by Evan Grace
“Don’t feel bad. I’ve called you too. Do you want to come over?”
It’s not a good idea, but damn if I don’t want to. “My bestie, Marcie, is sleeping over.”
“I’d offer to come over, but I don’t think your dad would appreciate that.” Maverick laughs, making me smile.
“Well… I actually temporarily moved out to the little apartment at the airfield where my mom’s skydiving business is. I just needed space.”
“I can be there in ten minutes if you want?”
I bite my lip, do I want him to come over? “Would you?” So much for not starting something, whatever this is.
“I’ll be right there.”
He disconnects and I wait.
Ten
Maverick
I slow our kiss, nipping at Gwen’s lips. I don’t know what we’re doing, but I can’t seem to stay away from her. She lifts her hips and my softening cock slips from her pussy. She moves back to the passenger seat and pulls her panties back on underneath the little nightgown she’s wearing.
The whole way here I debated on turning around and driving home, but I wanted to see her, I needed to see her. When I pulled up, I found her sitting on the steps. I turned off my Jeep and she climbed inside. There were no words spoken, just her pulling off her panties, climbing on top of me, and fucking.
I tuck myself back into my pants and turn to look at Gwen. Fuck, she’s so beautiful she takes my breath away. She smiles at me. “Sorry I made you come out here. I don’t want to make you feel like you’re a booty call.”
I smile. “Babe, I’d be happy to be your booty call. Do you have plans tomorrow?” Gwen shakes her head. “I’m taking Butch hiking, why don’t you come with.”
“Sure, that sounds like fun.”
We make plans for me to pick her up in the morning. I pull her toward me and kiss her softly before letting her head back into her apartment. I wait until she’s back inside her place before I turn the Jeep on and head home.
Back home, I strip down to just my boxer briefs and crawl into bed.
Over the past two hours, I’ve learned that Gwen is like the energizer bunny. We’ve been hiking all over the falls. My dog is a traitor and has stayed by her side the whole time.
We haven’t done a whole lot of talking, but her smile is enough to let me know she’s enjoying herself. I’ve been fighting getting hard since she walked out of the apartment in little booty shorts, showcasing her long, lean legs and a green racerback tank top that hugs her tits that are the perfect handful.
She’s got this sun-kissed glow that makes my mouth water. I freeze while they continue on. We shouldn’t be doing this—this was a mistake. I need to stop this now. The Malones are a huge family that cares about one another. They’ll get Gwen through the trauma of the accident—she doesn’t need me..
Gwen and Butch are at the top of the hill. “Gwen,” I shout. She turns toward me and smiles. I ignore the way my heart beats a rapid staccato in my chest. “I have to go to work.” I don’t miss the way her face falls.
She and my dog make their way down toward me. “This sucks.” Fuck, she’s cute when she pouts.
As we head back toward my Jeep, she grabs my arm, stopping me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, we just need to hurry.” I pick up the pace and we stop only to let Butch get a drink before we head to my Jeep.
Once I drop her off, I make my way back to my house. Guilt curdles in my belly because I basically dumped her off and left. Butch sighs from the back seat. “Yeah, I’m a dick.”
I get home and decide to do yard work to burn off some of the guilt I feel. I pull weeds and trim bushes, then mow the grass. By the time I’m finished, I’m drenched in sweat.
After I get everything picked up and put away, I head inside. In the shower, I let the hot water beat down on my sore muscles. I need to go out tonight and maybe meet someone. I’ll just fuck Gwen out of my system.
When I get out of my shower, I wrap my towel around my waist and grab my phone, texting Troy.
Maverick: Do you want to go out tonight?
He responds immediately.
Troy: Hooligan’s? That’s the spot to go if you want to meet someone to take home.
Maverick: Meet you there at seven? We can grab a burger first.
Troy: Sounds good, brother.
This is perfect and exactly what I need.
Once I get to Hooligan’s, I step inside and feel the blast of cool air. I spot Troy sitting at a table by the bar, staring up at one of the huge flat screens hanging above it. We fist bump when I sit down across from him.
“What’s up, brother?”
Our waitress interrupts us and we order a pitcher of Coors Light, a couple of shots of Jack, and burger baskets.
“I’m glad you texted me. I was bored as shit. I ran into Taylor last night at the grocery store and tried to ask her out.” He shakes his head, “I barely opened my mouth and she ran the other way.”
“Dude, she probably saw how ugly you are and she got scared.”
Troy gives me the finger. “Fuck you.” He leans in. “I think she’s fucking shy because her cheeks turn this adorable shade of pink.”
“Wow, you really are into her. She’s a lot younger than you, you know.” I don’t think Chief would like it if anyone dated either of his daughters. That is why it was a bad idea to start anything with Gwen.
“I don’t care about that shit. I’m twenty-eight, not fifty.”
Our waitress brings our drinks and then leaves us. We clink our shot glasses together and then toss them back. I suck in a breath and then pour myself a glass of beer.
“I slept with Gwen Malone.”
Troy freezes. “Uh… when?”
I take a drink of my beer. “The first time was when we were trapped in the van, it just kind of happened. We thought we were going to die.” I shrug. “The second was the other night when you took her back to my place. The third time was last night or early this morning.”
“Holy shit, are you dating her now?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t date, you know that. Plus, it’s just not really a good idea. She’ll be leaving for her next adventure soon and whatever we were doing would be over, which is for the best.”
I’m not going to tell him that since the accident, the only good night of sleep I got was when Gwen was in bed with me. Luckily our waitress interrupts us again before I turn into a little pussy, crying about my feelings.
While we eat, the bar gets busier and busier, and as I glance around I notice that there are a lot of good-looking women here tonight. The best part about summer is the tiny sundresses and high-heeled sandals.
At nine o’clock the bar is packed and there are women everywhere. I figured Troy would be reeling them in, but instead he’s talking to some buddies of ours that just got here.
I take a drink of my beer and glance around the bar. I spot Tawney looking sexy as fuck, but I turn away before she catches me. I don’t need to give her any indication that I want her.
Of course I was too late because I feel arms wrap around my waist. I look down at the blonde menace. “Hey baby. I’ve tried calling you.”
I’ve blocked her number after she called me five times in one day. She wanted to come over and “take care” of me. Tawney wouldn’t take no for an answer.
“Yeah it should be a hint that I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Oh stop, don’t be like that.” She rubs against me and I don’t like it, but my stupid fucking dick does.
I stop her as she tries to put her hand on me. “Don’t. I’m a cop in this town.”
“Let’s get out of here.” Tawney places her hand on my chest. “You know I can make you feel good.”
This is what I wanted — I wanted to fuck Gwen out of my system, but then why do I feel like I’m cheating on her if I do?
“Ahhh… so this is why you had to cut our hike short.”
I freeze and turn my head to find Gwen standing next to u
s with her sister and two other girls I don’t know. She looks at me and she looks at Tawney. I open my mouth to speak, but Tawney beats me to it.
“Hey Gwennie, me and Maverick were just on our way out. I’m gonna go make him feel good because let’s face it, I’m the only one who can give it to him the way he likes it.” Then the bitch goes right for the kill shot. “Remember, I did the same thing for Scott because you couldn’t even get him off.”
Gwen starts laughing and before I can stop her, she pulls her fist back and punches Tawney with a quickness I wasn’t expecting. All of a sudden Tawney pounces, knocking Gwen to the ground.
Taylor and the other two girls try to pull Tawney off Gwen, but they’ve got each other by the hair.
“Troy!” I shout his name and he comes running over.
He grabs Tawney and gets her off of Gwen. I try to help her up and see she’s got a bloody nose, but she smacks my hands away. Tawney goes after Gwen again, and the next thing I know it’s chaos.
The girls with Tawney saw what was going on and jumped in, which cause Taylor and the two other girls to jump in too.
It takes ten minutes and four officers, including me and Troy and some of our other friends that were there to break it up. I tried to talk them into not arresting Gwen, but Tawney wouldn’t back down on pressing charges.
They didn’t put cuffs on Gwen, but they did use zip ties. Tawney threw a tantrum when they zip tied her wrists too.
I walked up to Gwen who had turned her back on everyone while she waited to be loaded into the police car. “I’ll be right behind you.”
She doesn’t acknowledge me, but I don’t miss the tear that leaves a silvery trail as it slides down her cheek.
“Gwen, I’ll call Dad,” Taylor says as she puts her phone to her ear.
When they’re ready to go, I help Gwen inside the cruiser while one of the other officers puts Tawney in the other one. “She’ll drop the charges, okay?”
She just stares straight ahead and with a sigh, I shut the door. I should’ve just stayed home.
Troy comes toward me. “Let’s head to the station.”
Eleven
Gwen
I lie in bed, debating on whether I should get up or not. I know my parents want answers, but honestly, I don’t know what to tell them. I mean, it’s not like I’m a kid, but when the chief of police’s daughter gets arrested, it’s kind of a big deal.
Okay, I wasn’t technically arrested and neither of us was actually in a cell, but whoever talked to Tawney got her to agree to drop the charges if I dropped mine and I did, reluctantly.
I’m just embarrassed and humiliated. I just don’t know what came over me. When we got to the bar, I was looking forward to kicking back with my sister, bestie, and one of my cousins, but then I saw her, and I saw she was hanging all over Maverick.
He’d told me he had to work, which obviously was a lie, but to do that to spend time with Tawney cut me deep. Then she ran her mouth, and all I saw was red. I swear it was an out-of-body experience. It felt like I was watching myself as I threw the punch.
I hold up my hand and look at my knuckles, which are bruised. Luckily they got me an ice pack for my knuckles and one for my nose. At least that is not broken.
It’s time to face the firing squad—I climb off my bed and go use the bathroom, freshening up and examining the damage. I have the beginnings of two black eyes and my nose is swollen.
“Just great,” I whisper. Since I’ve been home I’ve been in, what could’ve been, a deadly accident and a fight. Maybe it’s time for me to go. I have some friends in San Diego. I could always stay with them until I decide what to do.
They always invite me, but I just haven’t had time to go… until now. I head downstairs and find my parents sitting at the kitchen counter.
“Hey,” I say as I walk farther into the room.
I stop right next to my dad and begin sobbing. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I’m so embarrassed. I hate her and let her get to me. I think it’s for the best if I go stay with Kara and Dane in San Diego.” I don’t give him or Mom a chance to respond before I turn and walk past Taylor who just came down.
Taylor tries to stop me, but I shrug her off. After I got out I wanted to go back to the apartment, but they brought me back here to their house—probably to keep an eye on me.
By the time I’m back in my old room, it feels like someone is sitting on my chest. My pulse races and my body trembles. Oh God, my hands are numb. I try shaking them out, but it’s no use. I squat down as my door opens.
“Gwen, baby. What’s wrong?” Mom puts her hand on my back.
“I-I can’t breathe. My c-chest hurts.”
She helps me off the floor and onto my bed. Mom squats down in front of me. She brushes my hair back. “Gwen, try to slow your breathing. I think you’re having a panic attack. Just take a deep breath in.” I do what she says, copying the deep breath she’s taking. “That’s good, sweetheart.”
We repeat that over and over until the feeling comes back in my fingers. She gets up and then crawls onto my bed with me. I lay down next to her and she wraps her arm around my waist. “Just rest, sweetheart.”
“Dad must hate me,” I whisper softly.
Mom squeezes me. “There is nothing you could do that would cause your dad to hate you. He loves you so much, sweetheart. It was a mistake and lord knows we’ve all made them, but it’s how you learn from them that matters. I’ve never liked that Jacobs girl, always causing trouble.”
I grab her hand and pull it up, hugging it to my chest.
“Are you really going to San Diego?”
I roll over until I’m facing Mom. “I think it’s a good idea. Maybe just to stay for a week or two, I’ll be back.”
“Did something happen between you and Maverick?”
My cheeks heat up and I’m sure they’re giving away that something has happened. I nod, slowly. “Yes, a few times.”
“Is he why you want to go? Is he the reason you punched Tawney?”
Mom’s a smart cookie. She reads between the lines and that’s why I’ve never lied to her because she always knew the truth.
“Yes and partly.”
“You’re a grown woman, baby. You do what you need to do, but you come home when you’re ready.”
There’s a knock on the door and Dad comes in. The tears begin again and he sits down next to my hip and pulls me into his arms. “Don’t cry, baby girl. I can’t stand seeing your tears. No one pressed charges, and this will all blow over soon enough. You’re a Malone and we have wicked right hooks.”
I laugh through my tears and my mom excuses herself, saying she’ll be right back. When she returns, she hands me a glass of water and a little white pill. “It’s Ativan. It’ll help relax you.”
They both kiss my forehead before disappearing out of the room. I grab my phone and see a couple of texts from some casual friends from school fishing for information about the fight with Tawney. I don’t bother responding because like Dad said, it’ll blow over, especially when the next big thing happens.
On that note, I fall asleep.
I slip on my favorite blue paisley maxi dress and then quickly braid my hair. I throw my bag of toiletries on my bed and then fold the dresses, shorts, tank tops, and bikinis that I’m taking on my little road trip to San Diego.
It’s been almost a week since the stupid catfight I got into with Tawney. The bruises under my eyes are gone thankfully and the swelling in my nose is gone. I haven’t heard a peep from Maverick since that night, but I didn’t really expect to.
I was naïve to think that there could be something there between us, but we had shared an intense experience—maybe that’s all it was. This week away, eating good food, drinking, and spending time with friends should be just what the doctor ordered.
Throwing the strap of my bag over my shoulder, I grab my purse, and then head outside. As I put the bag in the back seat, I spot a police SUV driving toward me. It stops next to my car and then
he steps out.
Maverick comes around to my side, and I don’t want to admit how sexy he looks in his uniform. I ignore the way my heart flutters, and the butterflies that take flight in my belly. “What are you doing here?”
“Your dad said you were going to San Diego to visit some friends.”
I nod. “Yep, I met them last year in Hawaii. We just clicked.” I don’t know why I’m even explaining myself to him.
“Is that really safe? How well do you know these people?”
I try to open the driver’s side door, but he stops me. I whip around and get in his face. “My safety is not really your concern. I know them well enough that I feel comfortable staying with them… and their two kids.”
Maverick sinks his fingers into my hair, using them to pull my head back. “I’m so sorry about that night. I had thought about going home with Tawney for about two seconds and I just couldn’t do it. That shit she spewed at you was uncalled for and I know it’s my fault. I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”
I kind of don’t know what to say right now. I’m not too proud to accept someone’s apology, especially when it seems to be sincere. “I appreciate you coming out here to apologize. Let’s just chalk it up to a fucked up situation. Maybe we can be friends.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t want to be friends.” Maverick’s voice causes goosebumps to pop up all over my body. “Tell me, do you really only want to be just friends?”
I shake my head slowly.
“Go visit your friends and when you come back, let me take you out. Let’s see if there is something there between us because I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”
The butterflies take flight again. Can I take that chance? “Yeah, okay. Let’s go out when I get back.”
Maverick surprises me by kissing me, slowly and thoroughly. I open my mouth to him and moan as his tongue brushes mine. This guy can kiss and I grip the front of his uniform. All too soon, he pulls back. “You better hit the road.”
