Page 68 of Face Me Off

But as great as it is, there’s something off with her tonight. She tried hiding it through dinner, but she wasn’t fooling me.

“Hey,” Maddy breaks her hand free and nudges her head toward the right. “Race you to that lifeguard tower?”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Oh, you’re on, Grimes.”

We take off sprinting across the sand in our bare feet.

She’s a few steps ahead when she calls back, “Ha! You’re too slow, Sorenson.”

“Not fair, I’m carrying the backpack.”

“No excuses.”

I don’t push myself too hard. This isn’t about winning. I just enjoy the sound of Madison’s laughter beside me. When we reach the guard tower, she gazes at the endless blue horizon, twisting her fingers anxiously in the hem of her shirt.Hmm.Something is definitely bothering her. It seems heavier than our everyday worries.

“Hey, are you okay?”

She meets my gaze and nods. “Yeah, I’m fine. I’m starting to freak out about telling my parents.”

“I understand that, but it seems like there’s more.”

She sighs and rests her head on my shoulder. “Why is it that you can read me so well?”

“Ah, it’s both a blessing and a curse.” I wrap my arm around her. “Because I can see through the bullshit.” Kissing the top of her head, I add, “What’s going on?”

“It’s Amanda.”

My back straightens. “Did Blake?—”

“No, nothing like that. I hate that I’m keeping this a secret from her. I feel like I’m betraying my best friend.”

“Oh.” I settle down once I know Amanda is safe. But I hate my girl is stressing over it. “I haven’t mentioned anything to Blake either.”

Madison looks up at me, curiosity embedded in those green eyes. “Does that bother you?”

“Yes, but for reasons other than you’re thinking.”

“What do you mean?”

“It doesn’t bother me that I haven’t told him about us dating. He doesn’t need to know our business. What bothers me is that I can’t show you off. You’re mine. And I’m rather proud of that.”

She puffs a breath. “I think it’s different for females.”

“You could tell her. I’m sure she wouldn’t say anything.”

“I know with all my heart she wouldn’t. But I hate to burden her with the truth. My parents actually like her. If they say anything around her, I don’t want her to feel like she has to lie.” She shrugs. “Maybe I’m overthinking it.”

A smile crosses my lips. That’s my girl. Always thinking of others. “I think you have a huge heart.”

“Which can be a blessing and a curse,” she mimics my previous words.

“Nah, it’s never a curse to love unconditionally.” She glances back at me, and my knees about buckle. When she wears that obedient, seductive look, all I want to do is ravish her right here on the beach. I refrain from touching her further, though. I have to. Otherwise, I’m not sure I can stop.

I clear my throat. “Admittedly, I haven’t talked to Amanda much this year. Everything’s okay with her, isn’t it?”

She averts her gaze back to the ocean. “Yeah. She’ll be great. I just feel like a shitty friend.”

She’s still holding something back, but I don’t press. She’ll tell me when she feels like it.

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