“Good luck with that.” She leads the way up the steps to the house I’m sharing with Maverick, which I confess has me a little jittery and excited.
We saw each other briefly at Christmas, and he’s changed a lot since that last time we were together. He’s a lot taller and hotter. Okay, he’s panty-melting gorgeous.
“I’m only holding her now because Gavin is still asleep,” Haddy continues. “The guys had a late game last night, but he’ll be out here hogging her soon enough. He’s determined she won’t forget him during hockey season.”
My nose wrinkles. “I mean, I kind of get that. From what I understand, they play a lot of games all the time.”
“It’s true.” She sighs as she enters the code for the door, saying the numbers out loud as she taps them. “If you forget it, just text Gina or me. Or Owen or Gav. Or heck, even Heather and Maddie know it.”
“Sounds very secure,” I tease, rolling my suitcase across the wooden threshold, all the way to the base of the stairs.
“Mav can carry that up for you. You’ll have the whole second floor to yourself now that Gina’s moved in with Owen.”
“Dove?” Gina’s voice echoes from the porch before she runs through the door straight to where I’m standing. “I saw your rideshare! How was your flight? How did you get the baby? Where’s Gavin?”
“See?” Haddy calls back to me. “I told you. He never puts her down.”
“What’s going on out here?” The door beneath the staircase opens, and my throat constricts when Maverick staggers into the living room in only black boxer briefs that hug his narrow hips.
His dark hair is long around his face and neck, and I get a brief glimpse of the lines of muscles across his stomach before he pulls a loose T-shirt over his head. That was definitely a six pack… maybe an eight?
“Good lord, Mav, put some clothes on,” Haddy scolds as he rubs his stomach with one hand and his eyes with the other.
“It’s okay,” I say quickly. “I’m the guest here. He shouldn’t have to change his routine for me.”
I don’t know why my neck is so hot. I’ve grown up with all of these folks, swimming in the creek in even less clothes than we’re wearing now.
“Oh, shit! Dove’s here?” Mav turns on a dime, returning to his bedroom as he shouts back to us. “What time is it? I thought you weren’t getting here til after lunch.”
“It’s twelve-thirty, Maverick,” Gina calls after him, shaking her head as she rolls her eyes. “He went out with the guys after the game last night. No telling what they did.”
“Of course.” I nod, doing my best to keep up. “I imagine they’re amped up after a game.”
“Don’t be sweet to him.” Haddy touches my arm. “He’ll walk all over you.”
My lips twist, and I don’t say what I’m thinking. I’m sure they had a different experience growing up together like siblings. I only saw them in the summers or on special occasions.
“I just appreciate y’all letting me crash here,” I tell her instead.
“Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you get settled at the university,” Haddy continues. “I just finished last spring, so I know everybody.”
“I definitely will! Heck, I’d be happy if you’d go with me the first day and show me around.”
“Really?” Haddy’s eyes widen. “I’d love that! Dr. Smithfield and I never worked together, but he’s friends with Dr. Cross, my graduate advisor.”
“Please.” I clutch her arm, and she nods happily. “I’ve been so busy since I graduated. I’d love to go back and see the old gang.”
The hair on my skin prickles when Maverick returns to the room. He’s now wearing gray sweatpants and the same loose T-shirt, and his dark hair is tied back in a messy man-bun.
“Sorry, Dove.” He smiles sheepishly, and I’m surprised how deep his voice has grown. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“You’d better straighten up, mister,” Gina teases, poking his shoulder. “Dove’s a lady.”
“You didn’t make me uncomfortable.” I reach out to squeeze his forearm, which is also solid as a rock. “Seriously,I’m not trying to cramp your style. Just pretend like I’m not even here.”
“Like that’s going to happen.” He looks up at me from beneath his dark brow, voice low, hazel eyes making my insides all squishy.
What is going on here?Since when have I reacted this way to Maverick?We’ve known each other forever, since we were kids daring each other to jump into the freezing creek or dropping ice down each other’s shirts…
