Page 54 of Victorious: Part I

Maverick lets out a long breath, his fingers running through his short hair as he stares at the both of us. He clears his throat, then softly smiles. “I love you both. So fucking much. You guys are my whole damn world, but Ican’tfight with you here.”

My hands start trembling as I shake my head. “No! I’m not leaving you her—”

“Clover, stop! I know I was never really big on the idea of you driving all the way to Vegas for this social media job, but right now, I couldn’t be fucking happier that it’s come up. Almost like a sign from Mom telling me that this isexactlyhow I protect you this time.”

Slumping my shoulders, I groan. “Oh, geez, man, why’d you pull out the Mom trump card?”

He smirks that mischievous smirk he’s known for. “Because I knew it would work.”

“You’re an asshole,” I mumble under my breath.

Maverick shifts his attention to Sadie, a somber expression crossing his face. “I need you to take care of Clover for me on the road. I need you to take care of each other. Ihaveto know that my growing baby in there is going to be—”

“No,” Sadie flat-out states.

Maverick and I both stare at her in shock.

Maverick cranes his neck to the side, trying to stretch out his unease. “No? No, to which bit?”

“I’mnotgoing,” she simply replies.

Maverick snorts out a laugh, waving her off dismissively. “Yeah, you are,” he snaps back.

Sadie sturdies her shoulders, ready for a battle of wills. “I believe your idea of sending Clover away is the right one not only for her protection but also for her future. She’s just starting her career, and her firstrealclient needs her to work right now. If she cancels that job, she will be starting in the industry with a tarnished reputation before she’s begun. Wecan’thave that aftereverythingshe has worked for and worked through.”

“I agree completely. Doesn’t explain whythe hellyou can’t go with her, though, Cupcake?” Maverick grumbles, clearly becoming annoyed.

“Because, baby, even though you won’t believe me now,you need me.You’ll need me through this war. I can’t fight, that’s true. But youwillneed someone to lean on, and that’s me. I’mnotgoing, Mav. I’m staying right here, by your side, as your Old Lady, just like I’m supposed to. Ride or die, remember?”

His breathing increases like he’s trying to keep his emotions in check. “God, woman, you’re so fucking stubborn.” He spins, turning away from us so we can’t see his face, his shoulders moving quickly with his frantic breaths. “It’s the fucking dying part I’m terrified of, Sadie.”

Sadie slides out from her seat, quickly moving around to Maverick. She steps up to him, kneeling down, and reaches out for both of his hands. He tries to avoid looking at her, but she has none of it. “Look at me, Mav,” she urges. He shakes his head, and she huffs in annoyance. “Stop being a fucking pussy, Jesse!” she growls out the words.

His head instantly snaps to meet hers as I try to hold in my giggle, but it’s Maverick who can’t hold his laughter in. The soft chuckle escapes him as his hand slides out, gently resting over Sadie’s stomach. “Did you ever think from the first time we met, when you came in as Clover’s tutor, that we’d be here? You, me, and a spark plug firing in your belly, and that we’d be happy together?”

Sadie snorts out a laugh. “Fuck, no. I thought you were an arrogant asshole, and Clover was in danger because of the club, but that’s only because of my history. Wes and I had areallyshitty deal growing up at the Steel Serpents MC. Now we’re here, we’ve made a family with all of you, Wes has patched in and received his road name, and I know that neither of us would want to be anywhere else. So, when I tell you, Mav, that I’m your Old Lady, and I’mnotleaving you. Ifuckingmean it.”

His hands slide up, cupping each side of her face. “Ireallyfucking want you to leave, but I understand why you have to stay, and goddammit, I love you for it.”

Sadie smiles wide, shrugging. “Face it, you’d be a mess without me here to ground you.”

He snorts, tilting his head. “You’re probably fucking right.” He starts pulling her in for a kiss, but she stalls.

“Are wereallygonna continue calling our baby spark plug?” she asks, making me chuckle behind them.

Maverick leans a little closer, their foreheads touching now. “I’m a mechanic. What more do you want from me, woman?” Then he leans in, kissing her. Her fingers instantly thread through his hair, and I can’t help but smile, my eyes shifting across the room to Sadie’s brother Phoenix, noticing his eyes on the three of us as if he’s waiting for a moment to come over and join the conversation. I give him a curt wave while my brother and Sadie continue to make out beside me.

Phoenix steps up, his eyes shifting to our siblings, and he shakes his head, sliding into the seat where Sadie was moments before. “Jesus Christ, no wonder she got pregnant when they’re all over each other like that,” he murmurs.

I take one last look and see Maverick pull Sadie onto his lap. Their lips are still joined, and I sigh contentedly as I turn back to Phoenix. “I think it’s sweet. I like seeing my brother happy.”

Phoenix glances at them again, a genuine smile crossing his ruggedly chiseled face. “Yeah, I know what you mean. Sadie deserves to be happy, especially after everything she went through with her arranged marriage to Grave at the Serpents… I’m really fucking happy we’re here.”

Sheepishly smiling at him, I bite my bottom lip. “I’m glad you’re here too.”

His intense blue eyes meet mine, and for a moment, we simply stare at each other. Not speaking, my heart racing, goose bumps pebble up and down my arms as my breathing begins to quicken. The corners of his lips slowly creep up, and just as he goes to speak, Sadie talks first. “Oh, hey, little bro. I didn’t see you come over,” she states, finally detaching from my older brother.

Phoenix breaks eye contact with me, glancing past me to focus on Sadie. “Guess that happens when you’re tongue-deep in a guy’s throat.”

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