Maverick grimaces. He must really love this game if he’s not just walking out.
He pushes to a stand. “We’re done here.”
I laugh. “We’re not done for the next year, Hotshot.”
He raises a brow. “Hotshot?”
I press my lips into a fake smile, and I nod toward the door to indicate that he should go.
And wouldn’t you know it? We run smack into my brother on the way down to the exam room. He likely just arrived for practice, and he spots Maverick first since he has a big body that’s blocking me from view.
“The fuck you thinking running your mouth about me last night?” Dex demands.
Maverick doesn’t say anything, and I peek out from behind him to wave at my brother.
“We’re working it out,” I say to Dex, and he pulls me into a hug.
“Ev! What are you doing here?”
I’m not really sure how Jack wants me to handle explaining away my role here, so I simply say, “The Aces hired me for some branding work.”
“That’s amazing! Was that the big, secret client?”
I nod.
“I’m so glad to have you here. Hope you don’t have to work with that asshole Jennings,” he says, nodding at that asshole’s retreating figure.
When he hears the bat signal, he turns around and snarls a little. “Oh, she’ll beworkingwith me,” he says smoothly. He raises a brow, and it’s so very clear that he’s just trying to get under my brother’s skin. “You know she hit on me the other night. I declined, but I would’ve banged her into next week had I known she was your sister.”
My jaw drops, and Dex looks like he’s about to punch the guy. His fists are balled up, and I need to do something to stop this trainwreck from taking place right here in the lobby of the Aces’ practice facility.
“Come on, Maverick. Let’s get you down to the exam room.” I say the words tightly, and it’s clearly a reminder of why we’re here—why Maverick isn’t playing. It’s Dex’s fault, and there’s no two ways about that.
Still, Maverick throwing nasty words at my brother won’t fix his broken rib. It’s just going to give me more work to do.
CHAPTER 7: Maverick Jennings
On Top of You
“The bottom line is that your recovery is going well, but you’re not quite there yet,” Dr. Baker says. “I can’t clear you for full practice, but I can clear you for position drills and conditioning starting Wednesday. No pads yet. You can begin light cardio at home, and we’ll reassess as we go. Just listen to your body and immediately stop if anything feels off.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” The words are mumbled. It sucks that I’m not clear yet, but at least I can start getting back to work. I guess that’s something to be thankful for at a time when it feels like the hits just keep coming.
She’s got a lot of nerve trying to get into my head with that line of questioning, but it’s none of her goddamn business why I don’t do relationships anymore.
It’s nobody’s business.
I walk out of the exam room, and she’s right on my tail.
I don’t like it.
I don’t want someone following me around for the next year. I didn’t ask for this nonsense. “Can you just leave me the fuck alone?” I ask.
She shakes her head, those large brown eyes moving to mine as those full lips settle into a smirk. “No can do. I’m supposed to stay on top of you for the next year.”
I raise my brow at her. Staying on top of me and getting revenge on Dex by fucking his sister wouldn’t be the worst way to go down in flames.
I smirk back at her. “On top of me, huh?”
