Page 19 of Maverick

Striker and Maverick came running up to the booth, panic in their eyes. Striker ran right to Lilah and wrapped her in his arms. He bent down and picked up the twins and kissed them all. “God, baby. I was so worried. What the fuck happened?”

I cleared my throat, “There was just a creepy guy staring at us. He looked dangerous. Orion herded us all into the booth. He’s never wrong about those things.”

Maverick started to pack all my things up, not looking at me.

Striker grabbed the boys and started to get them into the stroller. “Breath, Willow. It’s no big deal. I’m glad he was looking out for you guys. Little Lark, let’s get the boys home and just relax. That scared the shit out of me.”

Lilah came over and gave me a big hug. “Don’t worry, girl. Everything is fine. We’ll bring Orion home, okay?”

I just smiled and hugged her back.

If she only knew how wrong she was.

Maverick continued to pack my things up as he made a phone call, “Yo. Come to the square and grab Willow’s art shit. Last booth on the right.” He shoved the phone back in his pocket and looked at me. His green eyes were dark and scary. “Let’s go. To my bike, now.”

I quietly followed him to the parking lot and to his bike. He put his helmet on me and turned to get on the motorcycle.

“What about you? You need a helmet.”

“Get on the bike, Willow.”

I threw my leg over and sat on the back. Maverick grabbed my hand and wrapped them around him, pulling me tight into his back. We rushed down the winding roads, turning sharply around the bends. We finally got to Maverick’s driveway, but he didn't slow down. He rushed down the dirt driveway, sending a cloud of dust behind us.

As we pulled up to Maverick’s house, he parked the bike and stormed up the stairs. I took my helmet off and followed after him.

“Are you just going to ignore me, Maverick? Avoid me like you have the past few days? Sending Wrench to keep an eye on me since you’re not man enough to face me?”

He just stood over the kitchen sink, gripping onto the edge so hard his knuckles were turning white. I could tell he was fighting with himself, his green eyes were filled with turmoil.

Maverick was trying to take deep breaths and calm himself down.

“Use your words like a big boy, now.” I knew I was pushing him over the edge, but I just couldn’t help it.

He growled as I continued to push him. Maverick whipped around and I could see the frustration all over his face. The storm brewing in him had just landed and I was in a shitload of trouble.

“Use my words, Willow? Use my fucking words? How about this? WHY the fuck are you running? What happened? Why don’t you just use your words and tell me?”

I walked up and shoved my finger in his chest, “Don’t you dare talk to me like that! You have no clue what I’m dealing with!”

Maverick thrust his hands through his hair, “Because you won’t tell me! Fuck, Willow!”

I stalked into the bedroom and slammed the door. I couldn’t deal with him right now. I wasn’t going to just spill my guts to him. I kept my secrets close. Maverick whipped open the door and just stared at me.

“Get out, Maverick.”

“You’re in my house, Willow.”

“Not my first choice.”

“Fuck! What is with you, woman?” Maverick was getting more agitated by the minute.

“What is wrong with me? You are! You just walked right up into my life and decided you were going to make all my decisions for me. I’m not your Old Lady, Maverick. I don’t know you and you don’t know me.”

Maverick walked toward me and put his finger under my chin, tilting my eyes up to meet his. “Maybe I want to know you, babe.”

I tore my head away and walked toward the french doors to the porch. “No. No, you don’t. Trust me on that one.”

Maverick stormed over and turned me around, backing me up against the wall. “Fuck, Willow! Why can’t you just let me in? I can help you. The club can help you.”

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