Page 57 of Maverick

Orion licked my hand and I scratched right behind his ear. “I know buddy. I want you to stay too. Hopefully, your mama feels the same way.”

After a few minutes, I got up and headed back into the clubhouse and into my office. I had a few things to iron out and really think about my future.

Chapter Seventeen

Willow

Ikept a good facewhile finishing up with the boys this morning, but as soon as they ran off and I escaped to the room, I broke down.

Maverick didn’t know I overheard his conversation with Striker while they were watching us this morning. He didn’t love me and clearly had no intention of asking me to stay.

I thought I meant more to him than just a good romp in the hay. Voices echoed outside the door and I quickly gathered my few things and quietly slipped out the door.

Moonshine had already walked past so I snuck down the stairs and to the garage. I found my van and opened the side door to climb inside. Smiling, I laid down on my bed and looked around.

This van made me so happy and really gave me my independence. I loved traveling these past few months, but I really just wanted to find a place to lay my roots. With The Devil’s Highwaymen, I thought I had found that. I thought I had found a man who loved me and a family that truly cared for me.

But I was wrong. Maverick didn’t need me, nor did he want me. I’m sure a few months down the road he would just get tired of me and leave. I should have known better than to fall for one ofthem.

A loud bang made me jump and I sat up in my bed. I could hear a voice coming closer and then the face popped into my van.

“Hey there, girl. You doing’ okay?”

Wrench was standing there with a big smile on his face. I relaxed and shrugged my shoulders.

“I’m doing okay. Just a lot of shit going on. I see my van is all set and ready to go. How much do I owe the club still?”

“Nothing. It’s on the house. Family doesn’t pay and you, Willow, are my family.”

Tears started to run down my face and Wrench hunched over to fit in the van. He sat down on the bed next to me and pulled me into a big hug.

“He doesn’t love me, Wrench. He doesn’t want me to stay. I was just a temporary distraction for him. I heard him and Striker talking this morning.”

Wrench gently stroked my hair while I sobbed on his shoulder. “Willow, that man is just confused. He’s never been one to open up. Hell, growing up he never had a serious girlfriend. Maverick is...like a maze. You think you’re finally getting to the end and hit a wall.”

“He said this little town would never be enough for me. But Maverick is more than enough for me.”

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