Chapter 59
fifty-nine
MAVERICK
Jo has her nose in her laptop reading some murder conspiracy forum, and Ezra is doing his daily check around the property. Which leaves me to be bored. I hate being bored. It’s never good for me. It gives me time to think, and my brain can be a dangerous place.
“Can I eat you out while you do that?” Jo glares at me.
I know she hates being interrupted when she’s working on something, but I hoped the offer of an orgasm would get her attention on me.
It’s only been a day since the three of us fucked, but I’ve gone down on Jo four times since then and blew Ezra twice.
I can’t get enough of either of them, but they seem to be better about boundaries than me.
I have none. I want them all the time. Fuck.
Maybe I’m more into them than they are me.
“Stop it. I can see what you’re thinking.
I’ll ride your face after I finish my research.
I found a thread on a random forum claiming Noelle Price wasn’t the other body in the burned and sunken remains of Gianna’s car.
” She kisses me quickly and goes back to what she was reading.
I feel a moment of guilt. Jo is just trying to find out what happened to Noelle.
It’s what she loves doing. Bringing peace to the family of the deceased.
“Ezra should be done. I bet he would ride your face,” she offers, not even looking up.
I perk up at that. Having a boyfriend and a girlfriend is the best decision I’ve ever made.
“Find me when you’re done, angel,” I say and kiss the top of her head. I’m not stupid enough to try to get her eyes on me a second time.
I put on my coat and boots and practically bounce out of the house looking for my man.
The happy feeling comes crashing down the moment I spot him.
He’s on a video call with Jasper. I know I’m being stupid and have no reason to be jealous, but Jasper is hot and close to Ezra.
There’s no way he didn’t have feelings for my boyfriend, and I hate that.
I stop my pursuit of Ezra for a moment so I can get myself back under control.
“What the fuck do you mean you had hypothermia?” Jasper’s voice rings out in the cold afternoon air. It snowed overnight, leaving the ground and trees covered in a pretty dusting of white. The baseball star’s angry voice kind of messes with the vibe.
“It’s a long story,” Ezra says, sighing.
“Then get talking or I’ll be on the next flight.
” Jasper’s tone makes it clear he isn’t kidding.
I should turn around or tell Ezra I’m here.
Especially since this will be the second time I listen in on someone without their permission.
I’m a fucking terrible boyfriend, though, because I don’t move.
Ezra never told me why he ended up on the beach in the freezing rain.
All he would say is that it didn’t matter anymore.
“You know how Jo has that podcast with Harlow?”
“Yeah, it’s awesome. I’ve listened to everything so far.” Jasper says and then gasps. “You listened to it.”
Fuck. I was a mess for that episode. I don’t think I’ve ever been covered in so much snot and tears. Thank god they don’t film it.
“Jo told me I needed to because I didn’t fully understand the damage I had caused.
So I did, and she was right. I went down to the beach and listened to everyone I love in pain.
Then I stayed there frozen in my grief until the weather literally froze my muscles.
” Ezra’s voice breaks, and it’s clear he’s upset at just the memory of what he heard.
My ears are ringing and all I see is red.
Jo did this? My heart speeds up to the point where it hurts with how hard it’s beating against my ribs.
How could she? How could she almost take him from me again?
I spin on my heel and march back into the house.
I think I hear someone calling my name, but it doesn’t matter.
“It was your fault! You made me almost lose him again!” I scream the moment Jo comes into view. Her eyes are wide and confused.
“What are you talking about?” she asks, putting her laptop next to her and standing with her arms in front of her, palms up like she’s trying to calm a rabid dog.
“Why would you tell Ezra to listen to that podcast? Are you that vindictive? Or did you want me to yourself so badly that you had to hurt him?” Jo reels back like I slapped her.
“Maverick!” Ezra says, stomping into the house and staring at me like I’m the one at fault here.
“No! She almost cost me you! She was so selfish she was willing to risk you even though she knew it would kill me!” Jo gasps, and I watch tears streak down her face.
Part of me knows I’m being unfair and irrational, but the anger is stronger and right now, when I look at her, all I can see is the woman who almost cost me the love of my life a second time.
“What the fuck are you talking about? Stop being an asshole to Jo and apologize,” Ezra says, his eyes flaming with an anger that matches my own.
“Fuck you both!” I shout and run out of the house.
“Maverick!” Ezra shouts, but I ignore him and keep running. My boots slip on the fresh snow and my jacket snags on tree branches, but I don’t care. I just keep running until my legs give out and then I stay there on the ground and sob for everything I could have lost and everything I just did.