“So, he just disappeared?” Mila looks over at me from the tiny kitchenette like I’ve just told her the Pope was a lizard person. “But that doesn’t make any sense. That man has been your shadow for the past three years. He can’t just go missing like this.”
“He didn’t go missing. My brother pushed him away and he gladly went.” I let out a long sigh as I examine the newly acquired cast on my arm. “It’s never been clearer that Maverick only saw me as an obligation. As soon as I turned eighteen, he disappeared. First on that three-month hiatus right when I started working at The Pearl and now this.”
It’s been forty-eight hours since I’ve seen my broody crush, and truth be told, the ache I feel inside is slowly killing me. The moments we shared deep in those woods will live with me forever. I guess the same can’t be said for him.
“Hey, I need a change of topic ASAP, or I’m bound to disintegrate into a puddle of tears.” My eyes round as I pout at my friend. I’ve yet to tell her about what went down in the cabin, and I’m not about to do so now. I’m not ready. “Please, pleeeeease. Let’s talk about something less depressing.”
“Fine. I’m going to Florida.” Mila looks at me as if she’s just told me she’s going down to the store, not clear cut across the country.
“What?!” I sit up from the tiny loveseat and stare her down. “When were you planning on telling me?!”
She lets out a small chuckle. “Chill, girl. I just found out a couple of days ago. Catherine is pregnant and needs my help with her business. Says she’s having really bad morning sickness and could use the extra hand.”
My head rears back as my brows furrow. “But that woman never wanted you in the same room as her work stuff, let alone touching it.” And it’s true. Mila’s mom is a raging bitch if I’ve ever seen one. “I don’t know this just doesn’t seem right. You sure she’s not trying to lure you down there so she can swipe one of your kidneys. You are her mini me after all. Maybe she’s just wanting to use you for spare parts.”
Mila sucks in a breath and flings a hand to her chest. “Mel! That’s fucking horrible! Have you been listening to my true crime podcasts without me?”
I snort. “That does sound like something they’d cover. But nah. I’m still stuck on my Jessa Kane binge.”
My best friend shakes her head and chuckles. “You and that daddy kink of yours.”
“Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve read it.” Or lived it. But I don’t say that last part. Raising a brow, I grill her for details. “So tell me, when are you leaving?”
“Tomorrow morning.”
My brows practically hit my hairline. “What?!”
“Yeah. I just wanted to make sure you’d be okay without me.” Her lips push to the side in an awkward smile and my chest warms.
Neither of us may have doting mothers, but we have each other and that’s a lot. “Girl, you didn’t have to wait on me. But I appreciate it and you.” I get up from my position on the loveseat and walk the few steps toward the kitchenette where Mila had been standing, my arms wrapping around her as soon as I’ve reached her. “Seriously, girl. Love you to pieces, but your ass didn’t have to wait around on me.”
My best friend snorts. “You’re like my sister, Mel. No way in hell I was leaving you until I knew you’d be okay.”
At this I pull back, my brows furrowing. “It’s just a fracture, Mila.”
Mila shakes her head. “No, I’m talking about Maverick. I heard how he came into the Pearl and how he knocked the ever-living-shit out of Johnny.” She winces before looking away. “And with how mopey you’ve been lately, I just wanted to make sure you were going to be okay.”
I laugh on a sigh. “Mopey? I didn’t think I was that bad.”
“Girl, your spirit animal could be that sad looking bunny. You know, the Vizcacha? It always looks so depressed and like it’s ready to take a nap.”
I snort and shake my head. That sounds about right, but I’m not copping to it.
“Nah, I’ll be fine, girl. You just worry about yourself. Seems to me like you’ll be dealing with the Wicked Witch, but on heightened hormones. You sure you don’t want me to come with you as backup?”
Mila grins at me while shaking her head no. “Not right now, but I just might.”
“Alright. Let’s go get you packed. You know I’m always a speed-dial away.” And with that, I swat her ass with my good hand and head up to the tiny loft we share. This space might be small, but it’ll sure feel enormous once she’s gone.
Truth be told, she’s been my lifeline all these years and this’ll be the longest we’ve been apart. But as we ascend the narrow ladder, I tell myself it’ll be okay, because I’m one bad bitch and I’m not about to let any man get me down. Not even Him.
Two weeks later…
Blonde strands of hair whip against my face to AC/DC’s Highway to Hell as I speed down a small dirt road. I’ve got the windows down and the sun is shining bright, instantly improving my mood.
Never have I felt so free as I do now, a new sense of empowerment running through me as I realize I’ve made it a whole twenty-four hours without aching for a man that’ll never see me as anything more than his best friend’s little sister.
And yes, I’m thinking about him now. But I hadn’t been—for a whole day—and that’s a step forward. The man doesn’t want me.
That was made painfully obvious when he bailed on me for the second time. I’m not sure where he’s disappeared to, or why, but a man doesn’t have to tell me twice that he doesn’t want me. And if the look of indifference on his face as we got to the hospital wasn’t enough, then his radio silence these past two weeks has been.
Sure, he’s made the rare appearance at the club—thankfully, avoiding Johnny when he does—but he’s always gone by the time my shift ends, and I swear, he barely spares me a glance while he’s there.
Whatever. My cast is finally off, and I’m going to see Mila. It’s a good day. I’m having a good day.
“You’ve arrived.” A disembodied voice comes over the speakers, cutting into the song and into my sad little pep-talk.
Looking out about half a mile down the road, I see it. The large white farmhouse on the hill. It’s stunning. I can’t believe this is what Mila’s been hiding.
A lot has happened over the past couple of weeks. For starters, Mila found herself a Daddy.
Sure, it’s one hell of a taboo situation since, technically, he got her mom pregnant first. But love is love right? Who’s to let a botched one-night-stand get in the way of their happily ever after?
And to our surprise, his family’s ranch had been just over the mountain this entire time. So naturally, when said Daddy called me for an impromptu surprise birthday for Mila, I agreed.
Yes, we’d already celebrated before she’d left for Florida, but I was in a pitiful state. And as much as I love our birthday traditions, I couldn’t say no to meeting the man that’s had my girl in knots for the first time in her life.
Mila Kournikova doesn’t date—hell, she doesn’t even flirt—so this Crown guy must be something special. There’s nothing that could keep me away. Not even depressing thoughts of Maverick.
The beat-up Civic Mila and I share comes to a stop and I’m able to fully take in the massive wrap-around porch with white rocking chairs and all. It’s picture perfect. The stuff happily ever afters are made of, complete with the older lady coming out of the front door. She’s dressed right out of the eighteen-hundreds with her long-sleeved blouse, full skirt and apron.
As I step out of my car, I can’t help but ask, “Aren’t you hot? I’d be sweatin’ like a whore in church in that.”
The matronly woman chuckles. “You must be Melissa. Jace told us you’d be arriving this afternoon. Mila is at her cabin right now, but they should be here shortly.”
“Oh, no worries. I need to go to the ladies’ room if possible.” I lift my iced coffee in the air and wave it in her direction. “I didn’t know how long the drive would take me at first and I drank one too many of these.”
The lady chuckles. “Right this way, darling. Coffee just so happens to be my obsession. But it gives me the runs something fierce.” I’m cackling as she ushers me up the wooden steps and through the door. “I’m Mary, by the way. But you can call me Nana or Nana Mary.”
There’s a twinkle in her eye as she says this, and I can’t help but feel like I’m missing out on some hidden context. Either way, I’ve been short on motherly figures all my life, so when one as wholesome and hilarious as this one presents itself, I’m not letting it go.
“Alright, Nana Mary. Point me toward the restroom.”
Wow. This place is massive. I’m taking a turn out of the bathroom when I forget where I came from. There are so many hallways, I’m not sure where to go.
“You lost there, princess?” A deep voice calls from behind me and I startle, dropping what’s left of my iced coffee on what looks to be an antique runner.
“Shit!” I’m cursing under my breath but that only serves to make my shadow laugh.
“I’m sorry about that. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
The man crouches down next to me, helping me scoop up the melted ice as I hopelessly dab at the rug with the damp napkin that’d been stuck to my cup.
“What a nightmare,” I’m mumbling under my breath as I get the last of the ice into the damn cup.
Just then, two fingers press to the underside of my chin, effectively lifting my gaze and what I see blows me away.
Those eyes. I’ve seen those eyes before. I’m so surprised that I shut my own, unwilling to feel the emotions they evoke.
“Hey, there. It’s okay. I promise. It’s just an old rug.” His voice is completely different from Maverick’s, but it’s soothing all the same. There’s something about the deep tambour that calms me.
“Just an old rug,” I scoff, finally opening my eyes and meeting the handsome stranger’s. “That’s the point. It seems valuable. Precious even.”
At this he grins. “It’s just a rug. Material things are just that. Material. But a smile like yours? Priceless.”
His words have me blinking back tears, fighting the demons in my head, playing a continuous loop of the words I’ve tried so hard to overcome.
‘Worthless bitch. You just fuck everything up, don’t you?’
Out of nowhere, someone else cuts into the moment. “Quit trying to bag Mila’s bestie, Matthew.”
I snort, looking for the voice and see a very pregnant brunette walking next to a petite blonde. “Hi, I’m Penelope and this is Anaya. We’re the Crown ladies.”
My brows furrow and this amuses the man she called Matthew.
“Oh, this is priceless. She doesn’t know about the infamous Crown women, does she?”
I’m even more confused now. “Am I supposed to?”
“See, Mary told us we’d like her.” The brunette grabs my arm and links it with hers while the blonde just shakes her head and smiles. “Don’t you worry about that stain. Mattie will get it, right? It’s the least you can do after trying to put the moves on company.” Penelope hollers back at Matthew who’s now rolling his eyes.
“Yeah, fine. But tell Jack to move her car. It’s not going to be a surprise for Mila if they drive up and see the Civic.”
“That’s right!” The blonde chimes in, her voice like a delicate tinkle. “The men are in the study. That way you’ll get to meet the other brothers. Well, Austin and Jack. I don’t know about the lone wolf, he’d spend his life deep in the woods if we’d let him.”
“Oh, he’ll show up. He wouldn’t miss Mary’s cooking.” Penelope playfully shoves at me as if I were in on the inside joke, making me feel at ease with them both.
“Here we are.” Anaya opens a massive wooden door and the scent of tobacco and whiskey hits me, the smell instantly transporting me back to the man that’s invaded my heart and soul for so long. Why is he everywhere? It’s as if I can’t escape him. No matter where I go or what I do. He’s everywhere.
