Page 46 of Wild Love
I nod. I get that. I love my dad, but outside of him, my family is made up of my crazy friends.
“I shouldn’t have lied to you, but I want you here. You’re like a little piece of home.”
“Mav.” My voice cracks.
“Don’t go. Not now. I need you.” He drops his head into my lap.
My heart splits open, and he nudges a little farther in. He’s vulnerable and unsure and so unlike my friend. “Okay. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you.” He doesn’t move his head, and I slide my fingers through his thick, dark hair.
“I’m not taking your money, though.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he says. “Just don’t go.”
* * *
It’s latewhen we get back to the apartment. No tear, thankfully, but he did sprain his MCL and needs to rest for at least a week, maybe longer. He crutches to the elevator, and we start toward the second floor so he can get Charli.
We left her at my place when we went to see the doctor, and she is very excited to see her owner return. I pick her up and let Maverick give her a few pets.
“I’ll take her out and then bring her up to you.”
“Cool. Thanks.” He sits on the couch and blows out a long, tired breath. “I’m just going to rest here for a second.”
It’s hard to see him like this when I’m so used to the happy-go-lucky guy I’ve been friends with for two years. I take Charli outside and then up to the eleventh floor. I knock on Maverick’s door and wait.
When he doesn’t respond, I try the doorknob in case he left it open for me, but it doesn’t budge. I didn’t bring my phone, so I can’t call him. I knock and try again a little louder. “Mav, are you in there?”
He must have been exhausted if he passed out without his dog. Charli curls up in my arms.
“Guess you’re staying with me tonight,” I tell her. She snuggles in tighter against my chest.
Back on the second floor, I push into my apartment and come up short. Maverick lays on the pink couch. His mouth gapes open, and one tattooed arm is over his eyes.
“Correction,” I say quietly, putting Charli on the ground. She jogs over and jumps up next to him. He doesn’t open his eyes, but wraps an arm around her in his sleep. “I guess you’re both staying with me tonight.”
* * *
I wakeup to the whirring sound of my blender in the kitchen. I left my bedroom door open in case Maverick needed something, but I slept through the night.
I glance at my phone for the time. I have an hour before I need to get to work. I swing my legs off the bed and move toward the kitchen.
“Morning,” he says when he sees me. He’s leaning on one crutch. “Did I wake you?”
“My alarm was going off in fifteen minutes anyway.” I hop onto the counter. “A couple of barstools would have gone great in here.”
I scope out his concoction. “What are you making?”
Instead of answering, he grabs two glasses and pours half into each. “Try it.”
“You should be sitting down and icing your knee.”
“I will. All day,” he grumbles. “I’m sorry I fell asleep here. Boy, am I sorry.” He raises one arm and rotates it. He lost his shirt at some point, and the button of his jeans is open. I can see just the band of his black boxers.
My body tingles. Maverick has a great body. I’ve seen him shirtless more times than I can count, but after last night watching him be so vulnerable and mixing that with the ripped guy standing in my apartment making me a smoothie, that tastes… well, delicious, I’m a little too aware of how hot my friend is.
“I’m going to get ready.” I start back toward my room, taking my smoothie with me.
