

He’s not wrong.

“So what’s holding you back? Because the Mav I know isn’t scared of anything.” He finishes his whiskey in one gulp and signals for a waiter. “You’ve always been fearless, and I’ve always respected that.”

“It’s easy to be fearless when you’re only worried about yourself. But it’s not just me. It hasn’t been for a long damn time. I’ve got Rosie to think about. To worry about. How am I supposed to date and bring someone around Rosie when I know it will devastate my kid when they leave? How am I supposed to trust someone with her heart?” It’s the most honest thought I’ve had since the first time I set eyes on Emmie. “This girl is young. I doubt she’s looking for an instant family.”

“Don’t put words in other people’s mouths, Mav. Don’t assume you know. It never ends well.” When the waiter approaches, he asks for another McCallan.

The waiter points at my beer, but I shake my head. “Sounds like you’re talking from experience, cousin.”

“Maybe... I don’t want to see you make my mistakes.” Maddox tilts the ice still in his empty glass, eyes locked on the cubes as he leans over the railing.

I mirror him and stare at the people below. “I don’t know... I’ve just got this feeling...” I don’t finish my thought because, like it or not, I’m already protective of Emmie, and I don’t want to tell Maddox I think she’s hiding something. I don’t want him to think she’s a bad person, and my cousin is the only man I know less likely to trust someone than I am. Once you lose his trust, you’re not getting that back.

“Take the chance or don’t, Maverick. You’re the one that has to live with the consequences. But take it from me, consequences fucking suck when they’re permanent and age doesn’t matter. Fuck, your parents met when they were twenty-two, and they were making out on the dance floor at Killian and Lilah’s wedding a few weeks ago. They’re still happy, and you know it. Itcan happen. We’re surrounded by examples of what it looks like when it works out.”

I turn my back on the crowd. “Why do you care so much?”

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