Chapter 21

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

RYAN

It’s another Delta Sig party and another event where I can’t show off my girl. This shit’s getting old, especially when I can’t respond to her flippant remark, “Don’t wait for me. I don’t think I’m coming home.” What did she mean by that, and where did she plan on going?

The only place she better be dreaming about is my bed.

Her laughter trails behind her as she joins other girls on the dance floor. I’m standing next to Amanda and Blake, oblivious to my seething.

Today was bad enough, so to add this on top—ugh. We had the photo shoot earlier. There wasn’t anything terrible per se, but it blows watching Blake and Amanda openly interact when I have to keep my relationship a secret.

Am I even in a relationship? We’ve been having sex. Good sex. But I want more. I had said we were in a relationship, but all this sneaking around and not going on dates seems to blur the lines. I need to lock it down and make us official.

And put a kibosh to whatever plan she had going on inside her head.

It’s been a week since Dad’s fall, and Maddy hasn’t brought up the bullshit offer from her dad. I don’t think she knows about it. She isn’t good at lying and would’ve let on otherwise.

Dad turned it down and counteroffered. If Mr. Grimes strikes it down, we’ll have to proceed to a jury trial.

I’d ask her point blank, but does it really matter? She has nothing to do with her parents’ estate. Besides, she has enough on her plate dealing with her parents’ demands and the art contest. I want her to tell them to fuck all the way off and choose herself, but I get it. It’s hard when the people who are supposed to love you unconditionally are self-centered assholes.

Blake’s annoying family friend shows up and wedges herself between him and Amanda. I never did care for her. The woman’s deceitful. The total opposite of Maddy and Amanda. Blake better watch out. The siren’s claws are out, and she wants to sink them deep into him. I know he doesn’t realize how much he’s fallen for Amanda, but he will one day. But their drama isn’t my concern right now. Right now, I have the perfect opportunity to slip away unnoticed, and I’m taking full advantage.

With my IPA in hand, I meander toward the dance floor, stopping to talk hockey with guys from the fraternity. It’s the same message—do we have what it takes to make it to the playoffs?

While everyone chats me up, I watch Madison.

Her wide smile. The way she closes her eyes and sways her hips to the music. It’s mesmerizing.

Yeah, I’m tired of hiding this. Only a few more weeks until the Gala, and then we can be out in the open.

“Maddy’s looking especially hot tonight,” Jim says.

My fingers fist around the bottle. I take a long pull before answering, needing to calm down before I do something stupid like choke the poor bastard. He isn’t fooling me. I knew about their hook-up during first year. Knowing his hands have touched her makes me see red. But that’s something I need to let go. It’s not as if I’m innocent. But even so, I still don’t like it.

“She always looks good.” My words come out slow but harshly. I still haven’t forgiven him for the last Delta party.

He chuckles. “I knew something was going on between you two.”

“You don’t know shit.” I keep a neutral expression as I pull my gaze away from Maddy and direct it toward Jim. It’s not a complete denial. Saying we aren’t anything doesn’t feel right, regardless of how we need to hide it.

“Is that so?”

I want to wipe that smirk off his face. Instead, I take another pull. “Yep, sounds about right.”

“Then I guess you don’t mind my frat buddy encroaching on your territory.”

My head snaps to my girl. Rage, as I’ve never felt, consumes me when the guy slides behind her and places his hand on her hips.

Oh, hell no. That’s my real estate. I react without thinking and march over to her.

“Yeah, thought so.” Jim’s laughter fades into the background. Asshole. I’ll deal with him later. Right now, I have someone else to kill.

But it turns out Maddy doesn’t need my help. She spins around and shoves the guy off her. I bear to the left as she storms off toward the hallway.

I blow out a breath. Damn, that was a close call. I almost blew our cover over what? Being jealous? I’ve never felt this possessiveness over anyone before. But Maddy’s not just anyone. She’s … well, she’s my girl. Or at least, I want her to be.

I watch as she disappears down the hallway, her auburn curls bouncing with every step. Part of me wants to follow her to ensure she’s okay. But another part of me knows I need to stay put and keep up the facade a little longer.

But God, it’s getting harder and harder to pretend I’m not head over heels for the freckle-faced beauty that is Madison Grimes.

I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up. The secrecy, the longing looks from afar while we’re in public … it’s all becoming too much. I want us to date for real. I want to hold Madison’s hand, kiss her openly, and have the world know we’re together.

I down the rest of my IPA and toss the empty bottle into a nearby trashcan. Enough waiting. Tonight, we’re figuring this thing out once and for all.

I make my way over to the hallway where Maddy disappeared. Once she steps from the bathroom, I grab her elbow.

“Hey!” She jerks her arm away, but once she sees me, her body relaxes. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Go home with me,” I practically growl.

The corner of her mouth lifts. “It’s so good to see you too, Ryan. I’m doing well, thank you.”

Yeah, that came across as too territorial. I clear my throat.

“Sorry. It is good to see you. It’d be even better in my bed.”

Her lips twitch. “Is that so?”

I glance around and don’t see anyone paying us any attention. I lean forward and run my nose along her ear. Lowering my voice, I say, “Go home with me.”

She shivers under my touch, and I fight the urge to adjust my pants. Goddamn, I don’t know what spell this woman has on me, but I constantly want her.

“Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Blake is staying with Amanda tonight. I can sneak you in and out. But I want you in my bed.”

“No Malibu?”

“I’m too drunk to drive. Besides”—I lean closer to sniff the strawberry scent—“I want my sheets to smell like berries, Toots.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re gorgeous.” I nudge my head toward the door. “Go home with me.”

“Lead the way, big boy.”