“I’ve been hung up on her for eight fucking years,” he shrugs. “Don’t figure I’ll be getting over it just because she and Jax got married. Hell, they may as well have gotten married when they were eight. Look at us. Both fucked in the head over those twins.”
I laugh again. “Well, mine is more of a crush.”
“He’s being an ass,” Maddox growls.
“I can’t say I blame him. I would be the same way if it were Cara.”
He moves to sit on the sofa in the room pulling me beside him. I curl into him as I realize somewhere along the way Maddox really did become my friend in the three years since I met him. Possibly my best friend as I think on some of the things that I told him over the years.
“You’ll be okay, Tori. You are too goddamn tough not to be.”
He’s right. I’ve never let myself get hurt by a guy. I’ve never let myself care enough about a guy to get hurt. The only reason Zane is different is because he’s Zoey’s brother. I like him, but he’s just another guy.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
“So, at least tell me it was good,” Maddox says. I turn to look at him with confusion until I realize what the ass is referring to. He waggles his eyebrows at me making me laugh again.
“Yeah, Mads, it was good. What I remember anyway. At least a seven. Possibly an eight.”
“What the fuck? That’s it?” he grins wider.
I elbow him in the stomach making him grunt. “Stupid dumbass.”
“I need to get to my room to pack.”
“Yeah. I do to. Meet you downstairs in half an hour?”
He nods as he stands. I walk him to the door with my arms around his waist. I open the door as the room across from me opens. I see Zane walk out with the redhead he was talking to last night.
I don’t mean to, but I completely freeze at the sight. Jealousy, hurt, and anger course through me, but there’s absolutely no reason for it. We’re not together. We’ve only been on a couple of dates for God’s sake. But, dammit, if it doesn’t get to me.
Then suddenly, Maddox grabs me by the face, planting his lips on mine. Sober, I realize we have a lot more chemistry than I ever had with Ryder, and the sex with him was great - I think. But it’s still not the fire I felt when Zane kissed me.
He pulls back, lowers his mouth to my ear. “Was he watching?” I swallow hard with a nod. “Good. Son of a bitch needs to pull his head out of his ass. He barely tolerates me, so he’ll definitely be thinking about this for a long time.”
I look up at him with a wide smile. “Thanks, Mads,” I say loudly enough for Zane to hear.
Maddox winks at me and walks away. Zane stares angrily at him then turns his gaze to me. When our eyes meet, I allow him a breath of a moment before turning around and slamming the door.
Thirty minutes later, I’m downstairs waiting on Maddox so we can catch a cab to the airport. The elevator dings. I turn around in the lobby to see Zoey coming out of the elevator. Behind her is Zane and Maddox each being escorted, to put it nicely, by a very pissed off Jax. Zane and Maddox are each sporting busted lips and black eyes.
Zoey walks to me with a very concerned look on her face. “What happened?” I ask as I take in the smirk on Maddox’s face and the fury on Zane.
“Jax went looking for Zane. Found him and Maddox in Maddox’s room going at it.”
“Oh God this is all my fault.” I feel horrible. Zoey’s worried face pulls at my guilt as does the growing bruise on Maddox’s cheek.
And Zane. He’s so angry. So, pissed. I know that’s my fault too. Although, at this moment, I don't care how angry he is. I'm fucking pissed myself because he is being an asshole.
“No. This is Zane’s fault,” Zoey declares loudly glaring at her brother. “He can’t get mad at you for anything or Maddox. He’s the one who made the decision to ignore you.”
Jax pushes Maddox my way. Maddox leans into my space with another smirk. “It’s not your fault, Tori, but it sure is fun seeing him all worked up, isn’t it? Mr. easy-going is quite worked up but I’ve always had that effect on him.”
Zane starts to go after Maddox again causing Jax to grab him again.
I narrow my eyes at him. At the audacity he has. The nerve on him to think he can act the way he is. I walk to him them grab him by the hand dragging him away from the rest of the group. When I’m sure we’re out of earshot, I whip around to face him. My own fury fills me, and I am certain it is reflected in my face. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I blast him. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
“When did you start fucking Masters?” he growls.
