It was tough enough dating Sean while he lived in Dallas. Being with Mav while he lives in New York will be impossible. I’ve been delusional to think Maverick and I will work.
He takes my hand. “I’m sorry. I really am. I wish I could go back in time and make different decisions.”
Pulling back, I nod, hating that I’ve lashed out at him. “I’m sorry too. I’ve bottled this up for a long time.” That probably wasn’t healthy.
I grab Leo and tuck him to my shoulder. “I think I’ll sleep in the nursery.” I need some space.
He blows out a breath. “Bay, take the couch. I can sleep on the floor.”
“It’s okay.” I don’t want to be responsible for him injuringhimself again. “I appreciate the chivalry, but I’ll be fine.” I force a smile. “Don’t forget to ice your shoulder.”
32
MAVERICK
Rhett doesn’t look particularlyhappy to see me when he opens his front door, but Jace waves at me from the bar.
“Trouble in paradise?” Rhett asks as we head to the kitchen.
“Let me guess. Baylee and Paige talked this morning.”
Pouring a cup of coffee, he sighs. “Not quite.” Then he opens his phone and hands it to me. “You might want to read this.”
TheGazette. Christ. I do not need this today.
Smack dab on the front page of our local newspaper is an article about Wild Heart’s “hometown hero” being home.
“I hate that term, hometown hero. I didn’t go off to war. I didn’t save any lives.”
Jace shovels food into his mouth. “But you play a mean game of football.”
I hand Rhett his phone, but he motions toward it. “There’s also something in the announcements you should read.”
I scroll until I find it.Ladies, dust off your nicest outfits. If you want a shot with Maverick Walker, Wild Heart’s biggest bachelor, you’d best get yourselves in the game because he was spotted talking to his old flame, Nicole Ashbury, down by the river last night. Theyenjoyed some tacos at Guac ’N’ Roll and had a romantic stroll.What the hell is this?
Rhett watches me over the rim of his coffee cup. “You two-timing my wife’s best friend?” Rhett might be my brother, but he’d sure as shit kick my ass if I turned into a dirtbag.
“Fuck no. I had a romantic stroll withBayleeand the two of us bumped into Nicole at my building. I don’t know how someone could confuse the two. We were pushing a damn stroller.”
His hard stare softens. “Sorry to be an asshole, but I needed to hear the denial from you myself.”
Jace chuckles. “Don’t underestimate the women of this town. My guess is Nicole called this one in herself.”
“Or her mother,” Rhett adds. “Remember when Lorraine wanted Nicole to win the church bake-off and stuffed the ballot box?”
“Poor Judd. No wonder his eyes look dead.” Jace shakes his head. “Mine would be too if I was married to a woman like Lorraine.”
I pour a cup of coffee. “Baylee and I had a rough night before this article got posted. I can’t imagine what she’s going to say once she reads this.” For the millionth time, I check my messages. There aren’t any from her.
“Gotta go check the mamas,” Rhett says as he grabs his gloves. “Want to get your hands dirty today, golden boy, and you can tell us all about your girl problems?”
“As long as I don’t have to stick my hand up a cow’s ass, I’ll help.”
Jace and Rhett laugh as we head out to the barn. I greet the horses. One by one they stick their long necks out of the stalls. I lean my head against theirs and rub behind their ears. God, I’ve missed this. When I get to my horse, Stardust, I smile. Baylee named her when we were kids. She whinnies when I pet her. “Sorry, darlin’. It’s been too long.” She has more gray in her coat than when I left for New York.
Rhett hands me a sugar cube to give her. “Beau rides her all the time. She’s getting plenty of exercise. When you’re healed up, you two can go out for a ride.”
My brothers saddle up two horses, and Rhett tosses me the keys to his truck. “You probably shouldn’t be riding since you broke your pretty little neck.”
