Maggie’s jaw tics, but she doesn’t correct me.
Small miracles.
“Define ‘working on it,’” the man says, with a serious tone.
I glance at Maggie, then at Coach Mike. “I’m cutting out distractions. I’ve got a plan. I’ve-”
“He’s seeing someone,” Maggie cuts in.
Technically, it’s a lie.
But I run with it.
“She’s not involved in the industry, not seeking fame, and she’ll hold me accountable.” I finally say.
A woman narrows her eyes. “We’ll need to see a shift. Immediately.”
Coach Mike finally speaks, his voice commanding. “You screw up again, I’ll bench you. I don’t care how many fucking jerseys you sell.”
I let out a slow breath, running my fingers through my hair.
Maggie crouches down, whispering in my ear. “Start going out with this girl, let the paparazzi get a whiff.”
I’m slouchedin the corner stool, sulking, with my ankle kicked up on the seat across from me, and my fingers wrapped around a half-empty glass of bourbon.
I came straight here to drink away my sorrows like a little bitch.
“Refill?” Reed asks, his voice low and gravelly as he slides in behind the bar, his tattooed knuckles resting against the wooden counter.
“Unless you’ve got liquid self-respect on tap, I’ll take another,” I mutter, tossing back what’s left in my glass and slamming it down for dramatic effect.
Reed snorts and pours. “You know, most people deal with career crises in therapy. You come here, however, expecting me, your youngest brother, to fix everything.”
Before I can snap back at him, Carter and Catalina walk in. I roll my eyes as her loud voice echoes through the bar.
She’s wearing a lavender crop top and high-waisted jeans, her signature bow laced through her brown hair. Carter’s got his black cowboy hat tilted low, his arm around her waist with this twinkle he’s had in his eye since he met her.
I want a twinkle with someone.
They slide into the stools next to mine as if there aren’t any other empty spots they could sit in.
I’m already on edge, and as soon as Carter sits down, I hear him speaking to Catalina.
“You know you’re the most beautiful woman in theworld, darlin’? My pretty wife.” Carter says as he caresses Catalina’s face.
“Oh my god,” I groan loudly, dragging a hand down my face. “Do you two ever shut up?”
Carter glares at me as he kisses Catalina on the forehead, flipping me off.
“You’re just mad no one’s calling you beautiful,” Catalina says sweetly, her lashes fluttering with mock innocence.
I turn to Reed, desperate. “Tell them this is a bar, not their honeymoon suite.”
Reed’s already shaking his head, drying a glass with his usual blank stare. “Y’all figure this out on your own. I’m working.”
“I’m being emotionally waterboarded,” I grumble, reaching for my phone.
Maverick
