Page 49 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

MAVERICK

“How does it feel to win the trophy again, boys? And some shiny new buckles?” Rhett asks as we load up our horses onto the trailer.

“Beating the McAllisters is the best feeling in the world,” Beau says with a grin.

I check the side of the trailer where some woman is trying to rip Jace’s shirt off. “Jace!” I yell. “Let’s go.”

I’m a muddy, filthy mess. It’s raining. I’m wet and cold, but this is the most fun I’ve had in ages. Except it’s getting late. Guilt spears through me that I’m here and not home with Baylee on my last day in Wild Heart.

After Rhett locks the trailer, he turns to me. “What time is your flight tomorrow? Need a ride?”

“It’s early. And I’m taking an Uber, but thanks.”

Rhett crosses his arms. “You and Baylee have things figured out?”

“Not by a long shot.”

He sighs like he’s disappointed. “I love you, Maverick, but damn. Come on, bro. ”

I shove my hands through my hair. “We’ll figure it out. You don’t have to worry about me.”

He lowers his voice. “It’s not you I’m worried about.”

Frustration makes me bristle. “I’ve done everything I can to set Baylee up while I’m gone.

She has a place to live, a nice nursery, food in the fridge.

I’ve helped her with some bills so she’s not drowning anymore.

I set up her security system and contacted a top-of-the-line security company to make sure her salon is locked down.

And it’s not like I’m going to Mars. I’ll be back. Maybe sooner than later.”

“All right. You’re old enough to make your own decisions. I’ll butt out. Just know we’re here for you. And no matter what happens, we’re proud as hell of you. If you can’t play football anymore, it doesn’t change a damn thing. Let me know if you need anything.”

I nod and hug my big brother. Hell, I’m gonna miss him. Rhett’s a hardass, but I love him. He’s the rock of our family.

When I’m done, Beau scruffs my hair, and Jace bats his eyelashes at me. “Come back soon, baby bro.”

“Shut up.” Laughing, I shove him.

I hitch a ride back to my condo with Chet Dickson, who talks nonstop about our high school football days.

When he steps off the elevator on his floor, and I’m finally alone, my mind races with all the shit I need to do tonight.

Fuck, I still need to pack, so I can’t hang out with Baylee.

Maybe Rhett was right to be irritated. I’m irritated with myself.

I guess I’m not handling this well.

When I unlock the condo, all the lights are out except the small lamp in the living room.

It’s only eight thirty, but Baylee’s asleep on the couch.

Damn, this sucks. But after working all week and spending the whole day at the rodeo, she must be exhausted.

Maybe we should’ve spent today here after all.

At her side is Leo, all tucked away in his basket .

We’re back to that damn basket.

Unease crawls down my spine. Why didn’t she put him down in the nursery? He’s been sleeping there for the last several nights.

I head to the master bedroom. I’m filthy, so I take a quick shower.

After I throw on some jeans, I quietly go around the condo and gather my shit.

I drag everything back to the bedroom and toss it in my suitcase.

In the bathroom, I stare at all of Baylee’s beauty supplies on the counter.

At her hair ties and brushes. At her shampoo and conditioner in the shower.

I grab her shower gel and bring it to my nose. Peaches. Fuck, I’m gonna miss her.

I find myself in the doorway of the nursery staring at all of Leo’s little things. His stuffed animals. His toys. His baby blankets. The vertical jumper I still haven’t tried with him. The rocker I was hoping to use when I read to him.

But I haven’t read those books to him yet. They’re neatly stacked on his bookshelf.

So much will happen with Leo while I’m gone. He’ll get teeth. He’ll start crawling. Hell, he might start walking before I get back home.

A heaviness I wasn’t prepared for weighs on my heart.

When I step into the kitchen, I find Baylee’s half-eaten PB&J, and I shake my head. I bought a refrigerator full of food yesterday, and she’s eating this crap again.

“Hey,” she says softly as she walks up to me.

“I’m sorry, babe. Did I wake you?” I turn around and am caught off guard by her red-rimmed eyes. “What’s going on?”

She blinks several times. “Just sad.”

“I know. I am too. Come here.” Hugging her, I kiss the top of her head. “It’ll be okay. We’ll talk all the time. I promise I’ll call.”

She goes stiff. Then steps back. “You know, I’ve heard that before. ”

I frown. “Heard what?”

“My dad used to say that. To me and my sister. To my mom. Before he left for road trips, he’d always say he’d call.” Her eyes go glassy. “Except he never did.”

“Baby, I promise things will be different.”

“You can’t promise that.” Her jaw clenches. “I heard that conversation with your coach. He thinks I’m a distraction. I probably am. Me and Leo.” She stares at the floor. “I don’t want to be your distraction.”

“You’re not. Look, I’m going to do everything I can to help you feel secure in our relationship.”

Her stare goes icy. “Like have good boundaries with other women.”

“Yes,” I say slowly, feeling like I’m walking into a trap.

“You mean like you did with Nicole? She and I had an interesting conversation today.”

Jesus. That woman is a pain in my ass. I wish I’d never gone out with her. “What did she say?”

“That you two have had some great chats at the high school.”

“I was gonna tell you about her working there, but I didn’t want to upset you when I was about to leave.”

“That’s just it, Maverick. If you can’t be transparent and honest about shit that happens here when we’re living together, what makes you think you’ll be open and up front about things that happen in New York?”

Fuck. This isn’t going well. I shove my hands through my hair. “Baylee, I need you to cut me some slack. I’m doing my best here.”

She sniffles. “I know myself, and I’ll go crazy at home, wondering about the worst-case scenarios.

Worrying every time I stumble across photos of you with your female fans.

I’ll doubt myself every time you say you’ll call but don’t.

I’ll question my worth when you can’t visit like you say you will. And that’s no way to live.”

“Why would you question your worth?”

She closes her eyes. “Do you have any idea what it’s like to live in a town where there are constant reminders that you never picked me until it was convenient?”

“What does that mean?”

Her eyes go glassy again. “I’m your safe space, Maverick.

I’m who you come to when you’re in trouble or hurting.

It’s no surprise that we finally get together when you’re not sure if you’re going to return to the NFL.

You don’t pick me when you’re the big tight end in high school.

You don’t pick me when you’re the star football player at Lone Star State.

You don’t pick me until you’re hiding out in your condo, wondering if your career is over. ”

Her words strike like punches to the gut. “Is that really how you feel?” When she doesn’t respond, I curse under my breath.

Her voice drops down to a whisper. “I think we should break up.”

“What?” My head jerks back so fast, it sends a jolt of pain down my arm. “I thought you said we could see how things go.”

“You need to focus on football, and I need to focus on my son.”

“Don’t do this, Baylee. Trust me to be faithful. Trust me to love you enough to come back to you.”

She takes a step closer. Then leans up to grab my face. “I’ve always loved you, Mav. Since we were kids. Long before I kissed you in high school.”

What?

Confused, I stare down at her.

She gives me a watery smile. “And I’ll probably always love you, but I know myself well enough to say I can’t do long distance.

So I won’t torture both of us with my insecurities.

I’d rather cheer for you from afar and love you as my dearest friend than make myself insane worrying that I’m not enough to bring you home.

I’d rather you put yourself first and go for your dream.

You should shoot your shot. You’ve worked too hard to give the NFL a backseat to me. ”

I stand here, numb, while she leans up to kiss me.

“Mav, you have to figure out what you want to do without me in your ear. Without my reservations or concerns. I know you said you might only play a year or two, but I can’t handle the guilt of you cutting your career short because you need to rush back to me. ”

There’s a soul-crushing pain in my chest. “How can you say you love me while you break up with me?”

One tear tracks down her cheek. “Because I love you enough to let you go.”