Page 6 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

BAYLEE

The older woman grins at herself in the mirror. “I feel like a new woman.”

“Then I’ve done my job. You look beautiful, Miss Thelma.”

“I love these bangs.” Turning to me, she tries to hand me a ten-dollar bill, and I shake my head.

“You know the rules.”

Her eyes get glassy. “Rosie said you were special. I don’t know how to thank you.”

I hug her. “Your smile is thanks enough.” It breaks my heart that some of the women at the nursing home don’t have family who visit them, so I try to make our time together feel like they’re visiting an old friend.

She pats my hand. “I’m going to make you a big batch of cookies next time.”

“I’ll never turn down baked goods. Good luck with bingo this week.”

“Thank you, Baylee. I hope I can win the all-you-can-eat coupon to that new steakhouse.”

“Fingers crossed. ”

After I see her out, I sigh with relief because I’m exhausted. This baby is sucking up every last ounce of my energy.

Vera’s phone rings. “Hey, Sylvia. How’s it going?

” She gives me a worried look, and I shake my head.

I definitely don’t want to tell my mom about the rent yet.

I’m doing my best to hold down the fort, but some company bought this entire block, and all of the retail rents have gone up again.

The Wild Heart market is booming right now.

“Tell Mom I’ll call her back,” I whisper to Vera, who nods.

I’m not ready to tell my mother I can’t pay the rent on our house because I used everything to pay the rent for our salon.

When Vera gets off the phone, she hands me a ginger ale. “Here. You look like you’re going to lose your lunch.”

I don’t tell her it’s too late for that. I thought nausea was supposed to stop after the first trimester? Paige just hurled a few times when she was pregnant with Ella. I’ve puked almost daily for months.

After I pop it open and take a sip, I sigh. “Thanks for not telling her about our rent increase. I need time to figure this out.” I can’t afford our house and the salon. Something has to give.

“Is she still upset about the baby?”

Mom didn’t take the news well. “She’s mostly bummed she can’t be here to help me.” And, yes, pissed that Sean broke up with me.

I was right not to give him a second chance. He accidentally sent me a text he meant to send to Giselle, and let’s just say they’re definitely fucking again. Which means he didn’t mean any of his caterwauling about wanting to get back together with me.

As Vera wipes down her station, she glances up at me. “Has Amara gotten a job yet? ”

My sister’s divorce just got finalized, so she and her three kids are crashing at my house. “She says she’s applied to some positions, but you know how busy the kids keep her. I can’t blame her for putting her focus on them.”

“Can I give you some tough love?” Vera asks. After I nod, she squeezes my shoulder. “Tell Sylvia. She’d want to know so you don’t carry this burden by yourself. Maybe she can help with rent.”

“She’s spending everything on my grandfather right now. She doesn’t have money lying around.”

I feel like I’m blowing it. My mom left the salon in my hands, and no matter how many clients we book, I’m still not making ends meet. What am I going to do when Leo arrives? Shove him in a drawer next to my socks? I can’t even afford a crib.

My phone buzzes on the counter, and Maverick’s name flashes.

Shit. Someone probably told him my news.

I’m so tempted to let him go to voice mail, but it’s time I bite the bullet. Ugh, and it’s a video chat. I don’t have to glance in the mirror to know I look run-down. Whatever.

I swipe to answer and Maverick’s rugged face fills my screen. His soulful eyes peer at me through his shaggy hair and scruff lines his jaw. Damn, he’s a handsome bastard. “Mav. Hey. Hold on a sec.” I turn to Vera. “Can you watch the salon for a few minutes? I need to take this.”

“Sure, honey. Take your time.”

“Thanks.” I tuck a shawl around my shoulders and head outside. It’s dark, but downtown Wild Heart is lit up with twinkle lights. “Hey, football star. Long time no talk.” I head toward the park bench around the corner.

“Baylee.”

That’s all he says. My name. “Everything okay? ”

“Yup.”

After a beat of silence, I tilt the phone away briefly to roll my eyes. He called me, and he’s the one spouting one-word responses? Even if Maverick’s annoyed I didn’t tell him I’m pregnant, can’t he try harder to find some damn words? “How’s New York?”

“Hectic.”

Before I bite his head off, I take a deep breath and remind myself it’s not his fault I iced him out over the last several months.

At that thought, my irritation melts away, and now I’m just sad. We used to talk for hours on the phone, and now we can’t have a simple conversation. I study his handsome face. He looks tired. “Do you like where you live?” I sit on the bench and snuggle into my shawl.

He shrugs. “It’s fine. I’m sharing a place with three other guys to save money.”

The man was a first-round draft pick, but we grew up broke, so I understand the urge to save. “You killed it last weekend. That catch in the third was amazing. Don’t internalize the loss. That’s on your quarterback, who needs a good pair of glasses.”

His brows lift. “You watched?”

“When have I ever missed a game?”

He frowns. “I didn’t know you still caught them.”

Why is this so awkward? “Of course I watch your games, Maverick. I’m still your number one fan, and I’m so proud of you.

You should see the Field House.” That’s our local sports bar.

“They have a whole wall dedicated to you. Not only your high school and college jerseys, but they just pinned up your Viper jersey too. You have to know that’s meaningful, since these are diehard Texans who are sucking up their Lone Star pride to put up New York memorabilia. ”

“That’s cool.” He rubs his hand over his scruffy jaw. “Enough about me. I’m curious how you’ve been.”

He knows. “I’m assuming you’ve heard my news. Sorry I didn’t tell you myself, but it’s been so long since we talked, and it felt awkward.”

“I texted you last week.”

He sounds hurt, which surprises me. “I’m not sharing this with anyone over text.”

“When, uh, when are you due?”

“The end of December.”

He swallows. “Congrats, Baylee. I’m sure Sean is over the moon about having a family with you.”

I look away. “Over the moon is not how I would describe it.”

“What do you mean?”

This is why I’ve been avoiding this conversation. Because this whole situation is embarrassing. “We broke up a few months ago, and I suppose, if you want to be technical about it, he broke up with me. He gave me this song and dance about still being in love with his ex.”

“What the fuck? Are you serious?”

“And when I told him I was pregnant, he started to backtrack on the breakup, saying that maybe we could work this out, but he’s already sleeping with his ex, so…” I shrug because what else is there to say?

“Damn, Bay. I’m so sorry.”

“The worst part is now he wants partial custody of my son, but shows zero interest in what’s going on with my pregnancy.

” I offered to let him come to doctor appointments, but Giselle threw a fit, and Sean decided he’d rather make his girlfriend happy.

That’s all I need to know about where his loyalties lie.

“You’re having a boy?” Mav’s whole face lights up.

“Yeah.” I smile as I rub my big belly. “And he’s a kicker.”

He motions to me. “Can I see the baby bump? ”

“Prepare yourself. I’m swollen everywhere.” I hold the camera away and pull back my shawl so he can see the rest of me.

“Hey, baby Reyes. Look at you, big guy.”

My throat tightens at the sweet tone in his voice.

Maverick’s going to be a great father someday.

He’s wonderful with Rhett’s kids. “So yeah, surprise! I got knocked up. Really looking forward to being a single mom.” I don’t know why I just spewed out those words. Some things are better left unsaid.

His eyes go soft. “Bay, I’m so sorry. Do you need anything? Rhett said you’re having a baby shower soon. Send me the link to your registry. I’ll get you whatever you want.”

I can’t stop the tears this time. “Don’t be nice to me, Walker. I’m thirty weeks pregnant and everything makes me emotional.” So far, Sean has sent me a coupon book for restaurants. That’s how he “supports” me. Irritated with myself for the water leaking from my eyes, I swipe my arm across my face.

“You’ve always been a firecracker. Now you just have a soft middle.” The smile Mav sends me makes my insides warm and gooey.

“Shut up about my soft middle. I hate how much soft I have right now.” I sniff. “And thank you, but you don’t need to spend your money on me. I’ll be okay.”

“Don’t do that tough girl act. I know we haven’t connected in a while, but you’re important to me, Baylee.

” Ugh, he can be so sweet. I hate it. “Listen, I need to go in a sec, but I wanted to invite you to come to one of my games in early December. I’m flying the whole fam up here to do an early holiday dinner, and you’re… well, you’re my family.”

A thick knot forms in my throat.

Hanging out with him is the very last thing I want to do while I’m emotional and vulnerable. Plus, I can’t afford to cancel any hair appointments. “Thank you for thinking of me, but I don’t think I should fly when I’m that pregnant.”

He nods slowly. “What if I bumped up the date? Maybe snagged a game next month instead. Would that work better for you?”

The old me would’ve jumped at the chance to see Maverick play in the NFL. The new me knows better than to get invested again. “I have a lot going on at the salon right now. My mom’s in Amarillo, taking care of my grandfather, so I’m managing the salon.”

“Gotcha. Well, maybe next time.”

“Yeah. Maybe.” I shouldn’t bring this up, but I love giving him shit. “Great job going viral last week.”

His expression goes flat. “Shut up.”

“How does it feel to be the hottest rookie in the NFL?” I ask with a smirk.

Shaking his head, he rolls his eyes. “I knew you weren’t gonna let me live that down.”

I tap my bottom lip. “It must be your long luscious locks.” He’s looking pretty shaggy right now with hair hanging in his eyes. “Maybe I should let everyone know that you used to pick your nose in first grade and rub your boogies on the back of my chair.”

He busts out laughing. “I hate you.”

We smile at each other, and for just a moment, it feels like old times. A small ache starts in my chest. I’m about to ask if he’s still dating Kira when a door slams and he glances away.

“I’m on a video call,” he says to someone off screen. “What are you doing? I’m in the middle of something.”

There’s a female giggle, and a second later, a lacy bra hits him across the face.

And this is why no one should ever fall in love with this man. I should be used to it by now, but there’s still a streak of jealousy zipping through me, which I attribute to pregnancy hormones. “Looks like you’re busy. I’m going to let you go. It’s been nice catching up.”

“Baylee, wait?—”

I disconnect the video.

This was the reminder I needed.

Because Maverick Walker will never change.