I can tell this isn’t something she talks about often—if ever, and I can’t for the life of me figure out what makes me so worthy of her opening up to like this, but just like she doesn't question why Savannah chose her, I won’t question why she’s choosing me now.
23
chloe
Through the trees,the sun finally creeps over the horizon, spilling a soft golden glow across the lake. A few birds chirp excitedly in the distance, but otherwise, the campsite is dead quiet. I’m bundled in every layer I brought with me, clutching a coffee that would have tasted better if I made it out of a tin can, and yet, I’m still cold. Cold is an understatement, especially after the warmth I woke up in this morning. Maverick was pressed up against my back with his corded arms holding me close, and hisexcitementfor the morning pressed into my back. I’d eased myself out from the warmth of his arms, being careful not to wake him, because I’d rather sit out here in the cold with the birds than get caught enjoying having him wrapped around me.
“How’s the coffee?” Silas steps up beside the picnic table I’m perched on, bringing his own mug to his lips.
“Tastes like dirt.”
He sputters around the cup, and I can’t tell if it’s from the heat or the flavor.
“The trick is to mix it with cold water first,” he says, taking the cup from me. I watch as he attempts to pour it out, but it slugs out in a grainy mess. After another shake and arinse with some water, he pours some of his coffee into my cup, handing it back to me.
Hesitantly, I take a sip, confident that instant coffee just sucks, but I’m pleasantly surprised when the nutty flavor hits my tongue.
“What do you know? There’s something in the world I don’t excel at.”
“I won’t tell anyone.”
I dip my head, hiding my smile as he hops up, taking a seat beside me.
“What are you doing up so early?” I ask. “Didn’t you win the tent to yourself?”
“I don’t know that I would really say I won it. We played pick a number one through one hundred, and Noah just called a number closest to whatever one I chose.”
The boys might not have matching sun and moon tattoos like Savannah and I do, but the more time I spend with them, the more I notice how similar our relationships are.
“What’s your excuse? Maverick snoring too loud?”
No. Just too much rubbing my ass against his morning wood.
“This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve found you with my girl in the morning, but it is the first time I’d care.”
Silas and I both look over our shoulders. Outside the tent, Maverick stretches his arms over his head, and there’s not a lick of fabric covering his chest. Normally, I’d replay a comment like that a hundred times, trying to decipher what he meant, but I can’t focus when he’s standing there first thing in the morning looking like that. His shoulders are broad and his abs are sculpted in ways I’ve only ever imagined. My fingers tighten around my paper mug as I take in all the lines of him down to the V cut that dips just beneath his black sweatpants. He runs a hand across his chest with a lazy yawn, then throws a hoodie on, breaking my trance over him.
“She’s all yours, Starshine,” Silas calls out. He turns hishat backward on his head before giving me a wink and hopping off the picnic table.
I watch as the boys exchange a fist bump and Silas pulls his phone from his pocket. He doesn’t go back to his tent, but rather past the site, out toward the parking lot.
“The first time I share a bed with someone and they sneak out on me.” Maverick pulls the hood of his sweatshirt over his head and sits down on the bench by my feet. “So far, not impressed with the whole sleepover thing.”
“What do you mean that was the first time you’ve shared a bed with someone?”
“Exactly that.” He reaches for the drink in my hand, bringing it to his lips, and I don’t register his reaction because I’m too focused on the fact that he’s never slept with someone in the literal sense.
The lake stretches out down the hill from us and the trees on the far shore blend together in shades of amber and gold. I pull my hands into the sleeves of my sweater and rub them together between my knees.
Maverick leans back against the table, watching the sunrise over the still lake, and I wonder how long he’s been letting people think what they want about him. For years, I’ve heard that he’s out of control, he has a temper, and he selfishly throws punches at the risk of getting suspended and hurting his team. I’ve yet to see that version of him, and all it took was one conversation with him to cement the fact that he’s not that guy.
But what kind of person am I that I let the rumors about the way he is with women stick with me?
“Think you can sneak away from your studying for a bit?”
I blink, dropping my gaze to him. “What?”
He nods to the laptop sitting on the other side of me.
