Page 25 of Breakaway Hearts

“If you don’t understand then I can’t help you.”

I shouldn’t have said anything. I should have walked away, because every time I let Owen Brooks get too close, I make mistakes. I kiss strangers, reveal more than I should…am I actually helping him recruit Jason right now?

“If I figure it out and find a way to show it, will you make sure he listens?”

“The decision is his, but I can suggest he hear you out.”

“I’ll take it.” Owen smiles brightly, like he’s already won. “I’ll see you around, Madison.”

“Or not,” I counter, but he smiles like I’m adorable, before going back to his teammates.

Chapter Ten

Madison

My shrink wants me to socialize

“What was that about?” I ask Jason when he crumples up a sheet of paper and throws it on the floor beside the trash can. He must be upset, because he never misses.

I was hiding out in my room so he could watch the Wolves game without having to hide it from me, so I assume this means they lost. Badly.

“Just a party I’m not going to.”

“Are you upset they invited you? Or are you not invited?” I’m shocked, because Jay is the friendliest guy ever. We’ve been invited to more last-minute weddings while travelling, from chance encounters in elevators, than I’ve been invited to real ones.

His anger turns into concern, for me, and I suddenly know exactly what this is about, even before he says, “It’s a hockey party. Or the team is involved in throwing it. I’m not going.”

“How come?”

“Maddie…” He looks at me like I’m being ridiculous.

“How come they invited you?” I try instead, though I was hoping he’d say he wasn’t going because he doesn’t trust those assholes and doesn’t want to be a part of it.

“Oh, they…they asked me to join the Wolves. Their goalie isn’t great, and I guess tryouts were a bust.”

“That’s…”

“I said no.”

“And this party?”

“Maybe they’re trying to convince me.”

I wince, because if that’s really what this is, I might have promised to get him to at least listen to what they have to say.

“They’re throwing a party to impress you?”

“It’s a fundraiser, so probably not in my honor, but that’s why they invited me.”

“Maybe we should go.”

I shrug like it’s nothing, but his eyes bug out as he looks at me. He knows it’s everything.

“Why don’t I join the cheerleading squad?”

“I think you’d make a great cheerleader.”

“I would,” he agrees. “But what’s going on?”