Page 7 of Connected By Stars
Maverick loves to say things to get under Noah’s skin. They’ve always had this banter between them, even when we were little. I know deep down, though, that Maverick is as loyal as they come, even if he does come off as some man-whore type. He’s slept with a ton of women, I have no doubt about that, but he’s always respectful and never leads anyone on. The girls thatsleep with him know where he stands from the beginning. I can’t say I blame them. One night with Maverick would be better than nothing at all. Unfortunately, I’ve been put in thelittle sistercategory and can’t seem to find my way out.
I helpMom clear the plates after everyone is done eating. Emma helps as we load the dishwasher while Noah gets the table ready for cards. I put the last dish in the dishwasher before heading to the bathroom before the game starts. I want to freshen up my hair and lipgloss. I walk down the hall, glancing at my phone to see how my latest reel is doing for Maverick and smack right into hard muscles, dropping my phone.
“Woah.” Maverick catches me before I fall. Grabbing his biceps to steady myself, I savor the feel of him beneath my fingertips.
“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going.” I look up and see him staring intently at me. His hands searing into my skin from the contact. He’s so close I can smell his coconut and saltwater smell. He’s always smelled like the ocean to me. My eyes search his for any clue as to what he’s thinking.
For one brief moment, I let myself pretend he’s mine and that we snuck off to kiss. I glance at his soft lips and want more than anything to taste them. I bite my lip to stop the moan. I look back up at him, and my breath hitches at the heated stare I’m met with.
“Don’t,” he says quietly. His eyes going a darker green.
I blink, trying to bring myself back to the present.
“Don’t what?” I whisper.
“Don’t look at me like that.”
My heart starts to beat out of my chest. “Don’t look at you like what?”
“Like you want more.”
I feel my defenses coming back up to protect my heart. “The only thing I want is for you to move so I can go to the bathroom.” I remove my hands from his arms, and he lets go of me. I bend down to pick up my phone, blinking back the tears that start to form. Standing up, I brush past him. He grabs my arm, but I don’t turn around. He can’t see me cry, not like this.
“Bell, shit, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Just go, please. I know where I stand. You’ve made it very clear.” I walk to the bathroom and close the door. I lean my head against it, holding back the tears.
“Fuck.” I hear him say in a frustrated voice before he walks away.
Why did I let myself think for one second that he might feel the same? I let him see my desire for him, and he quickly shut it down. I’m such an idiot. He’s got girls jumping on him everywhere he goes. He doesn’t want or need me. To him, I’m just the annoyinglittle sisterwho has a crush on him now.
I walk to the sink and try to blink back the tears so no one can tell I’m upset. How am I going to finish out the night now? After what happened, I can’t sit beside him for another two hours. Maybe I should go. I dab my eyes with a tissue and reapply my lip gloss, trying not to look like my heart just took a beating again. I’ve hidden my emotions before, and I can do it again.
I take off the hat I’m still wearing and finger-comb my blond waves. I’ll wear the hat while filming, but right now, I’m not in the mood to have anything reminding me of Maverick on my body. Finishing up, I walk back out, ready to make up an excuse about needing to go home and work.
I see Noah in the kitchen making another batch of drinks. He looks up at me and smiles.
“There you are. I’m almost done making another batch. Mav had to leave. He said something about having to work earlyin the morning but that he would see you on Wednesday for your usual meeting and see the new footage then.”
“Okay. Sounds good.” I take the drink he hands me. Maverick left. He didn’t want to face me any more than I wanted to face him. I sigh and take a drink. Wednesday is going to be unbearable. How will I ever look him in the face again now that he knows I feel that way about him?
“Ready for Uno?” Noah picks up the tray, and I follow him, helping him with the door.
“Can’t wait.” I lie. At least I can drown my sorrows in tequila tonight. I take another sip before sitting down at the table with my family.
Chapter Four
Maverick
I leave Noah’s parents’house and head straight to the bar. I turn the air up in my jeep, hoping to calm this heat inside me. My thoughts race inside my mind about what happened this evening. I wasn’t imagining the look in her eyes the first time on the couch. I thought I saw the desire in them, but there was no mistaking the heat in her eyes in the hallway.
She wants me—there’s no denying that. If she were anybody else, I would have pushed her against the wall and taken that lip she bit and devoured it. But she’s Bell. Noah’s fucking little sister. She’s not a one-night stand and deserves better. She may think she wants me, but I’m no good for her. I can’t give her what she needs.
I rub the ache in my chest. I hurt her by telling her not to look at me that way. I know she took it as a rejection, but the truth is, in that moment, I wanted her just as much, maybe even more. It’s better this way. If she thinks I don’t want her, she can move on and find someone who can give her more than a night. I’ve never been able to give a girl more than that, and it’s served me well. We both get what we want. No attachments, no commitments, and no chance of anyone getting hurt.
Why, then, does my heart fucking hurt so much right now? I rub the ache again and push any thoughts out of my head. I need an escape tonight to forget about her. I’ll feel better in the morning, and by Wednesday, she’ll be over it. We can forget it ever happened.
I turn off the engine and head inside a bar outside of town. Usually, if I go outside of our small town, there’s a better chance of finding someone new I don’t know. I walk inside and look around. It’s not very packed on Sundays, but it will only take one to erase my thoughts of her. I spot a few blonds in the corner but dismiss that right away. They're too similar in looks. I need someone that won’t remind me of her. I see a pretty brunette by herself at the bar. Perfect.
