"Wait, are you serious?" Lyla asks with a laugh. "Big, tough football player is afraid of a little thunder?"
Madison shoots her a look that could freeze hell. "Leave it alone, Ly."
Lyla's eyebrows shoot up at Madison's protective tone, but she raises her hands in surrender.
The group continues playing. Carter dares Shawn to kiss the hottest girl here. Allie giggles beside me when he leans over and plants one on her. Allie chooses truth, and it turns out, she has a real track record with athletes. Not that I'm judging—to each their own.
When it's my turn again, I don't hesitate. "Madison, truth or dare?"
She meets my gaze, a challenge in her eyes. "Dare."
I pause, considering. Part of me wants to dare her to ditch Carter and talk to me alone, but I know that's too much. “I dare you to tell me why you never showed up to Michigan State for freshman orientation three years ago."
Madison’s eyes flare with shock that swiftly turns into anger. “That’s not how this game works.”
Our gazes are locked in a standoff that has me forgetting we’re in the middle of a crowded party. I’ve wanted to kiss her since I was eleven, but fuck, if that stubborn look doesn’t make me want to even more.
Lyla stands, breaking the tension. "I think we've all had enough of this game. Madison, come help me get more drinks." She grabs Madison's hand, pulling her toward the kitchen before she can protest.
Carter watches them go, then turns to me with a calculating expression. "So, how exactly do you know Maddy?"
I meet his gaze steadily. "We grew up together."
"Hmm." He nods like he's fitting pieces together. "And now, you're here. Interesting timing."
"It's not what you think," I say, though it absolutely is.
His eyes narrow slightly. "What do I think, Montgomery?"
Before I can answer, Madison returns, looking irritated as Lyla trails behind her, whispering something that makes Madison shake her head firmly.
"Carter," Madison says, her voice tight with forced casualness. "Let’s go upstairs."
Carter nods eagerly and follows her without another word. I watch as Madison leads him away, her shoulders tense, her stepsdetermined. A hundred scenarios play through my mind, none of them pleasant. One of them ends with my fist in Carter’s face, even though I have no right.
"Don't worry," Lyla says, appearing beside me. "She's not going to sleep with him."
I blink, surprised by her bluntness. "I wasn't?—"
"Yes, you were," she cuts me off. "And I get it. But Madison has enough walls up to fortify a medieval castle. Whatever happened between you two, she's still processing it." She gives me a considering look. "What I want to know is why you're here, at PCU, when you were at Michigan State."
I shift uncomfortably. "It's complicated."
"It always is with Madison," Lyla sighs. "Look, I don't know everything that happened between you two, but I do know my best friend. And I've never seen her as rattled as she was today after seeing you in class." She tilts her head. "That means something. I’m just not sure what, yet.”
I don't know what to say, so I just nod.
Lyla pats my arm. "Don't give up on her, Jaxon Montgomery. She's worth the fight." She studies me for another moment. “But I think you already know that.”
With that, she disappears into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I take a deep breath, staring at where Madison and Carter disappeared. I won't chase her tonight. That's not what she needs.
But I'm not giving up, not by a long shot.
After all, I transferred schools for her. What's a little more patience in the grand scheme of things?
5
