AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I think about what he said and it seems so easy, but am I ready to admit that my fear and pride are a huge reason why I haven’t opened myself up to anyone again. Sensing my internal battle, Gage speaks up again and prevents me from fully spiraling.
“Look at me, man. You were closed off with everyone and kept everyone at arms length, but at some point, you became my friend. And don’t even argue it, because I was doing the same damn thing to you and everyone else. But if you can trust me not to fuck you over like Nick did, maybe you can let yourself trust that Spencer won’t fuck you over, either.” He claps me on the shoulder as he heads back out to the brewing area.
“Everything has been cleaned and you just helped me finish restocking everything. Get the fuck out of here and try and to get some rest. Text that beautiful girl and let her know you had a great night and you can’t wait to see her again. Do the ground work and it will all be the way it should in the end.”
I can see the hint of sadness in his eyes as he retreats, and I hope that one day he will take his own advice. But for now, I’m going to do what he said. I’m gonna go home and tell my girl goodnight, and then I’m going to spend the next few days wooing the shit out of her and show her that I can be the best damn boyfriend out there. Maybe by the time we go for a hike on Sunday, she will believe that I can be the man she deserves.
Chapeter Eleven
Spencer
I’mstillreelingfrommy date with Maverick last night. I made it home in a daze and barely even remembered the drive. Of course, I was exhausted from surviving my first day back with all of the kiddos, but I was also high off my date. I thought it would take me a while to fall asleep, but I was out as soon as I hit the bed.
My dreams were filled of Maverick and all the filthy things he could do with those hands and that tongue. I’ve heard the expression of being kissed stupid, but it’s never happened until Mav. Every time he kisses me it’s all consuming and everything else around me melts away, and the best part is that every time Maverick seems just as lost in me as I am in him.
I awoke to one of the sweetest text messages from him telling me how much of a wonderful time he had and how he can’t wait to see me again. It has my heart and head racing. I know this is supposed to be fake, but nothing about this feels fake anymore.
There was no reason for Maverick to go over the top like he did in setting up our date last night or for him to text me all those sweet words. Technically, he hasn’t broken any of our rules, but I’m thinking that I may have underestimated his charm. I knew our chemistry would be hard to resist, but I never thought he would kill me with his thoughtfulness.
I’m still a little dazed as I get ready for the day, and before I realize it, I’m rushing around my house so that I’m not late. Pulling into the parking lot, I’m praying I don’t run into a parent and get hung up. Thankfully I’m able to sneak by, but I’m stopped as I walk past the office.
Aileen never makes an attempt to talk to me, so the only reason she would now, must be because of overhearing about my date with Maverick. Mustering my best teacher attitude, I turn and give her my brightest smile.
“Hi, Spencer. Cutting it a little close today, aren’t you?”
“Hi Aileen. Maybe a little, but it always takes a little bit to get back into the swing of things. I’m sure you know how it is.”
“Oh, well yes. Of course, it couldn’t be because a tattooed bar owner kept you out late last night? I mean, it was your date night wasn’t it?” She’s smiling as she says this, but it reminds me of Regina George, rather than someone who is genuinely wondering if we had a great date.
“Well yes, we did have a date and it was wonderful.” I gush a little and go overboard, but I’m also surprised how natural it feels to react to our date this way. I usually am not an overly emotional person, but it really was wonderful. “Maverick surprised me with the most romantic spread at The Tavern and prepared some really delicious food.” She snorts and rolls her eyes, and it seriously pisses me off. It takes A LOT to get me going, but she’s pushing every button this morning.
“I’m sure it couldn’t have been that romantic if it was at The Tavern. He couldn’t even come up with somewhere to take you other than his own bar. That seems a little self-centered if you ask me.”
“Well, I didn’t.” I can’t help but snap back, and from the look on her face, Aileen can’t believe I just did that either. I’m known for being laid back and easy to get along with, so I’m sure this is shocking to her, but I can’t stand to hear her talking bad about Maverick.
“It was romantic. He had a shift last night but cared enough to want to see me in person to see how my day went. And instead of just having me sit at the bar, he went out of the way to do something special for me, but also stay true to the responsible business man he is. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get to my classroom and get ready before all of my munchkins get here.”
Once again, I’ve shocked Aileen, but she’s quick to recover her mean girl persona. I can tell she wants to say something more, but I don’t give her the chance. I brush past and head down towards my room. It’s not far, and when I get there, I can see Brant and Jasmine scurrying into his room and Seraphine leaning against the door jam giving me a slow clap. Apparently, my conversation with Aileen was more interesting than I thought.
“That was fucking glorious. I’ve heard from your sisters that you can really be a hard ass, but that’s the first time I’ve really seen it in person, and I’ve known you for years!” Seraphine seems proud as she follows me into the classroom, and I can’t help but giggle at her.
“Honestly, it takes a lot to push me like she did, but I can’t stand a mean girl, and I was not about to sit there and listen to her talk badly about Maverick. We’re adults and I’m too old to deal with mean girls.”
“Hey, I’m totally with you there, sister. I loved seeing that fiery side of you, and I think I might have Maverick to thank for that.”
“How do you mean?”
“Well, don’t take this the wrong way because you know I love you, but you’ve got a spark now that I’m not sure I’ve ever seen before. You’re amazing, Spence, but you’re always so reserved. It’s not a bad thing to gush because you had a kick ass date or fire off because some mean girl is trying to trash your man. It just makes you a little more human and I think we have Maverick to thank to some extent.” I try to interrupt, but she holds up a finger to stop me before I get too far.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but that man is so unapologetically who he is. He’s been the bad boy and instead of denying it, he owns up to his whorish ways, but without hurting the women he’s with. He doesn’t hesitate to stand up for those he cares about, or shower his love over his sister and nephew.”
“And even without that kiss yesterday, that is the most at ease I’ve ever seen you, by yourself or with a man, and that was after he kissed your face off. Sure, you were embarrassed once you realized how inappropriate for school that kiss was, but you didn’t try to blend into the background like you’ve done since I’ve known you. And you never would have rocked the boat and stood up to Aileen because you never want to stir up drama because you absolutely adore your job, but when she went after Mav, you didn’t hesitate.”
“So, real or not, I’m team Mav all the way because I adore seeing this side of you, and can’t I wait to see what all the other little pieces you’ve been hiding away since we’ve become friends are like. And I know you know what I mean because I see glimpses of that woman every now and then, but now it’s as if you’re standing in the spotlight instead of blending into the background and I love it.”
Sera has left me utterly speechless with how much she sees me and how right she is, even if I’m not ready to come to terms with it.
“Oh, and by the way, that date looked top notch and the kiss he planted on you wasn’t bad either.” She winks at me and it takes me a minute to register what she just said.
