Page 77 of Bad Crush
“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” She finishes her food and turns toward me. “Maverick’s birthday is on Sunday. Let’s throw him a party.”
“I’m failing to see how a party for Mav is the perfect plan to tell Reagan how I feel about her.”
“Do I have to figure it all out for you? The place doesn’t matter.”
“Then why do I need a party?”
“You don’t. I just really want to throw a party at your place.”
I chuckle. “Does Maverick even want a party? This is the first I’ve heard about his birthday.” And when it comes to Johnny Maverick, he shares everything, so it’s suspicious if he’s not mentioned it yet. Then again, I have been preoccupied lately.
“Who doesn’t want a party thrown in their honor?”
“Whatever. As long as the rest of the guys are cool with it.”
“I already asked.” She claps. “Let’s go by the store.”
“Wait, the party is tonight?”
“Didn’t I mention that?” She smiles sweetly.
I shake my head. Such a pain in my ass.
* * *
Ginny doesmost of the work, and by the time we get back to the apartment with party food and alcohol, the entire team is already here.
Someone’s made Maverick a crown out of beer tabs, and he wears that shit proudly.
“Happy Birthday,” I say, handing him a bottle of Mad Dog 20/20.
“Aww, thanks, Scott,” he says and pulls me into a hug. He’s already missing his shirt. It’s not a party until Mav’s half-naked. I don’t understand the guy, but he’s definitely a good time.
I pat his back and pull away. “Seen Reagan?”
“Outside,” he says. He twists the top of the bottle and takes a drink, then passes it to me.
I manage to swallow the grossly sweet liquor and hand it back. “Enjoy.”
I grab a beer and head out to the deck. My gaze goes right to her. Sometimes I wonder how I went two years without looking at her—I mean really seeing her.
She’s standing in a group with Dakota, Rhett, and Liam. Reagan looks up as I approach and smiles. Stepping toward me, she wastes no time kissing me. I fucking love that.
I wrap an arm around her waist and lift her so I can kiss her harder.
“I missed you,” she says, tearing her mouth away. The girl I once described as shy and reserved never misses an opportunity to shower me with affection or tell me how she’s feeling. And I eat that shit up.
I suck on her lower lip. “Missed you too. Wanna get out of here?”
She laughs, and I place her on the ground.
Holding my hand, she pulls me into the circle. Guess that’s a no.
“How did everyone get here so quickly?” I ask Rhett.
“What do you mean?” He and Liam share a confused look.
“It’s barely been an hour since Ginny texted Heath to let everyone know.”
