to say, I’ve never seen Maverick out with a woman before,” Colton says. “Dating looks good on you, Mav.”
“We aren’t dating,” I say automatically. “We’re…” I feel myself flush with heat, and Colton and Dylan chuckle.
“You don’t have to explain anything to us,” Dylan says warmly. “We just like giving Maverick shit.”
“In all seriousness, you two look good together,” Colton says.
“Great.” Maverick puts his hand on my thigh under the table. It feels like a protective gesture. “Can we fucking talk about something other than Hannah and me?”
“Sure.”
As the server brings our food, we keep chatting. Colton’s quieter than the other two, and I get the sense something’s on his mind. At one point, Maverick asks him if he’s okay.
He insists he is and then asks me if I have any questions about Maverick that I want answered. “We know a lot,” he tells me conspiratorially.
“What was he like in college?” I ask, partly dreading the answer. But I’m too curious not to ask.
Dylan’s dark eyes brighten. “Do you want the PG version?”
I laugh. “I guess so.”
“Christ,” Maverick mutters. “This isn’t fair. I don’t get to interrogate your college roommate.”
“Kia wouldn’t have much to say,” I tell him truthfully. “I didn’t do anything scandalous.”
“Mav’s worst night was probably sophomore year when he got drunk at a party after our biggest game of the season,” Colton says. “He lost his shirt and pants in a bet and had to walk home in just his boxers. The boxers part is debated actually.”
“A few girls at school videotaped it,” Dylan says to me. “It went viral on campus.”
“In fact, you might be able to still find it if you search hard enough,” Colton says.
“You can’t,” Maverick says as he turns to me. “It wasn’t a big deal. I was stupid and drunk is all. And I did have my boxers on the whole time.”
I smile at him. “I’m sure you looked good nonetheless.”
“Wasn’t worth the shit I took from these two.” He points at Colton and Dylan across the booth. “They never let me live that night down. I guess I’ll have to get back at you this season.”
“Yeah, the Cougars are coming to Chicago,” Colton says. “It’ll be weird to compete against you, Court.”
Maverick smirks. “We’ll kick your asses.”
Dylan holds up his beer. “Let’s make a bet. Loser buys dinner the next time.”
“So I buy for the two of you if Chicago loses, and if we win, you two buy for just me?” Maverick grins. “Not exactly a fair bet.”
Colton laughs. “Hey, you started it.”
I smile as they try to figure out a bet that will work. I enjoy listening to the three of them mess with each other. They’re all good guys. Colton and Dylan are very kind to me and treat me like they’ve known me for years. They accept me right into their little fold.
My phone rings. “It’s Kia,” I tell Maverick. “Be right back.”
“Hey,” I say to her as I start walking toward the back of the restaurant.
“How are you?” she asks. “Are you nearly to Chicago?”
I turn into the hallway where the restrooms are located and lean against the wall. “We’re in Denver.”
“Oooh, you’re close!” She giggles. “How’s your travel partner?”
“He’s…” I hesitate.
And that’s all Kia needs.
“Holy shit. You fucked him, didn’t you?”
“Kia. Your language,” I joke.
“Seriously, Hannah. Don’t leave me hanging.”
I glance around to make sure I’m alone. “Yes.”
She screams, nearly breaking my eardrum.
When I bring the phone back to my ear, she asks me, “How was it?”
“Incredible,” I admit. “Like, crazy good.”
“So happy for you!” she says. “And he’ll be in Chicago, too?”
“Yeah. But I don’t think anything will come of it.”
“Why not?”
“I just don’t. I’m supposed to be having a rebound right now, remember? Not a relationship.”
“Don’t say that,” she says. “We can’t plan when we meet the right guy. Don’t end things just because he doesn’t fit with the plans you set for yourself.”
Maybe she’s right. Maybe I should talk to Maverick about what comes after we get to Chicago.
Not tonight, though. I’ll do it after he films the commercial. Maybe tomorrow night, which is our last before we reach our destination.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Maverick
Once Hannah’s left the table, I tip my chin at Colton. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” he says. “Why?”
“You’ve been distant tonight,” I say.
Dylan flicks his gaze over to Colton. “You have been,” he agrees.
Colton’s eyes dim. “I haven’t been back to Colorado since my dad died.”
I don’t get the connection.
Dylan glances at me. “Colt came to Colorado with his parents shortly before that.”
“Oh.