Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Both Fallyn and Britt hug me goodbye as if we’re long-lost friends instead of just meeting for the first time a couple of hours ago. The three of us part ways outside the diner, with the promise of getting together without the guys, before Maverick hustles me into the front seat of his truck.

As we drive back to campus, he says, “You seemed to really hit it off with Britt and Fallyn.”

“I did.” I shift on my seat before admitting, “I’m still getting to know people at Western, so thanks for introducing us. They seem really great.”

I spent all junior year of high school and then part of my senior year in and out of the hospital. After a while, a lot of my friends moved on with their lives. They were busy going to parties on Friday nights, football games, dates with boys, or hanging out at the mall.

Activities I couldn’t take part in.

Holland is the only one who stayed steadfast by my side. Anytime I ended up in the hospital, she’d show up with games to play and books to read. When I was home and well enough to have company, we’d watch movies and eat buttery popcorn. When that wasn’t possible, we’d watch something together over FaceTime. Holland has a real weakness for horror movies. There was tons of shrieking and laughing at the jump scares.

She will always be my ride or die.

“The whole group they hang with is cool.” The casual look he flicks in my direction belies the intensity brewing in his eyes. “Including my sister. You’ll have to meet her some time. I think you two would like each other.”

My teeth scrape across my lower lip. It’s tempting to tell him that we’ve already met and that I do like her. She was so sweet and kind. “Sure.”

“Sounds like you’ve already made plans to get together with them.”

I nod as my fingers twist in my lap. Whatever this is with Maverick feels so much more serious than before I met up with him at the library. We’ve hit the gas pedal and are now rocketing through hyperspace. “Maybe early next week.”

“I don’t think anyone mentioned it, but around the locker room, they’re known as the girlfriends.”

The girlfriends?

That’s kind of funny.

Before I can comment, a smile simmers across his lips and he adds, “Correction, Fallyn and Britt are known as the wives.”

My brows shoot up. “Excuse me?”

“From what I understand, Wolf and Fallyn were close childhood friends. Something happened when they were teenagers that ripped them apart, and he’s been secretly pining for her ever since. Once they got together, he decided to lock her down for good. Last month, we all flew to Vegas for their wedding, and while we were there, Colby and Britt tied the knot as well.” His gaze flicks my way. “Maybe I’m just clueless, but I didn’t even know they were going out. It all happened so fast. So, yeah…those two are the wives, and then Carina, Viola, Stella, and my sister Juliette are the girlfriends.”

I turn toward him, needing to clarify what I remember being mentioned at the lunch with Elle. “So, your sister is dating one of your teammates?”

Now that’s interesting.

River would flip the fuck out if I mentioned any interest in one of his friends.

Then again, he’d lose his shit if I got serious with anyone. His overprotectiveness knows no bounds.

Some of Maverick’s previous mirth drains away as sadness flickers in his eyes. “Yeah. Juliette is dating Ryder.”

“So…are you two just teammates or actually friends?”

“We’ve been neighbors since kindergarten and always played on the same travel teams. We all grew up together.”

I study him in the darkness. “Did their relationship take you by surprise?”

“Do you want an honest answer?”

“Of course.”

“It did. In hindsight, I realize there’s always been something brewing beneath the surface.” He jerks his shoulders. “Maybe I just didn’t want to acknowledge it.”

His response circles through my brain as I try to put myself in his shoes. “Is it weird between the two of you?”

His brows pinch, as if giving the question serious consideration. “Yeah, it is. We used to spend a ton of time hanging out, and now that they’re an item, that’s no longer the case. If Ryder has down time, they spend it together. It’s like they’re attached at the hip.” There’s a pause before he adds, “When it came to the two of us, Juliette was always the odd man out. Not in a bad way or anything. We had our inside jokes and stories, and now it’s them who have that. Sometimes, they’ll just look at each other and smile or laugh, and I’ll stare at them, feeling like I’ve missed something.” He chances a look at me. “She gained a boyfriend, but it feels like I’ve lost my friend. Kind of sucks.”

I can’t help but reach out and squeeze his thigh. “I’m sorry. Have you considered talking to him about it?”

The horror that flashes across his face as he shoots another look in my direction is enough to make me laugh. “Fuck no. Are you kidding me?”

“I’m really not. Ryder probably doesn’t have any idea that you’re hurt or miss your friendship.”

“Do you have any idea what a wuss that would make me look like?”

A sigh escapes from me. “You realize that it’s perfectly normal to discuss your feelings, right?”

“Maybe for chicks it is, but not for a guy.”

I shake my head, feeling even worse for him. “That’s not true at all. Men have feelings just like women, and it’s okay to express them. In fact, it’s necessary. Healthy. There’s so much strength in being able to do that,” I say lightly.

His lips press together, and I can almost see him turning over my words. “I’ll think about it,” he finally concedes.

“Good.”

As we reach the edge of campus, he throws out the invite. “Come home with me?”

I really shouldn’t.

The more time I spend with Maverick, the more layers I peel back. There’s an unexpected depth buried beneath the surface that continues to draw me in.

“Sunshine?”

For better or worse, the endearment is enough to send the last of my walls crumbling.

“Okay.”