Page 5 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

MAVERICK

FOUR MONTHS LATER

OCTOBER

“Want to watch Vikings with me later after I study the game?” I ask Kira as I pull out my phone.

She rolls her eyes. “That show’s boring. They’re always killing each other, and everyone looks dirty, like they never bathe.”

I chuckle. “It’s a great show.”

“I don’t want to watch it again.” She crosses her arms as she glares at me. “I thought we were going out for dinner.”

Not this again. At least my roommates aren’t here to witness my girlfriend throw a tantrum. “I told you I need to talk to my brother.” I point to the kitchen counter where there’s a stack of restaurant menus. “Order something for delivery.”

She lets out a huff of annoyance. “You just talked to Rhett.”

“Seven days ago.”

“Which is, like, just the other day. Never mind. I’ll go by myself.” She tosses her blonde hair over her shoulder, grabs her purse, and waltzes out of my apartment, slamming the door behind her .

“That works for me,” I tell my blessedly empty living room. Talking to my brothers helps me feel grounded. I don’t think I need to justify that to anyone.

Being in New York has been tougher than I thought it would be. I always assumed I’d love living in a cosmopolitan city, but I kinda miss the small-town vibe of Wild Heart, where I grew up, and Charming, where I went to college.

I don’t expect Kira to understand. She loves New York.

She and I started seeing each other last year.

She was always showing up at my events, and we’d talk from time to time.

Then she invited herself to Rhett’s wedding.

I didn’t want to be rude, so I let her tag along.

One thing turned into another, and I guess we started dating a few weeks later.

She’s hot. The sex is decent. And she usually isn’t up in my shit.

But I wouldn’t say we’re serious. In fact, I told her I wanted to break up when I got drafted to the Vipers, but since she got a fashion internship here, we ended up picking up where we left off.

Except I think we’ve run our course.

Bootsy, one of my roommates, texts. Hitting the clubs tonight. Wanna come?

I’m surprised he’s inviting me. We rarely hang out. I should go to build camaraderie, but I’d rather focus on figuring out what the fuck is going wrong on the field. Thanks, man. Gonna stay home and watch our Chicago game. And then I’ll cheer myself up with some bloodthirsty Vikings.

He sends me a string of vomit emojis.

He’s not wrong. Last weekend was a shit show. There’s nothing quite like getting booed by a stadium of pissed-off New Yorkers.

Annoyed, I run my hand through my hair.

No one ever tells you that you can get your dream job and still not know what the hell you’re doing.

My brother picks up the video call on the second ring. “Hey, Mav,” he says with a grin.

Rhett smiles a lot more these days. Thank God he ditched his ex-wife Amber.

That woman was a snake. Paige is good for him.

She’s sweet and loving, but she also calls Rhett on his shit.

She’s just nice about it. I’ve never seen Rhett so whipped before.

They might’ve started out as a business arrangement, but then he went and fell in love. I’m happy for them.

Growing up, I didn’t think it was possible for any of the men in my family to have a healthy relationship with a woman.

I set my iPad on the coffee table. “How’s my favorite niece doing?” Ella’s my only niece, but she stole my heart the minute she squeezed my finger.

Paige sits next to Rhett and holds up Ella, who’s almost five months old. “She’s doing great. Tell Uncle Mav hi, Ella.”

I smile at the screen. “Hi, baby girl. She’s getting big.”

My nephews Gabriel and Austin pile on their dad, and he laughs. Austin shouts, “But I’m bigger!”

“You are, dude. Show me the muscles,” I say. He pulls back his t-shirt to make a muscle. “Look at those big guns. What are y’all gonna be for Halloween?” I’m sure Paige has costumes ready for my brother’s little terrors since it’s a few weeks away.

They both scream, “Pirates!”

“Argh!” I squint outta one eye, and they giggle.

Gabe and Austin run off, and Paige waves bye, and then it’s just me and my big brother.

The older I get, the more I appreciate how much Rhett stepped up for me when I was a kid. My father was an abusive asshole. When he died my junior year of college, I felt nothing but relief. But I now realize his bullshit brought me and my brothers closer, so I guess I can thank him for that.

Rhett leans forward. “How was training this week? Is your calf still sore? Are you getting enough rest?” That’s my big brother. He never beats around the bush.

“A little sore, but I should be good to go for our next game. Yes, I’m getting enough rest.”

He shakes his head. “Sure am proud of you, Mav. You’ve accomplished everything you set out to do.”

I squint at the screen. “Did you catch last weekend’s game? We got our asses kicked.”

“It was just an off day. Chicago has more seasoned players. Give it time.”

That’s just it. I don’t feel like I have time. Coach Heller has been known to trade rookies after their first year. “I miss Coach Santos. He was tough, but he had this Jedi vibe that got everyone on the same page. Here, I feel like we’re all hired mercenaries.”

Rhett nods slowly. “You knew the NFL was more intense than college. Don’t let that throw you off. Keep to your routine. Things will settle down.”

A car honks on the street, and my nerves wind tighter.

New York is a beautiful city, but it’s loud.

The traffic never stops. People are always on the move.

I sleep with ear plugs, and I can still fucking hear the traffic below.

“I never thought I’d say this, but I miss how quiet it is on the ranch.

” I’d take our cattle and sheep over New York taxis any day.

In the background, the boys shriek, and my brother laughs. “Ain’t so quiet right now.” That kind of noise never bothered me. Rhett turns his attention back to me. “You eating right? Taking your vitamins? Drinking enough water?”

“Yes, Mom.” I don’t mention I was almost mugged two days ago. He’ll just worry .

“Smartass.”

I give my big bro shit, but he was more of a parent to me than my mother or piece-of-shit father. “Can I ask you something?” I scratch the back of my head. “Do you think I’m emotionally unavailable?”

His brows lift. “Is that something Kira told you?”

“Yeah, but she’s not the first girl to complain about this.” I can’t help it if I don’t want to snuggle after sex. I can barely stand her sleeping in the same bed with me. Pillow talk isn’t my thing. And the harder Kira tries, the more suffocated I feel.

“What do you think? Do you open up to her?”

I shrug. “She and I aren’t like that. I don’t have deep conversations with her. I told her early on that wasn’t what I wanted, but she’s been angling for something more serious lately.”

“And you’re not interested.”

“No.” And definitely not with Kira. The truth is I don’t think I’m wired that way.

“You can’t force yourself to feel something with a woman. When the right girl comes your way, she’ll kick your ass in the best way, and you won’t complain.”

I chuckle and shake my head. “Listen to you.”

“Babe!” Paige shouts. “Dinner’s on in ten.”

“Thanks, darlin’,” he says with a dopey smile on his face as he looks off camera.

“You are so spoiled.” I shake my head.

He smirks. “Guilty as charged.”

For a brief moment, I wonder what it would be like to have a wife and kids.

And then I drag my ass back to reality.

I’m sure my unnamed wife would love my demanding NFL schedule and all the days I’m criss-crossing the country for games. Kira bitches about it nonstop. Some of my teammates juggle families, but the rest are divorced or plan to stay bachelors. And half of the married dudes cheat.

Suddenly, a snow-white chicken with a big fluff of feathers on its head hops on Rhett’s lap. He pets it gently. “Hi, sweetheart. How’d you get in the house?”

Paige has my brother talking to chickens now. It’s kind of disgusting how cute they are. “Is that one of Paige’s silkies?”

“Yup. Not much of an egg-laying breed. Mostly a pet. When she’s happy, she purrs.”

I almost ask if he’s talking about Paige or the chicken, but I decide I don’t want to know.

“I’m gonna let you commune with your little clucker, but I have a few things I need to ask you.

I’ve been saving all my money like you said I should.

Except our team’s financial strategist suggested that I invest in some property. ”

“And you wanna buy something in New York?”

“I was thinking maybe a property in your neck of the woods. Something I could rent out.” One of my teammates has a dozen rentals, and he said that financial stability helps him not worry so much about his future in the NFL.

Surprise lines my brother’s face, probably ’cause he knows how much I’ve wanted to live in a big city. “No shit.”

“The prices in New York are too high. Investing here feels like a gamble, especially since I don’t know the area well.” Not to mention that Coach might trade my ass if we don’t rack up some wins soon. “I’m guessing the appreciation in Wild Heart would be bigger.”

He nods slowly. “That sounds smart, bro. As long as you keep something for emergencies.”

“Are you guys doing okay financially?” We almost lost the ranch last year.

“Yeah, much better now.”

“Great. I sent you a check. I figure we’re long overdue for some new equipment.” Everything on our ranch is rusted, and that could be dangerous.

Rhett frowns. “I don’t want your money. You worked your ass off to get where you are now. Save it.”

“Consider it an investment. I want to be a partner in more than name only. Plus, I might need a place to crash when the season is over.” We get a few months before we have to attend daily training sessions in the spring, and I’m starting to think I need to get back to my roots.

“You’re welcome anytime if you don’t mind bunking with Jace.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it. Think you could look into some properties for me? Maybe something I could rent to tourists downtown?” Having money is a new feeling for me. I’ve always been that broke-ass kid who wore hand-me-downs.

“Sure. I’ll look into that on Monday.”

“One more question. If I get you a flight out here, think you’d have time to come to a game?”

Rhett blinks. “Did you just invite me to an NFL game in New York City?”

I chuckle. “Yeah. I can get you some December tickets for an early Christmas gift. Fair warning, it’ll be cold, but the team has a VIP box for family.” I only pray we don’t suck that day.

The excitement in his eyes is unmistakable, but then he shakes his head. “I don’t know if I can leave Paige while Ella’s so young. And you know the boys are a lot to handle. I don’t think I can take a big trip right now.”

“Do you really think I’d invite you and not Paige?” Next to Baylee, Paige is one of my oldest friends. “I meant all five of you. Plus Beau and Jace, if Beau can get time off from the fire station and Jace doesn’t have a gig.”

He looks toward the kitchen. “Wildflower, wanna go to an NFL game in New York? ”

“Heck yes!” she squeals off camera.

“Mav says we can bring the kids.”

“Maverick, have I told you that you’re my favorite brother-in-law?” Paige yells back.

I laugh. “Love you too, sister.”

Rhett’s all smiles. “Text me the date so I can get everyone coordinated.” But then he pauses. “You sure this won’t be too expensive?”

“I’ve been a hermit all season. All I do is train and play football.

I’ve been fiscally responsible.” Except for a few designer handbags Kira wanted and a shitload of takeout.

“The flight might be a little pricey, but I’m getting a deal on an Airbnb since one of the guys has a huge place he loans out to fellow players.

If it makes you feel better, consider this a Christmas present from me, since I can’t go home in December.

I was kinda thinking we could do a holiday dinner even though it’ll be early. ”

Rhett looks a little choked up, which is a rare thing. “I think everyone would love that, brother.”

“Listen, um…” I scratch the back of my head. “Do you think Baylee could get away from the salon for a few days? I’d love to get her a ticket.” It’s been too long since she and I have hung out. We’re due for a weekend of old eighties movies and junk food.

Rhett freezes. “Baylee might not be able to make it. Have you talked to her lately?”

It pains me to admit we’re not close anymore.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed she couldn’t make my going-away party last summer.

“We text sometimes, but it’s been sporadic.

” It’s mostly been me sending her stupid memes for the last year.

Ever since she started dating that douchebag Sean.

My brother blows out a breath. “This isn’t my secret to tell, but since we’re hosting her shower in a few weeks…”

Fuck. Baylee’s getting married, isn’t she? And she didn’t tell me .

My heart falls. She’s been distant, but I hoped she’d just been busy.

I swallow past the giant boulder in my throat. “When… when’s the date?” I should be happy for her.

Then why do I feel like someone just dropkicked me?

This is what Baylee’s always wanted. She’ll get the house and husband and kids she can love up on. Sean’s a lucky motherfucker. Baylee’s the most incredible woman I know.

Rhett gives me a sympathetic smile. “This winter sometime. One sec.” He looks toward the kitchen again. “Paige, when’s Baylee’s baby due?”

My eyes widen. “She’s pregnant?”