Page 13 of Defending Madison

Penny breathes out a hard breath. “He had an excuse about why he was married and the fact that it didn’t mean anything.”

“To him. To me, it meant everything. Loyalty means everything. You know this after what my father did to my mother. I…”

“I’m sorry, Benny. I can’t imagine he’ll be in Dallas long. Where’d you see him?”

“At the stadium. He works there.”

“What do you mean he works there? He’s not a SEAL anymore?”

I swallow, trying to take a moment to process. “He works for the Dauntless in security or something.”

“Oh… That could be weird.” Her statement hangs in the air like the smell of dirty gym socks.

“Yeah. I guess he’ll just be around occasionally. He works for some security firm and just stops by.”

Penny pauses. “You’ll just have to avoid him… Unless you'd rather not?”

“Pfft. That ship sailed.” I blow out my breath, trying to assure myself that it’s true.

“Tell me about the team.”

Penny’s enthusiasm about this opportunity gives me something else to focus on. I ramble for the next twenty minutes talking about the facilities and the team. I have to take the position. It’s better money than the average and being cut by the Bobcats after my injury has put an asterisk by my name.

“What’s your brother going to say about you guys being in proximity again?”

“I don’t have a clue what Brian is going to think about this. It doesn’t matter. I’ve worked long and hard to put him into the brother box he belongs in. I’m not sure I’m even going to mention it. It will just be another subject we avoid.”

“See, there’s a downside to not talking about him with your brother. You would have known and been prepared to see him.” She pauses, which means she’s going for the real questions. “How did it feel to see him again?”

“It sucked.”

“I can imagine. Is he still hot?”

“Damn it, Penny. That’s not something I need to think about.”

“Ha. So, he is.”

“Yeah. He’s still hot. Maybe hotter than ever.”

She sighs. “I’m sorry.”

My throat constricts at the thought of our two brief chances at a relationship. “Let’s talk later.”

“Sure, hun. Call me when you’re watching our show tonight.”

“Yeah. Bye.” I end the call and swallow, not wanting to think about the hurt he caused when he left the first time without telling me. Then three years ago, our hot accidental forced proximity at the hotel in Newark. My mind drifts to the past.

Chapter 5

THREE YEARS BEFORE DAUNTLESS

MADISON

I step up to the counter. “Excuse me.” I slip my backpack off my shoulders and pull out my wallet, keeping the backpack and my carryon between my feet. The stench of sweat permeates the area along with angry voices and screaming babies. Flights canceled and people waiting makes for stress you can feel and smell.

The airline attendant lifts her head with a too wide smile that doesn’t crinkle her eyes. She reminds me of a clown without the makeup, an uncomfortable fake smile. Holding up her hand, she squawks. “I’ll be right with you.”

People walk up behind me and the aura of the area changes. The space behind me shrinks, and someone’s body presses intomine. I turn my head to glare at the man who’s close enough I can smell his overpowering cologne. He rolls his eyes.

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