CHAPTER 33
Maverick
I lean down ready to apologize when I hear Lexi’s voice echoing through the emergency room. “Where is Kaya Rhodes?”
“She’s in here ma’am.” I hear an eager voice say and within seconds the curtain is flinging open revealing Lexi, Sophia, and Deirdre.
“Oh my God Kai!” Sophia exclaims, running to her best friend’s side. “Are you ok? What the hell happened?”
I take a step back as the women descend on Kaya while she explains what happened.
They fawn over her and I take another step back.
Before any of them turn to question me, I pull the curtain aside and quickly step out.
My entire body is radiating with an uncomfortable heat.
The mix of emotions and crazy goddamn thoughts flowing through me are making me feel like I’m going to implode. I need to get the fuck out of here.
I quickly move through the emergency room area and slip into a bathroom.
I take one look at my self and can’t believe I haven’t been arrested.
I strip off my shirt and tuck it into my back pocket.
I wash my face, arms, and hands in the sink causing the water to turn red in the white porcelain.
I scrape under my fingernails and scrub my knuckles that I can now see have cuts from the motherfucker’s teeth.
When I finally resemble a human being again, I exit the bathroom without putting my bloodstained t-shirt back on and head out of the hospital. I debated walking and then calling for a ride but decide to just take Kaya’s car. I’m going to need to clean it anyway due to all the blood.
I pull into the clubhouse lot and park Kaya’s car. To my dismay, Jessica is standing outside the front door smoking a cigarette. I get out and stomp to the door, hoping she will clock my mood and leave me the fuck alone.
“So, is it true? Are you and Kaya having a baby?” Jessica asks before I even get near the door.
“Back the fuck off.” I say as I reach for the handle.
“Maverick! What is wrong with you? I thought she was in the hospital. Why are you here?”
I stop, letting the question sink in. What am I doing here? I glare at her. “None of your business.”
Jessica sighs. “You used to be able to talk to me.”
“Before you tried to ruin my life.”
“Ruin your life? Isn’t that a bit dramatic?”
I glare at her. “No. I had to leave Tennessee because of you. Do you understand that? You were such a problem that I left the state to get away from you. You attacked women that I fucked, threatened them, and tried to cut Libby’s brake lines.
And now?” I scoff. “You show up here with my car that you destroyed and think I want anything to do with you? You’re fucking delusional.
” I don’t give her a chance to respond and go inside, slamming the door behind me.
“Mav?” Ace asks in surprise. He gets up from the couch where he was looking at his phone and comes toward me.
“Where is the motherfucker?”
Ace shakes his head. “Shade’s dealing with the body. He was barely breathing when the boys got there and he died en route. You did a number on him.”
“Good.”
“Why are you here, son? Isn’t Kaya still in the hospital?”
I stand still with my fists clenching at my sides. My breaths are coming hard and fast. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with me, but I can’t seem to regain control.
“Nicky! Pour Mav a glass of Beam and bring him a beer.” Ace bellows to the kid behind bar.
“Yes sir.”
Before I know what’s going on Nick is standing in front of me handing me a glass of amber liquid and a beer. I give him a chin lift and chug down the whiskey. I hand him back the glass and take the beer. I turn to Ace. “I want to go on the run tomorrow.”
Ace is already shaking his head before I even finish talking. “Come on. My office.”
I follow Ace down the hallway in a fog. Ace puts his hand out to Nick who hands him the bottle of Jim Beam and my glass as he passes by. Ace waves for me to sit when we enter his office. I do.
He takes his seat at his desk across from me. “Talk to me. What’s going on?” Ace pours me another glass of whiskey and hands it to me.
I rake my fingers through my hair. “She’s pregnant,” I say simply.
“I know. Is that not something you wanted?”
“Never thought about it. It’s not something I know anything about.
” I let out a huff. “She didn’t fucking decide to be with me until she thought she was knocked up.
What the hell do I do with that?” The fact that I let that slip surprises me.
I’m not one to talk about my problems with anyone, but this just seemed to fall out of my mouth.
I chug down my drink and put the glass on Ace’s desk.
“Ah,” Ace says as he bobs his head. “Now we’re at the root of the problem. You think she’s only with you now because she’s pregnant.”
Hearing him say it out loud makes me want to punch him in the jaw.
My first instinct is to scream, no, it’s not true!
But my subconscious disagrees. Do I fully believe it?
Do I think she doesn’t care about me at all except to be the baby’s dad?
No, not really. We’ve had a connection since day one.
Damn it. What in the hell am I doing? I just left her at the hospital after she was almost raped. What kind of fucking man would do that?
Ace watches me intently without saying a word as if he’s waiting for me to come to the right conclusion on my own.
I feel my cheeks redden. I hate being the center of attention and here I am putting it on myself.
I feel like I need to run, to get away from all of this.
It’s just too much. I slam my fist down on Ace’s desk before I can stop myself.
He doesn’t move.
Doesn’t flinch.
Just stares.
“I want to go on the run tomorrow,” I mutter for a second time.
Ace shakes his head. “No. You’re not in the right headspace.”
I stand abruptly. “It’s exactly what the fuck my head needs. I need to get away and this is the best way to do it. I’ll have Kaya come here.” I quickly move to the door without looking back at my president.
“Get back to the hospital,” Ace commands as I walk out. His voice is firm with an edge of anger.
I slip out the door and head directly to the parking lot. If there was anyone in the common room, I didn’t notice them. Thankfully, Jessica isn’t still out here. I glance from my bike to Kaya’s car. I know I need the car to go back and get her, but… Fuck it. I march to my bike and get on.
Instead of going back to the hospital, I head out of Dogwood Creek.