Love.
Is that what this is? What else could it be?
I force my voice to steady. "I just… I didn’t know if I could be what he needed. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I think I did anyway."
Mr. Montgomery hums, like he’s processing. Then, softly—"Sometimes, the biggest risks are the ones worth taking. Sometimes that also means taking a step back and working on ourselves for a bit. You’ve had a rough go of it, Madison, I won’t lie to you. But you are a brilliant young lady. You are resilient, strong, smart, and my son has been head over heels for you since that boy first laid eyes on you.”
I finally turn to look at him, and his expression is warm, understanding.
"Sometimes, we have to take a step back and ask ourselves if the risk is worth the reward," he continues, "even with the potential heartache." With that, he pats my leg and heads back towards Jaxon’s room.
I swallow, my fingers twisting in my sleeves.
I don’t know if I can handle that kind of risk, but isn’t that what I had already done?
I left. I pushed him away. I made the decision for him.
And it still hurt like hell.
So what was worse? The pain of trying, or the pain of never knowing?
Before I can process it further, the doors swing open again, and Carter’s voice cuts through the tension. "Alright, where the hell is he?"
I look up to see Carter striding into the waiting room, his face set in hard lines, followed closely by a couple of Jaxon’s other teammates. They’re all still in their game-day sweats, their faces tight with concern.
Carter’s gaze locks on mine immediately. "Madison, what’s going on? Is he okay?"
I nod quickly, standing. "Yeah. He’s okay. He’s awake."
Carter exhales, rubbing a hand down his face before looking toward the double doors. "Can we see him?"
I hesitate for half a second.
I could go back there right now. Ishould. Instead, I take a step back and gesture toward the hallway. "You guys go ahead."
Carter studies me, his brows pulling together, like he knows there’s more to this. He knows I should be the first person walking through that door, but thankfully, he doesn’t push.
He just nods, clapping me lightly on the shoulder as they make their way past me, disappearing behind the door.
I exhale, my shoulders sinking. I realize, right at this very moment, that not taking the risk doesn’t save you from pain.
It just guarantees it.
41
JAXON
The first thing I feel is heavy, like my body weighs a thousand pounds, like I’m sinking into the mattress, like my limbs aren’t mine to move.
The second thing I feel is pain, a dull, pounding ache in my skull, radiating down the back of my neck into my shoulders.
I groan, shifting slightly, and that’s when I hear it—"Jaxon?"
My mom’s voice, soft but urgent.
I blink against the harsh fluorescent lights, my vision adjusting, the room slowly coming into focus.
White walls. IV drip. Heart monitor beeping steadily. A weird tube tickling at my nose.
