Maverick

think you have to thank me for that.” He presses his forehead against mine. “You deserve every fucking thing in this world.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him down so he’s lying on top of me.
My heart aches. It’s not used to such treatment. I’m soaking up every little touch, every little word, and he’s filling parts of me that are cracked, splintered.

6 Bell
I wake up to soft kisses on my cheek, Maverick’s hand softly drifting down my arm. “Angel, it’s time to wake up and see Ronny.”
I open my eyes to that, looking at the clock on the wall that reads ten o’clock a.m. I smile, rubbing my eyes and rolling closer to Maverick, loving how warm he is.
He snuggles me tighter against him. “I had one of the prospects drive to your house. Jessica packed you a couple of outfits so you can get ready here,” he informs me.
I look up at him, my hair fanning behind me, and I smile happily. “I can’t believe you thought of that.”
He shrugs, “Baby, you’re on my mind twenty-four seven. You’re all I think about.”
My poor heart can’t handle much of this, “You’re so sweet,” I mumble against his chest.
I feel him shaking with laughter. “Only to you, darlin’.”
I smile and close my eyes for another second, enjoying this before I have to get up and be at the center at twelve.
“I think I would like to bring Ronny a kid’s meal today,” I tell Maverick, rolling over onto my back and stretching.
I catch Maverick’s sly grin just before he digs his fingers into my stomach. I turn over into a ball, laughing as he tickles me.
I use my foot to try to push him away from me, but he just moves closer. His free hand pushes my hands away.
I snort loudly and he busts out laughing, letting me go. I scoot off the side of the bed so he doesn’t try to come after me again.
“Better run!” he yells, and I take off out of the bedroom as fast I can, laughing the whole time.
I can hear him counting loudly from the bedroom. I look around, trying to find a place to hide when I spot a nook behind the stairs. I slip inside, shutting the door.
I guess this is what Harry Potter felt like.
I barely breathe as I wait for him to find me. “Where are you?” he says in a sing-song voice.
He stomps past the small door and I wait a few seconds before I slowly open the door, peeking my head out.
He’s nowhere in sight.
I slip out as fast as I can, running straight for the stairs and back up to the bedroom. I cover my mouth so I don’t giggle on the way up.
Pulling back the blankets, I slip under the covers, trying to make myself as flat as possible with the pillows thrown all around me.
This goes on for twenty minutes. I can hear him stomping all around the house yelling for me and I try my best not to laugh, my stomach hurting from holding it in.
I peek out of the covers and I see him in the hallway walking around. I pull the blanket down and try not to breathe.
I am so caught.
The blanket is ripped off of me and Maverick’s face comes into view, “Gotcha.” He snatches me up off the bed and kisses me.
I kiss him back, slightly laughing as I do so.
I’m happy.
I can say without a doubt that I am completely, utterly happy. “Are you going to visit Ronny with me today?” I ask.
He gives me a look. “Of course, I want to see how he is.” He sets me on the ground and hands me a duffel bag I recognize from my room.
“Here’s your stuff.”
I open it and look inside. I notice there’s enough clothes here for at least a week or more. “Planning on me staying for a while?” I joke.
He winks and walks into his closet without another word.
Oh, I am in trouble.
* * *
Maverick and I all but run into the center to see Ronny, and when we walk in he’s sitting on the couch reading.
“Hi honey.”
His head swings in my direction, showing his beautiful grin. “Hi Bell, Maverick.” His eyes go to the Happy Meal in Maverick’s hand.
“A little birdy told me someone has been wanting a Happy Meal.” Maverick hands him it to him.
Ronny gets so excited, taking it from him and opening it. “Ohh look! I’ve been wanting this!” He practically bounces on the couch in excitement as he takes out the toy.
He is so excited, opening the package. I look around the room trying to find his mother and see she’s in the corner of the room texting.
Which is not allowed.
It’s not allowed because it’s a risk for her and the other women here in the center. You are allowed to make calls, but with secure lines in the office with a center member there.
“She’s not allowed to have that,” I whisper to Maverick, feeling super uneasy with all of it.
Maverick takes out his phone and dashes off a text. I turn my full attention back to Ronny and sit on the floor next to him.
“Want to play with me?” he asks, moving his little figurine across the small table.
“I’d love to, honey.”
For an hour I sit with him and play. We talk about his favorite foods and how he wants to play sports when he starts school again, hockey in particular.
“There’s a place in town that offers lessons and they have their own team. Perhaps I can ask your mom if I can take you?” Maverick asks.
Ronny looks like a nudge could knock him over, his beautiful blue eyes staring at Maverick in awe.
“Really?” he says in a whisper. He stands up and slams into Maverick, hugging him tightly. “You’re the best, Maverick,” he whispers to him.
I put my hand on the back of Ronny’s back, smiling at the beautiful moment they just had