Page 124 of The Love You Win

fifty-four

ISLA

“I don’t want to do this.” I stare at Maddox’s jersey. It hangs in my closet, taunting me. Laughing at my pain. And the nerves that have me worried I’m either going to puke my guts out or shit myself.

“He probably won’t even come near you,” Nevaeh says. She means it to be reassuring, but it’s not. Because I want Maddox to be near me. I want him to pull his head out of his ass and want me the way I still want him. But Nev’s right. He’ll probably keep his distance.

“Sure.” I settle on a plum-colored sweater, my nicest pair of jeans, and gray suede ankle booties with a slight wedge heel. I want to wear a hoodie and sneakers, but since this is for work, I need to look nice. Not like the depressed hermit I’ve become.

Again.

Don’t want to scare the fans.

Jess and Nev keep me distracted while I get ready. They talk my ear off as we drive to the arena. And they don’t leave my side as we push through the crowds. If anyone recognizes me, I don’t notice. All of my focus goes to keeping myself calm.

Being back here is harder than I thought it would be. Knowing that Maddox is in this building, getting ready for the game, not missing me, makes it difficult to breathe.

“This was a mistake,” I mutter to myself. I’m ten seconds away from turning on my heel and running when I hear someone call my name.

“Isla! Oh my god, I’ve missed you.”

I only get a glimpse of Mira’s smiling face before she wraps me up in a tight hug. My body is stiff for a moment, but then I wrap my arms around her, too. Tears threaten my eyes. As I’m blinking through my tears, I notice a beautiful, older, dark-haired woman watching us with a soft smile. Something about her is familiar.

“Hey, Mira. I’ve missed you too.” I pull back from the hug, meeting her gaze. “You all moved in at Griffin’s?”

She chuckles. “Yep.”

“How’s that going so far?”

“Well, we haven’t killed each other yet. So I’m counting it as a win.” She flashes me a bright grin as her eyes rove over my face. Whatever she sees dims her smile. “How are you doing?”

I shrug. That’s all I have to offer because if I open my mouth, I’ll start crying.

“Yeah,” she says, giving my hand a squeeze. “I figured.”

I introduce her to Jess and Nevaeh. They exchange pleasantries and some looks I can’t quite figure out, and then Mira looks back at the older woman.

“There’s someone I want you to meet.”

Looking between the woman and my friend, my stomach twists. Because now I understand why she looks familiar.

“This is my mom, Camila.” Mira waves her mom closer. “Mom, this is Isla.”

Oh, god. I’m meeting Maddox’s mother. We’re broken up, and I’m meeting his mom.

Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I attempt to smile. “Hi. It’s so nice to meet you.”

Camila ignores my proffered hand and pulls me in for a hug. She’s soft and curvy and the hug she gives me is a true mom-hug. The lump in my throat grows.

“Isla. It’s so good to finally meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.” Familiar brown eyes twinkle as she releases me. Maddox’s eyes.

God, I miss him.

“Hi,” I say, clearing my throat. “Good to meet you, too.”

“I’m sorry to spring my presence on you, but it’s been a while since I’ve been to one of my son’s games. And I don’t see this one enough.” Camila hooks a thumb in her daughter’s direction. Mira rolls her eyes.

“Mom. I’m back, okay? Don’t get your panties in a twist.”

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