Chapter Thirteen Decker
Chapter Thirteen
Decker
Iwatched as the points connected, as though Maia was suddenly seeing things from a completely different vantage point.
“I was thinking about when my car broke down. I thought you were mad at me.”
“Oh, I was,” I agreed. “You never should’ve been in that part of town alone.”
One corner of her mouth tugged up. “Mad because you were worried.”
“Yeah, I was worried. You were all alone. And when I called, I could hear the fear in your voice. But I was furious with Jackson,” I admitted.
I could still hear the slight tremble in her voice, how she’d worked so hard to cover it.
Because Maia was independent as hell. She’d worked an after-school job from the moment she was able, helping to save for college.
She did solo camping trips in the wilderness.
One time, when I’d shown up at her first apartment, I’d found her fixing a pipe with nothing more than YouTube videos and tools she’d borrowed from the building manager.
Maia was grit and determination. So when she asked for help, it was because she needed it. And my asshole brother was too selfish to give it 90 percent of the time.
“You guys act like I’m the devil for having a life that doesn’t revolve around Maia,” Jackson gritted out, only to be greeted with scowls from Maia’s two friends as they entered the room.
I shook my head. “Being in a partnership with someone means showing up for them when they need you. And they do the same for you. I know Maia’s there for you every time you ask. So maybe ask yourself why you weren’t able to reciprocate.”
“Or why he had to dip his dick in her cousin,” Violet muttered.
Jackson scowled at Maia’s friend and then turned that angry stare on me. “And you’re gonna be such a perfect partner? You’re on the road half the time. You live across the freaking country.”
“He shows up for me every time I need it,” Maia cut in, her spine straightening. “It’s not just the breakdown. He sent me a CPA for the tax question. He came to my graduation when you were on a trip with your friends. Even back to when we were kids. He helped me save the robin.”
“Birdie,” I said as her eyes misted over.
“I thought I was weak,” she admitted. “Needing him. Wishing he was there. That I should be able to do it all on my own.”
I couldn’t stay away from her any longer. I crossed the distance and wrapped an arm around her. “The last thing you are is weak. You’re human. We all need to lean on someone sometimes. You do the same. What did you do when we lost the championship two years ago?”
Maia’s lips twitched. “Made the most epic sundae bar of all sundae bars.”
“And stayed up with me half the night, talking everything through. Hell, Birdie, you learned football for me.”
She laughed. “I still don’t understand the ‘ineligible receiver downfield’ penalty thing.”
I grinned down at her. “No one does.”
“You make me feel comfortable with exactly who I am,” Maia whispered.
“Because that person’s amazing. And it’s an honor to show up for you in every way you’ll let me. I would’ve been at your grandmother’s funeral, too, if I had known.”
A tear slipped free and slid down her cheek. “You sent that letter with all those memories you had of her from when she came to visit. And you found the photo of us from when we were little.”
Booker grinned at me. “My boy’s love language is acts of service. He’s also been donating a million dollars a year to that animal spot you work at.”
Maia’s jaw went completely slack. “What?”
She looked at Violet, who was also staring at me in shock. “Wait, the anonymous donation?” Violet asked, realization dawning. “It always comes on Maia’s birthday.”
“That’s a hell of a birthday gift,” Erik muttered.
“Why?” Maia croaked.
I brushed the hair away from her face. “I could never get you the sort of things I wanted to. And I know how much the preserve means to you. It’s your purpose.”
“Deck . . .”
“This is disgusting,” Jackson sneered. “You think this is just going to work out perfectly for you? That you’ll just ride off into the sunset? He doesn’t even live here.”
“Actually, I do as of three days ago,” I informed my prick of a brother.
“You do?” Maia asked, confused.
My thumb stroked over the swell of her cheek. “I was ready for a change. Something that means I don’t have to take quite so many hits and gives me the opportunity to give back.”
Pure joy lit in Maia’s eyes. “You’re going to coach. And something with a youth program?”
Of course she knew. Even as time and space had separated us, as I’d forced more distance so I wouldn’t do something I regretted, she still knew me better than anyone. “A coaching job with the Cougars and working with their community outreach programs for kids.”
“Just where you wanted to be,” Maia said softly.
“Almost where I want to be. It will all mean more if I get to do it with you.”
Jackson made a gagging noise. “I’ve screwed her. You realize that, right? More times than you can count.”
“Hey, douche nugget,” Erik snapped. “Your bitterness is showing. And worse than that, you’re ruining my living vicariously through this HEA.”
“I could punch him,” Booker offered. “Blacken the other side of his jaw.”
“I’ll sue your asses. Both of you,” Jackson bit out.
Maia’s hands fisted in my shirt. “Are you sure you want this? It’s going to be messy.”
“Anything worth having usually is,” I told her. “And I can’t imagine anything sweeter on the other side.”
Mischief swirled in her green eyes. “Then would you please kiss me already?”
I grinned, lowering my mouth to hers. Kissing Maia was like freedom and coming home all at once.
I didn’t care that my brother was cursing at me or that we had an audience.
I took my time. This morning Maia tasted like maple syrup, orange juice, and something uniquely her.
And I knew every day, every time, would be a little different. And I’d live for each one.
A loud cough sounded behind Maia, and she tugged herself away from me. Her eyes were a little dazed, and she started to stumble, but I stilled her with a hand on her waist.
Erik giggled.
Maia blushed. “You’re potent,” she muttered.
I couldn’t help it. I smirked.
“It’s not polite to be cocky,” she clipped.
“Hey, I didn’t say a word.”
“The roads have been cleared,” a new voice said, one brimming with annoyance.
“Apparently it’s bitter party of two around here,” Erik muttered as he took in Frederick.
The host scowled at him. “The police also found out that the deceased woman had a restraining order on an ex. They have an alert out for his apprehension.”
“That’s so awful,” Maia whispered.
I squeezed her shoulder. “They’ll get him.” At least I hoped they would.
And then we could all begin to move on.
“If everyone could collect your things, the cars will begin taking you home,” Frederick bit out.
“My pleasure,” Jackson snapped. “Then this nightmare of a weekend can finally be over.”
But the glare he leveled at me and Maia told me that whatever he had in store for us was far from done.