Maddox faced me, his blue eyes staring into mine, looking right through my cold exterior, pushing right through my walls and knocking at my caged heart.
When he spoke again, his voice was deep and rough. His words were a silent confession.
“Now, I have someone to lose, and I know it will break me. I know what it means to fear losing the person who means the most to you. That person has the power to destroy me.”
Silence fell upon us, and I couldn't find the words to convey what I was feeling. I turned my head away from his probing gaze and went back to staring at the headstones.
Seconds turned into long minutes, but we sat there in comfortable silence.
“Maddox?”
“Yeah?”
I took a deep breath and made my first promise to Maddox. “You won't lose me. Ever.”
He was quiet for a moment, and I thought I fucked up, until his hand came into the line of my vision, and he showed me his pinky.
“Promise?” he asked softly.
I hooked my finger around his. Maddox was warm and familiar. He felt solid and safe. I wanted to cling to him and never, ever let go. “Promise.”
He flexed his pinky around me and then he smiled.
For the first time today, I smiled, too.
Pinky swear, me and you... forever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Lila
“So, is it like…a date?” I asked. “A real date?”
I couldn’t see Riley’s face through the phone, but her giddiness was apparent as she let out a small squeal. “Well, yeah. I mean… he called, and he asked if we could grab dinner, and he told me to dress warm since it tends to get a bit colder at night,” she breathed, each word laced with excitement. “And Lila, his voice… over the phone… I think I almost orgasmed. Holy shit.”
I fell back on my bed, a wide grin spreading over my lips. “Honestly, I didn’t think Grayson was going to do it,” I said. “I mean, ask you out.”
He was so reserved, so quiet and didn’t mingle with the rest of the Berkshire students.
In fact, he was a loner.
Riley didn’t give up though.
She giggled, and I heard some rustling in the background. “It’s been three months. It’s about time he breaks down and ask me out. I can’t decide what to wear. Jeans or a dress? He said to put on something warm, but maybe a dress is fitting? Something cute or something sexy?” She paused, thoughtfully. “I don’t want to come across as easy or trying to fuck on our first date. But I also want to feel pretty and sexy.”
After Jasper, Riley had sworn off any Berkshire boys. She said they were all the same, and the pain of what Jasper did was still too fresh, even though it had been over a year since their breakup. It was the first time I’d seen her this excited; I just hoped Grayson didn’t end up breaking her heart.
Although, I liked to believe that he was into her as much as she liked him. He was always subtle about his feelings but I had seen him sneaking glances at Riley and trying to hide his smile. There was a look in his eyes when he watched her–something akin to adoration.
The same look I had seen in Colton’s eyes, too.
I wasn’t sure if I should’ve talked to Riley about Colton, but she was happy with Grayson and that was all I wanted. He was a good guy, and Riley liked him. The end.
She made her decision. Colton would just have to accept it.
“Remember the black dress you wore last Christmas? The mini one, V cut? You looked cute but smoking hot,” I offered.
Riley made a sound of agreement. “Oh, that one! My boobs look nice in that dress. I can wear those new high heels boots I got!”
“Atta girl. There you go. What time is he picking you up at?” I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost six pm.
“Umm… an hour. Shit, I gotta get ready. Talk later?”
Her happiness was contagious. “Yeah, babe. Text me when you get home. I want to hear all about it.”
Riley let out a small giggle before she mumbled. “He better kiss me, or I’m going to be reaaally disappointed.”
Oh yeah, he better.
Because I wanted to know all about that kiss.
We said our goodbyes and hung up.
Riley was happy…
The ringing of my phone jostled me out of my thoughts, and I stared down at the screen. Maddox. His name flashing on my phone screen reminded me that I was supposed to be angry.
I answered the phone, and Maddox cut me off before I could say anything. “Come outside. Now,” he demanded. The low rumble of his voice had my stomach fluttering before I remembered to hang onto the anger.
Ugh, asshole.
“What do you want?” I shot back, rather rudely. What he did was… unforgiveable.