My eyes closed, and I reminded myself to breathe.
The sound of him opening the envelope filled the room. My heart thudded, and I inhaled… exhaled…
“Open your eyes,” he said, his voice sounding closer to me. He was standing right in front of me because I felt the heat coming off him. The closeness of him helped… calm me.
I squeezed my eyes close.
“Eyes on me, Lila,” Maddox demanded more forcefully, his voice deep and thick. “Now.”
Helpless against his command, my eyes snapped open, and I tearfully stared up at him.
He was… smiling.
My knees weakened, and I grasped his arm to stay upright.
“Congratulations, Lila Garcia.”
The breath I’d been holding shuddered out of me. Maddox waved the letter at me. “You’re about to go to Harvard.”
A loud squeal left me, taking Maddox by surprise. I launched myself into his arms, unable to contain my excitement. He hefted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, laughing. “I got in!”
His arms came around me, one hand on my back and one hand planted firmly on my ass as I clung to him.
“You did it,” he murmured in my hair, with such pride in his voice that my heart nearly burst out of my chest.
I breathed in his musky scent before pulling my face away from his neck. Our faces were mere inches away from each other. His prominent Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he swallowed. Maddox nudged my nose with his, and his minty breath feathered over my lips.
“You did it,” he said again.
“Thank you. For opening that letter, for not leaving my side, for holding me, for forcing me to face my fears… and for being my friend.”
Maddox hugged me back. “You’re welcome.”
I untangled my legs from his waist, and he settled me back on my feet. “You need to tell your grandparents.”
I licked my dry lips and nodded.
Harvard, here I come.
I had gotten my acceptance letter two months ago, a little later than usual, but when I found the envelope in our postal box, my heart had dropped and the first thing I did was call Maddox. I didn’t understand why I did it, but I knew I needed him with me.
He was at my house in less than ten minutes, out of breath and smiling.
Maddox never left my side as I freaked out, and he didn’t leave when I told my grandparents the news either. It meant a lot to me, that he stuck by my side. I never expected us to go from enemies to friends…to best friends.
The rest of the graduation ceremony was a blur. Soon enough, we were outside under the blue sky with the sun shining on us.
Grayson had Riley in his arms, and they were laughing and kissing. Each student found themselves surrounded by their family. My gaze lingered over the crowd, looking for Maddox’s parents.
Please be here, please be here. Don’t hurt him anymore.
They were nowhere to be found.
I seethed, anger simmering through my veins and gut. How dared they? They should have been proud to have a son like Maddox.
Yes, he was a troublemaker–a total misfit.
But damn it, he was sweet, and his heart was pure. He worked his ass off to graduate with honors. Time and time again, he proved himself to the world that he wasn’t just a rich and spoiled kid.
My fists clenched at my sides, and I growled. Fuck it, fuck them! They didn’t deserve to share this day with Maddox.
There was a tap on my shoulder, and I swiveled around, coming face-to-face with Maddox. He stood tall, his shoulders squared, and I had to admit, he did look hot in Berkshire’s navy-blue graduation gown with his cap on top of his head.
His lips curved in an easy smile, and I searched his eyes, looking for the disappointment I expected to see. But there was none.
It was then I realized that he no longer expected anything from his parents. They were strangers to him, not a family. Because they had never been here for Maddox for the most important days of his life – his football games, his birthdays, his graduation.
“What’s up with that kitten growl, Sweet Cheeks? Did someone step on your tail?” he teased.
I swatted his arm. “Watch it, Coulter.”
“You don’t scare me, Garcia.”
“I’ll bite you.”
“Bite me then,” he dared.
I snapped my teeth at him, and he threw his head back, chortling. My anger at his parents melted away at Maddox’s laughter. I refused to bring up the topic of his parents not attending the graduation ceremony. He was happy, right here and right now, and that was all that mattered.
I crossed my arms over my chest, pouting.
His laughter died, but he was still smiling. Maddox shoved his hand in his pocket, and he fished out a teal Tiffany box. What…?
My lips parted in surprise as he snapped open the small box. No way!