Page 2 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

I roll my eyes and finish sweeping, frustrated that years after their divorce, she’s still letting my father yank her chain. She scurries off to the back, probably to try to hide the fact that they’re still talking.

My sperm donor is a former minor league player who, unfortunately, was always more serious about baseball than his family.

Vera, who’s only a few years older than me, coos at her phone. “Oh my God, this is adorable.” She glances at me. “Have you seen the ‘kiss your best friend’ challenge?”

She angles the screen to me. In the video, a girl is sitting in her bedroom next to her best guy friend. She seems nervous and keeps smiling at him as they talk. I don’t know what they’re saying because there’s music, and as it swells to a crescendo, she grabs his face and kisses him.

He’s in shock and freezes, leans back, and looks at her. A second later, he tackles her to the bed and kisses her back.

I sigh. “That was swoony.”

Suddenly, I don’t want to wait to study with Mav this weekend.

I want to kiss him tonight.

A plan forms in my mind. What if I track him down after the game and do this challenge? Will he kiss me back? Will he maul me like that guy in the video? Will he confess that he’s been in love with me this whole time the way I’ve been in love with him? My hands tremble just thinking about it.

Vera’s lips twist. “Can you imagine if he rejected her, though? She’d be traumatized for life.”

I swallow. “But what if that’s the only way she’ll be able to find out if he reciprocates her feelings?”

She drops her phone into her purse. “I suppose, but it’s risky.”

The more I consider it, the more I realize it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

I’m going to kiss my best friend tonight.

With my heart in my throat, I check my makeup in my rearview mirror. For once, my mom let me borrow her car. I’m taking that as a good sign.

“You can do this, Baylee. Don’t chicken out. If you do, he might end up with Nicole.” That would be a damn tragedy.

Besides, I’m not the kind of person who waits around to see what will happen. I want to be in charge of my life.

Nodding to myself, I grab my purse, lock the car, and trudge up the hill to the Dicksons’ house. Chet’s throwing a huge bash. He’s an idiot, but his sister Daisy is a sweetheart, so I’ve been here a few times.

I make my way around the modern, three-story McMansion where kids are spilling out from the backyard.

It’s the perfect place to party. Not that I’ve ever been invited to one of Chet’s bashes, but I’ve heard stories.

The property doesn’t have any close neighbors, and the back opens to a huge field.

Plus, his parents are out of town this weekend.

I was hoping to run my plans by Paige, but her stepmonster Irma grounded her, so now I won’t get to talk to her until Monday, unless I sneak over there. But the last time I hopped in her window, Irma threatened to nail them shut.

So tonight, I’m flying solo.

I don’t know what I’m going to do without Paige next year. She’s a senior, so she’ll be heading to Lone Star State next fall. I’m going to miss her so much.

I follow the stream of partygoers to the backyard, where the music is blasting and everyone is hanging around the pool and drinking out of red Solo cups.

It’s mostly seniors, a lot of football players, and a gaggle of cheerleaders. I finally see a familiar face and beeline it to Daisy. “How does it feel to have the whole school trampling on your property?”

She laughs and gives me a hug. “Chet had better clean up afterward this time.”

I spot the meathead chugging a beer. I’m thinking those odds are slim. “Can I ask a favor?”

“What’s up?”

“Could I possibly use your room for about ten minutes to take a video for an assignment? I need to interview Maverick. It won’t take long.”

“Sure. Hopefully, it’ll keep out people who want to use my bed to bone.”

Even though I laugh, I feel a little guilty for stretching the truth. Not that I plan to have sex on her bed, but I wouldn’t be opposed to a little make-out sesh with Mav.

Oh my God. Am I actually going to kiss my best friend tonight?

Don’t throw up, Baylee. That would definitely mess up my plans.

I glance around, looking for him .

I finally spot Mav on the opposite side of the pool, talking to Penelope Nelson. I don’t need to see her face to know she’s batting her eyelashes at him.

If I was a cat, my claws would extend, and I’d hiss.

These girls are thirsty for my best friend. This is why I can’t wait around for him to get a clue.

Before I start growling like a feral animal, Penelope struts off, and Mav turns to talk to one of his buddies. A minute later, Nicole waves at Mav, and I decide I absolutely have to do this tonight.

I thank Daisy for letting me borrow her room and head around the pool. Maverick looks so handsome. His hair is damp from the shower he took after the game. He’s wearing another Wolves t-shirt that once again strains against his impressive muscles.

When our eyes connect, I can’t help the smile that stretches across my face. He holds open his arms, and I jump into them. He squeezes me tight, and I relish being smashed against his hard chest. The thought of being pressed up against him naked makes my whole body go up in flames.

I slide to the ground and tell his friend Finn hi before I look back to Mav. “Great game tonight.”

“Thanks, Bay.” He seemed laser focused on the field, more so than usual.

I grab my throat. “I’m a little hoarse from screaming.” His nostrils flare, and I wonder what I said.

Some kid runs from the back field and shouts, “There are shooting stars in the sky!”

Mav and I look at each other, shrug, and start walking past the giant trees that surround the Dickson house and out into the dark field where our classmates are horsing around and yelling like fools. We stop to look up at the sky .

“There!” I point to the white streak burning a path across the night. “Make a wish.”

Mav glances at me. “You know what I want.”

I could read that in so many ways, but the truth is, I know he’s talking about football.

“That star is you, Mav. You’re going to make it.

You’re breaking all the records at our school.

By the end of your senior year, you’ll be undeniable, and every college in Texas is going to want you.

” I grab his rough hand, look into his gorgeous eyes, and start belting out “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey.

I know I’m horribly out of tune, but I don’t care.

Mav grins so wide, his dimples pop out, and he hugs me. “Thanks, Bay. You always know what I need.”

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I rest my head against his broad chest and breathe in his sexy sandalwood scent. This is my idea of heaven.

Should I forget recording the challenge, lean up on my toes, and kiss him?

Just then, some guy barrels into us and I almost topple over, but Maverick holds onto my arms and keeps me upright. “Hey, watch it,” he growls at the football player who almost knocked me down like a bowling pin.

“Sorry, bro. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

Mav’s brow furrows as he stares down at me. “Are you okay?”

I’ll probably have a huge bruise on my shoulder tomorrow, but when my best friend looks at me like this, I can’t seem to care.

“I’m fine.” Kissing Maverick in a field of people probably isn’t a good idea, which is why I should stick with my original plan.

“Listen, I have a favor I need to ask. Do you have a few minutes?”

“Sure. Whatcha need?”

He gives me one of his sweet smiles that makes my heart skip a beat. I bite my bottom lip as I try to gather my courage. “I have to do a current events video, and Mrs. O’Connor said I could interview a football player if we won the game tonight.”

That’s sorta true. Another kid in my class asked the question, and she said that was fine, so I’m going to use it as my excuse to talk to Mav in private.

“You wanna do this now?” He scratches the back of his head and glances at the dark field of partygoers.

“Chet’s sister said we could use her room. I promise it won’t take long. Maybe ten minutes.”

“Okay. Lead the way, babe.”

Holy shit. Did he just call me babe? Stop, Baylee. He just called you Bay, and you’re letting your imagination run away again.

We head toward the house, and since the crowd is so thick, I reach back to grab his hand. He laces his fingers through mine like it’s no big deal. We’ve held hands before, but not like this.

My heart goes into overdrive at the sight of us linked together.

It’s another sign. I’m sure of it.

Inside the house, the music is muffled. Stopping off in the kitchen, we each grab a Coke out of the ice chest on the counter before I motion toward the stairs.

“How do you know where to go?” he asks.

This house is a maze. “I study with Daisy sometimes. She struggles with school too.”

His arm wraps around my shoulder. “Your hard work’s gonna pay off.” He pauses, his brows furrowing. “Have you thought more about trying to get into Lone Star State? Pretty sure that’s where Paige plans to go.”

Unfortunately, there’s no scholarship for smart-assery or eye-rolling, so I’m shit out of luck. Lord knows my grades won’t get me any financial aid. The kicker is I actually like school. I’m just not great at test-taking or paying attention when I’m not interested .

I open the door to Daisy’s room, flip on the lights, and turn toward him. “I’ll never get a scholarship like you or Paige, and I can’t ask my mom to take out loans. She already struggles so much to help me and my sister. I don’t want to add to her problems.”

“Sorry, Bay. That sucks. So what will you do?”

I shrug. “Maybe stick around here and get my cosmetology license so I can help my mom until my sister’s on her feet. Then, I don’t know.”

He nods slowly, looking more upset than I thought he would over me not attending Lone Star State.

I set up my phone on the bookshelf and sit on the bed. With an awkward smile, I pat the spot next to me. “As I ask you questions, just be sure to talk to the camera, okay?” I clasp my hands together because they’re shaking.

“Wanna grab some wings later? I can drop you home afterward.”

“O-okay. Yeah,” I say, forgetting that I have my mom’s car tonight.

Before I lose my nerve, I jump up, hit record on my phone, and then settle back down on the bed next to Mav, a smidge closer than before.

A second later, I start the interview. Here goes nothing.

“I’m here with Maverick Walker, who scored three touchdowns against the Ravens.

Mav, when you walked onto the field tonight, did you know you were going to kick ass? ”

He chuckles and looks down at his lap. “I wasn’t sure I was going to do so well, but I hoped I would.”

“You single-handedly secured our undefeated status tonight. I won’t jinx us and talk about the future, but how does it feel to have such a big role in the success of our team?” I’m totally gushing over him, but I can’t seem to care.

“I’m honored. Truly. My teammates feel like brothers, and it’s a joy to play with them. They give their whole heart and soul on the field, and I’m grateful to be on such an amazing team.”

He’s such a team player. I love how he always shares the credit for their wins.

This is it. Don’t mess it up.

I take a deep breath. “This might be a little weird, but I have to ask you…” I turn to face him, and I’m once again struck by how handsome he is. I swallow because we’re so close. “Have you ever heard of the ‘kiss your best friend’ challenge?”

The spot between his brows pinches, and I wonder if I said it too fast. I do that sometimes. Say things so quickly that all the words run together.

Shit. What do I do now? The man looks confused.

Screw it. You only live once.

I reach up and grab his face and, before he can say anything, I press our mouths together and wait for him to kiss me back.

And wait.

Panic starts to set in.

Oh my God. What if he doesn’t like me and I’ve mauled him?

But then his head tilts, his hand reaches behind my head, and his lips move against mine.

He’s. Kissing. Me. Back.

Before I know it, our mouths open, and his tongue strokes against mine. Kissing him feels so good, I moan as my whole body pulses in time with my heartbeat. I’m about to crawl into his lap when someone bangs on the door, and we jump apart.

We look at the door, but no one opens it.

I cover my mouth with my hand, trying to hide my huge smile.

I wait for him to say something, anything, but his jaw goes tight, and that spot between his brow furrows again.

A second later, he jumps up, scrubs his face, and starts pacing .

That’s… weird.

Why is Maverick freaking out?

Because he paces when he’s upset.

A sense of dread fills me.

Say something, Baylee. Don’t let this get more awkward. You know Maverick doesn’t handle awkward well.

He stops and covers his mouth. “Bay… we… that…”

There he is. “I know that was crazy. But I thought we seemed to have chemistry lately.” Say it. Say it! This is your chance! “And… I really… I really like you, Mav. You’re my best friend, and we…”

He shakes his head. “We can’t do this. We should never do this.”

Wait.

What?

Did I hear that right?

Based on the expression on his face, he did not want to kiss me.

I can’t breathe. I struggle to inhale as I ask the question I already know the answer to. “Do you not… Do you not feel that way about me?”

His expression goes blank, and that sense of dread tightens like a coil in my chest. “I don’t, Bay, and I’m sorry if I’ve given you the wrong impression.”

I’m going to die.

Right here, right now, I’m going to drop dead of mortification.

Or if I’m lucky, the ground will open up and swallow me.

I leap up, grab my phone, and shake my head, hating the way my eyes sting. “I don’t know what I was thinking. Forget I said anything.”

“Baylee, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”

The heartache seizing my body instantly turns to anger.

“Don’t fucking apologize. That’s worse. Just…

erase tonight from yo ur memory.” A treacherous tear tracks down my cheek.

“Forget we ever kissed. It never happened. You’re free to fuck Nicole or Penelope or all the goddamn cheerleaders you want. ”

Before he can say anything, I race out of the bedroom.

Some tortured part of me hopes he’ll run after me, but he doesn’t.

And a few weeks later, he goes to homecoming with Nicole.