Page 35 of Maverick

“Fuck off, Maverick. You don’t know the half of it. Willow is hiding something and I don’t like it.”

I slammed my mug down on the counter, spilling coffee as I stormed toward my brother. “I don’t know the half of it because you won’t fucking tell me!”

He pointed at me and started to get even louder. “Maybe if you weren’t so wrapped up in Willow, I would actually have time to talk to you! She’s gonna leave as soon as her van is done. Then what, Mav? Stop trying to trick yourself into thinking she’s gonna stay. And when she does leave and you’re crying over a broken heart, guess who will be there for you? That’s right, me. So wake the fuck up and realize you’re just a warm bed to her. She’s using you, Silas! For fuck’s sake, the whole club can see it except you!”

I ran my hand over my face, trying not to listen to Goose, but it was so hard. I knew there was some truth to what he was saying, but I didn’t want to believe it. “It’s not like that, Goose! We talked last night.”

“Bullshit. It’s hard to talk when you’ve got a dick in your mouth. Think about what I said Mav. Get your dick wet while you can, but leave the emotions out of it. I’m heading out, I can’t take any more of this shit. See you at Church.”

Goose headed out the door and I sat down on the couch with my head in my hands. I quickly picked my head up and ran into the bedroom, hoping Willow wasn’t too upset. As I whipped open the door, I was greeted with complete emptiness and a note on the bed. The french doors were open, curtains blowing in the wind. Picking the note up, I read it to myself.

‘Maverick, I headed to the clubhouse to clean and check on my van. I’m sorry I’ve caused so many issues with you and your brother. I hope we can clear things up soon. Please tell the club my truth. If that means I need to leave, so be it. But don’t ever think I’m just using you. You mean more to me than you’ll ever know. I’ll see you soon. Xoxo Willow’

I sighed as I sat down on the bed. I felt all types of feelings about Willow, but couldn’t sort through them by myself. I took out my phone and called the only person I knew that could help me.

After three rings, they picked up. “Hey, Mav! Everything good?”

I smiled as I sat back on the bed. “Hey, baby sis. I was actually wondering if I could come by and talk before Church.”

“Of course! My door is always open, you know that.”

“Sounds good, Lilah. I’ll be over in a few.”

I grabbed my things and headed out to my motorcycle. Heading down the driveway, I took a sharp right that led down a little side road. The trees grew tall here and formed a tunnel over the old road. Lilah, Goose, Striker, and I used to play here as kids all the time. We would let the horses roam in the pasture to the side and let our imaginations go wild. Those days were simple and I wish I could go back to them sometimes. The road led to my old house, Lilah and Striker’s home now.

I pulled up to the house and parked my motorcycle. The house was silent so I quietly let myself in. As I turned the corner into the kitchen, I saw Lilah sitting at the island with her head down. I rushed over as fast as I could, all the worst-case scenarios playing in my head.

“Lilah! Lilah, are you okay?”

Her head popped up, blonde hair falling in her face, “Oh, I’m fine! Just fucking exhausted. Those little monsters you call nephews have worn me down already.”

I sat down and rested my head on her shoulder. “Oh thank god, Lilah. I was worried something happened to you!”

“Nah. Just pregnant and exhausted! Anyways, what did you want to talk about?” Lilah got up and grabbed two glasses from the cabinet. She opened the fridge and grabbed a pitcher and poured us each a glass.

I grabbed mine and took a nice big sip. Mama’s lavender lemonade washed over my tongue, making me sigh and sit back on the chair. “Thanks for this, Lilah. Mama’s lemonade always does the trick.” I put my glass down and clasped my hands together. “I want to talk about Willow.”

Lilah froze in place and glared at me. “What did you do to her?”

“I didn’t do anything! Goose came by this morning..”

“And of course he fucked everything up.”

I nodded as I ran my hands through my hair. “Yeah. She left a note on the bed saying she was going to the clubhouse to clean, but I know she heard everything. We weren't very quiet.”

Lilah came and sat down next to me. “What did he say?”

“She’s using me, I’m playing house, she’s hiding something, and that I need to get back to reality and what matters the most; my family. But we talked last night. Willow told me everything. She’s not hiding anything anymore! I believe her, Lilah.”

“Then stand up for her, Silas. Defend her in front of your brothers and let them know her truth. If you like her, then stand by her.”

I sighed, “That’s the other problem. I don’t know how I feel about her. I have fun with her, she’s a great person, she makes me laugh, but she also makes me want to rip my hair out.”

Lilah threw her head back and laughed. “That’s called love, big brother.”

I nearly choked on my lemonade as I tried to deny it. “Nope. Don’t get me wrong, I like Willow, but there is no way in hell that I love her. Lilah. It’s been like a month. Relax.”

She just shrugged her shoulders as the baby monitor started to light up and the voices of Knox and Colton started to shriek through it. “Deny it all you want, but I know love when I see it. You better get off to Church though and I need to get the boys ready for the day.” She stood on her tippy toes and kissed me on the forehead, “Love you, Mav.”

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