Page 113 of Never Started
“I know it doesn’t make sense, but—”
"Does it have to do withhim?" he asks, pushing distance between us, but his hands never leave my shoulders.
"Yes and no. It's not that simple."
Releasing me from his grasp, his sad eyes meet mine. "Make it that simple, Izzy. Tell me."
Shaking my head, a lone tear releases itself and makes its way down my cheek.
This is happening. There’s no escaping this conversation I’ve somehow managed to avoid for this long.
“I love you both!” I shout, louder than I intend.
Maverick blinks, taking a step back. “You what? Come again?” His features fall, and so does my heart.
"You're mynow,Mav. He's my past. And somehow, I find myself loving you both. And it isn't fair. It isn't fair to anyone, especially you, because I know I'm not giving you what you deserve." The words flow out of me before I can stop them. As soon as they do—as soon as I’m met with the look of betrayal and hurt on Maverick’s handsome face—I wish I could take each of them back.
I can’t.
I’ve spoken my truth. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s out there.
Now, there are no more lies. No more hiding from how I feel. No more pretending.
Yet, somehow, even if I feel lighter, even if I feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted off my chest, I don’t feel any better.
No, I feel worse.
Chapter fifty-seven
Maverick
November 2025
"You're damn right about one thing. You aren't giving me what I deserve!" I pause, taking a breath to calm myself.
Scoffing, feeling completely disgusted with the situation, I continue, "What I deserve is someone who knows me. Someone who knows they can turn to me with anything. Even the hard things. Especially the hard things. I deserve someone who will be honest with me." My words come out rushed, sorting out every thought that's racing through my mind.
I've spent the past two years trying to figure out what I was doing wrong, causing her to pull away from me. I came to find out that it had nothing to do with me and everything to do with her. And it fucking hurt the whole time. I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t think about breaking it off every now and then because of the pain. But then I’d remember how much I love her.
Through my disappointment, I say, "I have done nothing but love you the best way I know how, and you've done nothing butgive me every reason not to." The anger has faded, and I'm just left with hurt.
"Mav, listen—"
"No, you listen.Iam always listening. For once, I needyouto hearme. I'm more hurt that you felt like you couldn't come to me than I am at the fact that it happened. You chose to keep that from me—"
"How could I tell you?" Izzy asks, the words coming out breathlessly as she cuts me off.
"You know, Iz. That, right there, is our biggest problem." My words are harsh as I fight to control my emotions. "I know who I fell in love with, but do you? Can you say the same? Do you even know me at all?"
She steps back as if my words slice through her like a freshly sharpened blade. "What do you mean, Maverick!?" Izzy's voice is loud, and she's nearly shouting at me. Confusion etches into her features, her eyes going wide, like the night we met again at that shitty bar in Arkansas when I pulled her barstool close to mine. The night I fell for her, and never wanted to let her go.
It’s then that I remember every reason I love this woman.
Taking a calming breath, I center myself. I step to her, pulling her into me, cradling her face in my hands, and look directly into her eyes.
"If you had told me, I would have understood."I keep my voice and tone low even as I speak. "I know you, Iz. I know damn well that I fell in love with a woman who has a free spirit. You aren't meant to be tamed; I'm not trying to do that. Being together isn't intended to hold you back from living your life and making your own choices. So yes." I pause as she leans into the soft touch of my hands. "I love you enough that I would have understood. There would have been nothing to forgive. You aren't mine to control, Izzy. Only mine to love."
She lets out a low whimper as she processes my words, and a tear falls from her eyes. A tear that I quickly wipe away.
