Page 24 of I’ll Find You

He chuckles. “You have no idea.”

His phone buzzes again. “He’s asking where I am.”

“Well,” I try to shake off the reminder of being by myself for the holidays. “Tell him you’re busy,” I say jokingly.

A faint smirk pulls at his lips. “I just might.”

We start walking again toward the commons. Alex clasps my hand tighter as I look down at our joined hands, then at him. He’s watching me. His eyebrows raise in question. I shrug. The corner of his mouth lifts as he gives our joined hands a gentle swing.

And then I spot Maxwell. He’s standing just outside the entrance, pacing. I’d ask what he’s waiting for, a miracle perhaps, but unfortunately, I already know he’s waiting for me. My entire body goes rigid.

“Rose—” His voice, high-pitched and desperate, cuts through the air. Maxwell spots me and then sees who I’m with. His gaze drops to our still entwined hands—something in his expression snaps. “Rose!” I flinch. My body reacts before I can stop it. Before I can remind myself that that voice doesn’t belong to him.

Beside me, Alex stiffens instantly. Before I can react, he steps in front of me, drawing me slightly behind him. His grip on my hand tightens as Maxwell starts toward us, moving quickly and purposefully.

“What the hell is this?” he demands, his voice loud enough to draw attention. A few people nearby turn to look. I shrink in on myself, hating the spotlight.

“Maxwell,” I start trying to keep this from escalating.

“No,” he cuts me off sharply, pointing at our hands. “No, don’t even…What is that?”

“That is none of your business,” I say, forcing my voice to stay composed.

“Hell it isn’t?” he lashes out. “Have you been fucking him this entire time?”

Alex doesn’t move or react, but I can feel the tension radiating off of him. He remains cool, calm, and eerily collected in the way a venomous snake watches before it strikes.

“Back the fuck up,” Alex says evenly.

Maxwell lets out a bitter laugh. “Oh, I get it now. This is why you wouldn’t talk to me. Because you're too busy moving on?”

“I didn’t move on,” I shoot back. “You cheated on me.”

“That’s not what happened⁠—”

“Stop,” I cut him off, my voice firm. “Just stop. I’m not doing this again with you.”

People are definitely watching now. Whispers ripple through the crowd. And is that…Oh, great. Someone is recording. Just freaking fantastic, as if this day couldn’t get any worse.

Maxwell’s eyes flick between Alex and me. Anger burns brighter behind those darkening orbs by the second.

“You think he’s any better?” He spits. “You think he’s not going to screw you over the same way? You’re a cold⁠—”

Alex steps fully between us. “That’s enough.” His tone is low and commanding. “Do not finish that sentence.”

Maxwell scoffs, but there’s hesitation beneath it now. He’s not so sure of himself, but he’s a damn fool. “Or what?” he challenges, taunting Alex, a smug look on his face. “Do you even know who I am? Who my father is?”

Alex doesn’t raise his voice, but I feel the coldness of his stare and the way Maxwell visibly swallows as Alex takes one small step closer. “Do you know who I am?” His voice is calm, almost conversational. “Or who my father is? My family?”

Maxwell looks at him. Really looks at him. Before he can speak, Alex smiles. It isn't warm. It's something darker, something that draws me in despite myself. I'd always known there was more to Alex, but he'd only ever shown me kindness. Sure, a bit of cockiness, maybe even sweetness.

“I’d think very carefully before you speak again,” Alex says.

For the first time, Maxwell truly studies him. Whatever he sees makes him take an involuntary step back.

“You’re done talking to her.” Alex continues. “Done threatening her. Done harassing her. You understand me?”

Maxwell hesitates for a second, then looks back at me. “You’re making a mistake,” he says in one final attempt for me to reconsider.