Page 111 of Falling Stars

“I need to do this, Maverick.” Her face flushes. “I’m not with you so you can pay for all of my problems.”

“I know that.” I shake my head. “Where’s this coming from?”

I go to hug her, and she shrugs me off and walks into the kitchen. This is why I didn’t buy a truck. Because I knew she’d never drive it, and if she won’t enjoy it while I’m gone, what’s the point?

“How was practice?” she asks, doing a one-eighty, but there’s something off about her voice.

“Fine,” I say slowly. “The kids did great on the drills we ran them through this afternoon. It was fun.”

She’s watching me with the strangest expression. “That’s it?”

I shrug. “They always have funny questions for me. Like if I got an offer to model underwear, would I do it?” I chuckle remembering the eye roll that got from Coach.

I’ve been meaning to tell Bay about running into Nicole at the high school. I don’t want her to be surprised or suspicious, but there hasn’t been a good time to bring it up. This is my last week before I leave for New York, and the last thing I need is to get in an argument about someone I hooked up with years ago.

She nods slowly, looking like there’s more on her mind.

“How are the cameras working? Is that one still glitchy? I can reinstall the software if it is.”

Her eyes grow soft. “It’s great, Mav. Really. I know I sound like a broken record, but I don’t know how to thank or repay you.”

I love this girl, but she’s stubborn as fuck. “Maybe make me another bowl of puppy chow? Or if you want, brownies?”

Her lips tilt in a tiny smile. “Okay. Whatever you want.”

I don’t understand what just happened here, but I want our last few days together to be fun.

For her to remember why we’re worth fighting for when I’m fifteen hundred miles away.

40

BAYLEE

When I geta break in clients, I head to my small office and pop open my laptop to look at our sales this month. The salon has been slammed, but my stomach sinks when I see how little we’re making after I pay the rent and utilities.

“Whatcha doing?” Vera reads over my shoulder as she munches on some chips.

“Trying to figure out how to make more money. Do you think anyone would be interested in early morning appointments? If I can squeeze in five more clients a week, that would really help.”

Her eyes bulge. “When exactly do you plan to sleep? I’m exhausted after work, and I’m not nursing a baby.”

My shoulders slump. “I’m never going to be able to repay Maverick or save any money at this rate.”

“Do youneedto repay your boyfriend?”

“He’s not a bank, Vera.”

She holds up her hands. “No need to be snippy.”

“Sorry.” I rub the bridge of my nose. “I just don’t know how I’m ever going to get out of this financial situation if something doesn’t change.” As much as I’d love to accept Maverick’s generosity, I have to learn to stand on my own. If my parents’divorce taught me anything, it’s that a woman can’t become overly dependent on anyone else.

Pushing my laptop over, she parks her ass on my desk and turns to me. “We need to think outside the box.”

“Have any suggestions? Because I’m pretty sure Leo is sucking out all of the nutrients from my brain every time I feed him.”

She laughs and bends over his stroller, which is facing us. “But he’s so dang cute! And look at all the baby weight you lost thanks to breastfeeding.”

I glance down. My boobs are still huge, but the rest of me looks more like my pre-pregnancy body. Curvy but healthy. I suppose it’s also because I work on my feet all day.

---