“I’m so glad you think so.” He winks. I laugh. This guy. My phone vibrates and I answer my parents’ call.
“So?” Mom asks. “Good, right?”
“It was good.”
“It was great,” Maverick adds beside me.
“Maverick saw it? Mavy, you hate the theatre,” Mom says.
“Mom, he can’t hear you.” I shake my head even though she can’t see me.
My mother thinks that because she walks around talking on speakerphone, everyone must do the same. It’s an annoying habit I’m trying to get her to kick. After exchanging pleasantries with her and Dad, when we get in my car, I set the phone on speaker.
“Mavy, I thought you hated the movies?” Mom asks again, now that he’s listening.
“I used to but it’s definitely one of my favorite places now.” Mav glances over, a smoldering look on his face. I shoot him a look and thank the Lord we’re not on FaceTime with my parents.
“Did you like the movie?” Dad asks. “The show is really good.”
“Dad’s really into Anime now,” I explain. “Demon Slayer is his favorite.”
“There are others, but this is a good one to start with,” Dad says.
“I don’t think Maverick wants to get into it, Dad.”
“You don’t know that. Maybe I’ll start watching.” Mav shrugs a shoulder.
“Are you trying to kiss my ass since you’re dating my daughter?”
Mav’s eyes go wide. “No, sir.”
“So, you’re just trying to kiss my ass because you want to?”
“Um, I wasn’t really trying to kiss your ass.” Mav scratches the back of his neck. I laugh.
“Dad, leave him alone.”
“What? Just because I’ve known him since before he hit puberty he’s supposed to get special treatment?” Dad asks. “No, ma’am. He’ll be treated like every other boyfriend. There is a trial period.”
“What kind of trial period?” Mav asks.
“If I tell you then you’ll prepare for it. Don’t worry, you’re doing all right so far,” Dad says. “I don’t agree with you luring her to move in with you so that you could seduce her though, let’s be clear about that.”
“Mike,” Mom reprimands, laughing. “Stop it.”
“What? It’s true,” Dad says. “In Jamaica we would never.”
“Oh, here we go.” I roll my eyes. “We’re not in Jamaica, Dad. You’re not even in Jamaica Queens, so don’t even.”
“And, Mike, if you remember correctly, that was exactly what you wanted to do with me, back in Jamaica,” Mom says, her accent coming in strong.
“Uh-oh,” Mav says, “I’m staying outta that one. When Momma Bev brings out the accent you know it’s on.”
“I think we can all agree that the movie was great,” I say, jumping in before things get crazy.
“It was,” Mav says.
“I thought it had too much violence,” Mom says.
“Beverly,” Dad starts.
“Nope. Don’t tell me anything about that, Michael. I asked you about the violence and you said it was a cartoon. Well, cartoons can be violent, as we all saw.”
I shoot Mav a look and sigh. He smiles and holds my hand.
“Are we done?” I ask.
“Yes,” Mom says. “Love you, baby. Talk tomorrow.”
“Love you, baby. Love you too, Maverick. Don’t forget your manners around my daughter,” Dad says.
“You know I won’t, sir.”
I hang up and slap a hand over my forehead. “They are the most.”
“They love you.” Mav smiles. “We all love you and want what’s best for you, so you can’t blame them for being the most.”
“I love you, even though you did ask me to move in and then took advantage of me.”
“Me?” Mav laughs. “As I recall, you were begging me to be your first.”
“Ah, well, the details are murky.”
“Unbelievable.” He shakes his head, laughing. “So, where do you wanna go next?”
“I’m hungry.”
“Me too.”
“But I don’t want Tony’s. I think if I eat pasta again this month I’ll never eat it again.”
“No Tony’s then.” He laughs and starts driving.
I like having things figured out, but at the end of the day, I don’t really care what I do so long as it’s with him.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Maverick
Two Months Later
“Maverick, you’re going to break my hand.”
“Sorry.” I loosen my grip on Rocky’s hand. “I’m nervous.”
“I don’t know why.” She smiles at me. “This is the team you want to play for.”
“I know, I know, but this is the rest of my life.”
“For now.” She squeezes my hand. “It’s a good contract and a good city. And you get to stay close to Jagger for a while.”
“And it’s the city you’ll be playing for.” I grin. “That’s why it’s a no-brainer.”
“And because you like it.” Rocky raises an eyebrow.
“Yeah, I do like it.”
“Good. Now sign that contract and get paid, baby!”
So, I do, and it feels good to see my name on that paper. Carolina Hurricanes have no idea what they have coming, especially since Colson is also signing with them. Rocky signed with the North Carolina Courage and has been waiting for training to start with them soon. At first, I was surprised she picked them over New York or Florida, but we’ve made North Carolina our home these last few years here, so I’m glad she picked them and that we get to stay here longer. I would have picked Mars if that was where she said she was going, though. Anywhere with her.
Epilogue
Rocky
I’m lying on the grass, breathing in the fresh air, when I hear the door to the back of the house open and close. Mav set up a picnic for us in our new backyard and it’s a dream, but he went back inside to get champagne for our orange juice to turn it into mimosas.
“The weather is perfect,” I say.
“You’re perfect.”
I inhale and exhale, smiling. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling for almost a year now. “Did you talk to Jag? Did they finally settle on a summer wedding?”
“Yep. In the Dominican Republic. I don’t know what possesses people to have destination weddings.”
“At least it’s a familiar destination.” I shrug a shoulder.
“Hey, Rocky.” I hear him pouring our glasses.
“Hm.”
“Let’s get married.”
“What?” My eyes pop open. I look over to where he’s sitting and sit up, turning to face him.
“My parents always say their friendship comes before everything, and Mom always said when looking for a partner, I should look for someone who can be my best friend,” he says, shifting so that he’s on one knee now and that’s when I notice that he has a ring box in his hand. “I just never thought to look at you in that way because I was so afraid to lose you. When we were fourteen we went to that summer camp upstate and during that trip we promised we’d be in each other’s weddings, remember?”
“Yes.” I cover my mouth and let out a laugh, hoping against all hope that the tears will stop trickling down and ruining my makeup.
“Well, I still want to do that, but I want to move my position from best man to groom, if you’ll have me. Rocky Barnes, I can’t do life without you. You’re my best friend, my soul mate, my everything. Please marry me.”
“Jesus Christ, Maverick.” I’m openly crying now as I nod. “Yes. Obviously. I mean, we just bought a freaking house together.”
He laughs. “That’s the only reason?”
“Shut up and put this crazy ring on my finger.” I gasp as he does. “Oh my God. It’s perfect.”
“Just like you, bestie.” He leans in, cups both sides of my face, and kisses me. When he pulls away, he smiles. “I hope you don’t mind that we have a bit of an audience.”
When I look over to see what he’s talking about, I see my parents, his parents, Jagger, Mitchell, Jo, Misty, Colson, and a few other friends standing there, and I start crying even harder. I laugh as I wipe my tears and look over at him. I’ve known him forever and I cannot wait to see where this journey will lead us.
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Afterword
Thank you for reading this series! I hope these characters put a smile on your face <3
Shout out to:
Valentine PR,
Erica Russikoff,
Janice Owen
My Crew
& YOU.
About the Author
Claire Contreras is a New York Times Best Selling Author who traded her psychology degree to write fiction. Don't worry, she still uses her knowledge on every single one of her characters.
She's a 2x Breast Cancer Survivor, who was born in the Dominican Republic, raised in Florida, and currently resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband, two adorable boys, and French bulldog.
Her books range from romantic suspense to contemporary romance and are currently translated in over fifteen languages. When she's not writing, she's usually lost in a book.
You can find her on IG: ClaireContreras
Twitter: ClaireCon_
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Also by Claire Contreras
Text BOOK to 21000 to receive a text from Claire whenever a new book is available! <3
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The Rulebreaker Page 14
