Page 4

THREE

willa

NOW

“Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Harlow asks. She’s following some lead in New Hampshire that might help us with Ezra’s case. Cal and Cora are going with her as well as Belle and Kai. I look behind me at Maverick’s door. With every new revelation, it feels like he’s been beaten down further and further.

“I’m going to stay,” I say, and she nods. She glances over her shoulder at Mav’s house, concern etched in her features. Harlow has one of the biggest hearts, and I know she’s struggling with looking into Ezra because of how it’s affecting Maverick. “I’ve got him. Just try to bring home good news this time,” I joke.

Harlow laughs. “I’ll try my best.”

I watch them drive away. I make my way up the path to Maverick’s house. Jo is still staying with me, and she’s immersed in all her work for the band right now. So I try to give her space. She’s tried to move out several times, but after what happened to Harlow, she was kind of forced to continue living in my guest room. It’s nice to have someone else in the house. I’ve lived alone for a long time and sometimes the silence can be suffocating.

“What do you want to do today?” I ask, stepping into the house and shutting the door behind me.

“I already have plans, Willa,” Maverick says, looking slightly annoyed.

“You’re ditching me?” I feign hurt.

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Not babysitting. Jo is busy at my house, and Belle is on her way to prance in the woods like a fairy.”

Maverick chuckles. “Feel free to hang out here then.” He walks around me and opens the front door.

“Wait. You’re really leaving?” I ask. I assumed he made up plans because he hates how he feels like a burden to us. I’ve been trying to be better about making him feel like that. It’s hard not to worry about him, though.

“Yeah, I’m meeting with Millie. I want to see how I can help with her charity stuff. My mom might not want to admit my dad hit her, but I saw the proof of it growing up. Plus, after what Brad did to Belle,” he shrugs. “I just want to do something.”

I nod in understanding. Millie is Belle and Cal’s cousin, and she runs a charity that focuses on getting more shelters up and running for women and children fleeing from bad situations. “Do you want me to come with you?” He shakes his head. I sigh dramatically, which makes him laugh.

“I’m sure you can entertain yourself for a few hours,” he says before leaving me alone in his house.

I look around and realize that I don’t know when the last time I was alone was. “I actually don’t think I know what to do with myself right now,” I tell the empty house.

My phone rings in my pocket. “Perfect timing,” I say to the walls.

“Hey hockey boy.”

“Hey, Princess. How’s the tour going?” I smile at the sound of Declan’s voice.

This is exactly what I needed.