Chapter 9 Maverick #2
Christ, she could kill me with silence alone.
“Alright,” I mutter under my breath, pushing the door open. I round the hood slowly and pull open her door.
“C’mon, doll face,” I say, softer than I feel. “We’re here.”
She rolls her eyes underneath her glasses, pushes past me, and walks on to Catalina’s store.
“AAAAAAMEELIAAAAA!”
Catalina screams as she pushes the front door open with such force that I’m surprised the glass didn’t shatter.
She’s in a cropped tee that says ‘MILF in training’, high-waisted jeans, and those damn sparkly cowboy boots. Her long, dark hair is up in a messy half-up, half-down hairstyle, with her lavender bow holding on for dear life.
Amelia finally cracks the faintest smile, and I swear to God, my lungs come back online.
The girls collide in the parking lot.
“You bitch!” Catalina squeals, jumping up and down as she holds Amelia’s hands in hers. “I missed you!”
“I missed you more,” Amelia laughs, bouncing along with her.
Why can’t she act like this with me?
Amelia pulls back, her green eyes shining. She smacks Catalina lightly on the arm. “This is for giving him my number.”
Catalina throws her head back and laughs, that wild, dramatic sound echoing down the street. “Worth it,” she teases.
I can’t help the grin tugging at my mouth.
Watching the two of them is like watching puzzle pieces snap together.
I stand there like a damn idiot, heart thumping low in my chest, realizing all over again how far gone I am for her. Throwing on my hat and turning it backward, I trail behind them as they head inside, Catalina tugging Amelia along.
A little bell above the door jingles when we step inside, and the world outside goes quiet. Inside, it smells like matcha, vanilla candles, and freshly cracked books.
Beams of sunrays spill through the front windows, catching the lavender glow of her neon signs. Shelves run floor to ceiling, stocked with fresh spines, and I can hear music thumping low, John Summit, her obsession.
And of course, Carter is here.
You really think he’d go anywhere without his wife?
He’s sitting on a lavender velvet chair in the corner, arms crossed over his chest, black cowboy hat low, sipping something green and absolutely judging me.
“Get in any more trouble?” he mutters as I walk past.
I blink. “Are you stalking me?”
Carter scoffs, sipping on his iced matcha that I’m sure his wife got him onto.
“I thought you were too busy getting your dick sucked to check your texts.” I fire back, slapping his knee to piss him off.
“Still managed to read them while she was on her knees,” Carter says without a single flicker of expression. “You’re lucky I’m too busy to ask why she’s even here with you.”
“You’re lucky I haven’t shoved a broomstick up your—”
“Hi, boys!” Catalina chirps from behind the counter, sliding a matcha toward Amelia. “Let’s not traumatize the customers today, yeah?”
“Sorryyyy,” I call out to Catalina, blowing her a kiss just to watch Carter twitch.
Carter’s chair scrapes back hard enough to make the floorboards groan, and before I can duck, his palm smacks the back of my head. “That’s my wife you fuck.”
“Ow!” I yelp, clutching my head dramatically, spinning toward him.“Jesus, possessive much? You gonna piss on her next, big guy?”
His glare could kill. “Say that again, and I’ll send you crashing through the damn bookshelf.”
I grin, leaning an elbow on the counter. “Relax, bro. I meannn, if she ever gets tired of your grumpy ass, I can make her laugh.”
Carter takes a threatening step closer. “Maverick.”
“Y’know, women love humor. Big smiles. Dimples. Which, unlucky for you, I’ve got in spades.” I flash him my best panty-melting grin just to watch his vein pop.
Catalina, bless her chaotic little heart, hides a laugh behind her hand. “Mav, stop.”
“Oh no, let him keep talking, darlin’” Carter growls, his jaw clenching. “So I have an excuse to beat his ass in front of my wife.”
“Beat me up? Please. I’m the golden child. Mama liked me best,” I shoot back, ducking just in time as Carter swings at me again.
He misses, just barely, and I can’t help but laugh. “Jesus, man, all this testosterone and nowhere to put it. Catalina, maybe you should take him home for a quick—”
“Maverick!” Carter snaps, his face turning red.
“What?” I spread my hands innocently. “I’m just looking out for your marriage, bro. It’s called family support.”
Carter’s big hand pushes on my shoulder. Not enough to hurt me, but enough to start a brotherly fight. Naturally, I shove him back. Within seconds, we’re grappling with each other. I’ve got his hat in my hand, and he’s trying to grab it from my grasp.
Catalina’s doubled over, laughing so hard tears are coming down her face.
Amelia’s standing beside her, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Oh my God, both of you are grown ass men.”
She mutters something to Catalina, and the two of them slip toward the back of the store, leaving me and Carter tangled up on the floor like absolute morons.
Carter finally shoves off me and sits up, chest heaving, his scowl carved even deeper than before. “Whatever scheme you’ve got going on, don’t drag my wife into your mess.”
I flop onto my back, grinning up at the ceiling like the menace I am. “Relax, big brother. My scheme doesn’t involve your precious wife.”