Teaching My Bookworm Stepsister
Chapter 52

Kapri's P.O.V.

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I let Maverick pull me into the parking lot. He carried my bags, and made sure that no one stopped us, or saw the state I was in. I guess I was thankful for that. I didn't even stop crying until we got in the car.

Actually, that's a lie. The moment I settled into the seat, I just started crying harder. I tried to stop it all, but.. It's just too much.

I don't know what to think, or how to feel. I'm confused about several things. I barely understand my own feelings lately. "Kapri.." Maverick said gently.

"This is all your fault." I blubbered. "My whole life is turned upside down because of you."

"I know." He replied gently.

I looked up at Maverick. He reached over to wipe the tears as they fell from my eyes. There was a pained look on his face. "Why are you like this?" I asked him.

"Like what?" He asked back.

"So confusing." I said.

Maverick sighed.

"I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Kapri. I was just.. so pissed off. That stupid fu.ck can't listen for sh.it." He ranted.

Stupid fu.ck? Hayden? What does that even mean, he can't listen?

"Someone is going around the school lying to you about Sally and me. And Josh won't leave you the fu.ck alone. I just.. lost my sh.it." He rambled. "I don't get you," I told him.

"Who told you that Sally and I were going somewhere this weekend?" He asked abruptly.

"Is it true?" I asked.

Maverick finished wiping my tears, that finally stopped. He looked deep into my eyes. I can see the clear annoyance in his.

"No. It is not. I told you already that I had no plans with her. I assumed she would still go to the dance." He told me.

I hate how happy that makes me.

"Now, who the fu.ck lied to you, Kapri?" Maverick asked angrily.

"Hayden said he heard Sally say it to Savannah." I told him.

"Did he now?" Maverick asked rhetorically.

I nodded anyway.

"And why would he need to tell you that?" He asked.

"Because I told him no at first," I said softly.

Maverick's eyes widened with shock.

"I told him that you and I were going to stay home and hang out with family. That was when he told me," I said.

"You.. told him that you were hanging out with me?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Why?" Maverick asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

"Because I hoped it would be true," I admitted. "Guess that makes me pretty stupid."

"I told you that I didn't have plans to be with her," Maverick said angrily.

"That doesn't mean you wanted to hang out with me." I rushed out.

I sighed as I leaned back on the seat.

"I don't want you to feel like you have to bend over backwards for me, Maverick. I don't want you to change up your life for me if you really don't want to. We don't have to.. explore with each other. We-"

"Are you going to replace someone else then?" Maverick interrupted me.

My eyes snapped to his.

"N-no! That's not what I meant." I rushed out.

"Good. Because at this point, Kapri, I'm verging on committing murder." He stated.

My cheeks heated instantly. I should not be blushing at that. What is wrong with me?

"I just mean-"

"I know what you mean, Kapri," Maverick interrupted me again. "It's because of the things I said earlier. I didn't mean them the way they came out, and I'm sorry. Kapri, I don't regret anything that has happened between us, or any of the choices I've made since. I want you to be happy. Making you happy makes me happy." He told me.

It.. does?

"Just.. Let me take you out and ask you what I wanted to ask you."

How can I say no to that?

Maverick pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant I've never been to. It's not as fancy as the places that Liam takes us, which is great for me. I wonder if Maverick did that on purpose.

Was it always obvious that I was uncomfortable?

I put my hand on the door handle, but Maverick stopped me before I could open the door.

"Wait," he said.

I waited as Maverick got out, and jogged over to my side of the door. He opened it up for me, and held his hand out. I looked at his hand, and at his face.

Then I swatted his hand away, and got out myself. I looked Maverick up and down with a raised brow. He shook his head at me as he shut the door.

"Why are you being so weird?" I asked him.

"I'm trying to make up for everything that just happened." He grumbled back.

I raised a brow at him.

"By opening my car door?" I asked him.

Is Maverick serious? Does he think opening my car door and acting all sweet suddenly is going to make up for things?

Honestly, I wish he wouldn't. Not because I don't think it will make up for things, but because I think it will. I already like Maverick more than I ever thought I would. More than I'm willing to admit, even to myself.

I don't want to like him even more than I already do. There is no future with Maverick. He doesn't want me like that. His heart belongs to someone else.

"I was just trying to be nice," Maverick grumbled.

"Well stop. It's weird," I said.

Maverick rolled his eyes at me, and mumbled something under his breath. I followed him into the restaurant where he sauntered to the hostest. Apparently, they know each other because they had a nice hushed, flirty conversation before I finally cleared my throat. "I'll take you to your table." She said, finally looking at me.

I followed behind Maverick where the hostest sat us at a booth. I slid into one side, thinking Maverick would take the opposite side, but no. That would be too normal for Maverick. And today, Maverick is being anything but. Which means, he slid into the same side of the booth as me. "Are you expecting more people?" I asked Maverick with a frown.

"Nope." He replied without looking at me.

"Then must you sit here?" I asked.

Maverick smirked, but still didn't look at me.

"Yes, I must. I think I might die if I'm more than a few inches away from you." He teased.

I gave him a bored look.

"Really?" I mumbled as I picked up my menu. "Didn't get that impression when you were flirting with the hostest." I said casually.

Maverick finally turned his head to me, but now it's my turn to not look at his stupid face.

"Don't tell me you're getting jealous again?" He said.

My jaw dropped as I turned my head to him. Maverick is smirking at me. Like he knew what my reaction would be.

This jerk.

"I'm not jealous." I lied.

Maverick leaned in closer to me. Due to my angry state, I didn't move at all. Which seemed to please Maverick. Of fu.cking course.

"You're a terrible liar, Kapri," he said lowly.

Then Maverick moved his lips close to my ear. I gulped at his close proximity. He smells really good.

"It's okay if you're jealous, Kapri, but you never need to worry about me with other girls." He whispered in my ear. Before I could stop myself, I reached up, and gripped onto his shirt.

"Mav-"

"Hi there, I'm Carly your server. What can I get started for you two?" Our server interrupted us.

Maverick pulled away from me. My face flamed with embarrassment. I almost forgot where we were for a minute there.

"I'll take a water, and she will have a sweet tea," Maverick told her.

Carly wrote down our drinks, and headed off. Maverick turned back to me, and tried to get close to me again. I put my hand on his face, and pushed him back. All so he could lick my hand. ""Ew!" I said.

Maverick just chuckled at me, before trying to lean in again.

"What are you doing? We're in public." I seethed lowly.

Maverick cupped the side of my face, and pressed his lips to mine. His kiss was short, but it still made my toes curl.

"I've been dying to do that all day." He told me.

"Yeah, whatever." I said as I pushed his hands away.

What the hell is going on with Maverick? Why's he being so... lovey? It's really giving me the wrong impression.

Our server came back with our drinks. Maverick placed an order for the two of us. I can't even be irritated about him ordering for me because he got something that I would have ordered anyway.

While we waited for our food, Maverick tried to kiss me several more times. Thankfully, we're tucked in the back of the restaurant, so if anyone we know comes in they shouldn't be able to see us. Still, I've been pushing him away the best I can, but he just chuckles at me, and tries again. I'm weak though. I've let him kiss me, touch me, put his damn hands all over me. I would come to my senses, and push him away, but I'm still too weak.

After our food was set down, Maverick kept his hand on my thigh while we ate. It was a comfortable silence while we ate, but I just couldn't take it anymore.

"Maverick, what are we doing here? You said you wanted to ask me something," I said.

"I do, but now I think I'm just going to demand it," he said.

"Demand it?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"That's right. For pi.ssing me off today, and trying to go on a date with another guy, I'm taking you no matter what you say. Even if I have to drag you kicking and screaming, and trust me Kapri, I will." He threatened.

I'm so confused.

"Take me where?" I asked him.

Maverick turned his head to me.

"When we get home, pack warm. You and I are leaving for the weekend," he said.

My eyes went wide as I looked at him.

"Oh," he added. "And you're telling Hayden tomorrow that you can't go to homecoming."