I have to get the hell out of here.
“Kayla, I don’t know if I can… if I can…”
She turns her bright smile on me. I can’t ruin her big day. I’ll stay, despite my trepidation.
“Come on. Let’s get you ready.”
We go back to her room. I learn Maureen married Nix’s father when Kayla was four, which is why they have different last names. What a small freaking world. Once the girls are all dolled up, we head downstairs. The family room is packed to the teeth. I announce Kayla’s arrival and she receives a ton of compliments.
She responds shyly, not accustomed to being the center of attention. Soon, the party is in full swing. The girls are on a scavenger hunt. For the most part, the boys are incognito, to my relief.
The catered food is to freaking die for. I eat my weight in bacon-wrapped scallops. A bit later, “Happy Birthday” is sung, and the cake is cut. I go to Kayla’s room to get her gift. On the way back down, I bump into Dee on the stairs. He blocks my path, so I move to the left, but he follows.
“Move the fuck out of my way.”
“Mav likes you.” He pauses. “A lot.”
That’s the last thing I expected to hear him say.
“Obviously, you’ve lost your mind.”
“Shit, how do I put this?” he asks himself. “He doesn’t know how to be normal.”
“Understatement of the fucking millennium.” I scoff.
I step to the right; he moves with me again.
“You’re good for him. He can be a real bastard sometimes, but there’s a reason for that. Put the poor sap out of his misery and give him a chance.”
“I don’t give a crap about his excuses, Dee.” I sweep past him.
“He had a rough childhood,” he calls. “Cut him some slack.”
After Kayla opens her presents, the party winds down and only a few people linger. I’m gathering her bounty when Nix saunters up next to me.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” I ask, not looking at him.
“For championing for Kayla. She’s more confident, and now I know it’s because of you.”
“No problem.” I shrug. “She’s a great kid.”
Dee dropped a major bombshell, and now Nix is praising me. They’re full of surprises today.
I lug Kayla’s presents to her room, then stop to use the bathroom before I head out. I open the door and find Maverick looming at the entrance.He shoves me back and I crash into the sink, causing a jarring pain in my lower back.
“What do you want?” I snap.
He steps inside and closes the door, then flicks the lock in place.
“You know what I want and you’re going to give it to me.”
“No.” I cross my arms. “I’m not.”
“You know what’ll happen.”
“I swear to God I’ll scream so loud.”
