Page 75 of Tainted Tempos

Allegra

Don’t jump to conclusions. Derek’s at the brownstone. I’m coming over.

Nova

I didn’t see this coming. I hate the media.

What happened?

Headline: Maverick Tate Loves a Bender

Oh. Oh, shit.

My stomach twists, and my heart sinks. Is Mav okay?

A pang cuts through my chest.

Did I push him to disappear and party for days on end? Is he hurt? Coherent?

Bile rises in my throat as panic twists my stomach.

I told him I wanted a break; I pushed him away.

Again and again.

And still, he showed up for me. He may have ignored my wants, but I never doubted the purity of his intentions.

I care about you more than anything, Mckenna. But I’m not willing to let this shit with Bran slide. I’m not going to look the other way while you mentally catch up. He’s a fucking threat and I won’t let him hurt you again.

Headline: Is this the end of Mavenna?

Mavenna?I wrinkle my nose. That’s tragic.

I suck in an inhale but can’t seem to fill my lungs.

My phone rings, and when I see Allegra’s name, I swipe to answer.

“Hello?” I gasp.

“Don’t freak out,” she warns.

I close my eyes and flop back against my pillows.

“Take a deep breath,” Allegra’s voice is calm. Steady.

I draw another inhale and press my palm against my heart as if that will ease its gallop.

“You’re okay, Kenny.”

“What happened?” I wonder, trying to process the information that I know, in my gut, in my veins, is true.

Mav moved on. I pushed him to move on.

I hurt him when all he’s ever tried to do is protect me.

“He went on a bender. It’s been days, and none of the guys could reach him. I know you two weren’t speaking, and I didn’t want to worry you, Kenny. But it’s bad.”

“Oh,” I say softly. I didn’t try to reach him. I thought he was angry with me. Or respecting my wishes. It never crossed my mind that he went off the rails. That I pushed him off the damn rails. “How is he?”

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