Page 75 of Breakaway Hearts

“I don’t know,” I admit, absolutely hating the tears that well up. I see anger mix with the concern on his face and have to add, “I promise he hasn’t done anything to me. He was…” A perfect gentleman? Sweet? Not the asshole I want him to be so I can stop feeling this way about him? I settle on, “He did everything I asked him to.”

High school Jay would have made a joke about not wanting to know what I get up to behind closed doors, but the Jay beside me looks like he doesn’t know how to help me and is worried I’m falling apart. Which I’m not. I just don’t think fucking Owen out of my system was the well-thought-out plan I’d hoped it would be.

Chapter Thirty

Owen

Get me out of your system?

Iwake up long before my alarm and reach across the bed for Madison. I know she isn’t there, that she’s never even been in this room before, but my body is going off the adrenaline from last night and how she’s worked her way into most of my dreams. Not even just the sex ones. For part of it we were on a boat, and I had to make her laugh, like those guards at Buckingham Palace, only she was adorable, and I had to keep pretending I didn’t see the smiles she tried to hide.

As fun as the dreams are, I kind of want the real thing. For the first time since coming to Wynchester, I wish she’d stayed over. That I could have woken up with her in my arms.

One time did nothing to get Madison out of my system. I feel like it just burrowed her deeper, and made it impossible to get her out.

It isn’t hard to convince myself to go over there before morning skate. Jay mentioned they often go for a run together before he heads to the rink, and I want to check on her after the way she left.

It’s fucking early, though, so I get coffees and pastries at Words & Lattes before driving over.

“Morning Mrs. Olsen,” I say when I cross the old woman getting off the elevator. She raises an eyebrow like she isn’t sure why I’m back, and I shake my head at how someone can be so oblivious to the girl behind the prickly exterior, the one I love nothing more than coaxing out.

I realize after I knock that I have no idea what I’ll do if Jason answers. I wouldn’t be surprised if he punched me, and I’m pretty sure I’d deserve it, which sucks. I almost reconsider coming, like maybe I should wait and find Madison when she’s alone at the library instead, but then I hear soft footsteps from inside. I take it as a good sign that there’s a pause before she unlatches the chain and opens the door.

“Morning, Mad,” I say brightly.

“What the hell are you doing here?” she asks, confused, probably hoping I’m here for Jason.

“I brought coffee. Four different kinds, because I’m not sure what you like, but Tab swears by the maple syrup one. And croissants. Filled with almond, chocolate, pistachios, or just plain butter.”

“Why?”

She looks at me like this is a foreign and frustrating concept she doesn’t understand.

“Because…I wanted to see you.” It feels like the tamest of my reasons, and really, it’s at the core of them all.

“One time,” Madison reminds me, looking behind her and slightly closing the door as if she’s worried Jason will hear.

“I’m not expecting to be let in, I just wanted to see how you’re doing.” She looks skeptical. “And yeah, I wouldn’t mind if it happened again. Preferably with more room and less windows, but I’m also very easy.”

I smile, but she doesn’t return it.

“I told you what this was.”

She’s upset, which is the last thing I want.

“I know, but did you?”

“Did I what?”

“Get me out of your system?”

Madison sighs and I can see the longing before she does her best to hide it.

“You don’t even know me, Brooks.”

The use of my last name stings, but it feels like she’s using it to remind herself as much as, if not more than, to hurt me, so I try not to let it get to me.

“I want to, Madison. I think we’d be fucking great together. If we managed to have that much fun in a cramped space with ten minutes, imagine how many orgasms I could give you in an actual bed.”