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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Rumor has it she beat him with a bat.

Ainsley

“ I ’m not calling you Murphy.”

I jump up from the table, eyeing the smile on Luke’s face.

“I’m serious, Boss! I almost gave the man a heart attack.

They legit had to stop his heart so he wouldn’t die right there in front of me.

” I’ve been arguing with Boss that my mother should have named me Murphy since I literally define Murphy’s law.

“Tachycardia doesn’t develop from annoyance,” Boss adds all seriously. Which, he really isn’t ever silly, so what did I expect? “It was probably stress or an underlying condition.”

I shrug and sit back down, needing some coffee after waking up in bed with Maverick.

Who, by the way, looked absolutely delectable all curled up with the three inches of sheet I shared with him.

All the hard lines and angles looked softer in the morning light.

It was as if he was at peace for once in his tense life.

“Maybe,” I agree. “He did mention something along those lines, but you have to admit, I have the worst luck with roommates lately.”

I say lately, but I’ve only ever had two roommates. One is a boyfriend-stealing, wannabe social influencer, and the other is a crabby, water drinking nerd who likes to scare the shit out of me on weekdays.

My chest clenches with the thought of moving out and away from Maverick. I really do like living with the scrooge. He shares most of his stuff with me—even the things he doesn’t know about—and he tucks in stuffed sea lions even when the owner of said sea lion is an asshole to him.

I felt so damn guilty when I crept back into the living room and saw Lawrence resting in my spot under a soft blanket, all I could think after that was what if he dies in this room? What if I lie here all night and my only friend’s heart stops, and I’m not there to help him?

I couldn’t let the last thing I said to him be nasty.

So I checked on him a few times.

And what do you know? His bed was way comfier than the sofa.

Sleeping hugged up next to Maverick was the best sleep I’ve had in months. Not to mention his arms are crazy strong, and his body puts out a massive amount of body heat.

“I bet it’s stress-related.”

My gaze snaps to Luke.

“My heart does crazy shit too when I get all pent-up,” he adds with a stupid smile on his face.

I start to laugh, but then Boss makes a low noise, and Luke’s chair moves back violently from the table as if someone kicked it.

“I’m serious.” He laughs, aiming his words at me and not Boss, who is still glaring holes in the guy. “Men’s bodies aren’t equipped to handle such stress. Didn’t you say he works a lot?”

“You think it’s blue balls causing all of this?” I’ve never thought of blue balls causing such physical reactions. I thought it was just a mental irritation.

“No,” Boss barks, startling me for a moment. “Luke is just messing with you.”

I narrow my eyes at Luke and sigh. “Is there anything I can do to help his condition, you think? Other than moving out?”

Boss watches me closely. “Did he ask you to stay?”

A short burst of a laugh barrels out of me. “No, but I’d like not to shorten his lifespan if I can help it. He’s been a pretty decent friend.”

Yeah, I said friend. Maverick wasn’t here to stop me .

“Just be yourself, kid,” is all Boss recommends, which is completely unhelpful.

Good thing I’m a problem solver.

When I get back home, the door is unlocked, and Maverick is awake, sitting on the sofa with Lawrence tucked away in the opposite corner. “You’re up,” I say lightly. “Feeling better?”

I head straight for the refrigerator. Kyle’s omelets were not great this morning, and I need to wash the taste out of my mouth with something other than his equally bad coffee.

“Tell me something,” he says as I root through more fresh produce than one college student should have. “Did you really pay $20.99 for this shit?” His tone borders on amused and horrified, and that causes me to snap up so fast that I bang my head on the top of the fridge.

Oh no.

Oh no.

“Where did you get that book?”

How did I not notice he had my book in his hand? You know the one I bought yesterday after my mom gave me that horrific lecture about knowing how to please yourself before expecting a man to know. How did I not remember to hide it? Oh, that’s right, because he was dying!

“Well,” he drawls, a stupid grin on his face. “I was looking for my laptop?—”

Eww. Yeah, I hid that before I left. He needed to rest, that’s what the doctor told him. I knew he wouldn’t do it, so I took matters into my own hands and helped.

“And found this.” His eyes dance with curiosity. “Do you read these types of books regularly?”

I grab a stupid apple and close the fridge. Might as well be honest. Maverick has seen me at some pretty low points in my life, just add this one to the list. “No, but ever since I broke up with Tucker, I’ve decided that I was going to do me.”

Dammit.

“Literally, huh?” He grins.

“That’s not what I meant! I just meant that I’m going to find the woman I once was. The one before Tucker.”

“And finding your G-spot helps you with that?”

I stand taller, fighting a grin. I love all this push and pull we have. “Learning to scream out my own name helps, yes.”

That wipes the smug smile off his face.

He swallows and places the book on the table like it burned him.

“Where’s my laptop?” he asks, suddenly serious.

I take a bite of the apple. Maverick Lexington does not scare me. “It’s safe.”

How exciting is this? I’m nearly shaking with anticipation. Bantering with Maverick has always been fun, but now, seeing the fire burn in his eyes . . . this is fun.

“I’ll only ask you once. Where is it?”

His steps are calculated and strong. Gone is the weak man from last night. This man is formidable as he forces me against the counter.

“Give it to me. Now.”

His breath is on my face, fresh and minty like it hasn't been long since he brushed his teeth.

Standing firm, I smile, forcing out a, “Later. And only if you’re a good boy.”

He shoves me slightly, taking my shoulders in his hands, his mouth going to my neck as my hair drapes around his face like a shield. I can feel his watch vibrating with notifications.

“You better slow your heart down,” I tease, forcing out a breath. Yep, that’s my lady bits throbbing this early in the morning.

He takes a deep breath, and I feel it all the way to my toes .

“Don’t play with me.”

I scoff, grinning triumphantly. “That’s exactly what I plan to do.” I lean my head into his face, forcing his lips to my neck. “I know my opponent now.”

Maverick’s hands clench against me once more before he pulls back, his hot body leaving mine cool in its wake.

His eyes burn with anticipation. “All right, James. I’ll see your bet and raise.”

“This is stupid. I’m not doing it. I thought you meant a game of Millionaire or poker to help with the stress, not this.”

Maverick really is cute when he's being all awkward, looking around like he’s scared someone will recognize him at Crush It, a place where you can literally smash anything.

The internet claims it’s all the rage and is known to alleviate stress.

Yes, I took Luke’s advice, somewhat. I’m fairly certain Luke was insinuating that Maverick needed to get laid, but relief is relief, right?

Either way, at Crush It, Maverick can release some tension and still let loose some testosterone should he need it.

“Shut up and choose your weapon,” I tease, offering up a baseball bat with a few playful swings. “Unless you’re scared.”

He casts a dark predatory gaze at me. “I’m not scared.”

Sure.

“You know what?” I chirp.

He groans. “No. I don’t want to know.”

Too bad. “I think you’re scared you might actually enjoy it.”

Maverick likes to go around being the cool kid. Asking him to step outside his comfort zone and join us mortals is a scary place.

He scoffs. “It’s just breaking shit. We could have gone over to Sebastian’s and done the same thing. He would have loved to have new footage. ”

The guy who checked us in hands over two helmets, vests, and face masks.

“I’m not wearing this shit,” says the sourpuss in the room.

I offer the Crush It guy a smile and take the safety equipment. “Thank you. We appreciate it.”

The guy looks warily at Maverick, who stands there with a perpetual scowl on his face and his arms crossed at his chest. “Press the button when you’re ready to start,” he tells us.

“Will do,” I say excitedly before he turns—eyeing Maverick one more time—and leaves.

“Come on, Mav. You signed acknowledging the rules.”

Another scoff. “Fuck the rules. I signed a waiver too. If I get hurt, it’s on me. And don’t call me Mav.”

“Wouldn’t you rather not get hurt?” I argue. I’m not addressing the Mav thing. I will call him what I want. It’s time he crawls out of the denial hole.

“I’m willing to risk it. I’m not wearing a face mask like some kind of pussy.”

Whatever. Everyone sees I tried, right? If he loses an eye, he loses an eye.

“Fine.” I sigh, setting the vest and helmet he refuses to wear on the floor.

I slip on my mask. “Okay. But don’t be mad when I accidentally miss and you get a nut shot.”

That comment gives him pause. “What do you mean, ‘When you miss’? Is there a chance you’re going to miss?”

Men. They’ll lose an eye, but heaven forbid the jewels take a hit.

I cut him a look. “I’m just saying I don't have that great of an aim.” I shrug like he should know this. I did miss hitting Tucker with a candle and almost set my previous apartment on fire.

He eyes me suspiciously.

I grin. “I could ask the guy for a cup.”

His lip quirks before he shakes his head. “You won’t miss.”

“How do you know? ”

He rounds one of the tables and approaches me, placing his hand on the bat at my side. “Because that’s not a debt you’ll want to repay.” His voice is low, and the warmth of his breath tickles the hair at the back of my neck.