26. Maverick

Maverick

“Shit.” I curse as my call goes unanswered again. I send a quick text to Cooper, asking if he’s okay. Again. And then I tuck my phone into my pocket as I navigate my way through the crowd.

Those pictures took far too long, with absolutely no escape, and now I’m desperate to get to Cooper. Nothing is going to stop me.

I nearly reach the door when I crash into Cash’s shoulder, both of us stumbling from the hit. “Whoa, Maverick. You okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Sorry, man,” I say and then start to take off again, but he reaches out for my arm and stops me.

“Wait. I was looking for you. You looking for Cooper?”

I stop quickly and look at him, my heart thundering wildly in my chest. “Yes. Why? Did you see him?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “He left.”

“What? Where did he go?” I ask desperately.

“Said he was tired, and he was going to go to sleep.”

My heart sinks, and I feel like I’m going to be sick. Axel and Jenny must notice because they’re by my side in an instant. “Are you okay?” Axel asks.

I shake my head. “Cooper left.”

Axel studies me carefully, his eyes boring into mine. “What did you do?”

I wince at his accusatory tone, but I can’t really blame him. I fucked up big time, and I know it. I’m sure it’s showing all over my face. “I messed up,” I barely croak.

“What the hell did you do to that sweet little cutie pie?” Jenny is full-on spitting venom at me now, her hand on her hip and her eyes shooting daggers.

“I um . . .” My throat is dry, and I feel like I could either pass out or just start sobbing right here at the loss. He left. He didn’t wait for me to explain or talk it out. He just left, and he sent Cash to give me the message—though some of it unspoken—that he doesn’t want to talk to me.

“What did you do?” Axel asks again.

“I told Baz he’s just a friend. I shouldn’t have. I . . .” I feel faint, and I need to get to Cooper. “Baz was being a dipshit.”

“That’s who he is,” Jenny says. “But why does that matter? What happened?”

“He’s not just my friend, Jenny,” I say looking into my agent’s eyes, and they soften just a tad.

“I know that, you dumbass. Why didn’t you tell me before? Or hell, tell the world? You can’t do better than Cooper.”

I smile sadly, my eyes welling up with unshed tears and making my vision blurry. “I know. I don’t know why I can’t seem to admit it out loud.”

Axel surprises me when he places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “It’s a hard thing to tell the damn world when they can’t seem to keep their opinions to themselves.”

I nod, but I don’t give myself the pass. “I should have told everyone.”

“Go make it right,” Jenny orders, and I don’t waste any more time, racing for the door. But of fucking course, fate or whoever the fuck is in charge of the world intervenes, and I bump right into Pheobe.

“Maverick.” She lights up, looking pretty as ever in a dark navy dress that hugs all her curves perfectly. Her makeup is flawless, and not a hair is out of place. She’s photo-op ready, that’s for sure, but I don’t have time to stand here.

“Hey. I was on my way out.”

She grabs my hand, her other one going over my chest and the lapel of my tux as she leans in with a big smile. “Aw, you can’t stay to catch up with little ole me? I didn’t see you here with anyone, so it can’t be a date you’re ditching me for.”

My jaw hardens as I look down into her eyes. “Where the hell is your date? I didn’t think you’d show at all, but definitely not solo.”

She laughs—not her real laugh—it’s all for the people watching, and then removes her hand from mine but is still leaning into me, touching me. And I don’t like it. It’s all wrong.

She isn’t who I want.

Not at all. I want Cooper. “Oh, he’s off on a shoot.”

I nod, then gently remove her hand from my chest. “Nice to see you, Pheobe, but I have to go.”

I don’t wait for her to pout any more and rush out of the club straight to my car, then head to Cooper’s apartment.

I don’t want to give him any more time to think about how badly I messed up. I want to apologize now. I need him to know just how important he is to me. I have to make it right.

I park my car and run up to Cooper’s apartment, knocking loudly on the door. I try to think about what I’m going to say, but it isn’t Coop who answers. It’s a pissed-off David who opens the door, standing there with pursed lips and folded arms.

“He’s asleep.”

There’s no way that’s true, but I don’t argue with him. “I need to tell him how sorry I am,” I plead because there’s no doubt that Cooper told him what happened and that he’s really pissed off at me.

As he should be. David is a damn good friend, and I’m glad Cooper has him.

But I want to be there too. As so much more than a friend.

He takes a deep breath and drops his arms to his side, his gaze softening a little but not a lot. “He doesn’t want to talk.”

“I hurt him,” I say, my shoulders drooping, defeated.

“You did,” he confirms.

“I didn’t mean to,” I say, not trying to take up for myself or defend my actions in any way but needing him to know that.

“But you did,” he says solemnly, and I nod.

“What do I do?” I ask helplessly.

He sighs softly. “He needs some space, Maverick. He’s been hurt so many damn times, and he’s never . . .” He stops himself, and I’m not sure what he’s going to say. “He’s never felt this way about anyone, I’m almost positive. You hurt him badly.”

“I’m so damn sorry.”

He gives me a small, sad smile. “I know. Just give him some space to think. Give him time. He’ll come to you.”

I nod, trying to swallow the massive lump in my throat because that’s not what I want to do.

I don’t want to walk away from Cooper. I don’t want to wait. I want to wrap my arms around him and never let him go. But I nod my head, giving in.

If this is what he needs, I’ll give it to him.

Even if it kills me to do it.