Page 59 of Just Bromantically Invested

Until he says something I’m not at all expecting.

“I’ve wanted you since the first time we met.”

My focus on him sharpens. “What?”

“In the cafeteria. You were eating and trying not to be noticed by anyone, and I was terrified of having my head shoved down a toilet.”

“Youwere?”

“You had braces,” he says. “And your hair was a lot longer, almost an afro, and you were too scared to even look at me. I had to steal your textbook to get your attention.”

I remember the moment I tried to steal it back. When he’d grabbed my wrist as I leaned over him, and those gorgeous eyes had met mine.

“Penn?” he’d asked. “Is that short for Penelope?”

“No, it’s just Penn.”

“My name’s Madden Young.”

I hadn’t known what to say.

“But you can call me Madeline so you’re not the only one with a girl’s name.”

Then he’d smiled, and it’s the same smile I’ve craved every day since.

“I wish I could remember what I said to make you laugh,” Madden continues. “But I can still remember the way it tickledsomething in my chest, and it hit me that guys don’t usually react to guys that way. Sure, I’d popped wood before. At that age, I popped wood over just about everything.” Madden cups my neck. “But I’d never had actual feelings for someone. Until you.”

Chapter 21

Madden

I wish I could shut up my mouth, but it’s way too late now. Penn knows everything. Maybe I’d regret it, but I’m too relieved that the cheating wasn’t cheating and what Penn and I shared was real.

He wants me.

Just me.

I’m too scared to move in case this all disappears and I find out I’m dreaming.

My heart is trying to beat out of my chest the whole time he stands there, looking at me. Those deep brown eyes that I love so much are searching for something, and I don’t think I’ll be able to breathe again properly until they find it.

“Do you still have feelings for me?” he asks.

“I don’t think I’ll ever stop.”

Penn closes the distance between us and goes to press hislips to mine, but I duck out of the way before he can make contact.

“What—”

“I’ve pictured our first kiss for a really long fucking time.”

“Okay …”

I reach for Penn’s hand and gently tug him over to the couch. “Come with me.”

Penn follows, obviously curious, as I drop back into the cushions and pull him down beside me. I relax against the back, him mirroring me, and then we turn our heads so we’re facing each other.

“We’ve been like this a hundred times before,” I tell him. “And every single time we’ve sat across from each other, talking or looking or … soaking up being with you, all I’ve ever pictured doing was this.”

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