Page 81 of Maverick
I look over at Colt. “Is that why I haven’t gotten many updates?”
She nods. “Yeah, he was busy.”
I don’t have to ask what kind of busy. Her tone makes it clear. “For God’s sake,” I say. “Does he…is she in love with him?”
Sarah nods. “Oh yeah. He loves her, trust me. He’s just deciding to ruin everyone’s lives.”
“Why do they do that?” I ask.
“Do you think Maverick loves you?” she asks.
I sigh. “I…think he’s more of a mess than anyone knows.” I don’t want to tell his secrets, even now. “And I think he’s also an idiot. Two things can be true.”
“Do you think he loves you?” she presses.
“I know I love him. But unfortunately, if he can’t get it together, that won’t matter.”
Sarah doesn’t say anything for a moment. “It matters. Just trust me, it matters.”
But I don’t see how, and the event is about to start. For some reason, I feel compelled to be in that box from the beginning. To be right there, in defiance of him breaking my heart.
I take a sharp breath. “Well, I hope so. Right now it feels…hopeless.”
“But you’re here,” Sarah says.
I can’t argue with that. Instead, I address everyone.
“I have a seat in the box,” I say. “Motherfucker couldn’t take those tickets back. Just everything else. See you guys later.”
I have to walk away quickly so I don’t get emotional. I want to get my game face in place.
I touch my bracelet.
WWRCSBD?
I don’t know. But I know she’d get a happy ending.
I’m not so sure about me.
Chapter Sixteen
Maverick
Absolutely everything is shit. It has been since she left. I hate myself for sending her away, and yet, I haven’t been able to untangle all of the things I said, or that she said, in the time since she’s been gone. I had to head to Vegas for the championship. Because time doesn’t stop just because this sucks.
I miss her. I miss her in every space of my house. I miss her in every crack in my heart.
I don’t feel any of the exhilaration preparing for the championship that I normally would. I’ve done this so many times now. This is the year I’m going to win. I know it.
And then…
And then.
All her words echo inside me constantly. A refrain that I can’t turn off.
She’s wrong, though. About all of it. She doesn’t know anything. She doesn’t.
She’s twenty-four years old. She doesn’t know a damn thing. She doesn’t know about life. She doesn’t know about me. I justneed to push everything aside and get to this win. I need to put this away because it doesn’t matter. She isn’t going to change me.
