Page 122 of Savage Heart

Maverick shakes his head. “Don’t make me choose, Jennifer.”

Her eyes shine. “You already have. At least be man enough to recognize that.”

She turns and walks away.

I look at Maverick, and it pains me to see the guilt and regret etched into his face.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

He turns and takes me in his arms. “No, I’m the one who’s sorry.”

My phone rings the day of Lincoln’s ceremony. I pick it up without checking to see who it is.

“Hello?”

“Hi, honey,” Evelyn says.

“Hi, Evelyn,” I say, my shoulders relaxing.

“Maverick has probably told you that he talked to the family . . .”

“Yes, he did.”

“They’ll come around, sweetheart. Don’t worry. And I made it clear I was happy about this, which came as a shock to everyone.” She laughs.

I laugh too. “I haven’t gotten around to telling Maverick about your visits.”

“I was just going to say the same thing—I wanted to that day, but he’s been so busy, and I wanted to talk to you about it first.”

I’ve been adamant about her not telling Jennifer and Maverick. I don’t even know why I fought her so hard on it. I think I just was too afraid of causing another divide. I know how awful it is and didn’t want that for Evelyn and her son and her best friend.

“Now Jennifer knows too, and she’s taking it how I imagined she would. I hope it’s not causing too much trouble between you and her.”

“Don’t worry about me. If she doesn’t let some of this bitterness go, she’s going to drive herself into the ground. She’s very angry right now, and that’s part of why I’m calling. I assume you’re coming to the ceremony tonight?”

“Yes.”

“I wondered . . . would you please sit with the family? I’d like that.”

I blink, touched by this gesture. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. Jennifer will be sitting with Brandon in the front row. And it’s time, Iris. Don’t you think?”

I don’t say anything.

“It was so fun having Linc here at camp. I am ready for the whole world to know how much I love that boy. I know you have strong feelings about it, though, so I don’t want to do anything that you don’t approve of.”

“I’d love to sit with you, Evelyn. I just never wanted you to have to choose.”

“Well, it’s time that you let me decide that for myself.”

I laugh. “Okay, that’s fair.”

That night, I’m full of dread. Maverick picks up Linc, Otis, and me, and it’s quiet on the drive to the school.

I don’t want to be here.

Lights blaze overhead, too bright, too unforgiving. The air has the bite of autumn and smells like popcorn and too many people in close proximity. I used to love nights out here. Maverick and I would eat hot dogs and share popcorn as we watched Lincoln play.