Page 22 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

BAYLEE

I should feel better. Maverick said all the right things, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes, but I can’t uproot my life to follow him across the country. As much as I’d love to join him in New York, that’s not something I can do.

My conversation with Maverick reminds me of a poem I read in high school, which I didn’t really understand at the time.

In The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost, he wrote, “way leads on to way.” I feel like Maverick and I have made so many decisions without each other that returning to the point where everything was simple between us now seems impossible.

Leo lets out a wail that jolts me from my misery, and I bounce him in my arms. “Are you hungry, my little duckie?” I brush my nose against the soft spot on his head and remind myself that I have my son. He’s what matters right now.

With a heavy heart, I push my chair back. “Is it okay if I feed Leo before I go?”

“You’re leaving?”

Slowly, I nod. “I’m going to stay at the ranch.”

The hurt in Maverick’s eyes is unmistakable, but I’ll only be making things worse if I stay. He blows out a breath. “Okay. I guess I’ll get out of your hair so you can have some privacy.”

He walks out of the room before I can respond, and my heart breaks. I don’t want to hurt Maverick, but I also don’t think I’m really what he wants. He needs to focus on his recovery and get back to New York. If I give in to the chemistry between us, I’ll basically be his rebound girl.

And I don’t mean his rebound from Kira. I mean his rebound from football.

I grab a blanket and head around to the bed, which Mav folded up into the couch. After I sit back, I nurse Leo and let myself think about what it would be like if I took Maverick up on his offer to go to New York with him.

Immediately, I cut myself off. Because it’s impossible. I don’t want to move. Even if I did, my whole life is in this town.

After Leo finishes his meal, I return him to his basket and pack our things. By the time I’m done, the pile seems bigger than the one I brought over. How is that possible?

A few minutes later, Maverick emerges looking almost lost. “Bay, do you need help carrying anything to your car?”

“No. Thanks, though.”

His shoulders slump, and he tucks his hands into his jean pockets. “I want you to know I appreciate your candor. Thanks for always having my back.”

The unfairness of life makes me want to ball up my fists and beat the walls. If he’d asked me to join him in New York before I had Leo, before I took over the salon, I’d have gone in a heartbeat.

But that door has closed.

When he sees my pile of belongings, he frowns. “Seriously, let me move your stuff.”

“Absolutely not. I won’t be responsible for you injuring yourself.” His frown grows, and I cross my arms because he won’t get me to change my mind.

After he tries to stare me down, he shakes his head. “You’re a damn stubborn woman.”

The irritation in his voice makes me chuckle. “Don’t lie. You like me this way.”

His eyes go soft. “I do.”

I get trapped in those hauntingly beautiful eyes, and everything in me wants to stay, but that will only make things harder down the line. “Can you watch Leo for ten minutes while I haul everything downstairs? I’ll bring you ice cream tomorrow at lunch.”

“Fine, but only if you stay to enjoy it with me.”

He knows I love that sweet treat. “You’re the best.”

“I know.”

Laughing, I tuck my phone into my back jean pocket, grab my three duffle bags, and lug them to the door. “I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time. Leo and I are gonna discuss the meaning of life.”

As hard as today has been, as difficult as leaving is, I’m relieved Mav and I aired out our grievances. Maybe we’ll still be friends after all is said and done.

When I get to the parking lot, it’s dark and cold and windy. Shivering, I run to my car and drop my bags. Reaching into my pocket, I grab my keys. I’m just about to unlock the door when something flapping on the windshield catches my eye.

Maybe it’s a Guac ’N’ Roll taco truck coupon. Sometimes they put flyers on all the cars.

I reach for it, but immediately, I realize I’m wrong.

It’s not a coupon.

The red ink makes me freeze.

‘Stupid bitch’ is scrawled on a torn piece of notebook paper .

Whirling around, I scan the parking lot. The wind whips through the cars, and along the edge, close to the river, trees sway and bend. Is someone hiding in the shadows? Is someone watching me, waiting?

My skin prickles along my neck and shoulders, and I whip around, but no one’s there.

“Fuck you, asshole!” I shout.

Just then, a huge gust of wind blows the note out of my hand, and it disappears in the darkness.

Damn it. Well, there’s a zero percent chance of me being dumb enough to chase after it. Because that’s the crap you do in a slasher movie just before you get axed. The sheriff won’t know what to do with more evidence anyway.

Fumbling with my keys, I almost drop them. I finally get them in the door and unlock it. I’m reaching for my bag, when my phone rings in my back pocket, scaring the shit out of me.

I lean against my car and suck in several deep breaths.

Get a grip, Baylee.

By the time I get my cell out, I’ve missed a call from Paige, but I’m relieved it’s not another creepy unknown caller. Just then, I get an incoming text from her.

I’m so sorry to cancel on you, but I think Austin caught a stomach bug. He’s been puking since he got home. I don’t want you or Leo to get sick. Can we postpone a few days?

Damn it. I should’ve waited to have this talk with Maverick. Waited until I was settled at the ranch before I made things weird between us.

I respond to Paige. No problem. Hope Austin feels better soon. It’s not her fault I suck at life.

After I scan the parking lot one last time, I lock up and drag my duffle bags back into the building.

I stare at my bedraggled reflection in the elevator. Why do things never go my way?

When I get to Maverick’s condo, I pause to close my eyes and take a few more breaths to calm down.

As I open the door, I make a split decision not to mention the note. There’s no need to worry Mav, which will only make him more protective. Because that won’t be conducive to us going our separate ways.

I find Leo in Mav’s arms as they watch Back to the Future . Mav gives me a crooked grin. “It’s never too early to teach the kid about the flux capacitor.”

Nodding, I drop my bags. “Change of plans.” I press my palms to my eyes. “I’m so sorry to do this, but Austin is sick, and Paige thinks we should wait a few days before we go over. Could we possibly?—”

“Of course.” His smile widens. “Stay as long as you want.”

The fear and anxiousness that threatened to overwhelm me in the parking lot begins to fade. Because here with Mav, I know Leo and I are safe. “Thank you. Really.”

I drag my stuff to the other side of the living room so it’s out of the way. I ignore the temptation to unpack so Leo and I will be ready to leave once Austin feels better.

Mav holds up the remote. “Wanna watch some Netflix? There’s a fireman show I’ve been meaning to see, and Leo doesn’t really get Doc Brown’s sense of humor.”

I take in the way Mav’s t-shirt stretches across his broad shoulders as he holds my baby. I take in his messy hair and handsome face. And the hopeful look in his expression.

I can’t bring myself to turn him down. “I’m always game for some hot firemen. ”

He chuckles as I sit on the other side of the couch. While he’s searching for the show, he turns to me. “Thanks for the ass-kicking. You’re right. I owe it to myself to go after what I want.”

We stare at each other, and for a moment, we’re those dumb kids in high school. A swell of emotion rises in my chest, and I blink back the sting in my eyes. “You deserve all the good things, Mav. Don’t let your injuries derail you.”

He nods. “You’re right. Life is too short. I can do this.”

Hearing him say he’s going to fight to return to the NFL is bittersweet because I know how far that will take him from Wild Heart.

And that means he and I will never happen.