Page 103 of The Love You Win

But maybe if I don’t make a big deal about the change of plans, I can show Maddox what Alex refused to see. That I’m stronger than he ever thought. I can handle whatever Maddox’s world throws at me.

It takes longer than I’d like, but I mold my muscles into a mostly-convincing smile. It almost meets my eyes. I take one more deep, fortifying breath, square my shoulders, and step out of the bathroom. I can do this. I can show Maddox that I’m not weak. That I’m not afraid of his world.

He’s waiting for me outside the bathroom door. When he wraps me in a tight hug, I have to fight back a sob that tries to claw its way out of my throat.

“Baby, are you sure you’re okay? I fucked this up, didn’t I?” Maddox’s palms cup my cheeks. His eyes are filled with the same affection they’ve held since we got together. It’s confusing as hell because I can’t figure out what’s happening.

Did he really change our plans to protect me? Or was it to protect himself and his image?

“It just took me by surprise, that’s all. I was looking forward to going tonight.”

His face falls. “Shit. Of course you were. I’m such a fucking idiot.” His thumb traces over my cheekbone. “Forget all of this. Let’s go to the festival.”

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s okay. I promise.”

He’s not convinced, I can tell. “Isla, I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for. Let’s eat before it’s cold. And then I’m going to carve the best damned jack-o’-lantern you’ve ever seen.”

Maddox’s lips twitch. “Is that so? We’ll see about that, Short-Stack.” He presses a tender kiss to my lips before dropping his hands from my cheeks and intertwining our fingers so he can tug me toward the dining room.

Maybe I was wrong. Maybe he’s genuinely just trying to protect me.

I sure hope that’s the case, but I can’t completely silence the voice in my head telling me Maddox is ashamed of me. That I’m not good enough for him.

The voice sounds a lot like Alex.

forty-seven

ISLA

The rest of the weekend with Maddox went by with no issues. We ended up having a good time on our romantic date in, even though I never quite shook off the niggling sense of unease that seemed to cling to my skin. But I spent the night at his house and he woke me up with breakfast in bed and a couple of very nice orgasms. Then we spent all day Sunday together. Things felt normal. Mostly.

Now, here I am, almost halfway through my Monday. The team leaves tonight for three away games that will have them gone until Friday, and as my students race out of my classroom with the bell and I pull out my lunch, I can’t ignore this growing sense of dread. Maddox said he’d try to stop by my place after school with some takeout so we could have dinner together before they go. It may be the last chance we have to pencil in some alone time for at least a week and a half.

After the series, Maddox is flying to Chicago so he can help his sister drive her moving truck to Minneapolis. Then we’re going to move her in with Griffin.

I can’t wait to have Mira here. I always wanted a sister, and I think Mira could grow to feel like one. If things work out between Maddox and me, that is. But I know it will take a bit to get her settled, and the day after they’re set to arrive with the truck, the guys have a home game. Well, they have three home games in a row.

Maddox wasn’t kidding when he told me dating during the season would be rough. We steal time together as much as possible, but it’s never enough. Especially not when I’m feeling less than secure.

It’ll be fine. It will all work out.

With a sigh, I push up from my desk, ready to head to the teacher’s lounge, when a throat clears from my doorway. I startle at the masculine sound, and look up, hoping to find familiar coffee-colored eyes and dark, wavy hair. Except, that’s not what I see at all.

Instead of warm brown eyes, I’m met with the familiar and unwelcome blue gaze of my ex. Unperturbed by my frown, Alex smiles. He holds up a coffee like an offering.

“Hey, Isles. I brought you coffee. You got a minute?”

Confusion and irritation swirl together inside of me. “What the hell are you doing here?”

Alex’s practiced smile slips, but he recovers quickly. He takes a few steps inside my classroom with that casual assuredness I used to admire. Now, it only pisses me off. “Come on, sweetheart, don’t be like that.”

My eyes dart to the hallway behind him to make sure none of my students overhear me. “Don’t fucking call me sweetheart, Alex. I asked you a question. What are you doing here?”

“Can’t a guy miss the woman he was going to marry?” Alex’s lips tilt down in a frown. “I wanted to talk, but you blocked my number.”

“Gee,” I say sharply, “do you think maybe that means I don’t want to talk to you?”

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