Page 48 of IOU

I sigh.

So much for keeping her a secret. Now that Sebastian knows, it won’t be long before the others find out. I need a plan, and I need one like yesterday. Everyone knows I don’t do girls or roommates. This goes against all the rumors. Dammit.

“Can you set me down now?” Ainsley asks quietly. Even she knows now is not the time to press me.

Giving in, I plant her on her feet, holding on to her arms so she doesn’t fall.

“Are you steady?”

She takes a minute, shifting her weight from side to side before nodding. “I think so.”

“Good. Go shower and change. I’ll make you something to eat.”

Are you serious, Maverick? Are you going to tuck her in tonight too?

A hint of a smile plays on Ainsley’s lips, but she never lets it loose. “Okay.”

Yes, okay. Go. For the love of God, go and take that fucking bathing suit off.

When she finally manages to shuffle to her room, and out of sight, I take a deep, cleansing breath.

What the fuck am I doing?

I never show my cards.

Rumor has it she’s pregnant with his baby.

His shampoo smells like him—of mint and cedar but with way less attitude. I like it, and it’s a good thing too since none of my stuff is in the bathroom. I knew throwing those IOUs in the toilet was a bad idea.

But I was pissed.

At the time, I loathed anything with a penis—Maverick included. Even if he has been a decent roommate so far. Sure, his moods swing more than mine, but in those calm moments, when he’s not trying to scare me away, he’s a nice guy. I’d go as far as to say he’s been sweet to me.

He keeps his distance, that’s for sure, but I understand that I’m not a welcome guest and my being here is disrupting his life. I get it, I do. And I don’t want to be a burden to him. I really am appreciative of his kindness and efforts to find me another apartment.

But today I couldn’t keep my hatred from spewing out at anyone in my path. Freaking Tucker proposed to Taylor—on social media! Live! I watched him get down on one knee while Taylor’s friends oohed and aahed behind her.

I’m devastated.

I know I shouldn’t have kept following both of them on social media, but sometimes I do crazy things I’m not proud of, okay? I trusted them both, and their betrayal ran deeper than I thought. Sure, Maverick convinced me to delete a few pictures, but it didn’t delete the love I had buried behind my smile.

Trust me, I want to move on. I want to forget both Tucker and Taylor like a bad blind date.

I don’t want to remember how he smelled or how he kissed my forehead before class. I don’t want to remember any of it, but I do.

“Ainsley.” A fist bangs on the door. “You’re not drowning, are you?”

It’s cute the way he acts like he doesn’t give a shit, but yet, he’s checking on me. Of course, his voice strains, like he had to force the words out, but the point is, the big bad wolf cares, even if he would love for me to believe he doesn’t.

“I’m fine. I’ll be out in a moment.” Turning the water off, the bathroom is quiet, save for the steady drips from my body.

“Mav?”

Is he still at the door?

“Your food is on the counter,” he says, his voice clipped. I know he leaves after that because my chest feels lighter like his massive presence made it harder to breathe.

Quickly—as quick as a drunk girl can—I dry off and make a mad dash to my room where I toss on a romper and brush through the massive amount of tangles.

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