Page 29 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

MAVERICK

Lap after lap, I swim as my night with Baylee replays in my mind.

I have no fucking clue how I’m supposed to leave her in a few weeks, potentially for an extended period.

Going away to college was one thing. Charming isn’t that far away.

But New York? That feels like another world.

One where I don’t have my best friend and her son.

The alarm on my phone rings on the bench, and I pull myself out of the pool. I stretch my neck and arms and realize the cold water has numbed all the aches and pains, at least for now.

I should be elated that this is a noticeable improvement.

Except I can’t stop thinking about what it will mean if I get the go-ahead to play again.

I grab my stuff and walk down one flight from the roof pool to my condo, hop in the shower, and then dress. By the time Jace and Beau arrive, I’m tired of making myself crazy, worrying about the what-ifs.

Jace does a quick sweep of my condo. “Just making sure you don’t have any crazy ex-girlfriends lurking. ”

“I guess you heard what happened last night.” I grab them bottled waters from the fridge.

“It sounds like you got yourself a bunny boiler.”

I frown. “Why would you say that?”

He laughs and cracks open his water. “Didn’t you ever see that movie, Fatal Attraction ?”

“No.”

“The mistress boils the kid’s pet bunny because Michael Douglas broke up with her. Savage, right?” He takes a swig of water. “It’s an old flick but pretty good. Saw it at the drive-in.”

Tension knots my stomach as I consider what he’s saying. Could Kira have vandalized Baylee’s house? Was she in town then? She flies to Texas often to visit her family, who live in a neighboring town. I text the sheriff and ask him to check on that for me.

“I blocked Kira’s number last night, so hopefully we won’t have any more problems.”

Jace smirks. “The cat’s out of the bag, bro. Everyone’s talking about how you’re back. I’m guessing you’re gonna have more fangirls stop by.”

Fuck. That’s the last thing I need while I’m trying to convince Baylee that we can work. “Don’t give my address to anyone.”

Beau points down the hall. “Can we get to work? I need to get to the fire station in a few hours.”

I show them to the spare bedroom, which I guess is now a nursery.

Jace whistles. “Are you sure this isn’t your kid? Because holy shit, you bought a lot of crap.”

“Babies need a lot of things.”

We work on the crib first. I bought Leo the nicest mattress the store had and organic cotton sheets. He might not be my son, but I still want the best for him.

Once we get it assembled, I position it against one wall. “ Think Bay will like the crib?” I hold up the instructions and then squint at the slats. “Is that on backwards?”

Jace yawns. “If Leo doesn’t roll out onto the floor, it’s fine.”

“Fucker, don’t joke.”

Chuckling, my brother holds up his hands. “Why are you so serious about this?”

“I’m fine.” I catch my reflection in the mirror we hung. Behind me are a pile of stuffed animals and a baby rocker. Can I have this future? One with my peach and little Leo? Or will I screw this up again?

Beau hammers a nail into the wall to hang some art. “He’s all intense because he’s in love with Baylee, and it’s messing with his head.”

I freeze, a little freaked out to hear that out loud.

Except I realize he’s right. I do love her. I mean, I’ve always loved her. This is Baylee we’re talking about.

Only now I’m certifiably in love with her.

My eyes widen. I’m in love with Baylee.

Jace, the idiot, laughs. “Shit, bro. You freaked out Mav.”

I test out the words in my mind, and I nod. “Yes, I love her. Are you happy?” Jace and Beau stare at me. “What?”

Jace shrugs. “I’m just shocked you admitted it. You’ve been playing games with yourself for years.”

Scrubbing my face, I groan. “Because a part of me always knew it would come down to this. She’s staying in Wild Heart.

I’m supposed to go back to New York, assuming I’m allowed to play.

I’m just lucky I got her to agree to live with me and not move to the ranch.

” But I meant what I said. I’m not giving up on us.

Because that’s what I did in high school. I didn’t see how we could work, so I ruled us out, and a part of me has regretted that decision ever since .

Beau turns my directions the other way around, and I realize I’ve had them upside down. “Thanks.”

“Baylee’s right about one thing. You need to give everything to your rehab. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. If you two are meant to be, it’ll work out.”

Jace snorts. “You sound like a Hallmark card.”

Annoyed, I study the directions. “I have an appointment with a physical therapist in Austin tomorrow morning, and I started swimming this morning. It’s on my approved list of activities.”

Beau places a framed photo of an airplane on the wall. “You don’t sound excited about the PT.”

“I should just be happy my dick works again.”

My brothers laugh, and Jace guzzles his water. “Football’s all fine and good, but if you don’t go back, you can always help us at the ranch rodeo this spring. The McAllisters are due a good ass-whooping.”

“I can get on board with that. Damn, I miss competing in those.”

As we reminisce, we finish assembling the furniture. I put the changing pad with a soft blue cover on top of the dresser and wheel over a small cart that has the diaper stuff Paige said Leo might need. In the corner is a fluffy rocking chair and several stuffed animals.

I stand back and take in everything. “Think she’ll like it?”

Beau holds out his fist, and I bump it. “She’s gonna love it. Ya done good, Mav.”

While I wait for Bay to come home, I ice my neck and shoulder and confirm my PT appointment. Then I order some groceries because Bay is right. I need to eat better.

As I lie on the couch, I close my eyes and replay what happened between us last night. The way Bay came apart in my arms. The sexy little sounds she made. That fucking killer blow job.

Fuck, now I’m hard again.

I adjust myself and flip on the TV. ESPN is reviewing this year’s top draft picks.

I stare at a few familiar faces as athletes flash on the screen.

I thought getting drafted was one of the best things to ever happen to me.

I thought my life was set, that I was on the right path.

But nothing has gone to plan since I went pro.

Baylee’s right. Not fighting for a comeback feels like quitting. And I’m not a quitter. I didn’t get this far by taking no for an answer. If I really focus on my rehab, maybe I’ll get a second chance.

Hopefully I’ll get that second chance with Baylee too.

When the door unlocks, I slowly climb off the couch, a little unsure what to expect. But Baylee is all smiles.

“Mav, guess what? Leo loved his bottle!”

“All right, little man. High five.” I take his hand and tap it with mine, and his lips tug up on one side. “He’s totally smiling.”

She turns him around and we both look down at the baby. “I don’t know if that counts.”

“It counts.” Turning, I stop to look at her. Her hair is up in a crazy bun that she always used to do in high school. “Hey.” Leaning down, I press my lips to hers, and she sighs. “In case I’ve never told you, I’ve always thought your hair looks hot as fuck like this.”

Reaching up, she pats her hair like she’s forgotten how she styled it. “It’s messy.”

“It’s sexy. I can kiss your neck this way.” After I take Leo’s basket and put him down, I lean over and graze her neck. She lets out a little giggle that tells me she likes this too. Then I bite her, and she squeals. “Can I lick it and make it feel better?”

“Mav.”

“What? I’m down to lick anything that needs some TLC.” I demonstrate against the soft patch of skin on her shoulder I just nipped.

She snorts, but her face is flushed and she’s breathing hard. Christ, she’s beautiful, but I can’t get carried away. I peck her on the lips. “Okay, enough shenanigans.”

“Shenanigans? What, are you eighty?” she teases.

“Your mother once told me I was an old soul, so yes, shenanigans. Now tell me about the bottle. Which nipple did he like?”

“Mm. I don’t remember the brand, but it looked like an hourglass.”

“Is that the one that came with the bottle that looks like a boob?” I hold up my hand and mimic the size and press it to her tit. “Because I figured it seemed like something he’d be familiar with.”

Laughing, she swats my hand away. We stand there smiling at each other.

“I like this. I lo—I like you.” Shit. I almost told her I love her. I can’t go making declarations like that. She might spook.

She takes my hand in hers. “I like you too.”

“Well, duh, I’m awesome.”

She rolls her eyes with a grin. “How was your day?”

“Good. I was pretty relaxed. I wonder why.”

“’Cause I sucked your soul out through your dick?”

It’s my turn to snort, and I grab her and tickle her until she screeches with laughter. Once I have her pinned to the wall, I kiss her slow and deep. “If you’re not careful, you’re going to ruin my surprise.”

“There’s a surprise? Does it involve this?” She reaches between us to rub my cock, which is very happy to see her.

Grabbing her wrists, I pin them above her head. “No dick before dinner. Don’t wanna ruin your appetite.” I wink at her like an idiot, and she snickers .

She leans up on her toes and licks my neck. “That’s a shame.”

Keep it in your pants, man. “I did a thing, and I wanna show you.”

Her expression grows serious. “Okay. Let’s go see the thing.”

I dry my suddenly sweaty palms against my jeans. “Get Leo. This is for him too.”

She pulls him out of his basket, and I take her hand and lead her to the closed door down the hall. “Remember how I said this was going to be an office? Change of plans.” I swing open the door. “Now it can be Leo’s nursery.”

As she looks around, her eyes widen, then fill with tears. “Oh my God, Mav. This is too much.”

She burrows her head against my chest, and I hug her and Leo to me. “Our dude needs his own space so he can do tummy time and jump in his jumpy thing and work on his vertical leap and find his groove.”

“Find his groove?” She smiles, and I take Leo out of her arms.

“Yeah. Look, man.” I give him a tour. “Here’s your changing table for your atomic poops, a dresser for your cool outfits, a rocker for booby time with Mommy or maybe bottle service with Uncle Mav.

” I glance back at Baylee, who has her hand pressed to her mouth like she’s in shock.

Hopefully, it’s a good shock. “Here’s one of those Pack ’N Plays since yours got destroyed.

” On and on I yammer away until I open the small closet.

“And here’s one of those strollers with the car seat that pops out, so Mommy doesn’t have to lug you everywhere strapped to her chest. Unless she wants to, of course. ”

Baylee starts full-on crying.

Damn. What did I screw up? I rub the back of my neck. “I can return whatever you don’t like or exchange it.”

She wipes her eyes. “I love everything. This is so perfect. ”

I tug her to my chest again. “Then why are you crying?”

“Be-because we’ll get used to this beautiful nursery and then you’ll leave for New York. We can’t… we can’t stay here when you go.”

“Why not?”

The grief in her eyes breaks my heart. “Because I won’t take advantage of you, Mav. You were going to rent out this place, but you can’t do that if my son and I are squatting.”

I kiss her forehead and bounce Leo in my arms. “You won’t be squatting.” I shrug. “It’s not like I’ll never come back. I mean, I might not even get the thumbs-up to play. That’s the most likely scenario, honestly. The only reason I’m going to try is because you think I should.”

Tears spill over her lids. “I know you have a future in football. I’ve always known this, but I can’t do long distance, Mav.

Trying to do that with Sean was really hard, and I don’t see how I’ll be able to stomach the thought of your female fans throwing themselves all over you.

It makes me feral. I can’t even blame hormones for that.

Seeing girls throw themselves at you has always upset me. ”

“I’m so fucking sorry, Baylee. I never meant to hurt you.

” I’m a goddamn idiot. I blow out a breath and tug her to the rocking chair.

With Leo on my shoulder, I pull Baylee onto my lap and pull her close until she’s nestled against my chest. I’m not sure if she’s saying she knows I have a future in football because she has one of those special feelings.

I’m almost afraid to ask. “I don’t have to return,” I whisper in her ear.

“The first doctor I saw already told me he didn’t think I should play again. ”

She shakes her head. “I can’t be responsible for you losing your lifelong dream. If you have a shot, you should go for it.”

Rocking back and forth, I struggle to think of a solution. “But what if I just play for another year or two? Just enough so I don’t have such rotten stats. ”

Her lower lip quivers. “What if you meet someone during that time?”

“I’m not going to meet anyone.”

“You don’t know for sure.”

My arm spasms, but I ignore it and hold her tighter. “You and I have waited a long time to make this happen, and I don’t want anything to get in our way.”

She takes a shuddering breath. “Last night, we agreed we shouldn’t make any decisions about us until we know whether you’ll be able to play again. I don’t know why I brought this up. We should just stick to the plan.”

Fuck that. “Or we date like normal people do, and if something changes, we’ll adjust course.” I kiss her forehead.

Her hand tightens in my t-shirt. “I hate this uncertainty. It’s eating me up.”

“Then don’t think about it. Take it day by day.

Like when we’re training for a big game, I only think about that one opponent.

This is the same. If we think about all the obstacles, it’ll be overwhelming.

We only have a few weeks before we know for sure.

We won’t talk about this, okay? Let’s just enjoy each other’s company.

Enjoy watching Leo get big and strong. Enjoy our late-night slumber parties. ”

After the longest moment of my life, she nods. “Okay.”

Do I want a career in the NFL, something I’ve worked toward since I was old enough to hold a football, or a relationship with Baylee?

I’ve never been so conflicted in my entire life.