Page 27 of Breathtaking

Mav mirrors my stance and stares down at the people below. “I don’t know... I’ve just got this feeling...” He leaves his words hanging in the air. Like there’s more he wants to say but can’t. Won’t.

“Take the chance or don’t, Maverick. You’re the one that has to live with the consequences. But take it from me, consequences fucking suck when they’re permanent, and age doesn’t matter. Fuck, your parents met when they were twenty-two, and they were making out on the dance floor at Killian and Lilah’s wedding a few weeks ago. They’re still happy, and you know it. It can happen. We’re surrounded by examples of what it looks like when it works out.”

And he’s standing next to a man who’s a prime example of what happens when it doesn’t.

There’s a flicker of something in his eyes as he turns his back on the crowd. “Why do you care so much?”

“Because I always did the things first and you followed, and I don’t want you to follow my mistakes this time.” The waiter drops off a fresh drink, and I drop a fifty on his tray and add my empty glass. “Regret sucks, man.”

Maverick thinks about that before he cracks his neck and drops his empty bottle next to mine. “You’re like a broken record.”

“What do you have to lose?” I challenge, wanting him to make the choice I couldn’t.

His situation may be complicated, but I doubt it’s got anything on the royally fucked up shit Lennon has to deal with.

“Rosie’s nanny,” he answers, clipped.

“Sounds like the possible good outweighs the bad. If this girl is all sweetness and light like the guys are saying, she’ll stick around until you find someone else, even if you turn into a giant dick and fuck her over. Hell... maybe her brother could set her up with someone else on the team to ease the pain.”

Mav’s gaze goes fucking feral.

And my work here is done.

“I fucking hate you,” he tells me as he grabs his keys from his pocket.

I watch the motions kicking into gear and fucking smile. “I’m okay with that. Go get the girl, Mav.”

“Dumbass,” he groans as he walks away.

At least one of us has a chance at going home to his woman tonight.

I swallow my Macallen in one gulp and drop it to the table.

Looks like Meatball and I have another night alone coming at us.

LENNON

My pride warned me it was going to be hard.

My nerves warned me it was going to be scary.

But my heart... my heart whispered it was going to be worth it.

—Lennon’s Secret Thoughts

Atticus

Dad just asked if you’re coming home for Monty’s father’s party. What do you want me to tell him?

Lennon

Maybe don’t tell him I’m in Kroydon Hills.

Atticus

Acca-scuse me?

Lennon

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