“Madi.” My name drifted from his lips like a request. “We can’t.”
“Of course we can; we already have.”
“I wasn’t responsible for your safety six months ago.”
“Right. Of course,” I huffed.
I turned back towards his SUV and sulked as I walked away.
Matt was right, but I didn’t want to hear it.
No, it’s better this way. Catching feelings for Matt was a bad idea, and only an idiot would believe we could be friends with benefits without complications.
“Madi, wait.”
“No, it’s okay. You’re right. Besides, I don’t need complications in my life.”
I’d keep repeating it until the sting of rejection didn’t cut so deep.
The silence covered us like a scratchy blanket as we walked back to his truck. I’d expected him to try harder for this thing between us, but I wasn’t sure I wanted him to.
I do. I wanted someone with the courage to ignore my brothers’ threats and fight to be with me. Just like I wanted my brothers to back off, so he didn’t have to.
Neither was likely to happen.
Not that I wasn’t worth the fight, but I gave off strong don’t fight for me vibes that most men didn’t question. Why I thought Matt would be different was beyond me.
My head was a mess.I want Matt. I want Matt to want me. I don’t want a relationship, but I want Matt to fight for our relationship.
“Madi?”
“What?”
“Can we talk about this?”
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
“Like hell there isn’t.” Matt stepped in front of me and stopped.
His hands landed on my shoulders to prevent me from smacking into him.
“What the fuck?”
“I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
You should’ve kissed me more. Luckily the thought didn’t escape my lips.
I couldn’t think like that. Matt and I would never happen, and I certainly couldn’t fault him for not wanting to risk his career for a one-night stand. My body hated my brain for using logic. Logic that meant if I wanted relief, I had to take care of it myself, in my brother’s house.
Fuck my life.
But I had to stay firm and control my libido. Sleeping with Matt would create far too many complications in my life. Not to mention, it’d be like inviting my family into my sex life.
Bile rose in my throat.
It wasn’t worth it. No matter how mind-blowingly good the sex was.
“Madi, I’d like us to be friends. Not because it’s my job, but because I think you’re an amazing woman.”
