25. Story Structure Sucks

25

Story Structure Sucks

Hayley

A bet? I'm a sucker for tropes, and I'm guilty of loving this one, but that doesn't mean I want to live it! Was everything between me and Maxime really just a bet?

Flashbacks of every moment I spent with Max since I met him barrel through my head, and I find myself spinning. Him seeming so intent on chasing me, the guys making fun of him after each of my rejections, how they applauded and whistled when he announced to them we were going on a date. The whole reason a guy like him could ever be interested in a girl like me. All the pieces fit together now.

My heart breaks at the thought, and tears well in my eyes. I really believed him. All those things he said about me, about my body, the way he empowered me yesterday in front of the mirror. That had become my life support, the place I could go when self-doubt would creep in, and now I learn that it's all a lie.

I can't believe it. Our kisses, each more passionate than the next. The flames smoldering in his eyes when he looked at me. His constant need to touch me. How he annotated that book for me. Those texts we exchanged. That quote on the wall.

I really can't believe it.

I end up in a part of the apartment complex I don't recognize. It's not where we entered from. Maybe I hit the wrong button in the elevator. I peer through the glass wall, and the rain cascading down the glass building sends chills down my back.

I lean against the wall, one hand covering my face. This is not happening to me. I refuse to believe this is how our story ends.

Maxime's words earlier about our happily ever after come to the surface, and I swallow hard. Looks like I've been hit with another cliffhanger .

I twist my face into a grimace, trying to catch up with my thoughts that are flying at the speed of sound. I just can't make sense of this.

I look up, blinking. Wait, what have all those romance novels taught me? Sometimes the hero or the heroine becomes overwhelmed by their demons and jumps to conclusions.

I pace around the small corridor. I'm not jumping to conclusions, though. James Adler said the word "bet," and everyone laughed as if they knew what he was talking about. And the look on Maxime's face didn't lie. I know it's true.

Still, it doesn't make any sense. It doesn't track with Maxime's behavior around me, the things he's said.

My heart clenches. He told me he loved me. Why would he say that if our whole relationship was just a bet? That makes zero sense. Unless he's some kind of villain, but that's not Maxime.

In fact, he's demonstrated countless times how much of a good guy he is.

No, what we have is real. I know it. His touch, his kisses, the way he looks at me like I'm the most beautiful girl on the planet. Those things can't be faked.

And again, he said he loved me. He meant it. I know he did. I've been too much of a coward to admit it, but I love him too. As crazy as it sounds, Maxime stole my heart these past few weeks. Just like I knew he would. When I fall, I fall fast. Always. Though I never fell this hard, and it never felt so good. So right.

No. This is not going to devolve into a dumb breakup because of a misunderstanding. That's not how our story ends. Plus, I really hate that trope.

I press the elevator button at least a dozen times before the cab finally arrives. With a deep breath, I retrace my steps. As soon as I step into the apartment, three bulky hockey players jump at my face. Sadly, Maxime isn't one of them.

"Hayley!" James blurts, his voice urgent. "It's not what you think."

Caleb nods, then pins me with a deep stare. "The kid really likes you."

"He talks about you all the time," James adds. "Frankly, it's a little annoying."

"What about the bet?" I ask while crossing my arms. I may not be breaking up with Maxime, but I'm getting answers. One way or another.

"That whole thing was just dumb," Caleb says, shaking his head. "We were buzzed, and we said we'd stop teasing him if you went on a date with him."

I arch an eyebrow, but my pulse relaxes .

"Yeah, I guess we really are just a bunch of stupid hockey players," Aaron adds, taking his cap off. He rubs his military cut before securing the cap again. "Don't mind us. Our dumb jokes have nothing to do with how Frenchie Boy feels about you. Trust me, I know a man in love when I see one."

James whistle. "Ooh. Aaron Miles knows what a man in love looks like?'" he teases, snorting out a laugh. "That's the news of the century."

"Shut up," Aaron says, glancing nervously to the left. I follow his gaze and notice Marissa chatting with a blonde.

Caleb shrugs his shoulders, then clears his throat. "He's right, though. I don't think the bet had anything to do with Beaumont asking you out. Plus, if that was the case, he wouldn't still be dating you, right?"

I swallow to wet my dry throat, trying to make sense of it all. As far-fetched as it sounds, their explanation is a lot easier to believe than my previous hasty conclusions. "Where is he?"

"He went after you," James says. "I tried calling him, but he hasn't picked up."

Turning back toward the door, I head straight for the elevator and press the button again. This time, I don't have to wait. The car was still on this level. I hop in, press the Lobby button, then grab my phone to call Maxime. Straight to voicemail.

I rush out of the elevator, and Maxime appears in front of the main door of the building, his clothes drenched and his eyes bloodshot.

"Hayley! You're here," he exhales, stumbling toward me and taking my hands in his. "I'm so, so sorry. Please let me explain. I promise it's not what you think."

I stare at the floor and inhale a deep breath, trying to shove down my insecurities. Biting my lip, I cast him a hopeful look. "I know. I talked to the guys. They kind of explained the whole thing."

His eyes widen in surprise. "Really? What did they say?"

"That there was a bet going on, but it's not why you and I are together. That it was just a stupid, drunken bet."

He breathes out a long sigh. "It was. And everything I've told you is true. As soon as I met you, you were the only one I was interested in, but you kept rejecting me." He speaks fast, as if trying to get it all out at once. "The guys caught on to it and started teasing me about my feelings for you. I was already the butt of their pranks thanks to my rookie title, and honestly, it was getting the best of me. We were buzzed, playing pool one night, and we bet that if I managed to date you, they'd stop the hazing. "

I nod, looking away. I'm relieved that Maxime is confirming the story, but still. Being the object of a bet isn't as fun as it sounds on page.

He squeezes my hand softly. "But I was already into you. My pursuit of you had nothing to do with the bet. In fact, I had completely forgotten about it." He captures my face with his hand, and I close my eyes, leaning into the tender touch. "I'm sorry. It was a dumb thing to do, and the last thing I wanted was to hurt you."

It would be easy to choose not to believe him and let my self-doubt win. But deep down, I know it's true. I didn't even need the guys to confirm it. I can feel his heart pounding through his shirt, the desperation in his voice.

"Please, forgive me. I love you, Hayley Nash. And I always will. What I said earlier holds true. We're heading for an HEA, and it's going to be epic."

I can't hold back the smile building on my lips. My hand clutches his wet T-shirt, and I pull him closer. "I knew there was more to the story. Thank you for telling me the truth."

He releases a long breath. "Thank you for listening. I thought you left."

"I couldn't," I say, pressing my forehead to his. "I love you. "

His eyes widen, and his mouth falls agape. "You do? Wait, don't feel pressured to say it just because I did. It's fine if you're not there yet."

I run my hands over his broad shoulders. "I am there."

He swallows hard. "Even if I'm not a shifter and I don't sparkle under the sun?"

I press my lips together, trying to contain my smile. "Even still. Call me crazy, but I think the real thing might be better."

"Oh, you have no idea." His lips crash with mine, and I can finally breathe again. For a minute there, I thought I'd never get to feel that freeing sensation I get when Maxime kisses me.

I break away just enough to mumble against his lips. "So, how epic is this HEA, exactly?" When he chuckles, drawing me into a hug, I say, "You know how much I love knowing the ending."

He caresses my cheek with his thumb and places a gentle kiss on my lips. "Well—"

But I kiss him back, keeping him quiet. "You know what?" I say, my lips hovering near his. "Don't tell me. I trust you."

His mouth melts with mine, every brush of his lips desperate, like he's been deprived for an eternity. He lifts me up by my waist, and I wrap my legs around him, deepening the kiss.

I don't need him to tell me how epic our HEA is going to be to enjoy the journey there. Every second I spend with Maxime Beaumont makes me feel like I'm the heroine of a romance novel. And I'm so ready to embrace any conflicts, plot twists, and swoony moments that are thrown my way. Oh, and the kisses. All the mind-blowing, delicious kisses.