Page 87 of IOU

“It doesn’t matter.” She waves me off with a smile that lights up her whole face. “I’d like to meet him. Just let me change first.”

“Whatever you do, stay in front of me.”

Ainsley gasps. “Oh my God, Maverick! Do you really have a boner right now?”

I shake my head, exasperated, and position her by my side, locking our hands together. “Please. I got rid of my boner when you fell asleep with your mouth open and let the drool run down to your shoulder.” I grin. “Sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. I had to pull over I was so horny.”

“Haha. You’re hilarious,” she says, side-eyeing her shoulder just in case I wasn’t joking. I’m not, by the way. She did fall asleep and she did get me hard, but she didn’t drool and I didn’t pull over. Although, I probably should have. Then, maybe, I would be a lot calmer standing in front of my childhood home.

“I’m teasing. I’m using you as a shield in case Pops wants to smack me. He won’t with you in front of me.”

Those big blue eyes go wide.

“I’m joking,” I tell her. “He won’t smack me. He’ll wait until you’re distracted to whisper yell in my ear.”

Pops isn’t a violent man, but his disapproval is worse than a hit. I dread hearing his lecture about honesty and responsibility. All I wanted to do was help.

Ainsley turns in my arms. “Don’t worry, I’ll protect—”

“Thank God you’re here!” my brother yells, flinging open the front door, a grin the size of my car on his face.

“What did you do?” I accuse, not sparing him with a simple hello.

He waves me off. “Nothing nearly as bad as what you did.” He holds out his fist for a bump. “Couldn’t have come at a better time, bro.”

I roll my eyes as his lock on Ainsley. “Well, hello. You must be the reason I haven’t been getting any cuddle calls lately from my big bro.”

Ainsley turns again and mouths cuddle calls.

“Ainsley, this asshole is Cooper, my little brother.”

Her face brightens. “Hi, Cooper, it’s nice to—”

Cooper wrenches Ainsley from my arms and wraps his arms around her. “We’re a hugging family,” he explains over her head, making this face of ecstasy to me.

“We’re also a violent family,” I drawl, pulling Ainsley back to my side. I know Cooper hugged her just to be an aggravating shit.

I shove him out of the way and he laughs, clapping me on the shoulder while following me in.

“Is he in a good mood?” I ask, referring to Pops.

Cooper scoffs. “You mean since he found out he was going to tear you a new asshole?”

I don’t respond.

“Sure is. Perked him right up.”

I should have just fled the country.

“I’m happy to know your mood has perked up too. How’s the team? Any scout activity?” Baseball season is almost up.

“Uh.” His tone sobers. “Not yet.”

I nod, taking a deep breath. This isn’t what I needed today. “I might know someone who can help. Give me a couple of days?” If I wasn’t desperate to help my brother achieve his and my mother’s dream, I would never even consider askingher. The person I know is not a person you want to get involved with. Making negotiations withherdoesn’t come without consequences.

Coop nods, a half-smile tugging on his face. “Sure. Thanks, Mav.” He tips his chin to the front room. “Come on and let Pops yell at you so we can eat. I’ll entertain Ainsley while you’re gone.”

I tighten my grip on Ainsley’s hand and Coop notices. “Or maybe not. I’m impressed, big brother. I never thought you’d grow a soul.”

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