"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" He stared at for about two seconds before he closed the distance between us and gently pulled 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 ."
He t 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 shit by yourself? What if you die? What if I miss out on ti 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 lted 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 ga 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 into his arms, and we stretched out on my bed so he could hold closer.
"Please tell you didn’t hook up with so cheerleader slut," I sobbed into his chest.
"I didn’t hook up with so cheerleader slut," he whispered.
"Did you hook up with so 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 soone who wasn’t you, so I just focused on alienating myself from everyone I ca 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 . Please don’t send 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 until we were both breathing heavy. He was the one who broke the connection and pulled 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 tis 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 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 close again. A knock ca 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 co 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 shit 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 .
"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 and gently pulled 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 . "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 . "You stay where I can rip his dick off if I need to."
"Really, Hawk?" Mom admonished.
"No offense, Cass," Dad added.
"Ah, so taken there, handso," she retorted. "I’d like my son’s penis to stay attached to his body, if you don’t mind."
"Would you people please stop talkin’ about my kid’s dick?" Ace ordered, and then turned on Cassidy. "And you quit callin’ that ugly asshole ’handso.’"
I dissolved into giggles, burying my face into Maverick’s chest as he wrapped an arm around and pulled close.
"Why don’t you guys co have a beer?" Mom suggested. "The little kids are happy downstairs, the big kids are happy here, so we’ll give them so space, huh?"
I smiled up at her, and she laid a blanket over , kissing my forehead. "Love your giggle, sweet girl."
"Thanks, Mama."
I could tell Dad wasn’t really keen on leaving , but Mom pushed him out of the room, and I snuggled closer to Maverick. "Please don’t give up Notre Da."
He rubbed my arm. "We’ll talk about it later."
"Promise , 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 . "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 . I knew it was just to get 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 ti, big man."
Maverick grinned. "I win every ti."
I sighed, tucking my face into his neck and kissing him just below his jaw. "You sll good. Like you. I’ve missed this."
" too, baby doll."
I didn’t rember anything after that because apparently, I fell asleep.
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