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“Oh, my God! Shaun!” I’m running around the house like a chicken with its head cut off when Maverick wraps me up in his arms and pulls me up off my feet.
“What are you doing!” I growl but he doesn’t listen. “Ricky, Put me down!” I’m on the verge of a nervous breakdown when Ricky whispers in my ear.
“He’s okay. Shaun stayed at Mom’s last night.”
“What?” I turn to see the sincerity in his eyes. My body immediately relaxes, and he gently lowers me to the ground when he sees I’m calm.
Maverick tentatively takes a step forward. “Mom took Shaun to her house. You were out all night.”
Oh, no.My hand goes to my mouth. “Is he okay?” He must’ve been freaking out when I wasn’t responding to his pleas.
“Yeah, Mom says he slept throughout the night.”
“Oh, that’s good,” I sign in relief.
He studies my face. “How often do you get migraines?”
I take a few steps past him and make my way to the kitchen. I turn back to respond, "Not always," and run my fingers through my hair. I approach the Keurig machine, grab a K-Cup from the nearby drawer, and carefully place it in the designated slot. I select my preferred brew size and wait patiently as the machine hums and whirs. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the room, and I can't help but take a deep breath and savor the scent.
"Do you want a cup?" I ask Ricky. When I don't get a response, I turn to face him and notice his bright blue eyes intently locked on me.
Ever since we were kids, he knew exactly what I was thinking and it pissed me off. It made me feel exposed and weak. It’s bad enough when you’re struggling with your own demons but to have someone analyze you.... well, it’s just scary and weird.
“You know when you’re lying, right?”
Damnit.
I roll my eyes and start to walk away to avoid this conversation, but he gently grabs me by the wrist and spins me around to face him.
God.Even with his messy bed head, he still looks sexy and delicious.
“You’re looking everywhere but atme. You’re rambling and avoiding my questions, and you’re running your hands through your hair.” He tucks my crazy strands behind my ear and speaks softer this time. “Even as kids, you could never lie without fidgeting.” He smirks, turning his eyes to my lips.
We stare at each other, and I feel his warm breath against my mouth, inches away from kissing me.
"Ricky," I say, trying to reassure him. "I'm fine. Honestly, I am." He stares intently at me without saying a word. It's unnerving, and I can't help but feel like he's trying to read my thoughts.
"Stop looking at me like that. It's freaky," I finally snap, unable to take it any longer.
He chuckles at my outburst, but thankfully, the tension seems to dissipate. "Come on," he says. "Let's go see if Shaun's awake."
I follow him, slightly relieved to escape his intense gaze. My coffee will have to wait.
FIFTY-THREE
SCAR
Istare at the ceiling and enjoy the silence. My phone vibrates on the table beside the bed. Ignoring it, I swing my legs off the bed. I grab Seth’s favorite college hoodie and pull it over my head as I walk out of my room and straight to Shaun’s room. I stick my head through the crack in the door and all the pain and regret slips away when I see my little monster wrapped in a burrito in bed. I tiptoe toward him and jump on the bed, making him bounce as if he was on a trampoline.
“Wake up!”
“Ugh! Mom! I don’t want to.” Shaun pulls his blanket over his face. I bend down and tickle his sides, making him laugh in hysterics.
“Okay, okay! I’ll get up,” he cries out, still laughing.
After his bath, I help him put on his clothes and brush his hair. He’s wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt with the Iron Man character on the front.
Ding! Ding!
