Page 68 of Tainted Tempos

Mckenna

(to the girl group): Hey! Thanks for your messages. I’m good. Just taking some extra time at my dad’s. I’ll check in soon. Love you girls.

Mckenna

(to Maverick): I’m sorry for blocking you out. I know Allegra told you I’m at my dad’s house. I just… I need a minute. Sometimes, I don’t know how to do this with you, Mav.

Then, I turn off my phone, snuggle under the blankets, and watch a movie until sleep pulls me under.

No nightmares. No panic attacks. No Branson Burton.

But also, no Maverick Tate.

NINETEEN

MAV

“Fuck.”I toss my phone and watch it skitter across the butcher block island.

“Still not answering?” Jameson asks sympathetically.

“Her phone is off.”

“At least you know she’s safe.”

“Yeah,” I snort. “She’s at her father’s. The guy ignored her for years, and yet, she’d rather be there, in his home, than with me, in ours.”

“She’s been through a lot,” Jameson mutters quietly.

I scoff in disbelief.

Can anyone be on my side? Can my own damn brother stick up for me?

At my glare, he lifts his hands. “Take it easy. I’m not saying you haven’t been through hell, but Kenny...” He trails off. “She’s healing from a lot of trauma, Maverick.”

“Fuck.” I pinch the bridge of my nose, guilt sweeping my gut. “Yeah, I know.” Mckenna is processing and healing and fucking hurting.

Why won’t she let me help her? Why doesn’t she want me to keep her safe?

“She’s my wife, Jameson.”

He takes a swig of his coffee. “Yeah.”

I push away from the island and pace around the kitchen. I’ve been oscillating between terror, rage, and panic for two days.

Will Mckenna be okay? Did I lose her for good?

It’s been hell, and today, I’m done. I swipe my keys off the counter. “I’m going to see her.”

“What?” Jameson stands and blocks my path. He’s calm and collected, pausing to cross his arms over his chest. “Think about what you’re saying, Mav.Think.”

“I’m not much of a thinker, Jameson. I’m a doer. I fuck shit up right; isn’t that what I’m good at?” I flail an arm to the side. Anger churns in my gut, and it feels good to spew some of it. “Well, I tried to do all this the right way. I tried to step up for Mckenna. I tried to keep her safe. To be the man she needs. To love—” I cut myself off before I bleed out.

Jameson drops his gaze, knowing what I’m about to say.

“And where the hell did it get me?” I question, sarcastically glancing around my empty kitchen. “I’m done waiting and wondering. Besides, you were the one who told me to talk to her!”

“That was before she signed herself out of the hospital.”

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