Page 19

Wanting has always been a dangerous thing for me. I learned at a young age to be content with what I have and hope for nothing, that way I’m not disappointed. If I didn’t expect anything from my parents and then they delivered, it would be a pleasant surprise. I needed to guard my heart to keep them from crushing it over and over again.

Maverick makes those walls start to crack and crumble. With him, I want to expect things. I want to see him more often. I want him to return these budding feelings.

People are dancing all around me. A man with leathery red wings grabs a human around the waist, tugging him onto the dance floor. The human blushes bright red, looking like he’s out of his depth but exactly where he wants to be at the same time. Their dancing is so intimate I have to look away, a blush rising up on my cheeks against my permission.

Wanda comes back with Simon and Percy in tow. The four of us find a corner where we can sit and chat. At this point, I’ve completely lost track of how much I’ve had to drink. The world around me spins but that’s okay, the sensation only makes me giggle.

Everything is growing foggy around the edges in the most fantastical way. My body has never felt so silly before.

My life so far has never been silly. Sure, I have fun with my sister. I have fun with the twins. I read some amazing books that I wish I could live in. I have friends and coworkers. But I wouldn’t say I did many things that are silly. Being drunk right now is silly. Thinking about Maverick is silly. My friends talking about playing spin the bottle is silly.

I think maybe I like being silly, even if it’s just a one time thing.

I check my phone, seeing a message from Tess. I try to read it but the words all blur together. I have to blink a few times before I can make out that she’s left already and that she hopes I have fun.

A weird sensation goes through me as I realize my sister left without me. I throw back the last of my drink and stand up, my shoulder slamming into the wall beside me as the world spins.

“Shit.”

Percy starts to giggle. “Be careful, man. You’ve had a lot to drink.”

“I’m fine!” I reassure my friends. “Just need to clear my head! I’ll be right back!”

I stumble my way out the front door and start walking down the sidewalk. Looking around, I pick a direction and start walking. I’m not sure why I’m walking or where I plan on going, just that I can’t stay here any longer. I wander down the sidewalk towards town, grinning to myself as I go.

I’m not sure how long I walk but out of nowhere, I hear someone running behind me. I turn around, my eyes widening as I see Maverick jogging towards me.

“Oh gods,” I blurt out. “Why are you running? Is something chasing you?”

Maverick comes to a stop in front of me. “What? No. I’m just out for a jog.”

“But why? Jogging is the worst.”

His lips tick up into a little smile. “It’s good for your heart.”

“Your heart is probably sexy. Just like the rest of you,” I say with a deep sigh, rubbing tiredly at my eyes. “So sexy! Why do you have to be so sexy? It’s basically a crime against humanity.”

“What? Thane, are you drunk?”

I pull my hands away from my face and look down at him. I try to tilt my head to the side but that only serves to make my head dizzy. I stumble slightly, sighing with relief when my body bumps against Maverick’s. His arm wraps around my waist, keeping me upright.

Wrapping an arm around his shoulders, I lean down, breathing in against his hair. He smells sweaty and musky from his run. He smells so good. I wish it was okay to sniff him all day, every day but that would probably be weird, right?

“I may or may not have experienced my very first frat party,” I tell him proudly. “I partook of the beverages of the alcoholic nature.”

“Damn it,” Maverick says, helping me walk down the street. “You’re kind of adorable when you’re drunk. That’s just my luck.”

“Wait a damn minute!” I blurt out, my arm tightening around him. “You think I’m adorable? You shut your mouth.”

Maverick chuckles and the sound makes my insides all turn to warm mush. I find myself grinning against my permission.

“Yeah, I do,” he says softly, like it’s a confession. If I thought my head was spinning before, it’s nothing to what I’m feeling right now. Is this euphoria? Have I somehow died and gone to Heaven where Maverick was waiting for me?

He thinks I’m adorable. Nothing will ever top this high.

“Hey, Maverick?”

“Yes?”