Page 22 of You Saw the Best In Me

“I’m sorry, I can’t,” I say, and he immediately backs away.

I take the bottle of tequila and take a sip, passing it to him.

The silence is so loud, and I start to cry again.

“It’s fine, Karina. We said never again. I shouldn’t have pressured you,” he says softly, and I shake my head.

“It’s not you. Seriously. I, um, haven’t kissed anyone since I was seventeen,” I hide my face with my hands, ashamed that I even said it aloud.

Maverick shocks me, taking my hands into his, piercing me with a look that melts my brain.

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me. I hadn’t slept with anyone in years before you. We all have our baggage,” he tells me, and I don’t dare move.

Our connection feels strong, him standing in front of me, gently holding my hands, while I sit on the counter, perched slightly above his emerald green eyes and messy blonde hair.

Trauma dumping and almost kissing weren’t what I expected from this night, but I feel like I know Maverick.

More pain, secrets, and wounds are under the surface, and even though I shouldn’t, I want to know everything about him.

The following day, I wake up hungover on my couch, with no sign of Maverick.

The last thing I remember is that he was stumbling around trying to heat more pizza, and I was drinking straight out of the bottle.

Last night was a whirlwind. We went from talking about the skeletons in our closets to watching shitty game shows and trying to see who could take more shots.

We’re both very competitive, but I think I lost by passing out.

At first, I was so reserved around him, but now I feel like I’ve known him for years.

We made plans to have dessert tonight since I drunkenly pointed out that he was rude for not bringing any.

He thinks he’ll be able to pinpoint my favorite dessert, taking it as a challenge.

I pull myself off the couch, flopping onto my bed and burying my head under the pillows.

Thank goodness I don’t have a shift today; the smell of chemicals would probably make me pass out or puke everywhere.

Suddenly, April lets out a terrifying meow and jumps into the air.

I sit up, my head pounding, wondering what her issue is, but I don’t see anything.

“Cut it out, April. There’s nothing here!” I yell, but now she’s running around the apartment, meowing very loudly.

Sleep is useless now, and I put on a pot of coffee while I shower.

It's time to cure this hangover and get on with my day.

MAVERICK

The sound of my alarm rips me out of my sleep, and I let a string of curse words fly out before finally getting out of bed.

I stayed over at Karina’s too late and drank enough to make me throw up last night.

That woman never ceases to amaze me. She drank me under the table and then some.

I start getting ready for work, dreading the day ahead.

This is why I don’t do friendships or relationships. I will spend my day in a haze, wishing I could sleep the day away.