I stare out the dirty window of the taxicab as I’m driven through the City of Angels. Los Angeles is the only place I’ve ever lived, but each neighborhood is different. And right now, everything feels strange.
In just a few minutes, Craig and I will be exchanging marriage vows. Yet, as the cab draws nearer to downtown L.A., my stomach muscles tense.
Something’s off.
I can’t put my finger on what exactly feels wrong, and I’m sure I’m not the only bride-to-be with a momentary urge to fly away and never come back.
I tried talking to Craig last night, and he assuaged my fears the way he always does…by assuring me we fit together perfectly.
He drove off early this morning, saying he needed to take care of something at work first. I decided to take a cab so we could leave the courthouse together after we’re married.
The cab driver pulls up next to a parking lot across the street from the courthouse. I pay him and step out, careful not to let the short train of my dress drag on the pavement. I glance over at the odd-shaped courthouse building, but for some reason, my feet won’t take me there. Instead, I feel an invisible string dragging my attention in the opposite direction.
I turn my head to meet the dark gaze of a man standing by a pickup truck in the parking lot. I vaguely realize there are two guys flanking him, but I can’t take my eyes off ofhim.
Our eyes catch and hold before I do something I haven’t done since Craig and I started dating—I admire another man. And God, is there a lot to admire.
He’s handsome as all get out with dark, come hither eyes, a square jaw with a day-old scruff, and kissable lips.
His t-shirt stretches across his broad shoulders and solid chest. I swallow and keep looking down to his abs—that I would bet on my life are a six-pack—and then down to his worn jeans, which fit him like a glove. I swear I go into a lust-filled haze before I drag my eyes back up to his face. His dark eyes fill with a combination of humor and surprise, and I quickly spin and race over to the nearest crosswalk.
As I wait for the light to change to green, I silently berate myself.
Did I just seriously lose myself over a complete stranger?
I did. I actually did.
I take a deep, slow breath.Time to return to reality, Hannah.
The light turns green, and I cross the street and head for the courthouse.
Chapter Three
Maverick
“Are you sure about this?” Colton surveys the back of my pickup truck as he, Dylan, and I stand in a parking lot across the street from the courthouse in downtown L.A. “L.A. to Chicago is a long drive. Especially on your own.”
“I’ll be fine,” I say. “I could use the time before I officially start my rookie season.”
Colton runs his hand through his mess of blond hair. “You’ll definitely have time to think. You’ve got a lot of hours on the road ahead of you.”
“You don’t think you could do it?” I say just to fuck with him.
His blue eyes flash with amusement. “Of course I could. My cousin couldn’t, though.”
Dylan punches him in the arm. “Right. I love to drive. The longer the better.”
The Wild cousins are like my brothers, but that doesn’t stop us from being competitive as hell with one another. Competing is also a good way to ignore reality—Dylan, Colton, and I are about to part for the first time in three years. I don’t know how the others are feeling, but to me, leaving college behind and going pro feels a bit like jumping off a cliff.
I grab the last of my bags off the sidewalk and toss it into the truck. I bought Dylan’s old truck off of him for a ridiculously low price. He’s already got a brand-new sports car sitting in the parking garage of his apartment building right down the street, so I don’t feel too bad.
Dylan’s contract makes mine and Colton’s look like pocket change. Not that I’m complaining. My salary is something I’m immensely grateful for. But with the majority of my first paychecks going to my dad’s medical expenses that aren’t covered by his insurance, not to mention his rent, I can’t afford to mess around with money right now.
“What’s with all the shit in your truck?” Colton asks Dylan.
“That’s for Mav’s road trip.” Dylan turns to me. “You said you planned to camp on the way, right? So I left my tent and other stuff in here for you.”
“Thanks. How much?” I reach for my wallet, but Dylan holds up a hand to stop me.
