Lo
“THIS IS INSANE,” LAURIE squeezed my arm, a huge smile plastered on her face as we followed Kyle to our seats. The Nixon Arena was crammed, the low rumble of the crowd echoing around the high ceiling. Anticipation rippled in the air like electricity.
I’d attended Maverick’s games in high school, but nothing compared to this. The noise. The sea of red white and black all out to support the Scorpions for their first game.
“My heart is pounding,” I whispered as we finally found our seats. Maverick had scored us tickets in the VIP section, reserved for family, college donors, and scouts, that kind of thing.
“Well, duh. This is a big deal for Maverick.” Laurie gave me a reassuring smile and looped her arm through mine, snuggling closer. “It all worked out, Lo. Just like I knew it would.” She winked.
“What worked out?” Kyle piped up, craning his head around her.
“Nothing, babe. Lo’s just a little overwhelmed, that’s all.”
A hand landed on my shoulder and squeezed. When I glanced back, Dad’s eyes met mine. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t need to. The fact he was here was enough. Even if he had brought Stella and Beth along for the ride.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him in action,” Stella said, and Kyle cleared his throat.
“Kyle,” I warned, imagining all the inappropriate things on the tip of his tongue.
His mouth moved, the words forming, but Laurie elbowed him hard and he spluttered out, “Shit, babe. I wasn’t—”
“Oh look, here’s your dad and Rebecca.” Laurie changed the subject, waving over at them.
“Sorry we’re late,” Rebecca smiled, but it seemed strained.
Odd.
“You’re here now,” Dad added. “That’s all that matters.”
“Hmm, Momma P, where’s Macey and Summer?” Kyle's eyes narrowed as he searched the space behind them.
“Something came up,” Uncle Gentry said. “They’re sorry to be missing Maverick’s first game.” He shot me an apologetic look.
“Something came up? Like what?”
“Kyle,” Rebecca said the same time as Uncle Gentry warned, “Son.”
“Let me guess, Macey—”
“Enough.” His father’s tone was final. “We are here to support Maverick. The girls are fine.”
The adults started their own conversation while Kyle slipped his phone out, but I leaned around Laurie. “Kyle, leave it.”
“She was supposed to be here.” His eyes burned with disappointment.
“She’s going through stuff.” I lowered my voice hoping the adults wouldn’t overhear, but they were too busy reminiscing about their own college experiences.
“Stuff? She’s a fucking mess,” he ground out. “She came home drunk twice last week. And I’m not talking girl-drunk either. She was wasted.”
“Kyle,” I said again flicking my eyes to where Rebecca and Gentry sat. “Now is not the time.”
“It’s Rick’s big game. She could have made the effort. And it isn’t fair Summer had to stay home and babysit her.”
I started to reply, but the lights dimmed, and the low rumble of chatter reached a bone-rattling crescendo.
“Showtime,” Laurie shrieked doing a little dance in her seat.
But I didn’t see the cheer squad and their well-choreographed routine, or the Scorpion mascot parading around the court waving to fans. I only saw the player wearing the number one jersey.
Maverick stood with his team, listening to Coach Baxter as they ran over the plays again. He was all business. Jaw clenched. Eyes focused. He’d filled out since training with the Scorpions. Defined arms rested at his sides as he leaned in, hanging on his coach’s every word.
“Cous,” Kyle said around Laurie. “You’re drooling.”
“Piss off,” I hissed in reply. As if he heard, Maverick lifted his head, searching the crowd. When his eyes landed on mine, electricity jolted through me. A direct line to my heart.
We’d done it.
We’d survived his move to SU. Survived Zac and Caitlin’s games.
But as his lips curved into a wicked smirk, I knew it was more than that. All Maverick ever wanted was to protect me. To save me when I’d thought I needed to save myself.
Only, I didn’t need saving. Not by Maverick, or myself. All I needed was to believe. In him. Myself.
Us.
Sitting there, amongst the hungry crowd, with Maverick’s intense gaze pinning me to the spot, I believed it.
~
“NICE GAME, PRINCE,” Kyle went in for a boy-hug and Maverick frowned at him, stepping back, before smirking and pulling him in. “Okay, okay, geez, Prince, you’re hugging the shit out of me.”
“Kyle,” we all said in unison, Rebecca and Gentry’s eyes softening at the sight of their sons.
“That was some game, son,” Dad moved in for a handshake, but my breath had caught in my throat at his words.
Son.
He’d called Maverick son.
Maverick’s eyes darted to mine, conveying so much emotion I bit down on my lip.
“Thanks, Uncle Rob.”
“How about we stick to just Rob.” He winked. My dad actually winked. It was turning out to be a stranger night than I anticipated.
The Scorpions had dominated the game. Maverick led the team with easy command. At first, I was a little taken back to see Zac’s friends—Mac, Balor, and Vinnie—take orders from their new captain, but as the game progressed, their respect for Maverick shone through. I think everyone felt it.
The start of something great.
I stood on the edge of our circle, watching with pride as each our family congratulated Maverick on his first game. He’d come so far. Pushed his own boundaries. Gone up against his own father. And taken down Zac Lowell.
There had been a time when I didn’t doubt Maverick would have handled Zac in a different way. But he’d changed.
I guess we both had.
Maverick was no long shackled by his past, the cruel lies and actions of his father. He no longer doubted his worth.
He was finally free.
Rebecca finally released her son, and he lifted his head, eyes searching. When he spotted me, a frown crossed his face, and he stalked toward me with slow sure steps. “Hi.” He gazed down at me and I felt stripped bare.
“Hi.”
“So, what did you think?” There was an air of vulnerability in his voice as he searched my eyes.
“You were...” I swallowed, stepping into him. I fisted his shirt. “Maverick, you were amazing. I’m so proud of you.”
Everything disappeared. The background noise. Kyle’s inappropriate murmurs. The lingering stares of our family. There was nothing but me and the boy I’d met on a beach two summers ago.
His intense stare swept over my face once more and then he dipped his head, closing the distance between us. “I couldn’t have done it without you, Lo. You’re my reason. I love you.”
There was so much I wanted to say but his lips sealed over mine, stealing my words and my heart. I was vaguely aware of our family giving us space, but not before Kyle called, “My eyes, my eyes, make it stop.”
I smiled against Maverick’s mouth, chasing his tongue one more time before finally coming up for air. “That was...” Staring up at him, I tried to find the words, but he beat me to it.
“You and me, London.” He kissed the end of my nose. “It’s us, always.”