Like I always have.
Because I’m good at being alone.
Promise.
Chapter fifteen
Just Friends
Seth
Maddieisinpain.Panic tugs on my gut as Maddie glides away from the pond and unties her skates.
“You aren’t going to follow her?” I ask Connor. It comes out strained as a growing pressure sits heavy on my chest.
This is the part of the story where I should get whacked in the face, and after seeing Maddie’s shoulders slump and her skate away in defeat, I deserve it.
When Jenny suggested coming to the tree farm for skating, I knew what she was doing. She wanted to send Maddie a message. And I thought I’d be okay with letting it happen because it’d probably expedite Connor and Maddie’s storyline before I fell harder for that damn woman.
And maybe, skating with Jenny would take my attention off the hungry flames that consumed me whenever I was in Maddie’s orbit.
It was worth a try anyway.
But when my skates hit the ice and Jenny wobbled rather cartoonishly, I only felt panic.
Maddie’s in pain.The thought froze me in the middle of the cranberry bog as I searched for her until my gaze fell on her angelic blonde hair tucked under a lilac beanie with a pom-pom on top. Connor’s hand rested on her back, and a war of feelings stirred inside. Grateful that he was comforting her when I couldn’t be the one to do it and jealous it wasn’t me. Even if it was my whole damn fault to begin with.
And then it happened again, and I couldn’t stand there anymore. I had to be close to her, or else I would shut down and have a panic attack on the ice. That’s the only thing that made sense to me.
Jenny wasn’t pleased with my sudden change in plans, but I doubt she would have suffered my antics well if I just sat on the ice, so I’ll be the ass in every story.
And now, I’m standing here with a deep sense of dread and a gut screaming at me that Maddie doesn’t feel well, and I need to do something about it.
“She said she wanted to be left alone.” He shrugs, raising his eyes to meet mine with a cutting glare. “Which I suggest we both honor.”
“But she’s having a flare, and it’s getting to be too much.” I can sense it deep in my bones, like our molecules have somehow rearranged to become one and everything she feels is now ingrained in my soul.
Connor’s eyebrows squish together, and he shoves his hands in his pockets. “Look, I don’t know how much she’s told you, but Maddie’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.”
I don’t get it. If Connor’s supposed to be Maddie’s happily ever after, shouldn’t he be the guy driven out of his mind wanting to take of her? Shouldn’t he be the one with shaking hands because he’s overwhelmed with the need to run and scoop her up, bury her in a blanket and get her an unlimited supply of tea?
The tightening in my chest refuses to lighten as the frosty night air buries deep inside my lungs and freezes them shut. Slowly, I inhale, trying to draw in a single breath and steady my hands, but it’s no use. Every time I think I find some peace, another sharp dose of anxiety holds me hostage, and I have to start over again.
“Hey, buddy, you okay?” Connor cocks his head to the side. Spots dot along the outside of his head. Oh no. That’s my vision. “You don’t look so good.”
“Maddie,” I manage before I wobble into Connor’s arms.
“I don’t think you’re who she had in mind for me to meet when she told me to stay, but okay. I guess you’re pretty enough.” He grunts, righting my stance. “Let’s get you off the ice and sitting before you crush someone.”
No, there’s no time to sit. “I need to find her,” I manage with a breathless delivery. Gathering whatever strength I have left, I unlatch my arm from Connor’s shoulder and skate on my own. “Look,” I say, facing him. “Jenny’s at the other end of the rink. She’s already pissed I bailed on her to come to talk to Maddie, but I was her ride here. Would you mind bringing her home when she’s ready?”
“You want me to drive Jenny Farrow back to Greek Row on date night?” Connor’s voice squeaks, and I imagine a blush growing underneath his rosy, frosted cheeks.
A wide smile spreads across my face.
I was so wrong about…everything.
If Jenny was right about the whole faeries existing thing, it only makes sense that she was right about soulmates too. My panicked, tight chest is evidence enough that she was right about Maddie being mine, so of course, Connor’s is hers.
