He stares at me, dumbfounded. "We didn't make room for him. He always had a place, he just didn't know it."
God, they're all sogood.
Truly good, kind men. No one would have blamed them for writing John off. They built this whole life without him, and yet as soon as he was out, they were there for him. They created this massive safety net for him and they weren't going to let him fall.
It was always just Nan, Grandpa, and me. That's it. And for a long time, they were all the safety net I needed. I knew that whatever happened, they would be there for me. And they were. Through breakups, or job losses I always knew they were my safe place to fall.
Now, there's no safety net.
Unless you count the very large, handsome man sitting next to me. But I'm not sure he does count because he's not mine, not in any way that matters. And I'm very aware that the luxurious surroundings we find ourselves in are temporary.
But I plan on enjoying every minute of it until then.
"Did your grandma really wash your mouth out with soap?"
Startled, I lock on him and his adorable grin. "Several times a week for most of the summer between fifth and sixth grade. She caught a few of my friends too."
Maverick laughs. "Some of the women at the club threatened to do that to me as a kid, but they never actually followed through. I guess I should be glad for that?"
The women at the club. Right, because his mom worked at a strip club, and she took him with her. I can imagine it, being young, with no support system. Trustworthy babysitters are probably hard to find and expensive, so being able to take her son with her to work would probably have been a lifesaver.
"Definitely, yes. Looking back, it's funny. I'm not sure what got into me that year…that's a lie, I do know. Christopher. That's what happened. I got a stupid crush, but he liked this sassy girl from another class that used grown-up words. Actually, there were lots of differences between us, but that's the one that Ilatched onto. So I added a few juicy ones into my vocabulary. Most of them I learned from Nan, who's never met a swear word she didn't like."
"That makes it so much harder," Mavrick groans. "You're hearing it at home and school, but you're not supposed to say it? Torture!"
"Right!" I gently slap his thigh, then realize what I've done and casually pull my hand back. Maverick stares down at his thigh. Clearing my throat, I continue. "That's what I said. And I got the grown-up words lecture, which I didn't buy at the time. So I pushed it. And pushed it. And the damned woman out stubborned me."
"There was this one time," I start, already giggling at the memory, "I had just gotten my mouth washed out, and I was so mad. I was standing there, fuming, with this mouthful of suds, and then... I burped."
Maverick's eyebrows shoot up. "Please tell me what I think happened, actually did?"
I nod, barely containing my laughter. "It was this huge, echoing thing in our tiny bathroom, and it just... it blew this giant bubble, right out of my mouth. It was like something out of a cartoon."
I suck in a deep breath, memories of Nan's face swirling through my mind. "You should have seen her when it happened. Back then, I thought she was mad, but now, looking back? She was clenching every muscle in her body trying to hold back her laughter." I sigh, grinning at him. "It was funny."
He's laughing, shaking his head, and he's beautiful. Arm stretched across the back of the couch, sleeves on his white button up shirt rolled up his forearms. He's not my type, not really. Most of the guys I've dated have been guys who work with their hands. I have a thing for carpenters, welders, and even a guy who whittled wood.
So why am I so attracted to Maverick? If I'd passed him on the street in his suit, I'd flirt, for sure, then I'd carry on my merry way. I'd judge him as a stiff, not my type, and that would be that. Yeah, if we met in a bar, I'd probably go home with him and have a great time.
But that would be it.
But I didn't meet him on the street. I met him when he was lying on the floor of my rescue, curled against the chain link of one of the kennels, singing the most off key version ofTwinkle TwinkleI've ever heard. The little pomeranian he was singing to didn't seem to mind, and occupied herself with licking any parts of his face she could reach.
Meeting him like that, surrounded by equally drunk family members made an impression. A big one. Yeah, I was attracted. I got to see his soft underbelly.
And then that night, on the pole, I saw hownot softhe actually is. The man's muscles have muscles. Everything about him is solid, from his chiseled calf muscles to the ropey veins in his arms.
A woman sees a man like that, she can't help but wonder how he'd feel up close and personal.
And he's sogood.Kids love him, he takes care of everyone around him, including Nan and I. He's dependable.
And now I'm living with him.
Before, the idea that he was the boss was enough to keep me away, despite temptation. But now? What the hell is going to stop me from running my hands along those abs? There are too many ways for this to go bad.
I am so screwed.
Hopefully.
