Page 16 of The Stunt
“Nothing. I’m fine,” I reply. I don’t even bother to pretend to smile. “I’m just tired.”
“Okay,” he says on a forced exhale as he starts the car and heads toward his building. The plan was for me to stay with him again because Carlo really likes the security situation there. I have to agree, especially now that the fans know I’m in the city. They’re very determined when they want to find out what hotel I’m staying at. But right now, I feel like I’d rather walk back to New York than be stuck in the same apartment with Maverick while I try to process my feelings.
Thankfully, traffic isn’t too bad, and we make it to his place quicker than I expected. I’m glad he had the radio on the whole way because I honestly wouldn’t have known what to say to him. At least not until I get my emotions in check. Which I definitely need to do if we’re going to make it to Super Bowl as a believable couple.
Maverick pulls up to the valet and I swing the door open again before he can make his way around the car. I wait by therevolving door as he grabs both of our bags from the trunk. I walk ahead of him to the elevator and I’m relieved to see the attendant sitting on a stool inside, because that means Mav won’t try asking me what’s wrong again. What am I supposed to say?“I think I might be falling in love with you even though none of this was ever supposed to be real.”
Absolutely fucking not.
The door opens into Maverick’s apartment, and I take my bag from his hand. “Thank you,” I say quietly. “I’m, umm, really tired. Goodnight.” Before he can reply, I hightail it to the guest room, shutting the door behind me. I look at my watch, giving myself exactly two minutes to let my emotions out. Flopping face first onto the bed, I let tears of frustration fall onto the comforter. I even allow my intrusive thoughts to scream at me, telling me why this will never be more than a PR stunt.
“He can do better.”
“You’re too inexperienced.”
“He’ll never love you back.”
When my time is up, I dry my eyes and look into the mirror. My makeup is smeared, and my eyes are red. I look exactly how I feel. I pause, listening for Maverick moving around, but I’m met with complete silence. Hoping he went to bed, I ease the door open and see total darkness, save for the nightlight he has in the hallway. I turn back into the room and grab my overnight bag before quietly darting into the hall. I need a shower, so hopefully I can make it to the bathroom without being seen. As I pass his bedroom door, it swings open. A shirtless Maverick steps out, blocking the path to my destination.
“Excuse me,” I say faintly.
“Not until you tell me why you aren’t in my bed,” he replies.
I try to slide past him, but he moves with me. “Bella, what did I do? You haven’t said two words to me since we left the suite.”
I avoid looking at his face because I know if I do, I’ll start crying again. Thatcan’thappen. If he finds out that I’m emotionally attached, it could ruin everything. “I told you. I’m tired,” I lie.
“Bullshit,” he says. “We might not have known each other that long, but I can tell you’re upset. Talk to me, baby. Please,” he pleads.
I try to move past him again, to no avail. “Don’tcall me that,” I spit. “I’m not your baby. This is strictly business, remember?” Fuck. I didn’t want to show my cards like this. I didn’t want him to know how deeply his words back at the stadium cut me. Now I’m acting like a clingy girlfriend. I’m sure the last thing he wants is this kind of drama. He avoids relationships during the season for that very reason.
“Bella, I didn’t mean?—”
“No,” I cut him off. “You’re right. This isn’t real. I don’t expect you to placate me just because I got my feelings hurt a little. It was my fault anyway. I got confused by all the kissing. And the sex. We shouldn’t have done that. I don’t think I know how to do casual.”
God, I sound pathetic.
He stands there silently for a moment while I continue looking at everything but him. I’m hoping he will just let it go. Let me by him so I can take a shower, go back to the guest room, and sleep until it’s time to catch my plane back to New York. But he doesn’t. Instead, he grabs me by the hips and walks me backward until I’m pushed up against the wall.
“Baby,” he says, emphasizing the word. “I only said that because we got caught kissing and Twyla seemed to be spiraling. I know how much trouble we could all be in if people found out that we agreed to be in a fake relationship, so I was easing her mind. I like you. I don’t know what any of this means for us, but we have until Super Bowl to figure it out. I don’t want to spendall that time with you being upset at me.” He nuzzles his face into my neck, inhaling. “I can’t sleep knowing you’re down the hall. I need you in bed with me.”
He gently presses his lips to my sensitive skin, making me shiver. My resolve is hanging by a thread as he pulls back and gives me a soft smile. “I’m sorry,” he whispers.
Damn him for being so sweet. Maybe I’m a weak bitch, or maybe I do just want to enjoy the time we have. We’ll figure out the rest later. “Don’t be,” I tell him. “I overreacted.”
“No,” he says sternly. “Don’t do that. I fucked up. I shouldn’t have said those things to Twyla. I didn’t mean them. And they hurt you. I owe you an apology.”
Nobody has ever cared about my feelings the way Maverick does. I mean, don’t get me wrong. My parents were very nurturing when I was growing up. But it’s been so long since they’ve really been around me on a day-to-day basis. I deal with a lot of people who tell me what to do and when to do it. None of them ever ask if I’m happy. And when I’m not, they certainly don’t try to spare my feelings or apologize. To be honest, I can’t remember the last time anyone told me they were sorry. I’m always the one saying it. But with Maverick, I know he’s sincere. And maybe the bar is just really low, but it means the world to me that he’s owning the fact that he hurt me.
“I forgive you,” I say, trying to hold back my tears.
He exhales a breath of relief before leaning down to kiss me. “Next time I upset you, and there will be a next time because I’m new at this, don’t shut me out. I will never hurt you on purpose, okay?” He uses his thumb to wipe away the single tear that escaped, despite my efforts. I don’t know why I’m so emotional over his apology, but I can’t speak without my voice wobbling, so I just nod my head in understanding.
“That’s my girl,” he says. “Now, go take a shower and get that sweet ass in my bed where you belong.”
TEN
MAVERICK
