Page 124 of The Draft

“What? How can you not be rooting for them? It’s like Romeo and Juliet with hopefully a happier ending,” Erik continued as he walked out of the room.

“Madison, I won’t be long,” Cade said.

She looked over at me with an overprotective edge, but I didn’t need her to be concerned for me, so I squeezed her hand. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

“And I’ll be just outside.” Madison stood and glared at her brother as she walked past him, and just as she was standing in the doorframe, she looked over her shoulder and winked.

Man, did I love her. And shit, it felt so good to be able to think that without hearing Cade’s voice haunting me. I loved Madison. She loved me, and everyone now knew about it.

When she was out of sight, it was just me and Cade. Strange. We’d been friends for so long that I couldn’t remember the last time we were in a room and had nothing to say to each other. Potentially never. This was the first time in our lives that we had to deal with something less than kosher.

He blew out a long breath before moseying over to the bed and sitting next to me. We both stared straight ahead at the now-shut door.

More silence.

Not awkward at all.

“So, you and my sister?” He gently clapped his hands together, rubbing them as he stared at the door, still refusing to look at me.

“Yeah,” I sighed out. “Me and Madison.”

“How long?”

“It’s been a little over a month.” He deserved the truth.

“No. I know that. Madison told me it started at The Draft.”

“Okay,” I drawled out, confused.

“How long have you been secretly pining over her?”

Fuck. I should have known this would come up.

“Since I found out about Henry and Amy. I, uh, always thought she was cute, but I didn’t really think of her as anything other than your kid sister. Not until that day, then I saw her in a different light. She’s the reason I broke his nose, because I wanted to make sure I never saw her that upset again.”

“Figured. I always thought it was strange that you fought so passionately for Amy when you barely mentioned her name in high school.” He shook his head and bit his bottom lip. “Not to mention how you were always the one to tell me when guys were approaching Madison. I even got you to see who she was dating here.” He laughed bitterly to himself. “I was really stupid not to see this coming, wasn’t I?”

“No. I never intended to act on it. Ever. But it just kind of happened.”

“I’m guessing that wasn’t a dream I had the other night, then?” I looked at him quizzically. “I had a dream you told me you were in love with Madison. Thought it was because I’d been drinking, and then when I saw her in your room today, I thought I’d somehow predicted the future.”

I laughed nervously. “No. You weren’t dreaming. I wrote an entire speech, knowing full well I’d been an ass and expecting to be reprimanded as such. It was only after I finished that I realized you were asleep.”

“Figures. Look, I know you’re a serious guy, and you wouldn’t be going near my sister unless you felt like she was equally serious about you, but I just wanted to say, she’s always had a thing for you, so please don’t break her heart.”

“I never intend to.”

“Good.”

Holding his hand out, he looked at me expectantly. I shook it as he offered me a curt smile. Was that it? No more punching? No more anger about betraying him? Had I missed something?

“Arewestill good?”

He nodded. “You’re my friend and teammate. We have to be good. Do I like that you’re dating my sister? Not particularly, but you’re better than a football player.” I nodded, and then he clasped my shoulder. “Do I like that you snuck around behind my back? Not at all, but we’re clear that will never happen again, right?” He squeezed my hand, making me wince from the pain.

“Right,” I said, and I let out a breath when he let go.

“Good.” I watched Cade stand, making his way to the door, and the little pinches of pain where his fingertips left my shoulder were a reminder that he was serious.