Page 160 of Can't Get Enough

I’d never abdicate that daughter’s privilege. Maverick trusts me to choosewhereI pour my love instead of making the assumptions culture imposes onwhoshould receive it. I’ve felt desired before. I’ve felt needed.

Now I know what it means to feel seen. To feel known.

Late that night, our bellies are full of Aunt Geneva’s lasagna and the laughter chimes through the whole house. My new pup’s personality may be too big for such a tiny body. She bounds all over the place, her energy brightening the room like sunshine even after the sun sets.

“Thought of a name yet?” Maverick asks from beside me on the couch, his arm draped around my shoulders.

The puppy hops from one spot to the next, pounding on pillows and tapping anything she can reach with her paws.

“Don’t laugh,” I say, side glancing him. “Sheila E.”

He snickers and shakes his head. “That’s actually perfect and feels exactly like what you would name your dog.”

“It’s the drumming.”

“Um, yeah.” He chuckles and kisses the top of my head. “I got that.”

“Want me to wrap up some of this lasagna to take with you, Mav?” Aunt Geneva asks from the living room door.

“No, I’ll be fine,” he says, smiling. “But thank you.”

“All right,” she says. “Well, I’mma turn in. Your mama’s already asleep, Hen. Working out in that garden has been good for her. She’s definitely been sleeping better lately.”

“Agreed,” I say. “Night, Aunt G.”

Maverick stands, crosses over, and gives my aunt a quick hug. “Thank you for all your hospitality. I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.”

“I hope so.” She glances at me, her look rueful and uncertain. “With Hendrix heading back to Atlanta next week, not sure when.”

I keep my features neutral, but Aunt Geneva and I need to continue our discussion about things that need to change. One of them is livingarrangements. I draw a breath, already bracing myself for that tough talk. Neither my mother nor my aunt will want to hear what I have to say, but it has to be said. It won’t be easy, but after the scare we had, I think we at least have to consider it.

“You okay?” Maverick asks, settling back beside me on the couch once Aunt Geneva leaves.

“Of course.” I shoot him a quick smile.

“You just looked…” He shrugs. “Kind of sad for a second there.”

“Yeah.” I sigh, forgetting how closely Maverick watches me, how in tune he can be to what I’m feeling. “Just some hard conversations we need to have about what’s next.”

“I figured as much.”

I lay my palm against the hard, stubbled line of his jaw and smile. “That is not what I want to talk about in your last few minutes here.”

“I don’t want to go.” He leans forward and presses his forehead to mine. “Don’t want to leave you.”

“Come to the A when you’re done.”

“I will.” He frowns. “But first I want to hear what Kenan Ross and these guys he’s pulled together have to say.”

“These are all owners in the league?”

“Yeah. My team has been digging like gophers into Andy. Looking for anything we can use against him.”

“Anything surfaced?”

Taking Andy Carverson down won’t solve Aspire’s lawsuit problem, but watching him fall would give me the tiniest pop of petty joy in a dire situation.

“We’ve unearthed several former Vipers employees whose accusations of discrimination were shut down,” Maverick says. “Women who complained of sexual harassment were threatened, lost their jobs, were manipulated into silence. Black folks who left the company citing a hostile workplace. There’s something there, and I won’t stop looking until we’ve found all of it. And once we do…” A grim smile sketches lines around Maverick’s full lips. “Once we do, I’mma run his ass outthe league and get my team not only cheaper than before, but without having to keep him on the board. Watch and see.”

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