CHAPTER SEVEN
1511 Words
Lily
“Where’s your hair?”
“Some of it’s down the drain, some of it’s in a baggy Mom put it in, some of it’s in the garbage.”
He squeezed his eyes shut. “You have cancer.”
I nodded. “I have cancer.”
“f**k,” he rasped then bellowed, “f**k!” He ran his hands through his hair. “That’s why you...?”
“Yes.”
“Brad?”
I grimaced. “Very, very gay.”
“f**k, f**k, f**k!” He stared at me for about two seconds before he closed the distance between us and gently pulled me into his arms. “I am so unbelievably pissed at you right now.”
“I know.” I slid my hands into his hair and held on tight.
“Goddammit! I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out. I should have known you’d never fuckin’ want anyone else.”
“I’m so sorry, Mav.” I bit back tears. “I didn’t want you to give up anything for me.”
He met my eyes and frowned. “Which is the most selfish thing anyone could do to another person, Lil.”
“But—”
“No! Dammit, Lily. You seriously think I’d have been okay with going through college and finding out that you’d gone through all this s**t by yourself? What if you die? What if I miss out on time with you? I want it all, even if it’s limited.”
“I—”
“If the situation was reversed, how would you feel?”
It took a second, but I melted against him, realizing that in my effort to be selfless, I really had been unbelievably selfish. “Ohmigod.” I burst into tears. “I’m so sorry, Möosh.”
“Okay, baby doll. I’m here now, and I’m not going anywhere. I’ll talk to my parents, and we’ll figure out a game plan, but let’s just enjoy Christmas and spend every second together, okay?”
I nodded, but now that the floodgates were open, I couldn’t seem to stop crying. Maverick lifted me into his arms, and we stretched out on my bed so he could hold me closer.
“Please tell me you didn’t hook up with some cheerleader slut,” I sobbed into his chest.
“I didn’t hook up with some cheerleader slut,” he whispered.
“Did you hook up with some other kind of slut?”
He chuckled. “No. I’m in love with you, Lily. I don’t do random hook-ups, and I wasn’t looking to date someone who wasn’t you, so I just focused on alienating myself from everyone I came in contact with and killing anyone who got in my way on the field. It’s been a stellar couple of months,” he rasped.
“I’m sorry,” I said and cuddled closer.
“Good. You should be,” he deadpanned.
I smacked his stomach, but then I got sidetracked because it was such a nice stomach. I slid my hand under his T-shirt and sighed. “I’ve missed this.”
“Lil, your dad already wants to kill me. Please don’t send me out there with a hard-on.”
I grinned, slipping my hand under the waistband of his sweats. “I think it’s a little too late for that.”
He groaned and covered my mouth with his, kissing me until we were both breathing heavy. He was the one who broke the connection and pulled me back onto his chest. “We have to wait.”
“I know,” I whispered.
“What kind of cancer do you have?”
“Acute lymphocytic leukemia.” I slid my arm around his waist and squeezed. “The first round of chemo was in the hospital, and now, I go in a couple of times a week. Today was the first day I started losing my hair.”
He lifted my chin and stroked my cheek. “You’re beautiful, Lily.”
“Are you just saying that?”
“No. It’s a fact.” He kissed me gently. “I love you, baby... so, so much.”
“I love you, too. I’m so sorry I lied to you.” More sobbing ensued, and Maverick pulled me close again. A knock came at my door, and I sighed. “We’d better get downstairs.”
Maverick nodded, and we climbed off the bed, and I opened the door. Mom stood in the hallway, and she visibly relaxed when Maverick slid his arm around my waist.
“You worked things out,” she observed.
I nodded.
“Well, your dads are going at it downstairs, so Cass and I’d appreciate it if you’d come and show them both you’re okay.”
I rolled my eyes as I took Maverick’s hand and followed Mom downstairs.
“You don’t keep s**t like that from your brothers,” Ace snapped.
“You do when your daughter asks you to,” Dad countered.
“Lily,” Cassidy breathed out, and all eyes were on me.
“Hi.” I gave a little wave, leaning heavily against Maverick who was at my back. “I’m really sorry I’ve caused so much grief.”
Cassidy rushed toward me and gently pulled me into a hug. “No grief, sweetheart. How are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.”
She stroked my cheek. “You look beautiful.”
I blushed. “Thanks.”
Maverick’s hand was back around my waist, and I leaned against him again.
“You good?” Ace asked.
I nodded. “I asked Dad not to tell anyone. I’m sorry, Ace. I...” I glanced up at Mav. “I was trying to keep Maverick from making any rash decisions, but I don’t think I kept the secret very well.”
Ace glanced at Maverick then at me. “It’s all good, Lily. You just get better.”
“That’s the plan,” I said, suddenly really tired.
Maverick must have picked up on that because I was in his arms and being carried to the sofa before I’d said a word.
“Honey, are you okay?” Mom asked.
I nodded. “Just a little tired.”
“We should probably get going,” Cassidy said. “Ready, Mav?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” Maverick said.
“Is it okay if he stays?” I asked as I looked up at Dad.
He shook his head. “No.”
I frowned. “You’re really going to deny the girl with cancer the one thing that will make her happy?”
“Ohmigod,” Mom said with a groan.
“Lily,” Maverick said, a little in shock.
“Please, Daddy?”
“Goddammit,” he snapped and jabbed a finger at me. “You stay where I can rip his d**k off if I need to.”
“Really, Hawk?” Mom admonished.
“No offense, Cass,” Dad added.
“Ah, some taken there, handsome,” she retorted. “I’d like my son’s p***s to stay attached to his body, if you don’t mind.”
“Would you people please stop talkin’ about my kid’s d**k?” Ace ordered, and then turned on Cassidy. “And you quit callin’ that ugly asshole ‘handsome.’”
I dissolved into giggles, burying my face into Maverick’s chest as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close.
“Why don’t you guys come have a beer?” Mom suggested. “The little kids are happy downstairs, the big kids are happy here, so we’ll give them some space, huh?”
I smiled up at her, and she laid a blanket over me, kissing my forehead. “Love your giggle, sweet girl.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
I could tell Dad wasn’t really keen on leaving me, but Mom pushed him out of the room, and I snuggled closer to Maverick. “Please don’t give up Notre Dame.”
He rubbed my arm. “We’ll talk about it later.”
“Promise me, Möosh.”
“Lil, we’ll talk about it later.”
“If you don’t go back, you’ll be giving up everything for no reason.”
He frowned down at me. “Do not turn this into a fight.”
I sat up so I could see him better. “I’m not turning this into a fight. I want you to—”
He kissed me. I knew it was just to get me to shut up, but whatever. It was effective. I settled myself on his lap so I could get closer and slid my hands into his hair. “You win this time, big man.”
Maverick grinned. “I win every time.”
I sighed, tucking my face into his neck and kissing him just below his jaw. “You smell good. Like you. I’ve missed this.”
“Me too, baby doll.”
I didn’t remember anything after that because apparently, I fell asleep.
- Writer
