“Go. I’ll catch you later, rook.” Jack smiles as I head to catch Dakota.
I get upstairs before I realize I don’t have on a shirt. A couple of corporate guys give me a once-over, and I slow my roll. Dakota isn’t answering her phone, and I don’t know where she sits up here in the maze of offices.
I head back downstairs and finish my workout, but my head isn’t in it. When I don’t hear back from her by the end of the day, I go back to the apartment and text the guys for help.
Maverick: Pissed off Kota. Help!
Scott: WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU DO?
Payne: Ouch. Bet that had painful consequences.
Scott: Sorry, that was Reagan. She’s looking over my shoulder now, FYI. (Don’t say anything that’s going to get me in trouble for your stupidity).
Rauthruss: Ah shit. I hope you were wearing a cup.
Scott: Oh fuck. You paid for her internship?
Maverick: How do you already know?
Scott: Reagan’s texting Dakota. You’re right. She’s pissed.
Payne: You paid for her internship?
Rauthruss: Oh shit, you paid for her internship?
Maverick: Yes, great. Glad we’re all on the same page now. What do I do?
Payne: I got nothing.
Rauthruss: *shrug emoji*
Maverick: Scott?
Maverick: Heeeeeeeelp me!
Scott: Dude, I don’t know. When Reagan gets mad at me, I kiss her. I don’t think that’s going to work in your case.
Payne: Ooooh yeah. Kiss her. That always works.
Rauthruss: I take off my shirt, but I’m guessing you’ve already done that.
Maverick: *shirtless selfie, flipping them off* You guys are useless.
Maverick: I still love you. Xbox later?
Payne: Meet you online at eight. *kissy face emoji*
Rauthruss: I’ll be there. I might even let you win (Probably not).
Scott: Brainstorm session before? I’ll see what I can get out of Rea.
I shower and wait outside of Dakota’s apartment for her to get off work. I bring Charli as a backup. She can’t say no to Charli.
When she steps out of the elevator, I push off the wall and wait for her to come at me, fists flying.
“What are you doing here?” Her tone has lost all the anger, but she isn’t happy to see me either.
She opens the apartment, and I follow her inside.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you.”
“Yes, you should have.”
She crosses her arms over her chest and leans against the kitchen counter.
“I knew you wouldn’t take the job if you had any idea that I’d arranged it. And I wanted you to take the job.”
“I get that you think you were doing me a favor, but now all I can think about is how I didn’t earn this job.”
“You did, though. Elyse offered you the job, remember?”
“No one will believe that. You should have seen the way Quinn looked at me today. I want my talent to stand on its own.”
“And it will. I am just providing the opportunity.”
“I can’t stay, but since I have already cost you money with the move and apartment, I spent the day working on concepts for your endorsement photo shoot. I emailed them to you. I have no idea if any of the ideas are feasible, but it should be a start for whoever you get to take my place.”
She starts toward her bedroom. I follow her. So does Charli. She’s a loyal little creature, and she knows something is up.
“Let me buy you dinner to make it up to you.”
“You think buying me something else is going to fix this?” The scowl on her face tells me no. “I’m going for a run. I need to clear my head.”
She shuts herself in the walk-in closet.
I don’t know how to make this right. Think, Johnny, think.
I haven’t come up with anything when she steps out dressed in her running clothes.
“I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you before. I wanted to, but I also really wanted you to take the job.”
Her glare softens only slightly.
“I was trying to do you a favor. That’s true, but it’s because I really believe you’re the best person for the job.”
She grabs her phone and ear pods.
I shadow her back out of her room and through the apartment. She says nothing as she leaves for her run.
“Stay,” I tell Charli. I’m not dressed for a run, but I’ll keep up with her step for step, for as long as it takes to make her understand.
She’s halfway down the stairs to the lobby. Damn, she’s fast. I can’t lose her. I have to fix this. I take the stairs three at a time. They’re an odd size and curve around. I’m almost to the bottom when I lose my footing. I jump the rest of the way and catch myself by ramming the left side of my body into the wall.
She glances back at the commotion. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.”
Her gaze flicks to my leg as I put weight on it and limp forward, still trying to get to her. I rub at the outside of my knee. Fuck, that hurt.
“You’re not fine. Sit down.” She points to the bench in the lobby.
“I just need a second.” I hobble over to it and sit.
“Does it hurt to touch?” Her eyes search my face as she places her fingertips on the side of my knee.
“I’ll be fine in a minute. I hit it against the wall. It hit back harder.” I lower my voice. “Please don’t go.”
I wince as I get to my feet.
“I think you should have that looked at.”
“If I do, will you stay?”
She laughs, and I breathe a tiny sigh of relief that she’s no longer trying to run away. “Who do we call? Your coach? Your agent?”
“I’ll check in with the trainer first thing tomorr—”
She silences me with a sexy little growl. “I’ve seen you get slammed to the ice and look like you’re in less pain than you do right now. You need to have it looked at now.”
“I’ll call Hugh. He’ll know what to do.” I’m still holding her hand hostage while I dial.
She points for me to sit again, and then she takes the seat beside me and brings my hurt leg up on her lap. I like her when she’s all bossy and takes charge. And when she’s not glaring at me.
Scratch that. I like her all of the time.
15
Dakota
Hugh sends Maverick to see the team doctor. I help him out to his SUV. It takes us more time to drive around and park than it would have to walk, but since I’m taking as much weight as I can handle off his leg, it seemed the safer choice.
I pull up to the back entrance of the arena, where the team doctor is waiting for us.
After only a few minutes, Dr. Anderson tells Maverick that he thinks he has a sprained MCL and sends us to the hospital for an MRI to determine the severity and ensure he didn’t tear the ligament.
Mav is quiet in the passenger seat as I drive. I don’t think he really expected the doctor to find anything, and I can’t imagine the thoughts going through his head. When we get to the emergency room, I force him into a chair while I sign him in.
“Dr. Anderson said you could be back as quick as a week or two,” I tell him.
“Great,” he says in the most mundane tone I’ve ever heard from him.
“It’s going to be okay.” I rest a hand lightly on his thigh. It has to be. I feel awful. I know it wasn’t my fault, but it would never have happened if I hadn’t been running away from him.
He looks down at my hand, and then his stare locks on mine. “Don’t leave.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here.” I scan the magazine selection and pick up a copy of People.
“That isn’t what I meant. Stay here in Minnesota. Don’t go back to Valley.”
I set the magazine back on the table and sigh.
He angles his body, holding an ice pack to his knee. “I did it for you, but I did it for me too.”
; “There are lots of people that can do the job.” Even better than I can, but I leave that out. I would have worked my ass off for that job.
“Maybe, but they’re not you. I wanted the best, but I also wanted you.”
I try to read his serious expression. “Why?”
“Because… leaving Valley was hard. The guys, you, Reagan, Ginny, Sienna, you were more than just my friends.”
I nod. I get that. I love my dad, but outside of him, my family is made up of my crazy friends.
“I shouldn’t have lied to you, but I want you here. You’re like a little piece of home.”
“Mav.” My voice cracks.
“Don’t go. Not now. I need you.” He drops his head into my lap.
My heart splits open, and he nudges a little farther in. He’s vulnerable and unsure and so unlike my friend. “Okay. I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Thank you.” He doesn’t move his head, and I slide my fingers through his thick, dark hair.
“I’m not taking your money, though.”
“We’ll figure it out,” he says. “Just don’t go.”
It’s late when we get back to the apartment. No tear, thankfully, but he did sprain his MCL and needs to rest for at least a week, maybe longer. He crutches to the elevator, and we start toward the second floor so he can get Charli.
We left her at my place when we went to see the doctor, and she is very excited to see her owner return. I pick her up and let Maverick give her a few pets.
“I’ll take her out and then bring her up to you.”
“Cool. Thanks.” He sits on the couch and blows out a long, tired breath. “I’m just going to rest here for a second.”
It’s hard to see him like this when I’m so used to the happy-go-lucky guy I’ve been friends with for two years. I take Charli outside and then up to the eleventh floor. I knock on Maverick’s door and wait.
When he doesn’t respond, I try the doorknob in case he left it open for me, but it doesn’t budge. I didn’t bring my phone, so I can’t call him. I knock and try again a little louder. “Mav, are you in there?”
He must have been exhausted if he passed out without his dog. Charli curls up in my arms.
“Guess you’re staying with me tonight,” I tell her. She snuggles in tighter against my chest.
Back on the second floor, I push into my apartment and come up short. Maverick lays on the pink couch. His mouth gapes open, and one tattooed arm is over his eyes.
“Correction,” I say quietly, putting Charli on the ground. She jogs over and jumps up next to him. He doesn’t open his eyes, but wraps an arm around her in his sleep. “I guess you’re both staying with me tonight.”
I wake up to the whirring sound of my blender in the kitchen. I left my bedroom door open in case Maverick needed something, but I slept through the night.
I glance at my phone for the time. I have an hour before I need to get to work. I swing my legs off the bed and move toward the kitchen.
“Morning,” he says when he sees me. He’s leaning on one crutch. “Did I wake you?”
“My alarm was going off in fifteen minutes anyway.” I hop onto the counter. “A couple of barstools would have gone great in here.”
I scope out his concoction. “What are you making?”
Instead of answering, he grabs two glasses and pours half into each. “Try it.”
“You should be sitting down and icing your knee.”
“I will. All day,” he grumbles. “I’m sorry I fell asleep here. Boy, am I sorry.” He raises one arm and rotates it. He lost his shirt at some point, and the button of his jeans is open. I can see just the band of his black boxers.
My body tingles. Maverick has a great body. I’ve seen him shirtless more times than I can count, but after last night watching him be so vulnerable and mixing that with the ripped guy standing in my apartment making me a smoothie, that tastes… well, delicious, I’m a little too aware of how hot my friend is.
“I’m going to get ready.” I start back toward my room, taking my smoothie with me.
“Yeah, I should head upstairs and get comfortable, I guess.”
“Do you need any help?”
“Nah, Charli will follow.” He finishes off his smoothie and places the empty glass in the dishwasher.
“How are you going to take Charli outside during the day?”
“I’ll manage,” he clips, and I slam my lips together to keep from smiling or calling him broody. A broody Maverick. I never thought I’d see the day.
“Okay. Well, if you need anything, just text me. And we should talk later. We still need to figure out everything with the endorsement and the apartment.” I wave a hand around my fabulous new place. I really do love it. After only a few days, I’m going to be sad to leave it. “I did some searching last night, and I found some apartment listings I’ll check out this week.”
“This place is already paid for,” he says. His tone and insinuation make it clear he thinks I’m being silly.
“You can sublease it.”
He chuckles. “God, you’re stubborn. And the internship?”
I lift my heel and curl my toes into the hardwood floor. “I will continue on one condition.”
“Name it.”
“I want to be unpaid like all the other interns.”
“You’re doing more than the other interns.”
“Do we have a deal?”
“No.” He leans on his crutches. “Look, the job you’re doing for me is worth every penny I’m paying. If you want to reimburse me for the other bullshit, fine, but I’m not letting you go unpaid all summer for a job I’d hire out regardless.”
“The Maverick Company could have done all of it for you. My being here is pointless.”
“Not to me.” He hobbles over, so he’s standing in front of me. “I was always going to hire someone else to oversee the endorsement. I don’t want them calling any more shots than is absolutely necessary.”
“Why?”
“Because...” There’s bite in his tone that makes me hold my tongue. He roughs a hand through his hair. “My dad looks out for the Maverick Company first and foremost. I don’t have anyone. I guess I wanted a third party to look out for me, and I knew you’d do that.”
“Johnny.” I reach out and rest my hand on his chest. I’m angry at his dad and sad for him all at once. Also, I think he severely overestimates how much power I have. The Maverick Company has the final sign-off on everything I create. “You have lots of people. Me included. Although, I’m a little nervous about how much faith you’re putting in me. I don’t have any idea what I’m doing.”
“I trust you.” One side of his mouth hitches up.
I hope that trust isn’t seriously misguided. “I should get ready for work. We can figure out all the details tonight. Are you going to be okay on your own today?”
“I’ll be fine.” He heads toward the door. “Have a good day at work, honey.”
I shake my head as I watch him leave and then wander back into my room.
He’s back a minute later. He doesn’t knock, and I scream as he walks into my bedroom while I’m taking off my T-shirt.
“Oh, shit, sorry.” He hops around on one foot and faces the other direction.
“What are you doing back?” I ask, fumbling for my shirt and pulling it over my head inside out.
“I had an idea.”
My heart still races as I kick my bra toward the closet. “You can turn around now.”
He smirks. “Three times now you’ve flashed me. I think you’re doing it on purpose.”
“You wish.”
“Hell yeah, I do. You’ve got great tits. Are they fake?”
I’d like to toss a pillow at him, but don’t because he’s injured. “What’s the idea, and why are you back in my apartment?”
“I was thinking… maybe you could move in with me?”
My brows lift, and he continues. “Hear me out. I have a two-bedroom, and we’re obviously
going to be hanging out most nights anyway.”
“Obviously,” I parrot.
“Would you rather live with me or some stranger?”
I laugh, and his smile gets bigger.
“It’ll be fun. Come on, just give it a chance. We can do a trial run today.” He hops to the couch and sits.
“I thought you wanted me to move in with you? My place is a one-bedroom.”
“I do, but if I hang here today, it’ll be easier to take Charli out. That elevator is slow as fuck, and the stairs are not my friend right now. Plus, I can rummage through your panty drawer.”
“Oh my god, perv. Stay out of my room.”
“Kidding.” His smile falls. “But in all seriousness, my knee is screaming this morning.”
“You can stay as long as you want.” I point toward the couch. “In the living room only. And I will think about the rest.”
“Thanks. This is going to be great, roomie.”
I spend the morning working with Reese, looking through approved photos to go with the content he and Quinn created yesterday. Then we mockup all the posts for Blythe to approve.
“So, Arizona, I heard Maverick got injured.”
“You did?”
“It was in the sports section this morning. MCL sprain.”
“That’s right.”
“Sucks. Right before camp is not a good time to be getting injured.” He lifts his brows.
“He should be fine in a week or two. He’s tough.”
Reese leans back in his chair, pen lifted in his hand. He clicks it as he says, “Yeah, but by then they may have already decided to send him to Iowa.”
“Really? Just like that?” Three days ago, everyone was talking about how he was the future of the Wildcats, and now they’re ready to cast him aside? I knew it was important that he get treated and back on his feet quickly, but I had no idea they’d write him off so fast. Brutal.
After lunch, I review the endorsement contract more closely. The deliverables are outlined, but otherwise, it’s vague. They want photographs of Johnny with some of the products for the launch, and they even provided examples from some of their print and online ads. There are a lot of smiling women putting lotion on their hands, others with shiny, just styled hair. It’s a little stiff and boring, if I’m honest.
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