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With how they’ve made it so easy to be around, I’m coming to the realization I can trust them, especially where Maverick is concerned. Though I’ll admit, he’s still overly scary, in my opinion. I mean, how do I handle a man like him?
There’s so much more to him than what he shows, and being with him here, seeing how he cuts loose and has fun, I know he’s the other part of my soul. Just as the stories my mom used to tell me. But how do you tell someone something so dark and let him take that on?
It’s my burden to carry. Not his. Not anyone else’s. What happened to me is mine, and I won’t let it mar anyone else.
At least that’s what one part of me keeps shouting in my head. Another part whispers to let Maverick in. Let him help carry the pain I’ve endured.
“Watch out.”
I blink at Wrath yelling in my direction, and I’m nearly taken under by a wave. I cough and spit out the ocean water, sputtering and wiping my eyes as the others laugh.
“You okay, Sweets?” Maverick asks, swimming closer and wrapping his arms around my waist.
They’d been playing with a football not far away while I decided to watch from the surface, but I’d gotten hot. Needing to cool down, I took the shirt off and headed for the water with enough distance between them and me. Enough so they wouldn’t see the hideous words scarred into my body.
I stiffen in Maverick’s arms, knowing if he pulls away and looks down, he’ll see the scars.
“What’s wrong, Nevaeh?” he asks, keeping me close.
“It’s nothing.” I shake my head and breathe, trying to think of a way to keep him from seeing.
“Sweets, I know you. Whether you think otherwise or not, I know when something’s bothering you. So, what is it?”
I draw my bottom lip in and stare into his eyes, seeing the alertness and intensity in them.
“I didn’t want you to see me,” I blurt out without thinking.
Maverick furrows his brow and leans back a bit but doesn’t let me go. “You wanna explain that?”
“I’m ugly,” I answer, my voice no more than a breath. “I’m scarred, and I didn’t want you to see.”
Understanding dawns in his eyes, and he nods. “Nevaeh, nothing about you can be ugly. We’ve all got scars, Sweets. Some of them can be seen, others can’t be.” Maverick pulls away and points to one I’d seen on his stomach numerous times. “This one, I got when I’d been stabbed at the age of eighteen.” He points to another on his side. “And this one was from a bar fight that happened about a month or so before we found you and the others.” His eyes lock with mine once more, and he cups my cheek. “That doesn’t even cover the ones that are in my head.”
“In your head?” I whisper.
“Yeah, the ones where I lost my family,” he answers. “There’s more there, but that’s one of the main ones that fucks with me.”
I stare at him in awe as his words sink in. That he gave me this part of him so easily.
Closing my eyes, I push away from Maverick, and before another wave can come at us, I show him exactly what I mean about being ugly. “He marked me,” I tell him and open my eyes again to find him staring at my stomach, where the words are scarred.
“Sweets,” he murmurs, soft and gentle. Maverick pulls me back in his arms and holds me close. “You aren’t a whore, and those words do not describe you in any way.” Though he keeps his voice sweet, it’s tinged with anger. “I’m gonna prove to you that those words are nothing, and if you want, we can have them covered.”
My breath hitches, and a sob escapes my lips before I can stop it. I cling to Maverick as he scoops me in his arms and holds me close while walking.
“She okay?” Pirate asks.
“Yeah, she’ll be okay. Do me a favor, grab her shirt for me,” Maverick says, getting closer to the beach.
Maverick sets me on my feet, and I take time to get myself back together as I notice Sabotage and Wrath closing in and Pirate coming our way with my shirt. I keep myself facing Maverick, not wanting anyone else to see my shame.
“Here,” Pirate says.
Maverick reaches out, takes the shirt without a word, and slips it on over my body. Only when it’s covering my bikini does he step back. “Later, we’ll go to the surf shop and get you something you’ll feel more comfortable in, okay?”
I nod, grateful to him for not making a big deal out of it in front of the others.
“Good, now if you want to get back in the water, just keep the shirt on. I don’t give a fuck if it gets salt water on it.” Maverick leans in and presses his lips to mine before turning to his brothers. “Who’s got the ball?” he asks, raising his hand.
