Page 75 of You Saw the Best In Me

“No, Mav will come out when he’s done. He’ll probably bring me back to his apartment, too,” she whispers, and my heart hurts for this poor girl.

Witnessing this brand of crazy at such a young age, on top of what she’s already endured, can’t be easy on her, especially when she knows the pattern and the routine that follows.

“Go pack a bag, everything you’ll need for school tomorrow,” I tell her, deciding before Maverick can.

I refuse to let her stay in this environment after our night and feel responsible for it all. I should’ve bit my tongue and let them handle their family dynamic rather than stick my nose in their business.

“Did you tell Harper to pack a bag?” Maverick storms out of the house, nearly yelling in my face.

I take a few steps back, uninterested in seeing him rage at me. We can talk like adults, but I draw the line at yelling.

He will not treat me that way again.

“Yes. She has school tomorrow, and I don’t think we should leave her here after all the fighting,” I wave my hand toward the house, emphasizing how fucked this all turned out.

“I’m not mad, Karina. It’s exactly what I would’ve done. I’m just worked up, and I’m sorry if I seemed angry with you,” he steps toward me, and I thaw, letting him back in.

I stroke his cheek, letting my touch heal him in the ways it does for me. He rests his head on my shoulder, and I wrap him tightly in my arms while we wait for Harper.

“She’s important to me,” I whisper, and he nods.

Nothing else needs to be said.

“Okay, I’m ready. Can I ride with Karina?” Harper asks, and I immediately say yes, clearing space for her.

“You follow me, okay?” he says, holding my hands and kissing me before we leave.

“Wouldn’t dream of anything else, broody,” I tease, and he pushes me toward my open car door.

I let Harper control the radio, following closely behind Maverick’s truck and my mind swirling with a million different things.

The venom Martha spat at us was cruel and intentional, but was it true? Mav has told me that he had a rocky time after his mom passed, but she made it seem horrible.

I would never judge him for a second he lived before me, but I’m also curious if I’m dealing with someone who has alcohol dependency problems.

I certainly use liquor to heal my pain or celebrate a good time, but I could never imagine being physically and mentally addicted to it. It’s not who I am, but I’d never push Maverick away if that were his vice.

I don’t judge, and we all have our demons.

I would just like to know what I’m dealing with before it becomes a problem I’ve already been through once upon a time.

MAVERICK

I’m so thankful that Karina took Harper because I’m livid. Grams crossed too many lines tonight, and we had it out. It’s been a while since we screamed at each other that way, but it was necessary.

From the moment I walked into the house this afternoon, she was a Grinch. Nagging at Harp and me for the minor things, complaining about the new insurance switching her oxygen company, and finally, talking to Karina like she was trash.

I put my foot down. If she wants to keep custody of Harper and my financial help, she’ll be friendly to Karina and both her grandchildren while she’s at it.

Of course, she refused, acting like she was the Queen and we must kiss her ring. I’ve had enough, and it’s time to take Harp away from the craziness and toxicity. I’m ready to fight, get her out of there, and I don’t care what it takes.

My little sister won’t be corrupted by a bitter old woman who didn’t want the responsibility of a three-year-old in the first place.

I can’t stop checking the rearview, ensuring Karina and Harper are behind me the entire drive. This woman is everything to me, and she’s got my heart in her passenger seat.

Karina is a fighter, and she stood up to Grams tonight. I beamed with pride, watching her take on the beast and slay her.

She also sheltered Harper and claimed her as her own when shit hit the fan.