MAVERICK
I’d never been so drunk in my entire life that my world started spinning. I remembered throwing up and puking my guts out. That was all.
I woke up with the most horrible headache in history. It was hammering, feeling my head squeeze, about to implode, and my stomach was empty. I cracked my eyes open. The first thing I saw was the paper on the nightstand Lake gave me last night.
I looked down at my body. I was in my pajamas. I felt terrible that I was a mess. At the same time, there was still the void- the emptiness in my chest. I grabbed the paper and unfolded it. My eyes started stinging, and I could barely see the ugly scribble of my brother’s penmanship.
Dear Maverick,
I don’t know why I am writing this, but I guess it’s better than calling you and saying goodbye. It hurts less listening to your voice for the last time. You can also keep this as a remembrance. What the fuck am I doing? I don’t know, sis. I guess I owe you an apology for tricking you. While alone in the study, I talked to our father and made a deal. I promise I will make it right. If it doesn’t go as planned, I won’t see you again. I hope this is not the last time.
You are the best thing that ever came into my life. Don’t tell our sister I said this when you meet her someday. Her name is Celestina. When I first saw you, you were so pretty and innocent. That’s the reason why I kept my distance from you. You deserve a whole lot better than the world I live in, so cruel and bloody and inhumane. I know what I’ve done, but you don’t have to see how our world works.
Take care of yourself and Lake. That guy loves you.
Truly yours,
Terzo
I folded it back and put it on the nightstand. I got up from bed and went to the bathroom to find some painkillers. I found a bottle and took two tablets before I used the toilet and shower because I still smelled weird.
I recalled how I met Terzo, his smug face. For a criminal, there was some humanity left in him. I firmly believed that people, bad people, could change. I still had hope for Terzo, but seeing the kind of father who raised him, all my hopes were down the drain. He was pure evil. I couldn’t even believe, for a moment, that I thought he was genuinely there to see his daughter. I guess evil like him came in many forms.
I jumped in the shower room from a loud knock.
I wiped off the steamy glass and saw Lake with a frown on his forehead. “Just give me a minute.”
He pressed his hand against the glass and nodded. He managed to put a smile on his face but could not hide the pit of despair in his eyes.
I placed my hand against his and smiled before he left. I quickly rinsed off and wrapped the towel around my chest. I dried my hair and put on decent clothes.
When I returned to the room, Lake was sitting on the bed in deep thought.
“Are you okay?”
He lifted his chin and met my gaze. “I should be asking you that question.”
I sat next to him. “He made his decision. It was stupid, but I had to learn how to accept it and move on. That’s what he wanted for me.”
He turned to me and cupped my face. He kissed me on my forehead to my nose, ending on my lips.
“I can’t imagine what it must feel like, but you have me. I will always be here for you. You can talk to me if it’s too much to keep in your chest.”
“I want my coffee, croissant, and Alaska right now.”
He chuckled sadly. “I can make that happen.”
“Thank you for taking care of me last night.” I hugged him tight and inhaled his scent, fresh like soap, masculine, and just him.
“You don’t have to thank me.”
We went downstairs towards the kitchen.
“Sit. Let me make you coffee.”
I did not resist. I let him work in the kitchen and then saw him put a croissant on the plate. “Did I babble wanting croissant last night?”
He shook his head in amusement. “No, but you cursed the hell out of me, OB, and Owen.”
“Shit. I’m sorry. I’m not reckless like that.”
“Understandable, considering what you’ve had to endure.” He put down my coffee and croissant before me. “Baby, it’s terrible to ask the obvious. How are you feeling?”
“The emptiness will always be there, and I’m still hurting, but I’m going to be okay, babe.” I reached out for his hand and squeezed it. “Now stop asking.”
He chuckled as he came to sit beside me, watched me drink my coffee, and delightedly took a bite of the buttery pastry.
I took Alaska on a horse ride while Lake followed me with Cascade. Maybe the pain wouldn’t disappear, but I felt at peace after reading that letter. I knew Terzo would not go anywhere. He will always be here in my heart. Despite what he did in the past, he did something good, even if it meant sacrificing himself for what he called family.
After an hour’s ride, I hopped down with Lake helping me. I was scared of riding a horse, but Alaska was a good boy.
It was never about being an equestrian because it took a lot of effort and time to learn. It took a lot of resilience and determination to conquer that fear, but I was happy I conquered it. It made a good pastime and reduced my stress.
“You wanna go back?”
“Can we stay here for a while?”
“Of course.”
We sat under a huge tree and peacefully watched the clearing and the trees. The weather was fine. I never imagined nature could calm me and give me peace. It was just quiet in here, except for birds, leaves blown by the wind, and our horses uttering neighs.
“It’s beautiful here.” I sighed deeply.
“Next time, we can come back with a basket of snacks and a wine?”
I smiled as I thought the same thing. “Yeah. It would be pretty romantic. And this is a date, too.”
“It is.”
I rested my head on his lap and closed my eyes. I couldn’t help but take my mind back to how I first met Lake. It somehow put a smile on my lips until I felt his lips pressed against mine.
I cracked my eyes open to see the most beautiful smile-even his eyes were smiling. I got up, came to his lap, and continued what we had started. I slid my fingers through his hair as he welcomed my kiss.
His hand went to the back of my neck, the other on my chest, cupping my breast.
I moaned as he deepened the kiss, gliding his tongue into my mouth. I moved in his lap, straddling his hips as my core started to ache in need. Then he began working on the buttons of my shirt, slipping his hand inside my shirt, into my bra, and palming my breast.
A ramble erupted in his chest as he rolled my nipples between his fingers.
“God.” I broke the kiss and pushed his head down. He got my cue, freeing my heavy breast from my bra, capturing it with his mouth, sucking it hard, making me cry, and throwing my head back.
My clit throbbed, and I was soaking. With my breath catching up, I rocked my hips against his prominent bulge, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted more.
“Please?”
But it all died down when he stopped to a loud thud of a horse galloping in our direction.