Page 54 of Finding Forever

“What are you two doing here?”

“Can we talk somewhere private?”

Ugh. Not this again.

“Enrick, I really don’t think this is the time or the place. I don’t even know why you’re here.” Glancing around to see if Sera was lurking anywhere, I almost relaxed when I didn’t see her. But I reminded myself that just because I couldn’t see her didn’t mean she wasn’t somewhere perched and watching me like a hawk.

“You’d know if you’d step outside and let me explain.” His tone was cool and even, no show of emotions slipping through the cracks. For some reason, that made me bristle.

What did he want?

“I can’t just abandon my desk because you say we need to talk.”

Though he was ten years Maverick’s junior, he possessed the same cool and unruffled demeanor as his older brother. He didn’t even flinch at my icy tone. Instead, he looked determined.

“Fine, I’ll do it here then.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I braced myself for what came next. But as I should have expected, Enrick’s delivery is quiet and calm.

“Look, Maverick did punch Chris in the face yesterday. That part is true.”

My eyes rolled on instinct. So, he was here to justify his brother’s violence?

“But I was there and I want you to hear what really happened and not some twisted version that only makes one of them look bad. My brother isn’t barbaric. He wouldn’t do this unprovoked.”

In my heart of hearts, I knew Maverick wasn’t a barbarian. But Chris had done a great job of playing the victim that my thoughts on the matter had become one sided. I would hear him out. What could it hurt?

“I’m listening,” I told him, my eyes roving over the waiting room to make sure no one was privy to our conversation.

“Long story short, Victoria and Chris were there antagonizing Maverick last night. They came over to get more money from him. They tried to get him to sign a check with promises that Chris would drop your custody case, but my brother wouldn’t budge. That’s when things got crazy. Victoria was acting like Chris’ personal cheerleader and goading him into making comparisons between you and her.”

That was news to me. “But why? I’ve never even had a conversation with that woman about anything happening. I don’t even talk badly about her.”

Enrick inclined his head. “Chris was in my brother’s face about—” he bent down to cover Penny’s little ears and whispered, “Who was better in bed. And who sucked d—.” He didn’t finish that sentence. The embarrassment I felt probably showed on my face.

Enrick stood to his full height.

“Chris kept going on and on about how Victoria was so much better.” He cleared his throat to look at Penny again. “At certain things. And how you were prudish in comparison.”

“What does prudish mean, Uncle Enrick?” Penny asked innocently.

“I’ll tell you later, sweetheart.” His voice had gone soft just like that and I realized how much Penny had the men in her life wrapped her little finger.

Enrick met my eyes again.

“Anyway, Maverick asked them to leave. Multiple times. He tried to avoid what happened, but they kept poking the bear. When Chris mentioned who was better at… fellatio, he didn’t get to finish because, well… you know.”

He did his best to spare me the gory details, and I figured it was as much for Penny’s sake as it was mine. I’d seen the aftermath of that interaction and now that I had another piece of the puzzle, I felt awful for how I’d jumped to conclusions. But Mycah was my only concern at that moment. And after Chris’ earlier warning, I felt justified in cutting things off without a second thought.

I’d destroyed my relationship with Maverick over the word of my unreliable ex? What was wrong with me? I couldn’t believe I’d been so foolish and naïve.

“He did it to defend your honor. I know it looks bad. But I just wanted you to know the truth.”

Mouth agape, I watched as he and Penny left. Penny turned to me when they reached the door and gave me a little wave. They were gone before I snapped out of my stupor.

“Oh god, what have I done?”

Guilt, embarrassment, and hurt all swam through my veins. I’d made a mistake and it might have just cost me everything.

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