Despite his dad’s detailed report of every visitor he had, Maverick had no memory of her being there. But now, with his feet firmly back on U.S. soil, he could finally address the pressing need to see her.
“You fought your way back to us, so how are you doing now?” Alexandra asked.
“Good as new and ready to roll.” Maverick shot the group a big smile, ignoring the constant ache that had latched on like a leech.
“What’s next for ThunderStrike?”
“Business as usual.” He nodded, more to convince himself than anything. Maverick was hurting. If there was anything he detested, it was weakness. He’d throw on a smile and muscle through it. He’d keep his chin up and his pain to himself. Maverick measured most things against seventh grade. Seventh grade was the gold standard, the benchmark for things sucking. He had managed through worse. He would do it again. His family and friends expected it. His employees demanded it. He had an image to uphold and he’d do it if it fucking killed him.
Maverick answered a few more questions before the throng of media trickled away. Only Alexandra stayed.
“My phone is off. My cameraman long gone.” She stepped close. “It’s just us. Everyone’s been so worried about you. How are you doing?”
But it wasn’t just the two of them. Maverick’s family hovered, eager for the real story. Not happening.
“Thanks for coming out, Alexandra. I’m good. Really. Tell me about you. What’s happening with my boy?”
Alexandra beamed and Maverick chuffed out a laugh. A twinge pinched the back of his thigh and he rubbed the spot.
Her gaze followed his movement. Per usual, Alexandra missed nothing. “I thought so. Well, your secret is safe with me,” she whispered. “You’ve got to take it easy.”
“I’m on the top of the world, baby girl. Got too much going on to slow down. You didn’t answer my question. How’s Crockett?”
She beamed. “We tied the knot.”
“Holy hell. I missed the wedding?”
“Crockett thought my mom would want to be there. It was small. Nothing like Colton and Brigit’s this December.” Her smile fell away. “We wanted you there—”
“It’s okay. When was the big day?”
“Last month.”
He kissed her cheek. “Congratulations. How is Mama Mitus doing?”
Alexandra’s smile fell away. “She passed, but she was so happy to see us marry.”
Sadness cut through him. “I’m sorry, honey.”
“It’s been tough. Crockett has been amazing and so supportive. How did you get through it when your mom died?”
The short answer: Carly.
Maverick’s family hung on his every word. He didn’t want to talk about his mom. Not here, not now. Not ever, really. Like everything else, Maverick clamped down on his feelings. “We leaned on each other. Got through it the best we could.” He threw his family a brave smile. “Our boy Crockett is strong. You’re smart to lean on him. Tell him I’ll call him once I get settled.”
“I will.” She hugged him. “You’re our hometown hero. The press has been talking about your return for days. They’re probably camped out at your home waiting for you.”
Christ, I hope not.
“Wait, you live on a boat, don’t you?”
“Let’s keep that our little secret.”
Before leaving, Alexandra addressed his family. “Good to see you guys. Can I get a couple of quotes from the fam?”
“We’re very relieved Ashton is home,” Warren said.
“And so proud of his heroic efforts,” Desiree added.