Page 33 of You Saw the Best In Me

The waitress brings our pitchers, and the guys start flirting with her, seemingly taking the attention off me.

Soon enough, they’re back to shit-talking each other and letting me breathe.

I drink two beers and call it quits, leaving cash on the table to pay for the pitchers.

“Oh, come on, Maverick! One more!” The guys call out, but I have to drive safely.

Harper made it home a few hours ago, and I don’t want her hanging around without me any longer.

I say my goodbyes and drive home.

I plan to order out tonight, letting Harper choose whatever she wants. When I park my truck, I point the camera toward Karina’s spot, hoping to catch any activity, and make my way through the lobby without an awkward run in with my neighbor.

“Harper, I’m home!” I call out, and my jaw nearly hits the floor when I see her.

“What do you think, Mav?” she asks, fluffing her hair and spinning around.

“What the fuck did she do to your hair, Harper?” I yell, and she steps back.

“It’s two pink highlights. It’s not the end of the world!” she yells back at me, and I stare at her in disbelief.

It may be two pink highlights, but they’re on each side of her face. You can’t miss the changes.

I can’t believe Karina would be this irresponsible and permanently dye my sister’s hair without asking.

“Mav, don’t!” Harper begs, but I’m already walking out the door.

I knock rapidly on her door and push inside when she opens it slightly.

“Did you put pink hair dye in a thirteen-year-olds hair?” I yell, which causes her to step back defensively, and her eyes glaze over.

“Excuse me! She wanted it, and it will wash out after a few shampoos. It’s not permanent! I would never do that without permission. Who the fuck do you think I am?” she screams, and I realize I fucked up again.

I stand there, looking between the two of them, feeling like a total dumbass.

Of course, she wouldn’t do something like that, and I shouldn’t have taken it out on either of them. I feel awful.

“I’m sorry, Karina, I shouldn’t have yelled at you,” I say, walking toward her.

She stops me, holding her hand out and pointing to the door.

“Get the fuck out, Maverick. How fucking dare you. The other night, and now this? Don’t come back to my apartment again. I mean it. Get out!” she pushes me until I reach the door, and I don’t bother attempting to say anything more.

It’s done; our relationship is beyond repair, and it’s my fault.

“What the fuck, Mav. You didn’t need to do that. It’s not her fault, and I begged her to do it. It’s harmless,” She slams my bedroom door in my face, and I sink into the couch.

Perfect. I just keep on making things worse.

If I had any hope of staying cordial with Karina, spending time together as friends, or just being civil with one another, that is dead and gone now.

I’m back on this island all by myself, and it’s lonelier than I remember.

KARINA

I’m standing in my kitchen, crying again because of Maverick. I took his sister out for a little spa day, letting her pick a temporary color for her hair for fun, and this is how I’m treated.

He burst into my door, screaming at me just like Asher used to, and I’m reminded again why I don’t trust men.