Page 28 of Connected By Stars
I don’t know how I put a smile on my face, but I do as I go back out to everyone. I guess over the years, I’ve gotten really good at hiding my true feelings. I sit down and try to focus on what everyone else is talking about while I attempt to finish my breakfast.
Maverick returns a little while later and sits down with his sunglasses back on. He probably doesn’t want me to see the guilt in those green eyes. He talks a little bit with the boys while we finish eating. I can’t tell if he’s looking at me or not with those glasses on, but I avoid looking at him, not wanting him to see how badly I’m hurting right now. I put on my fake smile and start talking to the girls about the wedding planning and what’s left to be done. I try to ignore the heat coming off in waves next to me or the fact that my heart is once again lying at his feet, crushed into a million pieces.
I’ve successfully avoidedMaverick all day, and I’m feeling pretty proud of the fact that I was able to get through today. After breakfast, the girls and I laid by the pool to work on our tans, and the boys surfed for a bit before the rain came in. We spent the rest of the afternoon playing cards and ended up ordering pizza for dinner. We’re all too tired to go out and decide to stay in where it’s nice and dry.
I look out the window and see the rain still coming down.We’re halfway through the movie, but I’ve seen it a million times.
“I think I’m going to head home. I’m so tired, and I don’t think I can get through the rest of the movie tonight. I just want a hot shower and my bed.” I start to take the couch throw off my legs to stand up.
“Are you sure? You can stay here again if you want.” Emma pushes pause on the movie and looks at me.
“I’m sure. I’ve got a lot of edits I want to work on tomorrow, and I want to get a good night’s sleep so I can get up early.”
“Do you want me to come back with you?” Sophia asks, lifting her head off the couch to look at me.
“No, stay. I know your favorite part is coming up. I’ll see you in a little while when you get home.” She nods and curls back up under her blanket.
I get up and give Skye and Cole a hug, telling them I’ll see them soon for the wedding. I say my goodbyes to Noah and Emma, intentionally ignoring Maverick before getting my things and jogging to my Jeep in the rain.
Running a hand through my wet hair, I back out of the driveway and head home. Tears start silently falling on their own now that I’m alone and don’t have to hide. The rain is coming down steadily as I park and turn off the engine. Lights blind me from behind as someone pulls up alongside me. I see Maverick get out of his Jeep and come running over.
He stands there and looks at me through the window as the rain comes down, soaking his hair and clothes.
“Are you going to let me talk now, or are you going to keep on avoiding me? I can stand here all night. I love the rain.”
Irritated that he followed me home, I know he means it. He’s as stubborn as a mule and will stand there all night. I sigh and get out, shutting the door behind me. The rain hits me, and I welcomethe coolness of it. I’ve always loved the rain too. The two of us used to play together in the rain when we were little. Our moms would have to force us inside when the lightning started happening.
I stand there looking at him and cross my arms. He peers down at my chest, and I know my white t-shirt isn’t covering much with the rain. His eyes hungrily meet mine before I break contact, ignoring how my body responds to that single look.
“Do you want to talk inside and get out of the rain?”
“No, Sophia will be home soon, so let's get this over with.” Even though I’m hurt and angry, I still don’t trust myself alone with him right now indoors.
He runs his hands through his wet hair and looks away before turning toward me.
“I met Sara at a bar outside of town the night I left your parents’ house. I was confused about how I was feeling after what happened in the hallway. I thought I could fuck away my emotions, so I went to hook up with someone.”
I flinch at his words, not sure I want to hear anymore.
“She was going through a breakup and wanted an escape that night, too. We left the bar together and started kissing on the side of the building.”
“I really don’t want to hear any more of this.” I start to walk away, but he grabs my arm. “Would you just let me finish? You have a very bad habit of just walking away from me. I’m trying to be completely honest here so you’ll understand.”
I glare at him but stay where I am so he can finish.
“Nothing happened after the kiss. She ended up going home, and I went home alone that night.”
“You expect me to believe you had a girl that was willing to sleep with you, and you just kiss her outside, and then she goes home. You must think I’m stupid if you believe I will buy that.”
“I’m telling the truth. I...I couldn’t do anything with her.”
“What do you mean you couldn’t do anything with her.”
“I can’t tell you. It’s too embarrassing.”
“Well, now you have to tell me. I won’t be able to sleep from the curiosity.” I feel some of my anger leave as amusement takes its place at seeing him so uncomfortable.
“Jesus.” He lifts his head to the sky and lets the rain wash over his face before looking at me. “I couldn’t get hard, okay. She knew she couldn’t get what she wanted from me, so she left.”
