by Laura Pavlov
When I came to your place the next day, I hadn’t slept much. Count Asshat was in the lobby. I shouldn’t have approached him. But again, my temper won. He told me you invited him over. Said you were with him first. Insinuated it wasn’t over. Hell, it’s stupid now. I knew better than to take the bait, but I fucking did. I stormed up to your place.
Finding the pregnancy test was clearly my breaking point. The thought of you being tied to someone else, of you wanting someone else—hell, I don’t know. I lost it. I said inexcusable things to you. All I can tell you is I didn’t mean any of it. I lashed out. Apparently, it’s what I do when I’m hurting. But I promise you I’m working through these things.
I see Dr. Sparrow twice a week now. Ironic, right? You tried to get me to go for months, and I finally start seeing her after I ruin everything. You were right, she’s good. We’re digging deep, and it’s not always fun, but you make me want to be so much fucking better than I am.
Not sure if you’ve been watching my games anymore, but the season is going well. I realized something with you being gone. I don’t play any different when I’m in a relationship or out of one. I’ve had good games and bad games since you left. The difference isn’t how I play, it’s how none of it really matters. It’s my job, and yes, I love it. But you don’t affect the way I play football. You affect the way I feel before and after a game. Celebrating was better with you, and losing was a lot sweeter when I could come home to you. It’s just a game. You are so much more to me. I miss you so much, Peaches. Your smile, and the way it lights up my life. It’s like someone cut me open and tore out half of my heart. There’s an empty space there now. No one can fill it but you.
Now I know, without question—YOU are the single best thing to ever happen to me. Because I found my heart. And nothing else matters without it. You are my family, my passion, my heart—my everything.
In case you’re wondering, I had the ridiculously blinged-out jersey made for you before I went and fucked everything up. Do you remember our picnic at the park a few weeks before you left? We were lying on the blanket when you shot up to look around. You said you heard a cry. Sure enough, there was a little girl who’d lost her mom. I pushed up to watch you. You were so gentle, the way you bent down and talked to her. She stopped crying and you took her hand and walked off to find her mom. I was in awe of you, the way you fixed the situation. When you sauntered back to me, the sunlight shone around you, and I swear to Christ you sparkled. After we got home, I got on the internet and found some sort of rhinestone shop famous for putting the stones you like on clothing. Never thought I’d want to see my number covered in sparkles, but dimming your light is something I vowed never to do.
I broke my vow the last time we spoke. The jersey showed up a few weeks ago, and it only reminded me of my mistake. Whether you forgive me or not, this belongs to you. Nothing better than seeing my girl shine in my number. You once told me I was the first person who saw you, really saw you—and I sure as shit do. I know who you are, Peaches. What I said to you had little to do with you, and more to do with me. Dr. Sparrow happily reminds me of this every time we meet. It was my insecurity talking, and I give you my word it won’t happen again. Sure, I’ll make mistakes, but I promise I’ll never doubt you or question you again.
A week or so ago, I passed a store with an old copy of Wuthering Heights propped on a table in the window display. I went inside to see about getting a copy because you told me it was your second favorite book. The man pulled the book from the window and rang it up and behind the counter, on a high shelf, there were all these crowns. There was one sitting in a clear case. I asked about it because it looked different from the others. He told me it was a replica of the crown belonging to Elizabeth 1, the only unmarried Queen of England. He said she’s considered one of the greatest and most powerful queens in history because she helped England carry out one of the greatest military victories against Spain. He personally believes she epitomized everything a queen should be. Strong, tenacious, powerful, and kind. I told him I knew someone who sounded an awful lot like her. He said anyone with her strength should be granted a crown. I agreed. You are so much more than any of the princesses from the fairy-tales you read growing up. You are my forever queen. I may not have a white horse, I may not be perfect, but I will spend the rest of my life showing you why you belong with me.
Please forgive me. Come home and let me make things right. I hear you’re coming back for Jojo’s baptism. I’ll be wearing the gray suit my girlfriend bought for me. I hear it goes great with her pink dress. Please, Peaches, bring back the other half of my heart.
Maverick
Tears streamed down her face, and she hugged the letter to her chest. She grabbed the jersey and slipped it over her head. Somehow it made her feel closer to him. Studying the crown, she settled it on her head and reread the letter several times. His words meant everything to her. The room now dark, she sat in silence, as tears spilled down her face. She wanted to talk to him, but they needed to speak face-to-face. His words were better than any white horse, or any fairy-tale—because Maverick Wallace owned her heart.
And that trumped everything.
Chapter Thirty
Maverick’s Playbook
Failing is not an option!
The collar on his dress shirt was annoying as shit. He undid the second button and cracked his neck. Hell, the thought of seeing Peaches—he’d never been so nervous. He hadn’t heard from her since she left. The last time he’d seen her he’d said so many things he regretted. Elle all but tackled Seth when he delivered the package. God, he loved his feisty girl. He laughed his ass off hearing how she grilled him. Didn’t surprise him one bit—only made him miss her more. He hoped she’d reach out, say something after she heard him out. Maybe she didn’t care what his reasons were. A dull ache settled in his chest. He didn’t know what he’d do if she didn’t forgive him. He’d keep fighting till he wore her down, because life sucked without her.
“Dude, you look like you’re about to pass out. Are you afraid you’re going to catch the place on fire when the angels find out you’re here?” Jackson’s laughter boomed through the church. The high ceilings and stained glass were pretty damn spectacular if you were into this kind of shit. He wasn’t, but his girl was, so he paid attention.
“You’re fucking crazy, dude,” he said.
“Okay, you two can’t do this here. For goodness’ sake, you’re in a church. Your daughter and your goddaughter is about to be baptized. Pull it together,” Peyton whisper shouted.
They both straightened. She had a way about her. A simple glare could paralyze you in your tracks.
“Sorry, Peyt,” they said in unison and laughed.
“Maverick Wallace, I swear on everything holy I will hunt you down and torture you if you do anything to upset Elle today. It’s her first day back, and she’s been through a lot, so watch yourself,” Peyton said.
“Christ, I’m not going to do anything to hurt her. I miss her.” He put his hands up in defense.
“Dude, you can’t say Christ in church,” Jackson said, winking at his wife like he’d done his good deed for the day.
“And why the hell not? It’s his house, isn’t it? Am I not allowed to say Jackson in your house?” Maverick asked with annoyance.
Peyton huffed and walked off. Her father and sister were in the Narthex with baby Jojo, while Jackson and Maverick stood outside Pastor Mike’s office where he’d left them.
The door opened. “Okay, are you ready?” Pastor Mike looked to be in his sixties and wore a long white robe. He’d agreed to do a private baptism for them as Peyton wanted it to be close friends and family.
“Yeah, I think so. We’re just waiting on the godmother. Her flight was delayed, and she’s on her way from the airport now,” Jackson said, raising one brow at Maverick.
“She’s on her way now?”
“You’re like a schoolgirl waiting for her crush to arrive in the lunchroom. You should see your face,�
�� Jackson said, tossing his head back with a laugh.
“Shut the—” He paused when he remembered Pastor Mike was walking alongside them.
“What? I didn’t hear you?” Jackson said with a dumb ass grin on his face.
“Pastor Mike, should I be ashamed of being in love? My friend here seems to think so” Maverick said, as Jackson rolled his eyes and covered his mouth to hide his smile.
“One should never be embarrassed to love. It’s what God wishes for all of us,” Pastor Mike said with pride.
“Maybe you should lock Jackson in a confession room or make him say a hundred Hail Marys?”
The older man chuckled. “We don’t say Hail Marys. This is a Christian church.”
Before they could respond, Peyton walked up holding their little girl. She was the cutest kid he’d ever seen. Josephine Danielle Vance. Absolute perfection in a tiny package.
“Sorry, Pastor Mike. Elle will be here in five minutes,” Peyton said. Her family sat in the front pews, along with Dani.
Maverick’s stomach twisted. Would she acknowledge him, or ignore him? She’d iced him out for the last few weeks.
“Not a problem. Why don’t we head up front, and she can join us when she arrives.”
“Here, let me hold the squirmy, little noodle until you’re ready,” Dani said as they walked toward the front of the church.
“Thanks, have you heard from her again?” Peyton asked Dani.
“Yep. Her Uber just pulled up.” Dani spun Jojo around in a circle to keep her entertained.
They stepped up on the stage and Jackson took Jojo in his arms. Everyone’s attention turned to the back of the church.
“Holy shit,” Dani whispered from the pew before covering her mouth.
A smile spread across Maverick’s face at the sight of her. Elle’s appearance sucked all the air from the room. Larger than life, and brighter than the north star. She left her suitcase at the back of the church and strode toward the stage.
“You’re wearing quite the outfit,” Peyton called out with a chuckle.
She wore the football jersey he’d had covered in stones, black leggings, high as fuck heels, and the antique crown on her head which probably weighed as much as she did. Her gaze locked with his, and that was all it took. He hurried down the steps, and she pulled the crown from her head and broke into an all-out sprint. Yeah, his girl could haul ass in sky-high heels. He met her halfway down the aisle, and she jumped in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist and burying her face in his neck.
Jasmine and vanilla. Everything good.
“I’m so sorry, baby,” he whispered in her ear.
She pulled back and placed a hand on his cheek. “I’m sorry too. I missed you so much.”
“Umm, hate to break up this sweet reunion, lovebirds, but Pastor Mike has another baptism in a few minutes,” Jackson said with a laugh.
“Leave them alone. We can reschedule,” Peyton said, swiping at her cheeks to catch the falling tears.
“You will do no such thing. I just threatened an Uber driver to get me here in time. Come on, Wallace. First things, first.” She slid down his body and her feet hit the floor. She grasped his hand in hers and led him to the stage, setting her crown down on a pew on the way there.
“Sorry, Pastor Mike,” Elle said, before turning her gaze back to Maverick. Her smile so wide it nearly knocked the wind from him.
“No apology necessary. Shall we get started?”
Jojo reached for Elle, and she pulled the little beauty into her arms. He swore right then he’d have as many babies with this woman as she wanted. The sooner, the better. She was back, and he was never letting her go. She held the baby as they poured water over her little forehead. Jojo’s gaze never left Elle’s. She didn’t cry or fuss. They took a couple pictures afterward, and Dani and Peyton flanked Elle’s side, happy to have her back. He sat in the back of the church, waiting to have her all to himself again. He needed to know they were good, hear her say the words.
Everyone agreed to head over to PBV Bistro for lunch, and Elle caught him staring and smiled. He tucked his hands in his pockets. Didn’t want to move too fast if she wasn’t ready.
“Hey.” She walked over to where he stood as everyone exited the church.
“Hey, Peaches.”
“Thanks for the jersey and the crown.”
“Of course. They look great on you,” he said.
“The letter was my favorite part.”
“Nothing I wouldn’t do for you. I’m so fucking sorry for what I said to you.”
She moved into him, wrapping her arms around his middle. “I know you are. I am, too. We both made mistakes.”
“I hear Winston’s doing well. I had dinner with your dad a few times while you were gone.”
“He’s doing much better. I’m going to have to scold my dad. What a traitor. He doesn’t know where we stand,” she said on a laugh.
“So where do we stand?”
“I did a lot of soul searching back home. I know we’re going to fight and disagree, but it doesn’t mean you don’t know who I am. Things got heated, and we both made assumptions that we shouldn’t have. But I do know one thing for sure.”
“Tell me.”
“I’m miserable without you. There’s this empty space, and all I feel is sadness.”
“My life doesn’t work without you, Peaches.”
“So, we’re on the same page.”
“Thank Christ.”
“I’m not even going to correct your foul mouth in church because I’ve turned over a new leaf. I’m throwing all the rules to the wind. I mean, look at my outfit. Clearly, no one is following any sort of etiquette here.” She laughed, and he intertwined his fingers with hers.
“Does this mean you’ll still move in with me?” He said it on a tease, but the truth was he’d move in with her today if she was willing. But he knew they had some things to work out first.
“Slow down there, Cowboy. I’m not saying no, but I think we need to go back to the basics and work on our relationship,” she said, pausing while he grabbed her rolling bag and they exited the church.
“It sort of sounds like a rule though? Didn’t you give those up?” Damn, he’d missed teasing this woman.
“You make a good argument. What are your demands? Maybe we can meet somewhere in the middle.”
He helped her into his truck and jumped in the driver’s seat. “Meet in the middle, huh?”
“You heard me. I’m all about compromise.”
“Okay. Well, I’d like to get married and have a dozen or so babies with you as soon as possible. You want to date me first. So I’m guessing the middle ground would be lots of sex? And only half a dozen kids to start with?”
“Hmmm…you drive a hard bargain, Wallace.” She laughed. “I’ll consider it. How about we go see Dr. Sparrow together a few times, and then we can reassess at the end of your football season.”
“All right. It’s a couple weeks, sounds fair. And you’ll marry me at the end of the football season if all goes well?”
“Maverick Wallace, you just got your middle ground and you’re already pushing for more. I’ve been home for an hour, and you’re all in already?” she said with a laugh.
“I’ve always been all in, Peaches. If it means asking you every day until the day you say yes, I’ll do it. You’re it for me. Always have been. Always will be.”
A pink hue spread across her cheeks, and she smiled. “You’re it for me, too.”
“I love you,” he said, pulling in front of PBV. He paused and turned toward her.
“I love you too.”
“Hey, what would happen if we didn’t go in?” he asked, knowing she would insist they go to the luncheon. They were the godparents after all. But damn if he didn’t want to hold her. Talk to her about the past few weeks. Hear about her time at home.
“It’s a rule I’m willing to break. Let’s go to your place. I miss my Daisy girl.”
“Really? You�
��re good with skipping it?” he said with surprise.
“I’m good with spending time with you.”
For the first time in weeks, he felt like everything was going to be okay. Because nothing worked without her. He loved his friends, his family, and football. But Elle Fiore made him whole. He’d talked to Dr. Sparrow about it during the last couple of sessions.
“I’m glad. Did you know Dr. Sparrow thinks we’re soulmates?” He pulled away from the curb.
“Really? She said it or you did, Romeo?”
“We talked about why I’ve never spent the night with another woman. It wasn’t only about the nightmares. It was more about trust. She thinks being abandoned so young and in such a tragic way left me with some serious trust issues.” He laughed because no one knew better than Elle.
“No kidding?” She gasped in dramatic fashion, sarcasm impossible to miss.
“No kidding.” He laughed before continuing. “Anyway, she said a mother is usually the first person a child feels a strong connection to. I didn’t get that with my mom. My parents adopted me and over time I gained a sense of safety and love.”
“It makes sense,” she said, as he pulled the car in the driveway.
He turned to face her. “But until you, there was always a void. And somehow you manage to fill it. Dr. Sparrow agrees. You’re the missing piece I’ve been searching for my whole life, Peaches.”
Tears streamed down her beautiful face. She unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed on his lap, holding his face in her hands. “You do the same for me. I know it sounds corny, but I know I can be myself around you because you love me, unconditionally.”
“You’re damn straight I do.” His mouth came over hers, and his fingers tangled in her silky hair.
Their kiss grew frantic, both trying to get closer. Make up for lost time. Her back hit the horn, startling them both.
“Oh my gosh, let’s go inside,” she said, hair all messy and cheeks flushed.
He lifted her out of the car, and tossed her over his shoulder, carrying her toward the door.
“What is it with you and this fireman hold?” she said with laughter.