Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Maverick reached for my hand and frowned. “Hey, it’s alright, Lil. It doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Okay?”
My gaze fell to his hand on mine, then I looked back up to say, “I’m not uncomfortable.”
He winked. “Good. Neither am I.”
“Want something to drink other than water?” Nathan asked as he looked in Maverick’s refrigerator. “Looks like you have beer.”
“Yes.”
“No!” I turned to Maverick. “You cannot have beer.”
“Why not?” he asked. “The last time I checked, I was of age.”
“You’re sick!”
“Of water and ice cubes, Lil. I want something else.”
“Stop being such a mom, Lily,” Nathan said as he walked over and handed Maverick a beer. When Maverick reached for the bottle, Nathan held it back. “Remember this when I ask you to buy my friends and me beer.”
Maverick laughed.
I shook my head as I walked back to get my plate of food and water. When I sat two stools away from Maverick, we ate like we hadn’t had food in months.
“What are we watching?” Nathan asked as he flopped onto the sofa.
“Do you feel like sitting out here for a bit and watching TV after you eat?” I asked Maverick.
“It would be a nice change of scenery, that’s for sure. I also think I need to change my sheets after sweating the past few days.”
“I’ll change them for you.”
He shook his head. “How about you help me change them?”
Grinning, I replied, “Deal.”
Nathan broke into our conversation. “You were watching Only Murders in the Building?”
Looking from my brother to Maverick, I said, “I started at the beginning, but I remember what episode you were on.”
“Do you like it?”
I nodded. “I do. It’s a cute show.”
“How far did you get?”
Nathan answered for me. “She’s on season one, episode five.”
“I was falling asleep, so I turned it off.”
“Have you gotten any sleep at all over the past few nights?”
I nodded.
“Lily, your phone’s ringing. It’s Ben.”
Maverick cleared his throat and went back to eating.
“Just let it go to voicemail.”
Nathan looked down at my phone. “Now he just texted. Wants to know why you’re not answering his calls or texts?”
I glared at my brother. “Do you mind?”
He shrugged. “Your phone is sitting right here! If you don’t want people reading your stuff, put a lock on it.”
“Trouble in paradise?” Maverick asked.
When I looked at him, he wore a smug expression. “What?” I asked, confused. “You know we’re not dating.”
“He’s calling again,” Nathan grumbled. “Jesus, dude, can’t you take a hint? He has a girlfriend, for fuck’s sake.”
“Nathan!” I called out as I stood abruptly, nearly knocking over the stool. I marched over to where my brother held my phone up and snatched it out of his hand.
“Don’t kill the messenger!”
“That isn’t how you use that line, you idiot.”
Hitting the button to accept the call, I practically yelled, “What?”
“Jesus, Lily! What’s wrong with you?”
Sighing, I closed my eyes. “Did you need something, Ben?”
“I was going to swing by your place if you’re around.”
“I’m not home, sorry.”
I noticed Nathan and Maverick exchanging a smile, and I wondered what that was all about.
The line was quiet for a few moments before Ben asked, “Still with your friend?”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, I am. I have to go.”
“Lily, wait! I’m sorry about earlier and the texts. Abby just doesn’t understand our friendship, and she means the world to me. You do, as well, it’s just…I love her, and I don’t want to hurt her.”
I felt tears well up in my eyes. “That’s great, Ben. Thanks for the reminder. I’m happy for you and glad to know you’re willing to hurt me instead.”
“That’s not fair.”
I sighed. “Maybe not. Doesn’t make your words any easier to hear.”
“What do you want from me? Why are you so mad at me?”
“I can’t talk right now.”
He let out a low laugh, but it didn’t sound friendly at all. “Right. I’ll let you go. Give me a call when you’re finished taking care of the cowboy.”
My eyes narrowed. “What did you say?”
“Your mom told me you were at Maverick’s house. That he’s sick. Watch out for that guy, Lily. I don’t trust him. If he had the opportunity, he’d crawl right into your pants.”
“And you assumed I’m so weak-minded I’d just let him?”
Ben laughed. “Please! I’m not blind. I see the way women look at him. Hell, he hooked up with Brandee Norman the night of the wedding.”
I glanced at Maverick. He was standing up and taking his plate to the kitchen sink. “And how do you know that?”
“Overheard him asking her out for drinks later that night. The guy’s a player.”
My mind quickly sifted through what Maverick had said about that evening. He’d brought Grams home, and he’d mentioned something about going back out but started to feel bad.
“It doesn’t matter. I need to go.”
“Be careful with him, Lily.”
Was that a hint of jealousy in Ben’s voice? Looking away from Maverick, I lowered my voice. “Maybe I don’t want to be careful, Ben. Maybe what he has to offer is exactly what I need.”