Page 78 of Breakaway Hearts

It looks fucking adorable in the daylight. I could see it as a family home, with the basketball hoop in the driveway and a tire swing on the tree. Which just pisses me off even more, because the house I grew up dreaming of is their frat party house where they care so little as to write names all over the wall.

I know I’m reaching and not making as much sense as I’d like to, but I never claimed to be rational, and I’d rather be angry at Owen than figure out what’s really upsetting me.

“Madison!” Owen looks surprised, and annoyingly happy, to see me when he opens the door.

“What the hell, Brooks?” I will not fall for that stupid puppy dog smile, or be swayed by the way it reaches his emerald eyes so they fucking sparkle. Team Jacob, all the way.

“Did we have plans?” There’s a look of panic on his face that almost makes me soften, because I assume he’s worried he stood me up, but then a gorgeous brunette comes and puts her hand on his shoulder.

“Come on, we’re about to—Hello,” she says, spotting me.

Owen’s panic rises, telling me all I need to know.

I hate that my stomach drops.

“I’m Katie. You must be Owen’s…” She has her hand out and it feels rude not to shake it, but I don’t need this. I came here to take out my frustrations on someone who doesn’t hold my future in his hands – and I can convince myself somewhat deserves it – but I don’t want to be another girl fighting for his attention.

“Nothing.”

I turn to leave, but don’t even make it a step before Tabytha’s voice calls out.

“Maddie!”

I could pretend I don’t hear her, but she’s already rushing through the open door to take me in for a hug. I’ve grown used to it at hockey games, but wasn’t expecting it here. Or for her to be hanging out with Owen and another girl when she so casually drops hints of how great her brother is.

“Madison?” an older version of Katie joins the group at the door, looking to Tab for confirmation.

“I have so many questions.” Katie is smiling.

With the door wide open, I can see Mike and Colt at the kitchen table with a group of people I don’t know. There’s a cake with unlit candles, and I want to sink into the floor.

“Who’s your friend?” a woman arrives behind Tab, clearly Owen’s mother. “We were about to have dessert,” she tells me. “Boys, do you think you could scrounge up an extra chair?”

“No, that’s…I was just leaving.”

“Nonsense, we always expect an army and make way too much food.”

“I don’t want to intrude—” I can feel the panic rising, not quite an attack, but that moment where I can either flee now or fight for every breath if I go inside.

“I’m sure Madison has other plans.” Owen gives his mom a look, and I swear they have an entire conversation with head tilts and furrowed brows.

For the first time today, I want to hug him. He’s actually listening to what I want instead of trying to trick me into spending more time with him, and I am so grateful that he’s not joining in on the ambush.

“It’s just a casual family dinner, which is always the more the merrier,” Tab assures me.

“You’re more than welcome.” A man, I’m guessing Owen’s dad, comes to stand behind him, so I smile to convey my best ‘thanks but no thank you’, only I have to do a double take, because it’s Christopher-fucking-Glass and I feel like the biggest idiot ever.

“I just came to drop something off.”

“Take a cake pop for the road,” his mom tells me, so I stand there and wait awkwardly before Katie materializes with a blue ball on a stick.

I take it with a thank you and a nod, hand the package to Owen, and take off.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Owen

Only hates me for me