Page 35 of Rule Breaker
Maddox: Of course. But it didn’t take. He’s persistent.
Daniel: And that’s it? He annoys you?
Maddox: Yes. No. Sort of. We had a misunderstanding on Sunday and then we were arguing at practice today. He drives me nuts. But that’s not all. Fuck, I don’t even know if I can say it.
Daniel: Whatever it is, you know you can tell me. When you’re ready.
I typed out a response, deleted it. Typed it again. And finally sent it.
Maddox: I’m feeling things. More than I should. Like, in a way I haven’t about anyone else.
Daniel: What do you think it means?
Maddox: I don’t know. I shut off that part of myself because I can’t imagine getting close to anyone.
Daniel: You’ve come a long way in the past four years. Maybe this is the next step. A new friendship?
Friendship? Or, more? My hormones were messing up my head and I couldn’t think clearly.
Maddox: Maybe
Daniel: Tell him the truth. If you think Kayden is trustworthy, tell him. That’s the only way to bridge a gap. Like you and me, right? Once you told me, things changed. Things got better.
Maddox: I’ll think about it. This could be all for nothing. I should ignore him and focus on my game, my studies.
Daniel: Follow your gut
Maddox: TTYS
I shoved my phone in my pocket and waited by the elevator. As the minutes ticked by, my nerves kicked up. Until finally, I heard the telltale ping. Somehow, even though the doors were still closed, I knew who was on the other side of it.
Sure enough, when they opened, there was Kayden. My body primed like fight or flight. And when he walked in my direction, I realized the shower fantasy wasnota one off. Because I sure as fuck noticed him now. Which ticked me off. I didn’t want this. I didn’t want to feel anything.
“I’m here. What do you want?” I bit out.
Kayden ran a hand through his tawny hair. “I wanted to apologize for Sunday. For thinking that you were going to make fun of me.”
“Noted,” I replied and started to walk away.
“I’m not done yet!” Kayden called out.
“Surprise,” I snapped and turned around. “What is it?”
“I wanted to know if you’ll, you know, still help me with the economics class? I got a sixty-five on the essay and if I’d stayed and worked on it with you, that probably wouldn’t be the case.”
Fuck, why was I suddenly soft for this guy? I was pissed. At him, and at myself. Goddamn empathy had picked a fine time to show up.
“Once a week, we meet here for two hours,” I replied. “Fridays at noon. Take it or leave it.”
“I have my regular tutor ten to eleven thirty, so that works perfect,” he whispered, looking relieved. “Thanks.”
The big guy grinned, and it looked damn good on him. It shouldn’t. But it did. Staring at his smiling face was like staring into the sun. Or a solar eclipse. Either way, I was sure to get burned, or worse. I couldn’t even believe the thoughts running through my head…
“Anything else?” I asked.
There had to be. Kayden couldn’t say one thing and leave it at that.
“Well, I?—”