Page 59 of A Second Chance

“Yeah, why not.”

“I need music, Ricky.”

“Nah. Seth says you can sing anything without music guiding you. Come on, sing for me,” he begged.

I hadn’t sung in front of others because I didn’t like the attention. Singing helped with my moods and silenced the noises in my head that kept me up at night. I cleared my thoughts and the words from Cody Fry “Find My Way Back” flowed out of me.

“You did it, Scar!” Seth’s voice sounded closer than it was before. I looked up, confused, and noticed I reached the top.

“I did it! I made it!” I laughed as Seth pulled me to the top.

“Ricky, I did it!” I turned to face him to thank him for keeping me distracted with the one thing that kept me grounded: singing. Maverick stared at me with a look I couldn’t read.

“Yeah, you did it,” he said with a smile. I wrapped my hands around his waist and thanked him while my face was against his chest.

“You sing beautifully,” he whispered in my ear, hugging me back—three words I didn’t expect to hear from him.

After that day, the world flipped upside down, and everything changed between Maverick and me.

TWENTY-NINE

PRESENT

MAVERICK

Ipull up to the side of Dottie’s and take a deep breath. Grabbing the gift from the seat next to me, I slip out of the car and go to the shop. I see her as soon as I step inside.

I pulled my cap down over my eyes, hiding my face from anyone who might recognize me. I've been back in town for a while, and so far, only a few people who are like family have noticed. But I'm worried someone I don’t know might recognize me and alert the media.

I casually walk to the counter while she makes a cup of coffee. As soon as she turns around to face me, she yelps. “Shit. Maverick, what the hell?” She holds her free hand to her chest.

I offer a sheepish smile and apologize as I make my way over to the counter. Sitting on a bar stool, I place the gift on the chair beside me. Scar delivers the coffee to a customer before making her way back to me.

“What can I get you?” she addresses me and tosses the towel over her shoulder.

“I’m not here to order anything,” I tell her, leaning forward and clasping my hands together on the counter.

“Well, we only provide services to paying customers.” She steps back, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Nonsense.” Dottie’s husband interrupts our moment.

“Hey, Otis. Good to see you,” I respond, giving Scar a cocky smile.

“Whatever he wants, it’s on the house.” He pats Scar on the shoulder and walks away.

I turn to face her again with a cocky smirk. “You heard the man.”

“Fine. What would you like?” Her attempt at kindness falls short, which I find amusing.

“I’ll take a small black coffee, plain.” She nods and soon comes back with my coffee.

With the towel still over her shoulder, she leans forward, giving me a full view of her breasts in a pink lacy bra. I choke on my coffee, hoping she missed me staring, but her gorgeous, cheeky grin tells me she didn’t.

“So, what are you doing here, Maverick?”

I cringe when she says my full name.

“Happy birthday.” I hand her the white box wrapped with a pink ribbon.

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