Page 95 of Just a Little White Lie

Speak his language.

I huff out a sigh and go for it. “Being an asshole isn’t a genetic trait.”

He blinks, obviously surprised by my language.

I fight a grin and keep going. “You decide your destiny. You’ve been given a chance at this school to break the cycle. You don’t have to end up like your old man, or your mum, or any of your family if you don’t want to. So, I guess that just leaves one question…”

He steals a glance at me, then looks back down at the table. His nostrils are flaring, and the only sound is the punchy breaths spurting out his nose. I can only imagine how fast his heart is racing right now. His fingers bunch into a fist, and he presses his hand against his mouth.

“Mav, do you want to be a Haven Misfit?”

His lips push into awho gives a shitpout.

“Tell me the truth.” I slap the wood between us. “Do you want this?”

My sharp voice makes him sit up, and he meets my challenge head-on. “Do you think we can win?”

I keep my gaze steady, needing him to know I mean every word I’m about to say. “With a little more practice and total commitment from you… yes, I do. So, do you want to be a part of it?”

He stares me down like he’s somehow trying to win, and I want to shake him. Doesn’t he get that I’m fighting this battle on his behalf?

I’m doing this for you, kid!

I wonder if anyone has ever said that to him before. Fought for him.

Sully probably has. April does in her own way.

Maverick’s just too blinded by his insecurities to see it.

“I’ll fight for you.” I whisper the words at first. “I’m your teacher… your coach… and I value what you bring to the group. I think you can be a pain in the ass, and I think you can be incredible. You just have to decide what you really want. Because your actions dictate what’s gonna happen here.”

A shaky breath rushes out of him, and he jerks in his seat. “Of course I want it!” he spits, his voice breaking. “I just don’t know if I can do it!”

My eyes start to glisten; I can feel them tingling with the onset of tears. “You can. Maverick, I believe that you can be great. You have the power within you to do whatever you want. You’re just one of those guys, you know? And the world has dealt you a really shitty hand, but you know what? Just flip life the bird and tell it that you’ve got this and nothing’s going to beat you. Not some snotty rich kid and not some uptight photography teacher and not some bully-boy parent.” My voice rises with passion. “I so desperately want to see you succeed, and I mean that. I really do.”

He wipes his mouth, slapping a tear off his cheek and sniffing.

I let the silence settle over us, giving him a chance to battle his tears. I wipe some off my own cheeks and wait it out. The room is still empty, and I’m praying no one will interrupt us. I feel like we’re on the verge of a breakthrough.

“I want in.” He finally nods. “I want to be part of the crew.”

A smile bursts across my face. I can feel the sun, the excitement, the fireworks rising within me, and I let out a soft laugh. “Good choice.”

He’s not smiling with me, and I wish he would. Instead, his eyes take on a sad, resigned look. “What have I got to do? What’s my punishment?”

“No punishment.” I shake my head. “Unless you call hanging with me pure torture.”

He snickers and shakes his head.

“If you really want to see big changes, I think you should consider counseling. I’m surprised the school hasn’t made you already.”

“They’ve tried, but Sully says there’s no point unless I’m willing to commit to it.”

“Are you?”

He shrugs.

One step at a time, Lauren. Don’t scare him off.

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