Into the Fading Twilight (Starlight Grove, #2) (36)

I studied the youngest Archer brother for a moment. “How’d you know?”

His dark brows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“You knew this would help. How? Most people think it’s weird.” Okay, that wasn’t exactly true. Brae thought it was weird. The little she knew. “Or unhealthy.”

Mav shrugged, tipping his sunglasses up again. “Seems a hell of a lot healthier than medicating with drugs, alcohol, sex, or the million other things people reach for.”

He had a point there.

“Sometimes, the world gets too loud,” Mav said softly. “This helps. And it reminds me that I’m still here.”

My mouth thinned—not in irritation but in understanding. This sort of thing called to us in similar ways. And I was grateful I had someone who didn’t think I was a freak for needing this.

“Nova?” a voice called.

I turned to see a woman approaching the trail on horseback—a woman I recognized. Aster had her blond hair pulled back into a low bun and a flat-brimmed cowboy hat shielding her face from the sun. “Hi,” I called, surprise lighting the word.

She beamed at me. “I recognized the hair.”

My long, nearly black hair was woven into a braid that went halfway down my back. “It’s a giveaway.” I climbed off my bike, leaning it against a tree and crossing to Aster and her horse. “And who’s this sweet creature?”

“This is Daisy. And she loves to come watch the bikers.”

She was beautiful, covered in a patchwork of large brown and white spots.

“Can I say hello?” I asked.

“She’d love that,” Aster said with a smile.

“What about me, Ice Queen?” Mav cut in. “No hello?”

“Didn’t notice you there, Satan. Maybe because you’re in your home environment—the dirt,” Aster shot back.

Maverick’s lips twitched. “Come on, now. It’s fun to get a little dirty once in a while. Live a little.”

Aster’s pale-blue eyes narrowed on him. “Our ideas of fun aren’t the same.”

My gaze ping-ponged between the two of them as I thought about stroking Daisy’s cheek but decided against it. I’d never seen either of them this combative with anyone.

A hint of confusion lit in Maverick’s eyes, but he covered it quickly. “That’s a shame. Might be good for you to remove the stick from your ass every once in a while.”

Aster gaped at him for a moment and then quickly shut her mouth, turning back to me. “Shoot me a text if you ever want to go riding. The horses can always use the exercise.”

“I’ve never ridden before,” I admitted. Growing up in coastal Rhode Island with parents who were more focused on money for booze than food didn’t exactly give me the opportunity for lessons.

“Not a problem,” Aster assured me. “We’ve got plenty of good horses to learn from.”

I studied the horse, a sense of peace gliding over me. “I’d love that.”

“Good. I need to head back to the ranch, but we’ll set it up.” Aster’s gaze flicked to Mav, her armor in place. “Satan.”

“Ice Queen,” he clipped.

Jesus.

Aster turned her horse and encouraged it into a faster gait, taking off for the forest beyond.

I turned back to Maverick. “What’s the story between you two?”

Mav shrugged, shooting me a grin that was as fake as that orange cheese that shot out of a can. “Some people just hate me because I’m so damn attractive.”

I stared back at him for a long moment. And for the briefest flash, I swore I saw sadness in those dark-hazel eyes.

“Come on, Supernova. You want your first real mountain biking lesson?” he asked.

I knew he was searching for a change of topic, but I gave it to him anyway. Because I knew what it was like to have things you didn’t want to talk about. “Show me the ropes, trail king.”

“Now that’s the kind of respect I’m talking about.”

I let out a laugh that sounded a little more like a snort. “You need help.”

He waggled his eyebrows at me. “I could be into the nurse thing.”

“I’m talking about the kind of help that reduces your ego.”

Mav waved me off. “Naw, I’m perfect as is.”

I just shook my head as I followed him toward the switchbacks that would lead us back up the mountainside.

We spent the next two hours covering the basics and doing some practice rides on the beginner paths. I even managed a ride down a trail that was rated a blue square, which meant it was more difficult, but Mav insisted I needed a little more practice before hitting a black diamond.

By the time we walked our bikes back to the parking lot, my whole body hurt. I might’ve pushed it a bit too much, but the relief that came from having tired muscles instead of anxious, twitchy ones was worth it.

“Thank you,” I said, casting a glance Maverick’s way. “You were probably coming to work out on that double black diamond trail, and you spent the day on the equivalent of a bunny slope.”

“I don’t mind,” he assured me. “Honestly, it’s good to go back to the basics once in a while. And I’m glad I could help.” He opened his mouth to say something else, then stopped. Then started again. “I know you went through hell. If there’s anything I can do to make things easier on you, that feels good.”