boop

“I’d opt for the latter,” Lina muttered, taking a drink of her iced latte and staring out into the water. Her parents had practically scarred her from wanting kids, she imagined it was the same for the majority of the Aldridge children. “Next holiday–I just moved to Santa Monica at the beginning of summer, so I wouldn’t know what the next one would be celebrated here. …Thanksgiving?” She offered lamely, before remembering one of her favorite holidays. “Halloween.”

“Halloween,” Maverick made another face, though he tried not to laugh. “I get scared way too easily. I’m not a fan of all the creepy costumes. But the candy? I can dig it.” He couldn’t remember his last messy family holiday, but he was almost certain Thanksgiving was it. “Thanksgiving means you have to see your family...yikes.”

“Wait, we’re scamming guys for drinks and you didn’t even tell me?” he said, his voice rising just a little, but attracting attention wasn’t his concern. If anything, he lived for it. “Also, he bought us fuckin’ Coors Light. And you just took it. Just look at him, Mav!” He turned to glance at the man in question. “He looks like the kind of guy who’ll get you drunk on seven daiquiris and a mojito so you can suck his dick in the bathroom.” He groaned in annoyance when it dawned on him that they were probably doomed to drink mediocre beer the rest of the night or worse— water. “I have to do everything myself around here, don’t I?” was the last thing he said, flaring up the dramatics, before he hopped off the stool and started to walk aimlessly around the room, his eyes never leaving his friend’s as he searched for the next unsuspecting victim of their modus.

Maverick shrugged his shoulders, like it wasn’t anything new. He was used to just walking into bars and getting what he wanted; bringing Asher was just a plus this time around. He put his chin in his hand, not wanting to expend the effort his friend currently was, but grinning none the less. “Who said I wouldn’t?” he quipped, laughing as Asher slid off the stool. “Get us something good and I’ll suck yours later, baby,” he crooned, turning back towards the bartender for a moment. Maverick then turned in his seat so his back was against the bar, and he nodded towards the corner, another single, lonely looking guy who seemed perfect for it.

MAVERICK BROOKS

          ⇢ @maverickxbrooks​

            In this day and age, Hunter knew better than to create expectations when it came to interviews, especially ones to be broadcast on the radio. Presenters in this dying business would often go far out of their way to make their programs engaging in the slightest in a desperate attempt to outrun their opponents in a race, long won by podcasts, Instagram Stories, and even late-night talk shows. So it was no surprise that interviews frequently deviated into the realm of his romantic life, sexual orientation, or unfounded rumors about his animosity toward someone else in the business just to produce some little buzz and temporarily raise the station’s audience. But not many people cared for the radio anymore and so, spitless of all the controversy most hosts relentlessly tried to create, there was not much they could before video threw its last blow and finally killed the radio star once and for all. But that didn’t signify they were going down without a fight. There were still great names in the business, names that dwindled by the day, migrating into the podcast-verse, or YouTube, but nevertheless, there were some quite resilient hosts and if that meant that there was still any hope for that business, it resided in those presenters, one of them being Maverick Brooks. 

          They had told him Maverick was good, that he’d manage to make him feel comfortable, talk to him about the things he enjoyed, whilst still making the show interesting for the audience, they’d told him he’d hit it off with the host right away and that the interview would seem more like a conversation between decade-old friends than a myriad of artificial, pre-scripted questions. They’d told him he would enjoy it, and they were right. The interview started off smoothly and flowed much better than he’d become used to, not that he had been expecting much, but Maverick really did hit it out of the ballpark. So much so that, by the end of it, Hunter bailed on his manager to go catch some drinks at a nearby bar with the radio host. “––I mean it, though, it was a fucking breath of fresh air from people asking me if I’m dating anyone like that’s their fucking business. I know sex sells and all that bullshit, but it would be good if we could just rely on our talent.” Which was something he kept telling himself he should’ve considered before accepting a role on a CW show.

Maverick only had his job left to hold on to at times. While he had his sister-in-law, and his nephew, sometimes the world just seemed like it was too much for someone like him. His life had been splashed upon all the trash magazines once, simply because his last name connected him to some high profile man in the industry. His father and him hadn’t spoken in a while, yet the missed calls were proof that Maverick wasn’t exactly trying. Either way, he took comfort in the radio show he hosted, or when he was just simply working the graveyard shift and playing whatever music he and all the other night owls in LA wanted to hear. 

Hunter was someone he had to read up on, and truth be told, Maverick wasn’t exactly nervous or anxious like he used to be. For once, the conversation eased into something friendly and familiar, and Maverick always managed to do better without that extra superficial pressure. He was leaning against the bar now, watching as Hunter spoke with rapt attention. Maverick felt his smile grow, and he shrugged his shoulders, “If you were dating someone, you would’ve mentioned it. It’s how everyone does it now and days. They have to reaffirm their greatness by name dropping their girlfriend – or boyfriend,” he added, winking at Hunter before he picked up his drink, “Talent....mhm, I can’t say I’ll watch your show, but hey, at least you’ll look good in it?”

“Because it’s not just getting a ten year old a dog. It’s getting me a dog; one that I don’t have the time to take care of.” She barely had time to do so for the ten year old, though she was trying her best. She loved that kid more than she loved anything else in the world, more than she ever would. There wasn’t a thing she wouldn’t do for him…dog excluded. Maybe when he was older, could help take better care of it. A brief shove was delivered to Maverick’s shoulder, head shaking in disbelief that she was getting ganged up on. She made a point not to look at the puppies, eyes rolled up toward the sky, but it wasn’t long until her gaze fell to the one that had captured Maverick’s attention, and was unsurprised to find that it was absolutely adorable. Shit. With a sigh, she sunk to her own knees, now eye level with the creature. “…okay, he’s cute. But I’m still not getting a dog.”

“Animals are the best companions. Unconditional love and all that jazz,” he pointed out to his sister-in-law, smiling a little more before he looked at the puppies. “Haven’t you thought about how it’ll teach him some responsibility? He’ll have to clean up after it, feed it,” he grinned slightly, turning towards the kittens. “And I...want one of these little cuties. Because they’re needy like I am.”

“What do you mean? I’ve always been a tough guy,” he said firmly, flexing his chest and rotating his shoulders as if that demonstrated anything. “I’ll go easy on him, though, don’t worry. But tell him to bring extra Sharpies. It might get rough.” He reached for his drink, smiling with his lips on the bottle as he downed the rest of its contents and taking a moment to swallow down the burn. Giving the bottle a little shake to make sure it’s empty, he put it back on the counter, already-half facing the bar as though he was preparing to call the bartender. “Can you loan me like, five?” he asked, intent on ordering another beer. “And before you tell me I still owe you from the other night, yes I’m aware, but I’ll pay you back when I’m like, famous or something. Put it on the tab for now, yeah?”

Maverick gave Asher a look, though his gaze followed Asher’s. He reached out, lightly grabbing his friend’s hand, “Asher – I didn’t even bring my wallet.” He glanced around the bar, pointing down at a guy that was further away from them, “He bought my drink – and yours.” Maverick couldn’t remember the last time he brought money to a bar; if flirting got them free drinks, he’d rather do that. “So maybe...wait?”

“Either that or they’ve gone deaf from the noise.” Lina said with an irritated sigh, glad to have found someone with a mutual distaste for them. “Beautiful colors of light, sure. Thrilling for a night, absolutely. But I don’t go out of my way to see them. I didn’t even bother this year.”

“I think it’s only good if you have kids – or, you know, you’re drunk with everyone else.” He hadn’t bothered to go watch fireworks either, and instead opted to work one of the overnight shifts at work so he wouldn’t have to leave his office at all. “Whatever. What’s the next holiday?”

“Okay, first of all, ouch.” He brought the napkin down on the table. “Second of all, I gave you way better facial structure— you’re welcome.” He used his pen to point at the drawing. “And third, your nephew knows jack shit. Tell him to meet me at the back alley of Lucky’s tomorrow at 6, I’ll challenge him to a doodle-off. See if he’s worth the word you’ve put in for him.”

“Those are fighting words. I’ll make sure he knows. You’re a tough guy now, huh? Sure you won’t cry when you get your ass kicked by a seven year old?” Was that how young his nephew was? He hoped – but maybe it was ten. He made a mental note to double check, though he was sure he’d forget that too. “I’ll mediate, Aldridge. But we both know you’re all bark, no bite.”

How they had ended up at the adoption fair, Sofia didn’t know. In fact, she clearly remembered telling Maverick that she was trying to avoid the area. She had nothing against animals–had had a puppy growing up that she had loved–but while she didn’t have an aversion towards them, Michael had a strong desire for one, and had for the last few months or so. Her and Nathan had talked about it, years before. Decided that maybe when he was a little older. But with the events of the last three years, a new addition to their family had been the last thing on Sofia’s mind.

They had been on their way to the rumored free popsicles when they passed it. Sofia had tried to keep them moving, but it had been inevitable. Michael had darted right towards them, giving the two no choice but to follow. A pointed look was shot towards her brother-in-law, eyebrow raising and arms crossing over her chest. “…this is your fault, and yet, I’m the one who’s going to have to deal with a disappointed ten year old. How is that?”

@maverickxbrooks

If there was one thing Maverick liked, it was animals. He’d been dying to get a cat for a while now, and the adoption fair seemed like a good place to find one. He’d already known Sofia wasn’t going to be thrilled to let her child down, but Maverick figured this could work in both his and Michael’s favors. He was following after his nephew, finding amusement in Sofia’s look already, “Don’t blame me. You’re the one who won’t get the poor kid a dog.” Maverick smiled a little more, “Get him a dog already. Kids deserve fun things too, mom.” Maverick huffed out a laugh, bending down to look at one of the dogs, “What about this one?”

Eyeing the other person every couple of seconds while his pen worked on the piece of napkin, he finally held it up after about five minutes or so, basking in his work. “Had some trouble with the nose, but it looks just about right, don’t you?” He showed them his drawing, grinning as he waited for their reaction.

Maverick too the napkin, raising an eyebrow, “Spot on, babe. Except I think I’m a little taller than that. Maybe you should stick to...whatever the hell you do. I’m pretty sure my nephew could draw something better than this and it’d make my fridge’s hall of fame.”

He makes a wild turn there, nearly bumping into an old lady, but he needs to lose those poorly disguised reporters standing in front of his apartment. Spotting someone that did not seem busy running somewhere, he approaches them calmly as to not startle them. “Hi, this is a weird request but can you pretend we are talking about something?”

Maverick was taken off guard by the man who had ran into him, but seeing the other’s easy smile, he relaxed – if just for a moment. “Talking? About what?” he glanced over the guy’s shoulder, and he tried not to laugh, “Trouble in paradise or what?”

“If I hear one more firework go off, I’m leaving Santa Monica.” Lina muttered in frustration, hands gripping her iced latte and nearly causing the lid to pop off. It wasn’t that she didn’t enjoy fireworks, but loud pops in general tended to give her the jump scares. And Lina thrived on coming across as calm and collected. 

“You and me both,” Maverick only looked over at Lina, putting his chin in his hand as he stared out at the pier. The fireworks would be going off for days, that much he knew, even past the 4th. “Dio mio, don’t you think anyone gets tired of hearing them besides us?”