by Cotton, L A
“It’s not like we have a choice.” I had to finish senior year. Dad and Uncle Gentry had been cool about our relationship for the most part, but announcing my premature move to SU would push them over the edge. Besides, it was Maverick’s freshman year. He needed time, and space, to settle in and find his way. When you thought about it, it wasn’t even really nine months apart once you took out weekends and holidays. I just had to focus on school and my new job, and staying afloat.
“Well at least you have me, Kyle, and Summer. And with Kiera starting school with us, I’m sure there will be plenty of drama to keep you occupied.”
“I can hardly wait,” I grumbled, and Laurie snickered.
“It’s not all bad, Lo. Just think, the longer you go without seeing each other, the better the sex will be when you do.”
I could just picture her face as she spoke. Eyebrows waggling, lip curved in a knowing grin. But it wasn’t just about the sex. Not in the least.
“Hey,” her voice went serious again when I didn’t answer. “You know I’m joking, right? It’s a year, and it’s not like you won’t see each other all the time.”
“Yeah.”
“It’ll be okay, Lo.”
I wanted to believe her, I did. Couples did the long-distance thing all the time. But most couples didn’t have a family like ours, or crazy-ex’s and teammates to contend with. As if she heard my thoughts, Laurie added, “If anyone can survive the distance, it’s you guys.”
Chapter 11
Maverick
I RAPPED MY KNUCKLES on the door and waited.
“Come in.” Miss Bowman looked up the second I entered the room, her eyes going straight to my face.
“That’s quite some bruise, Maverick. Care to tell me what happened?” Miss Bowman arched her brow waiting as I took a seat.
No ‘hello, how are you?’, just straight to the point. Usually, I would have appreciated her no-shit approach but not today.
“It’s nothing,” I replied.
“It doesn’t look like nothing.” She sat back in her chair, and I shrugged, rubbing my jaw. “You know, I hear things, Maverick. About the sports teams, the basketball team in particular. Hazing is a very serious crime; one Steinbeck University does not take lightly.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said coolly, meeting her suspicious gaze. “I had a run in with a door. The door won.”
I wasn’t a rat. But even if I was, I was pretty sure Zac Lowell was untouchable. I’d heard the rumors about his ‘connections’, and there was no way he got to be captain of the team four years running on skill alone.
“Maverick, I can’t help you if you don’t help yourself.”
I shifted forward to drop my elbows onto my knees and lean on my fists. “Who says I need help? If you think this is bad,”—I pointed to the bruise on my face—“You should see the other guy.”
It was a joke. My attempt at lightening the mood. But Miss Bowman seemed less than amused. “Fine.” She crossed her arms on the desk. “But my door is always open. I’m not the enemy, Maverick. Quite the opposite, in fact. How are you feeling about classes?”
“Okay, I guess.” My shoulders sagged at her change in direction. But when her brows hit her hairline, I knew she wasn’t going to let me leave if I didn’t at least offer up something.
“Fine.” I conceded. “I’m a little nervous.”
I wouldn’t have the buffer of my friends here.
“Have you reconsidered what I said the other day?”
“Look, I know you’re trying to help but this is not something I want branded all over campus.”
“I can understand that. But this the twenty-first century, Maverick. Being dyslexic shouldn’t be a barrier for you, or anyone else for that matter.”
Easy for her to say. She hadn’t grown up with someone like Alec Prince for a father.
“If things get too hard, we can have this conversation again.” That was as good as I could offer her right now.
“Okay, okay.” Her hands went up. “I can live with that. But I want you to check in every two-weeks initially. I’ll be asking for regular updates from your professors too.”
I nodded. “Is that all?”
“Yes, go, get out of here.” She waved her hand in the air and I got up and made my way to the door. But her voice cut through the room before I could escape. “And Maverick?”
“Yeah?”
“Try to avoid any more doors.” Suspicion glittered in her eyes. I smirked and got the hell out of there.
“SO WHAT ARE WE DOING tonight?” Jamie said, and me and Darnell glanced at each other and then back at him.
“There’s a 'we' now?” Darnell replied around a half-cocked smile.
“Fuck off.” Jamie balled up his napkin and threw it at him. Darnell ducked, and it hit a girl on the table behind us. “Ah, shit, sorry.” Color exploded in Jamie’s cheeks and he dropped his head.
The three of us had been to check out the rest of campus. Jamie had invited a few of the other guys but no one turned up. I didn’t blame them after the other night. Zac had singled me out. Made a spectacle—and example—of me.
“This beats the cafeteria at my school any day.” Darnell scarfed down the last of his burrito and pushed his tray forward. “He got you good.” He motioned to my bruise.
“I’ve had worse.” Way worse.
“So it's true what they say about you then?” Jamie piped up, and Darnell smacked him upside the head. “What? I’m just saying, people talk.”
“Well, people should learn to keep their mouths shut.” Darnell glared at Jamie.
“Ease up, man. What do they say, J?”
He leaned in, lowering his voice. “That you fight on the underground circuit in Wicked Bay.”
“Used to,” I corrected, and his eyes danced with excitement. He looked ready to ask me more, but Lorde started blaring in my pocket. “I need to take this.” I moved away from the table and found a quiet spot by a tree. “Hey.”
“Hi.” Lo’s voice calmed me instantly. “How’s your day?”
“Okay, I guess. Me and a couple of the guys went exploring and we’ve just had lunch.”
“Cute.”
“Say that again,” I warned, and she laughed softly down the line. “What are your plans for tonight?”
“I, hmm, I’m going to hang out with Summer for a couple of hours and then I told Gus I could cover at the bar.”
“Again? I thought you’d already—”
“Maverick,” she sighed. “We’ve been through this. It’s my job.”
“I know.” But I still didn’t like it. I pressed my lips together, swallowing down the words I so badly wanted to say. But I didn’t want to suffocate her. And I didn’t want any more distance between us than there already was.
Lo let out a shaky breath. “It’s a bar, not warfare, Maverick.”
“Okay, okay. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
“I will. Now tell me about your new friends,” she changed the subject, and I was grateful. I didn’t want to think about her at Hitters, surrounded by sleazy guys looking for more than just a beer.
“Darnell is cool. He has his head on straight, and something tells me we have more in common than we know. And Jamie is...” My eyes flicked back to where the guys sat. “He’s a good guy, but he reminds me a little of a dog with a bone. I think I’m stuck with him now whether I like it or not.”
“Maverick!”
“What? It’s true. But he seems cool. He has a girlfriend back home too.”
“I love him already,” she said, and the corner of my mouth lifted. Yeah, I could see it now. Her and Jamie discussing the pitfalls of long-distance relationships over milkshakes and fries or some shit.
“I think that’s it.”
“What?” Lo asked, and I realized I’d spoken aloud.
“He reminds me of Kyle.”
“Why am I not surprised?”
“Huh?”
“You gravit
ated to someone who reminds you of home,” she declared, and my brows knitted.
“Lo, I don’t think that’s what—”
“Of course it is. You and Kyle have a special bond.”
“What the fuck?” I choked out. “How did we end up here?”
Her soft laughter filled the line. “I’m glad you’ve made some friends, Maverick.”
I ran a hand over my head and let out a deep sigh. “It’s not the same, though.”
“I know. But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“It’s not soon enough.”
“Oh shit, is that the time?” Lo mumbled. “I should go. Be safe and stay out of trouble, okay? I love you.”
“Love you, too. Bye.” I hung up, but I didn’t go back to the guys. I needed a minute.
When the ache in my chest subsided, I made my way back over to them. “That your girl?” Darnell asked, and I nodded. “What’s she like?”
“Lo? She’s like no one I ever met.”
“How’d the two of you meet?” He kicked back on the bench and readjusted his ball cap so the bill was facing backward.
“It’s a long story.”
“We have time to kill.”
Jamie nodded, shifting closer to hear whatever I had to say. Lo’s words flashed in my mind. I’m glad you made friends. And for once in my life, I did something I never did.
I opened up.
I told Darnell and Jamie how I’d met Lo on the beach at a party. How I hadn’t known who she was to me then. How when I first saw her standing in my house a year later, a lost guarded girl, I didn’t know whether to thank my lucky stars or put my fist through the wall.
“So let me get this straight, she’s your step-cousin,” Jamie said around an amused smile.
“Your point?”
“N-nothing, man.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Just where I’m from, that kind of thing would cause a scandal.”
My lips curved, and he said, “Oh, shit.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t plain sailing. But it all worked out in the end and it’s not like we’re actually related.”
“You two do know coming to college is supposed to be a time to sow your wild oats, right?” Darnell chimed in.
“Nah, not me. I’m a one-woman kind of guy. Besides, have you seen some of the girls here?” Jamie shuddered. “They’d eat me alive.”
Darnell roared with laughter. “That’s because you, my friend, lack swagger.”
“Oh yeah, and I suppose you have loads?”
“Of course.”
“What about you, Maverick?” Darnell said. “You see you and Lo going the distance?”
“Yeah,” I replied with conviction. “She’s it for me.”
He raised a brow but didn’t say anything else. I knew what people thought. We were too young. College was a time to find yourself and have fun and let loose. But that was never my scene. I was here to play basketball and get my degree.
Everything else was just background noise.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE I LET you talk me into this,” I grumbled as we stepped into the Chi Delta Kappa sorority house. SU wasn’t as big as some Division I schools, but there was still a big Greek life presence.
“Lighten up, Prince. You’re not here for the pussy,” Darnell said around a rare grin. “I am. You’re just here to be my wingman.”
“If Prince is your wingman, what does that make me?” Jamie yelled over the thud thud of the music.
“That makes you the go-get-the-drinks guy.”
“Why did I even ask?” Jamie mumbled as he barged past us and disappeared into the sea of bodies.
“He’s a good kid,” Darnell said as he scanned the crowd.
“Yeah.” The more I was around Jamie, the more I had to agree with Lo’s take on our new friendship. He did remind me of Kyle.
And it wasn’t a bad thing.
“So is this your swagger, standing here like a statue?” My lip quirked up as I eyed Darnell.
“Fuck off.” His shoulders bobbed. “I’m just getting warmed up.”
“Is that what they’re calling it these days?” I laughed, but it got stuck in my throat when he punched me in the arm.
“Hey,” two girls came up to us. “Are you with the frat?”
“Hmm, no,” Darnell cleared his throat, and I bit back a laugh. “We’re on the basketball team.”
“Good enough,” she said. “I’m Sondrine, and this is my friend Lisa.”
“Nice. I’m Darnell, and this is Maverick.”
Her mouth dropped open. Shit. This didn’t look good. “You’re Maverick? As in the Maverick Prince?”
“Hmm, yeah?” I folded one arm across my chest and scratched my jaw.
“Oh my god, Lisa, this is the guy I was telling you about...” her words—and a condensed story of my life—spewed out of her mouth quicker than I could keep up. “Wow, this is so cool. Wait until I tell the girls.”
Please don’t, I wanted to say, but Darnell slung his arm around my shoulder and yanked me into their little group. “Sorry to break your hearts, ladies, but Prince is taken.” Their smiles dropped. “I, on the other hand, am more than available.”
Jesus Christ.
Thank fuck Jamie reappeared with our drinks. I shirked out of Darnell’s hold and accepted the beer. “Thanks.”
Jamie widened his eyes and gave a discreet tilt of his head toward the girls. “Don’t ask,” I mouthed.
“J, my man, get over here and meet Sondrine and Lisa.”
As he passed me I gripped his shoulder and said, “Sorry, J, but I guess you’re playing wingman tonight. I’m going to get some air.”
Darnell was too busy working his magic on the girls to notice me slip away. Part of me felt bad for leaving Jamie behind, but he was a big guy, he could figure it out. It was almost nine-thirty which meant Lo would be getting off work. And nothing sounded better than a date with a beer, Facetime, and my girlfriend.
Chapter 12
Lo
“ARE YOU SURE IT’S COOL I’m here?” Kiera twirled the bracelets lining her wrist again, and I nudged her shoulder with mine.
“Stop worrying. Maverick invited us. All of us.”
“It’s a shame Summer and Nick couldn’t make it,” Laurie said from up front. “It would have been nice for us all to hang.”
“There’s always next time.” Kyle kept his eyes on the road. We were almost at SU, and I couldn’t wait to see Maverick. Sure, it had only been three days, but they had seemed like forever. God only knew what I was going to do once he was too busy with classes and basketball to fit in regular visits. Don’t go there, Lo.
“Here we are,” Kyle announced as he took the turn for campus. “On your left you have some strange looking art and up ahead is where the magic happens.”
“Kyle, I think that’s the library.” Laurie glanced back at us and rolled her eyes.
“Library. Department of Arts and Sciences. It all looks the same. But the point is, babe...” he trailed off. “What was my point again?”
“Is he always like this?” Kiera asked, to which Laurie and I replied in unison, “Yes.”
“That’s Maverick’s building over there.” I pointed to the cluster of two-storey buildings, anticipation rippling through me.
“Fancy,” Kiera replied, her dark eyes taking it all in. She was so much like Kyle and yet, at the same time, they were different. She was all dark and brooding where he was light and goofy. And she was snark and sarcasm, to Kyle’s humour and wit.
“Isn’t that Ma—”
But I’d already seen him... and the purple bruise covering half his face. I was out of the car and running towards him before the others had a chance to follow. “What the hell, Maverick?” I reached out for his face, but he snagged my hand.
“It’s worse than it looks.”
“What happened?” The question flew out even though my mind knew the answer.
“Not here, okay?” His eyes pleaded with me. “I’ll tell you later.”
“Prince, up to your usual tricks I see.” Kyle joined us, motioning at the bruise but when Maverick met his stepbrother’s playful gaze, something passed between them and Kyle said no more on the matter.
“Kiera, it’s good to see you,” Maverick said, ending the conversation.
“Thanks for inviting me.” She frowned at the sight of him but didn’t say anything. “I’ve never been to a college campus before.”
“Let me give you guys the tour and then we can head down to the beach, yeah?”
“Sounds good.”
Maverick pulled me into his side as we walked back to his dorm. “I’m okay,” he whispered against my hair. “I promise.”
But words meant nothing when he was sporting a huge shiner that could only have been made by someone else’s fist.
“Wait until you see his room,” Kyle said to Kiera as we neared Maverick’s building.
They filed in one-by-one, but Maverick caught me as I went to go inside, pulling me back into his arms. “I missed you.” He leaned down, capturing my lips and I gave in.
To the questions whirling around my head.
The pit in my stomach.
I pushed it all away, losing myself to every stroke of his tongue against mine.
“Whoa, Prince. I know you’re happy to see your girl, but let’s keep it PG-13,” a voice said, and I sighed against Maverick’s mouth before burying my face into the crook of his neck.
“Jamie,” Maverick’s voice was curt, but I recognised the name and left the comfort of my boyfriend’s embrace to face our unwelcomed guest.
“Hi, I’m Lo.”
“I know who you are.” He grinned. “Jamie.”
“I know who you are too,” I replied, and he winked at Maverick.
“I like her already.”
“Can we do something for you, J?”
“Nah, just passing through.” He flicked his head to the dorm building where I spied Kyle, Kiera, and Laurie, watching us from inside. “Do you guys have any special plans?”