Page 51 of Maverick
“Fuck you’re too good to be true.”
I placed a kiss on his lips before I took our empty mugs to the sink and held my hand out for him. Leading him toward the couch, he got comfy while I flicked a movie on and cuddled up into his side.
“She said something interesting about Parker and Mari, too.”
“Oh?” I replied, but I already knew what he was going to say. I’d seen the way Mari was with Parker, the tiredness on her face when she was going to have to answer his call. I knew when a woman was done.
I’d been there.
“I think something might be up. Can you find out for me?”
“Of course, but wouldn’t you rather they work it out themselves?” I asked him.
“Mari did a lot for me, Tavi. She deserves to be happy too.”
I loved him so fucking much. “You got it, babe. Now give me cuddles. I missed you tonight.”
He did just that, curling his arm around my waist and holding me tight.
He felt like home.
Because he was.
Safe. Secure.
All mine.
Maverick
Parker’s car was in the driveway when I got to Mari’s house and immediately I knew this conversation was going to be rough. Tavi had taken Lani for breakfast and was going to drop her off later, after I could talk to her mother about everything.
I never thought I’d be here.
The one needing to tell Mari what was going on. It had always been the other way around.
Sucking it up, I approached the door and knocked. Mari opened it, her brows knitting together in confusion, before she looked out to see if I was with anyone.
“Dane?”
“Can we talk?” I asked her.
“Of course,” she said, stepping to the side to let me in. “Parker’s just out at the moment, but he will be home soon.”
I knew what that meant. She needed me to be quick about it.
“How is everything with you and Parker?”
Mari moved into my line of sight, her eyes going everywhere except connecting with mine. She was avoiding me, and I didn’t like it. She’d always been there for me. Always made sure I was okay even when I broke our kids’ hearts, and yet she didn’t feel like she could come to me.
That hurt.
“What brings you by, Dane?” she asked, taking a seat at the table.
I followed her lead and sat down at the table myself, facing her. Finally, she looked up, and I saw it. The insecurity, the indecision. I’d seen those watery eyes before, and it had been because of me.
A fierce protectiveness stole over me and I sat forward. “Tell me.”
“It doesn’t matter, Dane.”
