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“You could have at least texted me that you were alive,” he grumbled.
“Well, as you can see, I’m very much alive. You can go now.” I took a step back, knowing Maverick was there, and was rewarded with him putting one of his huge hands on my hip. His heat warmed me, something I desperately needed. “I’d like to go lie down.”
Blowing out a harsh sigh, Dad stepped aside. “Call me when you feel better. We need to talk, honey.”
“If you’re going to threaten Maverick and run your mouth, then I’ll pass,” I gritted out as I continued toward the apartment door.
“As stubborn as your mother,” he muttered as we passed each other.
“More like as stubborn as you,” I snipped back.
“True,” he said with a hint of amusement in his voice. “I’ll drop your car off later.”
That surprised me. I’d thought because he’d paid for my car, he wouldn’t let me have it since I was moving in with Maverick against his wishes.
“But you have to pay the insurance on it now,” he countered.
“I pay the insurance on it anyway,” I informed him.
He blinked at me in surprise. “You do?”
I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, Dad. I gave Mom the money every month. She said I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. Don’t worry, though. I’ll get my own tomorrow. I’ll also get my own phone plan, too.”
He scrubbed his hands over his face. “River…”
“Bye, Dad,” I told him as I turned my head away. Maverick unlocked the apartment door, and I nearly sagged in relief.
As soon as I was across the threshold, Maverick and Lyric followed me, and I slammed the door shut before flipping the lock.
“I’ll add you to my insurance and my phone plan,” Maverick informed me as he touched a hand to the small of my back and urged me toward the couch. “I just need to make a few phone calls, and it will be taken care of, baby.”
“No, I’ll just get my own,” I argued as I carefully sat down.
He crouched in front of me. “I know you’re not feeling well right now and your head is all over the place. But please don’t fight me on this. We don’t have to hide that we’re together now. That means we share everything. Including bills. Besides, you’ll be on everything of mine as soon as we get married anyway.”
My heart gave a little leap at the thought of marrying him. Biting the inside of my cheek, I gave a little nod. “Okay, then.”
He squeezed my knee before leaning forward to touch his lips to the center of my forehead. “Get comfortable. I’m going to make you something to eat. Then I’ll call Mom and tell her neither one of us will be at work later today.”
I sat back, pulling my legs up to stretch out on the couch. “D-does she know?”
His hand gently brushed my hair back from my face. “No, baby. You can tell her whenever you’re ready.?
?
Blinking back tears, I gave a little nod, and he and Lyric went into the kitchen. Lyric had stayed with us the night before, sleeping in the waiting room in case either of us needed him. I hoped he knew how much I appreciated everything he’d done for us in the past two days, because I didn’t know what would have happened if he hadn’t been there to help the day before.
No doubt, Maverick would have freaked out and insisted on taking me to the local hospital, and then all hell would have broken loose.
I heard them talking, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Sighing, I picked up the remote Maverick had given me and channel-surfed while he fixed me something to eat. I’d barely picked at the hospital food I’d been given that morning, but I wasn’t hungry. It was hard to think about food when it felt like my heart was no longer part of my body.
Ten minutes passed before Maverick appeared with a tray that held a sandwich and some soup along with a glass of milk.
“I need to get home,” Lyric said as he dropped a kiss on top of my head. “But don’t hesitate to call me if you guys need anything.”
I gave him a tiny smile. “Thanks, Lyric.”
“Anything for you, sweetheart.” He gave me a wink, nodded to his brother-in-law, and then went out the door.
