Page 89 of You Saw the Best In Me

“Did you have to change your name?” he whispers, almost as if he doesn’t want to know.

I sigh, turning to face him, the tears still falling.

“Yes,” I say quietly, not wanting this perfect bubble we’re in to pop.

I’m afraid he’ll be mad that I didn’t tell him the truth sooner or think of me as a fraud.

Instead, I’m met with grace.

“I’m so sorry, baby girl. I didn’t realize he’d stolen so much from you,” he strokes my cheek, wiping the places where the tears have pooled.

“You’re not mad?” I stammer, unable to shake this feeling of doom.

“No, why would I be?” he asks, raising an eyebrow as if my question is preposterous.

“I didn’t tell you the truth,” I close my eyes, afraid to look at him.

“It’s your secret to protect. Your life, even. I’d never be mad at you for protecting yourself,” he kisses my forehead, snuggling closer.

God damn it. How is this man real?

Everything that should make him run away only brings him closer.

“My real name is Karrie, with a K, like my mother. She knew that you weren’t aware but kept calling me that anyway. That girl is dead and gone. She had a trust fund, a plan for college, but a miserable life. That’s not me,” I say, sitting up in bed to take another drink.

Fuck this night. I wanted to reveal this on my own, when I felt comfortable, but it’s just another thing that’s been taken from me.

Maverick rubs my back, allowing me to process everything before saying anything. I appreciate the silence, it allows me to remember all the good things I have now.

“It doesn’t fit you,” he whispers, and I know exactly what he means.

“I don’t have any more secrets. I promise,” I lean against his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

There’s nothing else for us to say. It’s officially all out in the open, and he’s still here.

We’re quiet for a while, and when he thinks I’m asleep, I hear him whisper, “I’m not going anywhere, Karina.”

I pretend not to hear, staying still and silent. I’ve had enough emotional rollercoasters for one night, and this feels good to keep to myself.

MAVERICK

It’s finally Sunday, and the day has arrived. Karina and I are going to Old Man Tony’s so she can pick out her new weapon and give it a few practice shots.

She passed her permit test with flying colors, and I couldn’t be more proud.

In a few short weeks, she learned everything she needed to become legal, and today is the payoff.

Since her mother left two weeks ago, we’ve returned to our blissful routines.

As shitty as that night was, Karina bounced back better than ever, finally free from the clenches of her disappointed mother.

Not much can phase me, but Katherine's blatant disrespect toward her daughter was disheartening. I held Karina all night while she cried, wondering why her mom didn’t love her enough to accept her as she was.

I put her pieces back together, reminding her she’s a force to be reckoned with and nothing would change how I see her. That includes the fact that she hid her real name from me.

I know she wanted to reveal that information on her own, when she felt safe enough, but her mom fucked that up.

It was still a moment I cherish because she opened up and let me all the way in.