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We fought all day today, and this time, it didn t even end in a rough coupling. This time when I
screamed in his face that I hated him, I almost believed it and I could tell by the look that flashed
across his face that he did too. And that terrified me.
It was the first time he didn t demand I give him the words.
So now here we are, on the way to Asher and Chelcie s house for family dinner and my
resentment towards everyone around me is getting out of control. Hell, I have no business being out
in public with the thoughts I keep thinking. I want to take Maddox by the neck and shake some sense
into his thick scull.
I put a brave face on for Chelcie. I smile and keep the act up like my world isn t crashing
down around me, but every time my eyes lock with Maddox s, I m reminded that he is the reason I m
feeling this pain. The fact that he keeps pushing me away is why I ve turned into a head case.
Then, as if things couldn t get worse, I have the misfortune of overhearing their conversation
and my mood goes from bad to toxic.
Chelcie has just finished telling him how she was dealing with everything after Sarah Jane. I
watch her place her arm on his cheek and he doesn t pull away. I should feel bad about
eavesdropping, but the fact that he isn t pulling away from her is mind-blowing enough for me.
He s let her in.
He s let in someone I know he feels nothing romantic for, yet he keeps pushing me away.
One day, Maddox Locke, when you decide to let go of that pain inside you, you re going to
understand what I mean. You have so much love to give in you. Chelcie s words hurt. She s right
I know that because I ve seen that love he has the capability of but it still doesn t make it feel any
better knowing that it probably is not meant to be with us.
I can t see his face, but I watch Chelcie s eyes widen in shock. Oh I know what she saw the
truth. She saw his pain clear as day. The pain he keeps away from everyone, choosing to suffer
alone and not let anyone close enough to help.
Yeah, sweetheart. Maybe you re right.
His words are my undoing. He really doesn t want me. Hell, maybe he does believe that he
can love someone now now that he s gotten better about being so untouchable. But& he clearly
doesn t feel like I m worth that risk. I m standing right here, begging him to let me take on his pain,
yet it isn t enough.
With my eyes filling with tears, I watch as he walks right past me. He doesn t even look in
my direction. I m completely invisible.
As the evening progresses, my despair and bitterness grow. I smile with the girls, attempt to
put on a brave face for the guys but Maddox gets nothing. Until I hear Asher announce that he and
Chelcie are getting married and he actually has the nerve to look smug. His eyes go from laughing at
Chelcie to emotionless when they lock with mine.
I snap& There really isn t a pretty way to explain what I feel in that moment. I m just& done.
You re fucking unbelievable, I mumble, careful to keep my voice low enough so that only
he hears me.
His brow lifts and he cockily asks, What was that, Em?
That son of a bitch. I can feel my skin heat. Not from embarrassment, but from red-hot rage.
I jump from my seat, not even flinching when it falls to the floor with a crowd-stopping
boom. I storm over, grabbing his beer for a deep pull while I try and pick my words carefully. If
these are the last ones I ever speak to him, I need to make sure they count.
Look at you. Sitting there silent as always. You re in a room full of people who love each
other. People who have fought their demons in order to be together. They had the strength to battle
anything that stood in their way. The courage to push away from the uncertainty of the unknown. And
what does Maddox Locke do? He sits back and gives everyone else around him advice on how to
make that happen! He fights for them, but he refuses to fight for himself. FOR ME! Well guess what,
buddy? I m sick of it. I love you FOR you. I never gave a damn about your past, those secrets you
hide so deep. I ve been willing to fight for you. Battle those demons that shake your doors at night.
And while I m at it, I might as well go for broke, right? I laugh a sound that is nothing sort of the
frustration I m feeling. I never gave a damn about you having one leg. You think you re slick hiding
it, but I see you! I didn t love you for whatever limbs you have or don t have. I want you for your
heart, and I won t settle for anything less.
I throw him a look that I know he takes seriously because his eyes flash. He doesn t move
though. He lets me walk over to Asher and Chelcie. He gives me the time to say goodbye and
apologize for ruining the night. He doesn t move when I walk to the door, turning to give him another
look. He sits there and that s it.
Luckily, when we got here, he asked me to hold his keys, so with a wicked grin, I hop in his
Charger and take off. I ll stay in a local hotel room for the night then decide where I go next.
Chapter 16 Emmy
It doesn t take me long to clear my things from his apartment. I decide to leave Cat, mainly
because I have no where to bring her and all the things that she needs, but also so that Maddox will
see this as me not running.
I m not. I m going to get myself settled away from him and work on learning how to get him
out of my heart. I can do it& I think.
My phone rings over and over shortly after I leave Asher and Chelcie s, but I ignore it. I
know my window of opportunity is short, and if I stall at all, he will be here and throw his demanding
alpha vibes up refusing to let me leave.
Not wanting to take his Charger and further fuel his anger, I make a call to the only person I
can think of who can help me out right now.
Sway.
Well hello, you dark prince you, his voice chimes through the line, leaving me confused
until I realize that I m on Maddox s landline.
Hey, I whisper. I hate to disappoint you, Sway, but I don t think I m your dark prince.
Why do you sound like that, Miss Emmy?
There aren t many times when we get the Sway he keeps hidden. Deep down, I know he loves
us more than we could ever know. Hearing the care and worry in his voice is almost my undoing, but
I hold strong.
Do you think you could pick me up? My car is still& My car isn t here and I need to leave.
Sure thing, darling girl. Let me get things settled and I ll be right there.
Thank you, Sway. I owe you one.
Far as I can see were even, my love.
Confused at his words, I ask, How could we possible call it even, Sway?
He s silent for a beat. I can hear him moving around, clearly using this time to pick his
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