Page 53 of Face Off
“I really don’t believe you.”
“Maybe one day you’ll see for yourself.”
“Never going to happen, Miller.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Red. What about your tattoo? Is it just the one?”
“I have two,” I admit. “And I love them equally. I got them at important times in my life, and I don’t have any regrets.”
He drags his gaze from my face to my arms to my ribs. It’s like he’s undressing me with his eyes and searching for what might be under my clothes, and it makes me warm all over.
I wonder if he would like what he found.
“Tattooed women are sexy,” he says lowly, and even though it’s a generalization, it’s like he’s saying it just to me. No one’s called me sexy before, and I scoop up the compliment. “I’m glad you did something that empowered you.”
“Yeah.” I grab my water and take a long sip. “So am I.”
We sink into silence as we enjoy our food, and the longer I spend in the diner, the better I feel.
I might not like him, but I can’t deny Maverick has a calming presence. The ability to help me settle in a way I haven’t settledin days. For the first time since I joined the Stars and dove headfirst into the chaos, I take a breath.
Darla comes back and leaves a check on the table. “It was good to see you, Maverick.” Her attention turns to me. “And it was so nice to meet you, Emerson. I hope you’ll come back.”
“Emmy,” I tell her. “You can call me Emmy. And I promise this isn’t the last time you’ll see me.”
“Good.” She touches my shoulder, and a smile sneaks out of me. “Take your time with the bill.”
“I’ll pay,” I say when she leaves, but Maverick bats my hand away.
“You won’t. I invited you here.” He lays down multiple one-hundred-dollar bills, and I gape at him. “What?”
“That’s a lot of money.”
“Darla is the guardian to her granddaughter, and she works two jobs to make ends meet. I leave an extra tip whenever I stop by—I won’t notice the difference, but she does.”
I swear to god my heart skips a beat.
Maverick has surprised me twice today.
He’s still that aloof guy who poses for magazines without his shirt on and gets womens’ numbers whenever he’s out. There’s probably a Rolodex in his bedroom of Sandras and Sarahs.
But he’s kind too. Soft around the edges with a big heart and enough space for everyone he meets.
I don’t know much about him, but I can tell he likes to take care of the people who are important to him. He likes to go the extra mile for those who might normally get left behind.
I wonder what it would be like to see the good everywhere you go. To love and be loved without any hesitation.
I’m not sure I could do it.
“Thank you for tonight. For practicing after the game and bringing me here. It’s nice to know I’m not alone,” I say.
“Alone?” Maverick frowns and leans closer. “You’re never alone, Hartwell. Not anymore. Not when you’re part of our team.”
This is getting too deep. Too raw and full of emotions I’m not sure I know how to express.
I slide out of the booth. “I should get going.”
“Are you going to take a rideshare?”
