Page 42 of Falling Stars

Maverick sets down his half-empty plate. “I’d like to buy a truck or an SUV. Baylee can use it if I return to New York, but it would be great to have something to get around in while I’m here.”

This man makes me insane. “You can’t just loan me your truck like that.”

He frowns. “Why not? If I want to let you use it, what’s the problem?”

I don’t know why that pisses me off, but it does. Why does he always have to be considerate like that?

“Should you be driving right now?” Rhett asks him.

“I can handle it.” Rhett looks dubious, so Maverick makes a face. “I promise to drive slow, Mom.”

Rhett motions around the room. “Let us know if you need any help. Beau, Jace, and I can meet up to stretch or work out. Bring you food. Whatever you need.” I love how the guys always pull for each other.

I hold up my hand. “I hate to interrupt this bromance here, but I was wondering if Leo and I could move into Beau’s camper later this week. Paige, you mentioned wanting to clean it up for me, but you don’t need to do that.”

The frown on Maverick’s face is fierce. “I told you it wasn’t a big deal for you to stay with me.”

“You need to sleep in a bed. A man who broke his neck should not be curled up on the couch.”

Rhett whistles. “I have to agree with Baylee on this. I thought you fully furnished the place.”

Mav shrugs. “All we have is a big couch. L-shaped like this one.”

“The bedroom furniture is backordered,” I explain before I look at Beau. “Do you mind if I crash at your place? You’re staying in the cabin now, right?” They have an old cabin on the property that he’s been renovating.

He glances back and forth between me and Mav. “I don’t mind, but the camper is a mess. Jace had a little problem cooking in there, and now it smells like cheese and dirty feet.”

Paige snorts. “Jace forgot about the food on the stove and started a fire.”

Jace started a fire in the fireman’s camper. Nice. I fold my lips between my teeth so I don’t laugh. “Hmm. Jace, I wonder what had you so preoccupied.”

Everyone chuckles because we all know it must’ve involved a woman.

Jace tosses up his hands. “I’m sorry, okay? But the feet smell started long before the fire.”

Beau shakes his head. “Lies.”

As Rhett leans over to dust crumbs off Austin, he tilts his head to me. “Baylee, you’re always welcome here. You’re family to us, so our house is your house. I sure wish you had told me what was going on with your living situation earlier. Would’ve liked to have helped.”

I glance down at my lap and shrug. “I don’t want to mooch off my friends.”

“You and your mama have always been there for us. Hell, if it wasn’t for your mom, I’m not sure I would’ve gotten my head outta my ass and figured out my relationship with Paige.”

My best friend nods. “It’s true. Your mom was really clutch. Plus, she got me my wedding dress. I can honestly never repay you guys for everything you’ve done for me over the years.”

Jace claps his hands and shouts, “Group hug!” in a feminine voice, and everyone laughs. Everyone except for Maverick, who struggles to a stand. “Baylee doesn’t need to stay in the camper because she’s staying with me. We’ll figure it out.”

Rhett’s brows lift as he watches Mav wobble off to the kitchen.

That’s when I remember I’m still upset with everyone. “I love y’all, but I have a bone to pick. I can’t believe no one told me Maverick was critically injured,” I hiss.

Rhett’s eyes soften. “Baylee, he didn’t want to worry you, especially when he didn’t know his prognosis.”

“I’ll deal with Maverick later.” I point at Rhett with one hand before I take Leo back from Paige and tuck him against my chest. “As my friend and honorary big brother, if you ever do that again, I am going to spike your sweet tea with a laxative that will have you crapping your pants every time you try to mount your horse.”

He chuckles. “Yes, ma’am.”

The rest of the night goes by in a blur. I’m tired and upset. I don’t want to make this about myself, so I paste on a smile and follow along, but the whole time, I can’t stop thinking about one thing.

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