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“He knows that, andIknow that, but certain things are a trigger for you, and —”
“I’m fine, Mav. I’m fine.”
He remained in the same spot for a few seconds longer and finally pushed himself off the doorframe and walked toward me.
“Move over.” He lifted his chin, motioning for me to scoot over, and caught the ball in midair. I did as he said with an annoyed sigh because this was what we did. Whenever I felt down, he would plop on the bed beside me and try to make me feel better with one of his pep talks.
“I just worry about you, that’s all. I don’t like seeing you sad or feeling like you can’t breathe one minute and want to disappear the next,” he said softly, almost like a whisper.
Whenever I felt like the world was a black hole, Maverick was there to catch me. His and my brother’s unwavering support gave me the courage to keep going. And I hated the way he made me feel. Every time he was near me, the stupid butterflies in my stomach went crazy, and the ache in my heart was replaced with warmth.
“I know you do.” I turned my head to face him. I’d had a crush on him since I was a little girl but never acted on those feelings because he was my brother’s best friend.
It was strictlyforbidden.
“There you are.” Skylar’s annoying, high-pitched voice startled me and the tension in my chest tightened. I turned my face away from Maverick and stared back at the ceiling, waiting for it to collapse on me.
“Yeah, hey,” Maverick said as he sat up, and I snatched the ball from him. His eyebrows furrowed when he glanced at me.
“I was looking everywhere for you.” Skylar’s voice appeared friendly, but her tone was laced with anger and jealousy, making me grin.
Gag. Kill me now.
“Why, what’s up?” he asked Skye.
“I thought we could go to Mallory’s party together?” she asks Mavrick, but his attention is on me.
Maverick and Skylar started spending time together a few weeks after she moved in with us. Ricky doesn’t call it “dating” just hanging out. I don’t care what he calls it, it’s the same thing.
“Are you going to be okay?” He leaned in and nudged my arm with his elbow.
“Yep,” I responded without looking at him.
Because what else could I say?
“Hey, Scar. Look at me,” Maverick said in a quiet, deep voice. “Look. At. Me.” This time, there was a warning in his tone.
I slightly turned my head to look up at him, annoyed. His eyes searched for something in mine, but I didn’t know what he thought he’d find. I gave him a tight smile and said, “You better go. Can’t keep the princess waiting, or she’ll turn into a pumpkin.”
Yeah, I was acting like a brat, but I couldn’t help it. He was way too good for her. He gave me a disappointed look, scrubbed his hand down his face, stood up, and walked toward Skylar.
He looked over his shoulder and said, “I’ll see you later, okay?”
I didn’t respond or look at him.
It would hurt too much.
After a while, I heard the front door slam, and my first tear rolled down my cheek.
"It's not going to last long." My brother stood in the doorway with his hands tucked into his pockets.
I couldn't bring myself to say anything. He knew how I felt about them being together but not the depth of my feelings for Maverick.
He walked over and laid beside me, providing comfort in the only way he knew how—through silence.
The next day, I found a cherry ring pop on my pillow with a note attached.
I'm sorry.
