Chapter 23

Maverick

Stunned.

Stunned and confused.

Hurt, dejected, and a little pissed off.

But, mostly, I’m stunned and confused.

I’m still not sure what the hell happened in the short time between waking up and now. I really wish this was just some fucked-up dream, but it’s not. The look on Carys’ face was real.

The anguish on her face.

The anger in her voice.

The door that slammed in my face.

The fact that she wants me to leave, for good.

All real.

And yet, I’m still standing here in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by the echoes of her cries, too stunned to move.

Eventually, I manage to make my feet move and somehow end up back in my room. Thankfully, no one saw me or tried to talk to me on my way up. I honestly don’t know how I would’ve responded.

Once inside the room, I toss the key onto the dresser and head straight for the table where the stack of papers resides. I don’t allow myself to look at the bed because I know I’ll be flooded with memories from last night. Memories of Carys’ body, her sounds, the feel and taste of her that easily make up the best night of my life.

I grab the papers and look through them, trying to see what Carys saw and what set her off. There, in black and white, are details about the hotel that I shouldn’t know. Details I wouldn’t know or even care about if my dad hadn’t guilted me into another job.

I get it. I understand why she reacted the way she did. What I don’t understand is why she didn’t let me explain. Why didn’t she just ask what the papers meant instead of storming out and shutting down? I would’ve told her everything and apologized for keeping my actions a secret from her.

Maybe I should go back to her apartment and try again. Maybe she’s calmed down enough to listen to what I have to say. Without another thought, I grab my key and rush out the door. I can’t just sit in this room and do nothing. I had every intention of telling Carys how I felt—how I feel—about her last night, but there wasn’t much conversation once things turned physical and I’ll be damned if I let her push me away without telling her now.

Rushing down the stairs, I come face to face with George. Normally, he greets me with a big smile but not today. Instead, his eyes are narrowed and his forehead is creased. He, obviously, knows something has happened between Carys and me and he’s none too pleased about it.

“George, I—,” I start.

“No.” He holds his hand up to emphasize his command. “Carys doesn’t want to see you and I’m not gonna let you bother her.” His words are calm as he levels me with a stare. “Not now, not ever.”

This definitely isn’t the warm and welcoming man I’ve come to know and respect over the past two weeks, but I can’t help but be glad Carys has him in her life. She deserves someone like George in her corner—wise, caring, and loyal.

“I just need five minutes with her,” I plead. “I swear, I can explain everything. Can’t you just give me that?”

“No, Mr. Kensington, I cannot.”

Not “Maverick”, but “Mr. Kensington”. So, it appears George is done with me too.

“I believe it’s time for you to leave, sir. You’re all checked out. All I need from you is a signature and you’ll be free to go.”

I run my hands through my hair and look around the lobby, trying to think of something...anything that might make George ease up, but when he crosses his arms and clears his throat to get my attention, I know there’s nothing I can do.

“Fine,” I say with a sigh, exhaling sharply through my nose. “Let me go get my things and I’ll be out of your hair.”

This time, I take the elevator up to stop George’s evil eye from following me, but it’s a hundred times worse being assaulted by memories of Carys and me inside this metal box last night.

Will every elevator ride remind me of her? Probably.

It doesn’t take long for me to gather my things. Because I was already planning to leave for Dallas tomorrow, my bag was mostly packed. I don’t like the idea of leaving now and feeling like I didn’t fight hard enough, but I’m at a loss at what else I should do. Carys refuses to talk to me and George has made his thoughts on the matter loud and clear. The only thing left for me to do is go home and give Carys the space she wants right now. I don’t have to be happy about it, but I’ll respect her wishes with the hopes this isn’t really the end for us.

I head back down to the lobby, but before I reach the front desk, I spot Mary refilling the pitcher of water and walk up to her. She doesn’t seem surprised to see me, especially after spying the bag in my hand, but she does seem somber.

“Hey, Mary. Can I ask a favor of you?”

She graces me with a small, but sad, smile. “I can’t let you see her, Maverick, I’m sorry.”

“No, I know. George made that very clear a few minutes ago.” I pull out my journal, the one my grandfather gave me, with all his words of wisdom and advice, and look at it while a lump forms in my throat. “Can you please give this to Carys? It’s very special to me and has helped me a lot throughout my life, but I think it’s time to pass it on. I hope she can listen to my grandfather, even if she doesn’t want to listen to me.” I rub my thumb across the worn leather one last time before handing it to Mary.

She gingerly takes it from me and holds it to her chest. “I will, Maverick. Just give her some time, okay? She’s been through a lot and is still trying to find her way.”

I nod my head and hoist my bag over my shoulder. “Take care, Mary.”

The sky is dark and cloudy, matching my mood, as my cab drives me to the airport. Once there, I’m able to get a flight back to Dallas, which was quiet and uneventful, thanks to what I assume are mostly hungover passengers. Whatever the cause, I’m appreciative of it and manage to sleep for most of the trip, trying not to think about the girl I’m leaving behind and wondering how it all went so wrong.