Chapter 67
Chapter sixty-seven
Izzy
"So this is it, then?" Maverick asks with a sadness in his voice that breaks my heart.
I nod slowly. "I'm sor—"
My phone cuts me off, buzzing on the table beside my hand.
Jett.
I hadn’t heard from him in two weeks; of course, I’d hear from him now.
Before I can hit decline, Maverick catches sight of who’s calling. He scoffs with mild annoyance and says, “You can answer it.”
I shake my head, hitting ‘decline.’
“It can wait. Right now, everything else can wait,” I respond, regranting Maverick the full attention that he deserves.
My phone begins to vibrate again, and I let it ring, tossing it into my purse and focusing on the wonderful man across from me. “Like I was going to say... I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything.”
“I don’t need your apologies, Iz,” Maverick begins, his tone slightly harsher than I’m used to.
“I always knew you were holding yourself back from me. What I never knew was the reason why. Now I know. Do I wish I had been told all of this sooner? Absolutely. But am I going to hold back my own truth? Absolutely not.”
Maverick sighs, taking a moment to sip his water before continuing, “My love for you has never had any bounds. That includes now. With loving you comes a constant craving to ensure your happiness. I wish that could’ve been with me.
” He sighs again, and I can visibly see his disappointment etched into how his body slumps forward.
“But part of me always knew. I always knew you were too good to be true. I ignored it, thinking I’d eventually be enough, and that’s on me. ”
“You are more than enough, Maverick. The right girl will—”
Maverick holds up a hand, stopping me from continuing. “I appreciate what you’re trying to do. But please, don’t.” He forces a smile, and I nod, respecting his wishes. “I do have one request,” Maverick adds, his voice low and hesitant.
“Oh, yeah? What might that be?”
“Don’t shut me out. I know it’s cliche to ask to remain friends, and most people rarely ever do. But—”
“Maverick. In no way, shape, or form do I want you completely out of my life,” I interject. “I will always have love for you. Maybe that love is just in the form of friendship, but it will remain unchanging.”
He looks at me intently, as if absorbing every word as it falls from my lips, then slowly nods in understanding. “Thank you, Izzy.”
“I just need to know that you’ll be okay, Mav.”
He laughs without humor, his posture relaxing. “It’s me we’re talking about. I’m always okay. I’ll move on eventually. It’s what I do. Always moving forward.”
Something about his words brings a sense of peace over me, but also a little sadness. I want the best for Maverick. He deserves everything good this world has to offer.
Before I have the chance to overthink it too much, he speaks up again, “Come on, let’s get out of here.
I’ll walk you to your car.” He rises to his feet and reaches for my hand.
I follow his lead, standing then wrapping my arm around his, grabbing for my purse as we make our way outside.
As soon as my purse is flush against my body, I can feel the vibrations from my phone.
Jett is still calling. He goes no contact to give me space, and now he’s suddenly blowing up my phone—impatient asshole. There’s no question that he and I also need to have a discussion, but it isn’t one I’m willing to have on the phone.
He just has to wait until I am ready, just like he told me he would.
Things between Maverick and me may be settled now, and I know now that Jett is my endgame—he always has been. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to run into his open arms. There are still things we need to work out before we can move forward.
Maverick and I push through the doors and are greeted with the crisp night air and the bustling city of New Orleans. I fell in love with this city because of Maverick. Hell, I was able to fall in love with living again, thanks to him.
The sounds of the busy city fill the air, just as a comfortable silence falls between us. The cafe is located in the heart of New Orleans, but this street isn’t one of the busier ones. Tonight, it’s almost empty. Few cars pass by, and barely any pedestrians are on the sidewalk with us.
I take a moment to take it all in. For the first time in my adult life, I’m choosing myself. Not the part of me that fought off my feelings, but the part of me that I locked away for so long. I’m not hiding anymore. No matter what, it’s time to be true to myself.
Looking over at Maverick, I softly grab his arm again, pulling him to a stop with me.
“Thank you, Mav. Thank you for teaching me that I am worthy of loving myself,” I say, flashing him a soft, genuine smile.
The corners of his mouth turn up ever so slightly just as he pulls me into his tight embrace that has and will always bring me comfort.
“Just promise me you’ll give him hell. Always demand the love and respect you deserve.” His voice is soft, and the words come out choppy, as if filled with emotions. Just as he releases me, he flashes a forced flat-line smile.
“Psh. This is me we’re talking about. When do I ever make anything easy?” I say with a laugh that he returns.
Maverick shakes his head, and the sweet sound of his genuine chuckle sends another wave of comfort through me.
We can do this.
I don’t want to know a life again in which Maverick doesn’t somehow play a role. We can remain friends. Maybe, just maybe, that’s what we were always meant to be. Perhaps we just read the signals wrong, and now we’re finding our way to what was always the plan for us.
With a smile still tugging at my mouth and peace in my heart, we begin walking again, making our way toward the crosswalk that leads to the side street where my car is parked.
Just as we step off the sidewalk and onto the empty crosswalk, I’m suddenly stopped in my tracks by someone calling my name.
“Izabel Landry!” An unfamiliar male voice calls out from behind, causing Maverick and me to spin and face him.
He knows my name, so it has to be someone Maverick knows from the cafe.
At least, that’s what I told myself until I glance up at Maverick, searching for answers, but he looks just as confused as I feel.
What the fuck?