Page 126 of Never Started
“No way!” Izzy shouts back. “You’re pregnant, bitch!”
“If only pregnant women could still drive!” Via then directs her shouting at me. “Can you have it fixed by the day after tomorrow? We have to leave early anyway. I have a photography gig.”
“Sure thing, V,” I say.
“Oh, and Jett? I told Ander y’all need to be more careful with nails and shit on the ranch. All four tires are popped, that’s ridiculous.”
They aren’t questioning the tires being flat. Instead, they’ve written it off as nails. A sense of relief washes over me. Those were questions I wasn’t sure I would be able to answer.
Now well aware of the others, I lean down and whisper into Izzy’s ear, “Just remember, your heart has a home, and I’ll be waiting once you’re ready. I’ve waited this long. No way in fucking hell I’m giving up now.”
With that, I kiss her forehead, turn on my heel, and hop back in my truck, leaving her standing there and granting her the space she requested. The space I knew she needed.
If there’s one thing I hope I made abundantly clear—it’s the fact thatI’m not going anywhere.
Chapter sixty-four
Maverick
December 2025
Walking outside, the cool December temperatures bite into my skin, causing me to shiver briefly as I tug on my jacket. Rounding the corner outside one of my parents’ cafes, my phone vibrates in my jacket pocket with an incoming text.
Izzy
Can we meet up tonight?
Something about the text rattles me. I find myself questioning,is this it?
It’s been two weeks since that day on the ranch—two weeks since we’ve seen each other. It took me four days to process everything, give in, and text her. We’ve been messaging since then, but it feels stale.
Maverick
You’re finally letting me see that beautiful face of yours?
Although I’ve asked a few times, she hasn’t wanted to meet up in person, saying she needed more time to process everything, too. I won’t lie, it took me a while to come around. I honestly questioned if I could do this with her any further. The truth is, it’s hard.
It’s hard being so in love with someone and questioning if that love is reciprocated. I know she loves me, but does her love for me run as deeply as mine runs for her?
Izzy
Yes. Meet up at Cafe Creole in downtown New Orleans in about an hour?
Cafe Creole.One of my parents' restaurants, the one where I first saw her all those years ago. That’s where it all began for me.
Something feels off.
I can’t put my finger on it, and I don’t know what it is, but my concern is unavoidable, my stomach churning with the fear.
Maverick
Yeah. I’m in the city now. I’ll see you there.
Tucking my phone away, I make my way over to my truck. Once I’m inside, I open my console and slide the little black box into my pocket before taking off.
It’s now or never.
This will be my last attempt, my very last effort to make this work. Our conversation can go one of two ways, and while I’m hoping for the best and praying we can move forward, I’m also expecting the worst.
