33. Maverick Carter
Chapter thirty-three
Maverick Carter
I slide into the front seat of the SUV, the scent of new leather greeting me. Levi opens the passenger door and gets in on the other side.
“This one is really nice,” I comment as I press the button to start it.
“It is,” Levi agrees. “I think if she doesn’t kill you for buying her a car without talking to her, she’ll really like it.”
I chuckle as I press the different buttons to see what they do. A sun roof opens above us, then shuts again. I brought Levi with me because if I bought something today, I’d need to be able to drive it home. Plus, I know he recently obtained a lot of knowledge about car safety while searching for a car for Jasmine. Since she has so many cheer practices and other events, he and Dahlia decided to give her the graduation gift early .
After looking at a few options, I think we might have found the one. The dealer left so I could look at it alone and make my final decision.
“She needs this. Her business is starting to take off, and she doesn’t need to worry about borrowing my truck. Plus, I don’t like it when she’s home with Beckham without a car. What if there’s an emergency?”
“I’m with you man, but Evie–while she’s accepted more help–is not one for extravagant gifts like this.”
I lift up my hat to push a hand through my hair. “It’s worth the potential argument. I think after the shock wears off, she’ll be happy.”
“You know her better than me. If you’re going to get one, this one seems to be the best mix of amenities and safety. I wish Dahlia would trade in her Jeep, but I have a feeling that’s not going to happen until we have kids of our own.”
Dahlia has a peach Jeep that she adores. The dash is covered in tiny rubber ducks, and she keeps plenty to give to other Jeep owners as well.
“Anything with removable doors can’t be that safe.”
He gives me an I know look. “She said that all cars have removable doors if you try hard enough.”
I laugh, because that sounds just like Dahlia. She’s got plenty of sass, similar to Evie.
“I’m guessing she didn’t care about your safety research?”
He shakes his head. “Not when it comes to her safety. When it came to Jasmine, she was all for it.”
“That sounds about right. How are y’all doing with Jasmine’s graduation on the horizon?” I ask as I continue to check out everything the car has to offer. The dash has plenty of technology, which is good, but I want to make sure it’s useful and not just for show.
“There’s still a lot of time left, but it does feel weird to know that this time next year Jasmine will be living in a dorm. Even if she stays here in Georgia, it’ll be a lot different.”
“I’m sure it’ll be nice for you and Dahlia to have alone time though.”
“Oh definitely, but Jasmine and Dahlia are so close. I know it’s going to be bittersweet to see her move out.”
I nod in understanding. It’s been weird to see all of my siblings get engaged and married over the last two years, so I can sympathize with that bittersweet feeling. I’m happy for them, but I know things are going to change.
“Let’s hope she becomes a Thrasher and then we won’t have to miss her too much,” I say and Levi smiles.
“That’s what I’ve been telling Dahlia.”
I spot the dealer through the windshield walking our way. Like Levi said, I do know Evie, and I know she’ll have a very vocal reaction to the car, but I also know she’ll come around in the end. More than all of that though, I know she’ll be grateful to have something that she needs. And I’m determined to make sure she’s never left wanting again.
I pull into the driveway, parking Evie’s brand new SUV next to my truck. They make quite the pair, with black paint glittering in the afternoon sun. Hers more so than mine, which reminds me I need to take it through a car wash this week.
It’s quiet when I get out. I told Evie earlier that Levi was swinging by to pick me up for lunch since a case had brought him to our side of town. So she shouldn’t suspect a thing. I open the front door. Maisy comes trotting up to greet me. I scratch behind her ears before heading into the living room.
Evie is sitting on the couch, a mound of blankets over her legs as she works on her laptop. I’m sure she’s editing the latest session she had. Ever since doing Juliette's and Sloane’s branding photos, she’s gotten several calls from other local entrepreneurs and creators to ask for her services. Now she’s brainstorming a business name and working on a website so that she has an online portfolio for people to look at. It’s amazing, and I’m beyond proud of her.
She looks up as I enter, smiling up at me. Her brown locks are twisted into a messy bun and she’s wearing blue light glasses. Nearby, Beckham is on his play mat, shaking the soft football toy I got him after work yesterday. I know he doesn’t need a new toy every week, but it’s hard to resist when he’s as cute as he is.
“How was lunch?” she asks.
I lean down and press a gentle kiss to her soft lips. “Actually, I might have fibbed a little about where I was going with Levi.”
Her brows draw together. I kiss her once more for good measure.
“Come outside with me, I have something to show you.”
“That doesn’t sound ominous at all,” she says with a laugh.
I walk over to Beckham and pick him up off the floor. “There’s nothing to be worried about. It’s a good thing.”
And it is, she just might not think so at first. I swallow down my nerves and lead the way. Maisy walks with us, completely oblivious with her tongue hanging out. Oh to be a dog. It doesn’t take long once the door opens for Evie to see it. She sucks in an audible breath.
“Maverick Nathaniel Carter, what is this?” She looks over at me, fire in her eyes. “And I swear if you say a car I will throw something at you.”
I chuckle. “You wouldn’t throw something at me while I’m holding Beckham.” She glares at me. “I bought you an SUV today. You needed it, so I got it.”
I follow her down the steps as she slowly makes her way toward it.
“You shouldn’t have gotten this without talking to me first,” she says as she walks around the vehicle.
“You would have tried to talk me out of it. I’m asking for forgiveness instead of permission.”
She huffs out a laugh. “You bought me a car , you don’t need to ask forgiveness.” She looks at me, her blue eyes glassy. “I don’t know how to process this. It’s too much.”
“If our situations were reversed, would you have done it?”
She gives me a look. “You know I would have, but that’s not the point.”
“Then what is?” I draw her to me with the arm that isn’t holding Beckham and pull her into a hug. “You’ve got a business now, Wilder. You need your own car. Plus, it’s much safer for you to be home alone when you have a vehicle in case of emergencies.”
“You’re right,” she says with a defeated sigh. “I’m not mad at you, I just don’t know how to repay you.”
“There’s no repaying me. We’re in a relationship. I take care of you and you take care of me, sometimes the scale might seem a little tipped, but that’s life. No relationship is perfectly equal all the time. ”
“I’m looking forward to the day when the scales will tip again. You’ve been taking care of me since we met.”
I tip her chin up. “If you think for one second that you haven’t made my life immeasurably better by simply existing, then you’re mistaken.”
“I love you,” she whispers, and my heart swells in my chest.
“I love you too.”
She blinks, and a tear falls. I swipe it away, then give her a quick kiss.
“Now, do you want to get in your new car?”
A smile blooms across her face. “Yes, please.”