Someone Older

Chapter 22

I stared at Maverick’s message, my fingers frozen above the screen. The weight of everything I had felt earlier came crashing down again. I wanted to ignore him, to shut off my phone and pretend he didn’t exist, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t that simple. Maverick never let things go.

I didn’t respond. Not right away. Instead, I shoved my phone into my pocket and started walking home, trying to focus on the calm feeling Marcus had left me with. But it didn’t last long. Maverick’s words kept creeping into my mind.

We’re not done.

I knew what that meant. He wanted control. He wasn’t ready to let me slip out of his grasp. It was always like this with him—one moment of anger, then a moment of regret, pulling me back in before I could fully break away.

When I got home, I headed straight to my room, closing the door behind me and sinking onto my bed. My phone buzzed again, and I didn’t even have to check to know it was him.

I took a deep breath, pulled it out, and there it was.

Maverick: Answer me.

My chest tightened. Why couldn’t he just let me breathe for one second? I had told him I needed space, but he didn’t care. He never cared when it came to what he wanted.

I typed out a quick reply, my fingers trembling slightly as I hit send.

Me: I told you I need space, Maverick. Please respect that.

For a few minutes, there was nothing. No buzzing, no messages. I thought maybe he had finally listened, that he’d let me have this one thing. But then, just as I started to relax, another message came through.

Maverick: No. We’re talking. Now. Come outside.

My heart dropped. He’s here?

I scrambled to my window, pushing the curtain aside. Sure enough, there he was, leaning against his car across the street, his eyes locked on my house. He wasn’t going anywhere until I came out.

A part of me was furious, but another part of me was scared. I knew Maverick could be unpredictable when he didn’t get his way. His control issues were no secret to me. I had seen it before, felt it before.

I texted back quickly.

Me: I’m not coming out. I already told you, we’re done for now. Go home.

But instead of leaving, he just stood there, his arms crossed, his jaw set in that stubborn way that told me he wasn’t going to take no for an answer.

The next message came through almost instantly.

Maverick: You’re not getting rid of me that easily.

I clenched my phone, my mind racing. This wasn’t just about us anymore. It was about him not being able to let go, not being able to lose control. I couldn’t let him keep doing this. But I wasn’t sure how to make him stop.

Just then, another buzz—this time from Marcus.

Marcus: Hope you made it home okay :) Had a good time.

The contrast between the two messages was startling. Marcus was easy, safe, uncomplicated. Maverick was a storm I couldn’t escape, no matter how hard I tried.

I took a deep breath, typing back to Marcus.

Me: I did, thank you. It was really nice to hang out with you.

Before I could even put my phone down, another buzz from Maverick.

Maverick: I’m not leaving, Raven. Not until you come out.