Page 32 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

MAVERICK

The moment I try to crawl out of bed to clean up, fire shoots down my back and shoulder. Fuck.

“What’s wrong?” Baylee’s gloriously naked body distracts me for a moment before my muscles spasm.

“Nothing. I, uh, just got a cramp, but I’m okay.” I try not to wince as I get up.

We take a quick shower and then crawl back under the sheets again. The hot water didn’t help. There’s a growing ache that’s making me wonder why I didn’t get stronger pain relievers. “Babe, could you massage some of that CBD oil into my shoulders again?”

She bolts upright. “Oh my God, we overdid it, didn’t we?”

“I’m okay.” I think. “I’m just a little stiff.” Normally, I would make a dick joke here except the fire in my neck is spreading.

“Of course. One sec.” My girl leaps out of bed and returns with the bottle.

As she rubs in the oil, the silence builds.

I don’t want her to think this is her fault.

We finally had sex, and it was out of this fucking world.

I wouldn’t change a minute of it. Even if it means I’m hobbling into my physical therapy appointment tomorrow .

When she’s done, she curls up next to me and scratches the back of my head. “I feel bad,” she whispers.

“It’s my fault. I probably should’ve had you on top, but I couldn’t help myself. I also swam this morning.” I hate the look of concern on her face. “Come here.” I roll over and hold out my arm.

“But won’t that hurt your shoulder?”

I want to tell her I don’t care, but I should, shouldn’t I? This thing with Baylee has me so fucking scrambled, I can’t tell what’s right anymore. I thought football was supposed to be my endgame, but I’m starting to wonder if I’ve been wrong all along.

I pat the bed. “Then sleep next to me, so I can spoon you.” I’ve never spooned anyone before. In fact, I don’t cuddle if I can help it, but I can’t seem to get enough of this woman.

The happiness in her eyes is unmistakable. “I would love to be your little spoon.”

“Come here, peach.” She turns and pushes that ass into me, and I quietly groan. If I wasn’t in so much pain, I’d fuck her again. Instead, I wrap my arm around her and shove my nose into her hair.

She lets out a quiet sigh as she relaxes.

The CBD oil helps, but when Leo wakes at two in the morning, my whole body is stiff.

It takes me a minute to roll over and get up.

I can’t even lean over to pick up his basket, so I brace myself against the wall and squat to reach him.

Once I lift it, I use the wall as a guide to reach the kitchen.

I grab a bottle out of the fridge Baylee prepared before bed, then cart Leo to his nursery, where I put the bottle in the warmer and then change his diaper.

“Hey, buddy. Are you hungry?”

His brows scrunch up. “Ba.” His face goes red, then he lets out a string of sounds.

I hold up his meal. “Can you say ‘bottle?’ ”

“Ba. Da. Bu. Ba.”

“Bro, I think you’re trying to say it. Good job, little man.”

Now that I’ve been on my feet, I’m not so wobbly, so I don’t have any trouble picking him up and carrying him to the rocker. I get him comfy in the nook of my arm, cover him with a blanket, and hold up the bottle.

As he drinks, he makes hungry sounds, and I smile.

“I feel like you’ve grown in the short time I’ve been home.

Tomorrow, we’ll get you in that bouncy seat and work on your vertical.

Not that you have to play football, but sports are really good for your coordination.

For building camaraderie. For teamwork. For escaping shitty fathers who scare the crap out of you. ”

I frown as I stare down at Leo’s innocent face.

Was that what I was trying to do by playing football? Escape? I know Gus blamed me for my mom leaving. I can’t imagine putting that kind of shit on a kid.

“Love you, bud. You’re a good son.” That’s something Gus never told me.

Not once. I aim to tell Leo every chance I get.

I smile at his adorable face. “Your mama adores you, and so do I.” I run a finger through his light hair and wonder if it will get dark like Baylee’s or if he’ll look like his father.

“You might not be a Walker by blood, but you got me and lots of Walker uncles who’ll be looking out for you as you get older. ”

I can’t shake the feeling that Leo should’ve been mine. That I screwed up so royally, I sent Baylee into the arms of another man.

With that lingering in the back of my mind, I finish feeding him, burp him, and rock him until he knocks out. Then I carry him back out to the living room and tuck him into his basket.

I hate that thing. I mean, he looks comfortable, but this kid deserves the best, and I hate that Baylee had to scrimp and save just to cover the basics .

When I get into bed, Baylee mumbles, “Is Leo up? Let me get his bottle.”

I pull her to me and kiss her forehead. “He’s all set. Go to sleep.” She curls up against my chest, and even though the pressure against my shoulder hurts, I can’t bring myself to move her. I love the feel of her too much. The warmth of her body and her soft hair and peachy scent.

That’s how I know she’s the one. Because the moment we’re done being intimate, I need her in my arms.

The next morning, I wake up still sore and stiff, but the throbbing has let up a little. I find Baylee scurrying around the living room, but there’s something weird about her gait.

“Babe.”

“Good morning.” Smiling, she leans down to kiss me. “Thank you for feeding Leo last night. That’s the best sleep I’ve gotten since he was born.”

My poor girl. “I got that late shift covered.” She gingerly sits next to me, and I frown. “Are you feeling okay?”

Her cheeks flush and she lets out a laugh. “Just a little sore, but I’ll be fine.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I should’ve been more gentle.” The woman just had a baby, asshole.

“I’m good. I swear.”

I reach up to tangle my fingers in her hair, tightening my jaw at the way my shoulder contracts. “I’ve got the PT appointment, so I can’t do lunch today. Why don’t you order food for you and the girls. My treat.”

She shakes her head. “You’ve done enough for me, but thank you.”

“Come on. There’s some money in my wallet.”

“Mav, it’s okay. Really.” Leaning down, she kisses me. “Good luck at your appointment. I’ll see you after work, okay?”

It bothers me that she doesn’t let me spoil her. We’ll have to work on that. The woman busts her ass for everyone in her life. I should be able to pamper her in return.

“If you give me two minutes, I can walk with you.” I hate the idea of her opening the shop by herself. Although she hasn’t had any more problems since her house was vandalized, I don’t want to take any chances. “Sorry, I didn’t hear your alarm.”

“You don’t need to do that anymore. Besides, Vera will be in early too.”

I haul my ass out of bed and bite back a hiss when my whole shoulder throbs. “Let me take a leak. By the time you strap Leo to your chest, I’ll be ready.”

She lets out a sigh. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re stubborn?”

I kiss her on the way to the bathroom. “I learned from the best.” Bay rolls her eyes but laughs.

After I use the bathroom and brush my teeth, I make it back to the living room in time to see her grab her keys. “See? I’m ready.” I grab Leo’s car seat and snap it into the stroller because she might need that later. Then I tuck his little lion rattle into the diaper bag.

“Come on then.”

I like our morning walks because it helps me work out my stiffness. Plus, I enjoy spending as much time with Baylee and Leo as I can. “Do you have time for some coffee? We could hop into Blackbird.”

She bites her bottom lip. “That’s okay.”

I laugh. “I know you want some. Come on.” I open the door to the cafe for her. “After you, peach.”

Her eyes light up, and I lean down to kiss her again.

“Well, isn’t this the picture of a perfect family?” Behind us, Caroline Green beams at us.

My chest swells with pride. We do make a good family, me, Bay, and Leo. I smile back at her. “Hey, Mrs. Green. How have you been?” I lean over to hug her.

Behind Mrs. Green, Nicole Ashbury’s mom, Lorraine, sniffs. “Do I get a hug too, young man? To think you’ve been in town how long and you haven’t dropped by my shop to say hello. You should stop by for dinner. Judd and I would love to catch up.”

I chuckle. “Hi, Mrs. Ashbury.” I open my good arm to her too and she squeezes me.

When I turn back to Baylee, her smile is stiff. “You know what? I don’t think I have any time before my next appointment. I’d better go.”

“Wait, Bay. Let me walk?—”

“I’m good. There’s Vera now.” She leans up to kiss me, grabs the stroller, and turns back to her salon. I start to go after her, but two more people block me off, the ancient librarian and her husband.

Mrs. Green squeezes my wrist. “Now, when are you going to stop into the Longhorn for some lunch, dear? I want to hear all about your first season. Where are you staying now? At the ranch?”

“No, ma’am. I bought a condo nearby.” I stand on the sidewalk for the next hour talking to locals and signing autographs. Maybe we need to skip Blackbird next time.

On my way home, I duck into the salon, but Bay’s busy with a customer.

I glance around the shop. Everything looks as it should.

Vera waves at me, and the quiet one, Rory, looks like I spooked her, and she runs off into the back room.

She’s an odd one. Another stylist comes around the back, chatting with a customer.

I guess I can go. Maybe walking Baylee and Leo to work is unnecessary.

Maybe I’m just being paranoid, but I don’t wanna fuck around with their safety.

I stop by Bay’s station. “Don’t want to interrupt. Just wanted to make sure everything’s okay.” Bay nods, and I hand her a long-overdue coffee and a blueberry muffin.

She gives me a sweet smile and sniffs the lid. “Thanks. I was regretting not getting a cup.” When she peeks into the paper sack, her smile grows. “How did you know I wanted a muffin?”

I lean in close to whisper, “It’s my special power. Along with giving you orgasms.”

Her cheeks flame, and I chuckle as I lean over to kiss her. “Have a great day, babe.”

As I walk down the street, my thoughts stray to last night. To finally connecting with Baylee like that. I don’t have words for how hot it was. I’ve never felt like my soul was connecting to the other person during sex. It was intense.

I might not have been ready for Baylee in high school, but I sure as fuck am now.

I’m in a great mood as I replay everything we did. Despite all the aches in my body, I’m walking on cloud nine—until I realize I still have no idea how to work out our logistical problem.

After I get back to my condo, I take a quick shower. I’ve just finished getting dressed when Beau arrives to drive me to Austin. When we get to the city, he side-eyes me. “You’re quiet.”

“Just thinking.”

“About Baylee?”

“Yeah.” I stare out the window and wonder how I’m going to work this out. The woman wants to stay in Wild Heart, and I can’t blame her. Her whole life is here. I can’t expect her to drop everything for my career. That’s not fair.

“Did she like the nursery?”

“Yeah.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“Why do you think there’s a problem?” I rub the scruff on my chin .

He chuckles. “Whenever you have Baylee problems, you get pensive.”

“Just worried how we’re going to work everything out.” Shifting in my seat, I suck in a breath when my shoulder seizes up.

“You in pain still?”

“Might’ve overdone it yesterday.”

“Too much swimming?”

“Something like that.” No way in hell I’m sharing what I did with Baylee.

That gets me another side-eye, but he doesn’t say anything the rest of the drive. When we get to my therapist’s office, he stays in the car. “Gonna grab some coffee. Meet me down here when you’re done.”

“Yeah. See you in a bit.”

He leans toward the passenger window and calls my name. “Good luck, bro.”

“Thanks.” The serious expression on Beau’s face makes me nervous. I know he and my brothers saw me all laid up in December, but I’m better now. Even if I am out of sorts today.

By the time I’m in the therapist’s office, I’m anxious as hell.

A middle-aged dude with salt and pepper hair comes in with a clipboard and introduces himself. “I’m Reginald.” We shake and then he taps his clipboard. “Was just reading the notes from your doctor in New York. We expedited them.”

“Great.” But judging by his expression, the news isn’t what I want to hear.

He sits on a stool and turns to me. “You know your physician doesn’t think you should return to football, right?”

“I’m aware, but my second opinion told me I had a shot. I have to return to New York at the end of the month. If I’m healed well enough, I can continue with rehab. I can get you his contact info before I leave. ”

“Okay, let’s take a look. You’ve been stretching and icing this daily?”

“Honestly, I haven’t been great about that, but I’m getting more consistent. At first, I was kinda depressed. You know, watching your life circle the drain does that to a person.”

He nods as he jots down notes. “I can imagine, but you’re walking and swimming. That’s great news. How’s the pain level?”

“Today, it’s been rough. Think I overdid it yesterday.”

“What activities did you do?”

“Swimming and sex.”

Squinting at me, he taps his clipboard again. “You might need to hold off on the fun stuff for a while. I’m surprised your doctor gave you the go-ahead for sex.”

I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah, about that. Technically, I didn’t ask.”

“I get it, Maverick, but if you want to take your rehab seriously, you have to be methodical about how you increase your physical activity.”

We go through a series of stretches and mild exercises. He spends the next half hour poking and prodding, making me turn this way and that. Testing my flexibility and strength.

Then he sits me down to lay out some rules.

Something tells me I’m not gonna like what he has to say.