“Yeah, okay.” He rolls his eyes, wrapping his arm around my waist and pressing me close. “He doesn’t deserve you, Maddie.”
His breath tickles the hairs on the nape of my neck. I furrow my brow at the shiver he elicits. Connor’s never managed that type of sensation before. I’m not used to having any feelings, and now they’re all a jumbled mess.
But I know deep down, it’s the words, and not Connor himself, that are having an effect on me.
They’re nice. For the first time, it feels like someone values me. Maddie.
My eyes water, and I glance up at him. “Thank you,” I whisper.
“Of course. Want to get out of here?”
I nod. I don't need to know if the soulmate bond has thawed. What does it matter? Either it has, and Seth hated Madeline Finch so much that he can’t get past that part of me. Or I failed, and nothing will melt it at this point.
Either way, I no longer need to be here and torture my heart. I can be at home with my best friend instead, put it on my lap to keep me nice and warm, and Connor will be there too.
God, I miss my heating pad because this pain is shit.
We go to slide off the ice, and something tugs at my elbow. I swivel, making eye contact with a pair of green eyes filled to the brim with warring emotions.
Anxious. Jealous. Forlorn, almost.
He clears his throat but doesn’t say anything.
“Oh, hey, Connor. Look. Seth is here. Did you know? I hadn’t even noticed.”
“No shit.” Connor snorts behind me. “He is?”
“You know, Seth. I was concerned that something terrible had happened to you after you didn’t respond to my texts this week, so it’s great to see you’re alive and well.” I pat his arm. “But I’ve got to go. We’ve got a pizza and a movie waiting for us at home.”
“Madeline, can we talk?” Seth reaches again for me, and I try not to let the pang of sympathy I feel when I see his hand shake soften me.
“Madeline?” Connor chuckles. “God, you suck. Let’s go, Mads.”
I nod, narrowing in on Seth’s hands and furrowing a brow. “Um. I think it’s time I go home. Go back to your date, and we can talk later.” I try to force a smile and not let on how everything inside feels like it’s wilting. Whatever game we’ve been playing, I’m done. I lose. That’s the inconvenient truth.
I love this man.
I always have.
All the things I thought annoyed me about him—his flannels, his wit, his damn smirk.
Your honor, I love them.
Really. Truly. Unfortunately.
Hate was just a lie I told myself to safeguard against what appears now was always inevitable. Me, standing in front of Seth, unguarded and vulnerable, and him only interested in me in a way that inflates his ego, only wanting to talk when his perceived property is threatened.
Suddenly, everything grips my pelvic area hostage, and it takes all that I have not to crunch and hug my midsection.
“Shit. Maddie, please, I fucked up but let me—” He tries to hook his hand around the crook of my elbow, but Connor slaps it down.
“You bet your ass you fucked up, buddy. Now leave her alone.”
“I’m sorry. Are you part of this?” Seth stares down the slope of his nose.
Connor tries to return Seth’s stare with a menacing glare, but he’s still a golden retriever. “More than you are.”
“Both of you. Enough.” I snap. “There’s nothing between us to fuck up, so don’t worry about it. I get it. Promise. I’m not worth the hassle, and I deserve this. But I, I can’t tonight. I’m sorry.” I brush past Seth, turning my attention to Connor. “And you were right. I’m tired.” I rub my arms in the frosty night air. I give up. What’s the point of having ten minutes anymore? I’ll love Seth like I always have, and he’ll fall for Jenny. I deserve this. “I’m going home. You should stay and have fun, though. Maybe someone here will catch your eye.” I plaster on a tentative smile and hide my pain. I’m so tired of being vulnerable. I’d rather go home and drag myself through the hell that’s about to come alone.
