Page 1 of Maverick
1
MAVERICK
"This is pathetic, right?"
I glance up from my phone at Colton's voice. He's watching Abby, who is sitting with the women across the room. She’s tucked in with Holly and the baby, looking all kinds of sad. Locking my phone and shoving it back in my pocket, I search the room for John, finally finding him sitting on the floor with Evie. They're deep in conversation, but his eyes stray to Abby and I see the longing and the pain in that gaze.
This is supposed to be a happy day. It's Mia's fourth birthday, the very first birthday that we get to throw for a child, and yeah, maybe we went a little overboard. But those blow up slides are really fucking fun.
Anyone would be happy just walking into this place. It looks like a birthday bomb went off, with streamers and glitter and balloons everywhere. But John went and shouted at Abby this morning, telling her to stop being his friend, which is colossally stupid, because Abby is funny as hell, and from what I can tell, a really good friend to John.
He needs good people in his life, and Abby is good people.
"I don't know if I'd say pathetic. Sad maybe?" John fucked up with her. It's a fact.
"He's in love with her," Nick says, tapping away one of the pink helium balloons, leaning a hip against the island.
"You sure about that?" I ask. Not that I'd be mad about it, or shocked for that matter. They live next to each other. He spends most of his waking time with her. But getting out of prison is not an easy road for anyone, and John is struggling, even if he's trying to act like he's not. Yeah, he seems to like her. But love? Can a man who’s just out of prison and trying to rebuild his life truly fall in love at the same time?
What am I saying? Of course he could.
"Yep. You should have seen his face after Abby walked away. He's fucked. I think he needs an intervention."
"Aw fuck. We're not doing that. You gotta stop watching that show. It never ends well." Nick and his fucking reality TV.
"Take that back," Nick says, gasping. "That show changes lives."
"If you corner him in a room and try to talk about feelings, he's going to freak the fuck out," Colton says, stopping in front of us, shoving a giant forkful of cake in his mouth.
"Where did you get that?" I ask, grabbing for the plate. Colton yells, yanks the plate to his face, and shovels the last of it in his mouth, giving me a satisfied grin.
"Ran, you should have ordered a bigger cake," Nick yells across the room. Ransom, leaning against a pillar, looking all kinds of happy, raises one brow and scans the wreckage that is the cake table. Shaking his head, he wanders over to us.
"It was three tiers. It's supposed to feed at least fifty people."
"And?" Nick and I ask at the same time. Seriously, he should know better by now.
Ransom just grins and shakes his head. "My fucking mistake. I won't make it again, promise."
Nick grunts, still looking put out. I get it. I feel the same way. You can never have too much cake. Never. My phone buzzes again in my pocket, and the muscles in my neck get tight.It'll keep. It's okay to be present with my family. I can’t solve anyone’s problems right this minute.
"John's got the feels for Abby. Nick thinks he needs an intervention."
Ransom scowls, and crosses his arms over his chest. "You have to stop watching that fucking show."
Colton and I trade glances, laughing. You know it's a problem when everyone's thinking the same thing.
Nick sputters and plants his hands on the counter. "Fine. But the point stands, assholes. He needs a little advice and some guy talk. So let's take him out and help him loosen up. Then, when he's nice and loose, we'll drop a truth bomb on him."
"Not your worst idea," Ransom says.
"He's right," Colton says, nodding seriously. "Your worst idea was putting twenty grand worth of military-grade night vision goggles into the dishwasher."
"Listen, it made sense at the time," Nick mumbles, scowling. "They were all smudged and shit."
Chuckling, Ransom slaps Nick on the back. "Take him to the club. Get a few drinks in him, and see what happens. I'll wrap things up here and head over later."
"Ooh," Colt says, eyes turning dreamy. "Chicken wings."