Page 13 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)
BAYLEE
As I wait in line at the Longhorn Sandwich Shop, I stroke my hand down Leo’s back to keep him settled. He’s sleeping peacefully strapped to my chest in his baby wrap.
As annoyed as I am that I have to borrow money from Maverick, I’m really grateful. We’ve been eating like kings this week, and I’m starting to realize my brain felt like mush because I wasn’t getting good nutrition.
Naturally, my mind wanders to my handsome new roommate, which I quickly shut down because I don’t have the bandwidth to analyze the meaning of his lingering looks.
I’m too drained to miss my mom and sister or be pissed at Sean for leaving me high and dry.
All I can handle is taking care of Leo and running the salon. Everything else will have to wait.
Am I emotionally detached? Maybe. Is it healthy? Possibly not. But it’s what lets me get through my days, so I’ll count it as a win.
Caroline Green smiles at me, then at Leo. “What can I get ya, Baylee?”
“I’ll have my usual.”
“One chicken panini coming up. And a sweet tea? ”
“Make that two sweet teas, please. And the Beefeater sandwich with a side of cranberry sauce and an order of sweet potato fries with horseradish sauce.” That’s been Mav’s favorite since we were kids.
Eyes wide, she leans closer. “Is this for that Walker boy? Is he back in town?” She scans the cars outside like she’s hoping he’ll pop out of one.
Crap. I lower my voice. “I can’t confirm, but I will say if it was for him, I’m sure he’d stop by here and sign your Lone Star State jersey as soon as he gets a chance to thank you for your discretion.”
She giggles like she’s a schoolgirl and not a grandmother. “That would be mighty sweet of him.” Then she gives me a strange smile and glances at my son. “Is he here to visit Leo?”
What an odd question. “Not particularly,” I say slowly.
I love small towns, but this is the one major drawback—everyone knows everything about everyone. In a big city, no one would care what I’m ordering. I hope Maverick is ready to visit the ranch soon because I’m afraid Caroline is going to spread the word he’s in town.
When I get home, I unstrap Leo, lay him on the couch, and block him in with a cushion before I break out our lunch. “Mav, I brought you the Beefeater.”
“Coming!” he shouts from the other room.
I open the takeout containers and set up his meal on the bar.
“When you have a second, we need to talk. I might’ve let the cat out of the bag…
” My words trail off when he rounds the corner in nothing but a pair of jeans.
His hair is damp and dripping all over his muscular shoulders.
I swallow as his chest flexes, sending all those muscles rippling down his stomach.
And when he turns to check out the food, I get a nice view of his ass. Holy hell in a handbasket, he’s hot.
“My eyes are up here,” he teases .
“Go put some clothes on. You’re hideous.” If hideous meant obscenely gorgeous.
His smile widens. “Had to shower. No sweaty yetis. I remembered.”
I ignore the rugged beauty in front of me and turn to the food and explain what happened at the diner. “I figure you have maybe two or three days before she spills the beans.”
“Small towns, man.”
“I know. I’m sorry. Caroline isn’t the worst gossip, but given the fact that you’re the town’s biggest celebrity at the moment, I’m not sure how long she’ll be able to contain her excitement.”
“Don’t you think ‘celebrity’ is a bit of a stretch?”
I give him my best droll expression. “I don’t know, Mr. Sexiest NFL Player on Social Media. You tell me.”
He rolls his eyes, and I snicker and hand him his iced tea. He winces when he reaches for it, and I resist the urge to ask about his injuries. He’ll tell me in his own time, I suppose, but I don’t miss the fresh scar on his shoulder.
Mav glances around. “Where’s Leo?”
“On the couch.”
Mav sets down his drink and wanders over to Leo and sits by his side. “Hey, bud. Good to see you.”
Leo babbles back, and I smile.
“You behaving for your mama? Yeah, she’s pretty great. You know, I thought I had a pretty good career, but I’ve never done anything as cool as make a great kid like you.”
Oh, Mav. My throat gets tight, and I turn away before I get emotional.
A minute later, he rejoins me at the bar. As he unpacks his sandwich, he turns to me. “I was thinking of doing a Vikings marathon this week. You wanna veg out and watch it with me?”
“And enjoy some Ragnar Lothbrok sexiness? Count me in.”
He scoffs. “Travis Fimmel isn’t that good-looking. ”
“Speak for yourself. I love Ragnar. Well, except for when he cheats on Lagertha. Then I want to rip out his fingernails with some rusty pliers.”
Chuckling, he shakes his head. “Vicious.”
“It’s fine. I just pretend that doesn’t happen.
In my version, he’s faithful and stays with his one true love.
And I adore Athelstan. His friendship with Ragnar is beautiful.
” I unwrap my panini. “That show made me obsessed with Scandinavian history. I even got a book about that time period.” I turn to look at Maverick and find him already watching me. “What?”
He clears his throat. “Nothing.”
When he turns back to his food, I study his rugged profile.
He’s pale, and despite his flirty smiles, there’s sadness in his eyes.
Is that because of his injuries? Or is there more going on?
A melancholy twinge worms its way into my heart.
That’s when I remind myself he has a girlfriend. Maverick should probably be sharing those thoughts with her, so I don’t let myself pry.
I nudge him with my elbow. “If you still want to help me move the stuff from my house, I was thinking maybe we could go tomorrow night after work.”
“I’m down for whatever you need.”
The ache in my heart grows. Mav’s always been like this. Always willing to help me whenever I need it.
I’m not sure how long he’ll be home, but I hope I can be that support for him too.