𝓒𝓵𝓪𝓻𝓪

Maverick's voice was steady, but there was an edge to it that hadn't been there before. "I'm Maverick," he said, extending a hand that Owen didn't take.

"Owen," he replied, cool and unbothered.

He looked Maverick up and down, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Just a friend," he said, glancing at me.

Maverick's hand fell to his side, and he stepped slightly in front of me, a protective gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Owen.

"Right," Maverick nodded, producing a false belief.

"Just passing by," Owen said, his gaze shifting back to me. "But now that I've seen Clara, I was hoping to catch up," he said.

I could feel Maverick's eyes on me, waiting for some sort of confirmation or denial. I was unsure of how to answer. I brought my hands shakily to my front and gripped them tightly.

Maverick noticed. "Clara and I have plans," he said, his voice firm. "Maybe some other time."

"Of course," he said, though it was clear he wasn't pleased. "Some other time," he said to me. It sounded more like a promise than a suggestion.

Owen gave me a long, lingering look before he put his helmet back on, nodding to Maverick, and then rode off.

Maverick waited till he was out of sight and then turned to me, his expression softening. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced in concern.

I nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm okay..." I said. He looked down, taking my shaking hands, and held them tightly.

They were extremely warm.

"Clara, I don't know who that really is, but in that short amount of time I just had, I can tell he's not a good person." He paused, slowly letting go of my hands. "You're scared of him."

My eyebrows furrowed. "How?" I asked quietly. Anytime I've been with him, he's always been nice to me.

"He's condescending. He sounds possessive, arrogant, and seems like he might be a little manipulative... Clara, you need to stay away from him."

I shook my head. "I... I think you're making things up. He doesn't seem like that."

"Clara-"

"No," I interrupted. "... I'm leaving. I... I'll talk to you some other time."