outdoors.”
“I thought you said you’d never camped before.”
“I haven’t. But I’ve always wanted to, and I love nature walks.” She heads for the driver’s side of the truck. “I’ll take the first leg of the day.”
“No way. I hate being a passenger.”
“Why does that fact not surprise me?” She smiles. “Okay, fine. We try camping tonight, but you can do all the driving. How’s that for a compromise?”
“That’s…” Why do I feel like she just won? “Let’s see where we end up. First, we need to stop and get you some clothes. You can’t wear mine all trip. And if it’s late, we’ll just stay at a motel. Two rooms,” I add firmly.
Hannah purses her lips together like she’s trying not to laugh. “Sure, two rooms. But if we camp—one tent, right? I’m scared of bears.”
I groan. Bears are the absolute last thing I’m worried about when camping with my stowaway turned copilot.
Hannah
As we hit the highway, Maverick and I spend the first fifteen minutes fighting over the radio.
He likes sports talk shows. Go figure.
“Pop music? Shit, Hannah.”
“What’s wrong with pop music? There’s a reason it’s popular. What do you like—alternative crap?”
His mouth lifts in a half-grin. “No, I don’t prefer crap.”
“Well, what do you suggest?”
He exhales. “How about a compromise?”
“Like what?”
He clenches his jaw, a sign that I’m learning means he’s thinking of a solution.
“Do you have any playlists on your phone?”
I pick my phone off the floor. “Of course.”
“Me, too.” He grabs his phone out of the console. “We’ll alternate. You choose a playlist. Then I do. Deal?”
He turns his head to look at me. And my heart drops into my stomach like I’m on the world’s scariest roller coaster.
That’s what Maverick Court does to me.
From his dark eyes to his slightly messy hair that he constantly runs his hands through, never mind his sinfully hot body, Maverick is ridiculously attractive.
Are all football players this hot? Maverick’s friend, Dylan, was also very handsome. And so was their blond friend from the courthouse. Maverick told me that guy was Dylan’s cousin, Colton, and that the three of them were teammates in college. So the Wild cousins are super-hot. And according to Maverick, all three guys are single.
And yet…
I only react chemically to the man I’m riding shotgun with. This fact worries me. If I can be around someone as good-looking and sexy as Dylan Wild and my pulse doesn’t race the way it does with Maverick Court, what does that say?
I don’t think I should answer that question.
Because Maverick has made it clear he’s not interested in me. He begrudgingly agreed to drive me to Chicago, and I’m aware I have Dylan to thank for that. Athletes are nothing if not competitive, and Dylan clearly pushed Maverick’s buttons when he flirted with me.
I didn’t take his flirting seriously, and when he went to leave the motel parking lot, Dylan confirmed my thoughts by whispering, “Have a safe trip. I hope I didn’t offend you earlier.”
I shook my head. “Not at all.”
“Good. I just know Mav. Sometimes he needs a little push.”
I narrowed my eyes at Dylan. “You’re saying you activated his competitive gene by making him think…”
I trailed off, not sure what to say. I knew Maverick wasn’t interested in me, so why would he care if Dylan was?
Dylan winked. “You two will figure it out.”
Will we? I keep staring at Maverick, whose eyes have returned to the road.
Without turning to look at me, he says, “What?”
“Nothing.” I start scrolling through my phone. “I’m just thinking of what playlist to pick. Hmm. Something that will really annoy Mr. Bossy—what could that be?”
My attempts to tease are rewarded when Maverick barks out a laugh.
I make my selection, and the music fills the truck.
Maverick shakes his head. “Destiny’s Child? Didn’t they break up years ago?”
“That doesn’t make them any less awesome.” I shrug. “Plus, I need some girl power music right now.”
He flicks his gaze over to me.
“What happened to make you run, Hannah?”
His question is so out of the blue that I flinch involuntarily.
“Sorry.” He takes both hands off the wheel for a split second in a show of apology. “I didn’t mean to pry.”
“I think you deserve to know the story,” I say softly. “Considering you helped me get away. Even if you weren’t aware you were helping me, I’ll always be grateful I saw you and your friends at your truck.”
“Regardless of the reason why, I know you were fully planning to get married yesterday,” he says in