Page 55 of Concede

I sigh. “Baby...”

“Don’t call me that.” She wipes a tear. “Not anymore. I’m Tanner and your Maverick, just like it should have stayed.” She tilts her head back, looking up at the dark sky before looking back at me. “How would you feel? How would you feel if you walked into my room, and I had a guy’s head buried between my thighs?”

My chest tightens at her words and something that feels similar to fear waves over me.

I would lose my shit.

I don’t answer. I don’t have to. She knows exactly what I would do.

“Tanner, this is not a simple situation. Your brother is my best fucking friend, and he has already made it very clear you are off limits.”

“Really? So it’s my brother’s fault? It doesn’t matter. It’s over.” She shakes her head and starts to walk away.

“Stop it.” I move quickly and grasp the back of her neck, bringing her in for a searing kiss.

Her palms met my chest with a hard shove. “No! Not anymore.” She sobs. “You don’t get to touch me anymore.”

I reach for her again. “Baby, don’t do this.”

Tears are staining her beautiful face.

“Tanner, I can’t give you what you want. But I do want you.” I take another step towards her, but she backs away. I just want to touch her.

“I know you can’t Maverick. Which is why whatever this is,” she motions between us. “It ends now. No more coming into my room at night. I don’t want you to text me, and honestly, I’d rather not see your face unless I have too.” She goes to walk away but I catch her wrist.

“Tanner.” I met her eyes. “Tanner, I need y-”

“Don’t you dare.” She cuts me off. “Don’t you dare say you need me. Because if you did, you would have waited for me.”

All I see is pain. Pain that I caused. She pulls her wrist from my grip and disappears up the pathway.

Fuck this day.

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