Page 65 of Maverick

Two motorcycles came rumbling down the drive and parked next to the truck. Striker and Goose opened my door and helped me out.

Striker nodded toward Moonshine. “Thanks, man. We’ll take it from here. Head on back to the Clubhouse. See if you can send a few guys out to check on Willow. No bikes, no cuts. Strictly in the dark.”

“Got it, Pres.”

Moonshine took off in the truck as Striker and Goose dragged me into the house. We didn’t even get in the front door when I was bombarded by Mama and Lilah.

“Silas Charles Crawford! You get your ass in here and explain yourself!” Mama came over and slapped me on the back of the head.

Lilah grabbed my arm and dragged me to the couch. “You best start talking. Willow is gone. Gone, Silas!”

I groaned and lay face down on the couch. “Leave me alone. Just leave me the fuck alone.”

Mama gasped and Lilah slowly got down right in my face. She pointed right in my face, “Listen here, Maverick. I don’t give a shit about how drunk you are right now. Do you know I convinced Willow to come back? She promised Wrench she was going to but was more worried about you and this stupid club than her own safety.”

Striker stepped in and helped Lilah up. “Little Lark, enough. I think you and Mama got your point across.”

Goose leaned on the doorframe and laughed. “He knows he fucked up. Let him wallow in his own pity party. Mav deserves every last bit of this.”

Lilah stomped right up to Goose and slapped him in the face. “Enough! Get the fuck out of my house. I have had enough of your shit. Willow is a wonderful person. Go home and don’t come back around me until you've sorted yourself out.”

Goose growled and stalked out of the house. Striker came over and grabbed my arm. “Come on, man. Let’s get you up and in bed. Sleep this shit off.”

He helped me up the stairs and into the guest bedroom. Lilah came in behind him with another glass of water. “Drink up. You’re gonna have a nasty hangover tomorrow, which you fully deserve.”

They both left and turned off the lights. I closed my eyes and started to think about how I was going to handle tomorrow. All I could hope for was that Willow was safe and stuck to her word. I needed her to come back so I could beg for her forgiveness.

I loved Willow more than any woman I had ever met. It’s like her soul was made for mine. I was working so hard to protect my own heart that I never even stopped to think about hers.

I fucked up bad this time and I wasn’t sure how I was ever going to make up for it. There was no way I could live another day without her. I needed to find her. I needed to tell her how much I loved her.

In Willow, I had finally found all I ever craved. She held all the love I never dreamed I could have. Her soul was home to all the love I had to give.

The bright sun shined down on me and I rolled over. Groaning, I pulled the blanket over my head. The light made my head pound even more.

Screams came from downstairs and it took me a second to remember where I was. Memories of the night before flooded my mind and I knew today was going to be a rough one.

I had a lot of apologizing to do. I slowly got out of bed and found two pills and a glass of water on the bedside table. Smiling, I knew Lilah left those despite how angry she was at me.

The door slowly opened and Lilah popped her head in. “How are you feeling, Mav?”

I smiled as she sat on the bed next to me. “Deathly. Thanks for the medicine. I’m going to need this. Listen, Lilah. I’m really sorry about last night-”

“Don’t be. We all said some things we shouldn’t have. It was a tense situation. But you better get your ass up. You have Church in an hour and I need to get to the grocery store.”

I pulled Lilah into a big hug. “I love you, little sis. I’m really glad you’re home for good. I would be lost without our family.”

She kissed me on the head and stood up. “I love you too, Silas.” As Lilah walked to the door, she turned around. “Don’t forget to tell that to Willow today.”

Lilah shut the door and I slowly got out of bed. Groaning, I headed to the shower to try and wake up.

I finished my shower, got dressed, and headed down the stairs. Colton and Knox came barreling into me and I bent down to hug them.

“Hey, boys! Uncle Mav has to go to the Clubhouse but I’ll see you later. Be good for your mama today, okay?”

They both nodded and ran toward the playroom. Lilah came out of the kitchen with a breakfast sandwich in her hand and a cup of coffee. She handed them both to me with a smile.

“Here. It will help that nasty hangover. Now get moving before Striker rips you a new one for being late.”

---