Page 20 of Defending Madison

Fuck. My brother. “Hi, Brian.”

“Why the fuck do you have Dixon’s phone? Is he fucking you again? I swear I’ll kill him. I told him you’re off limits.”

I yell. “Brian.” He keeps swearing. “Brian!”

“What?”

“It’s none of your damn business. We ran into each other in Newark. We got snowed in.”

He sighs. “He fucking took advantage of you again.”

“Dixon did no such thing.”

“If he’s kept you there, screwing you. God damn it. He’s married, Benny.”

Noise rushes through my brain and echoes in my ears. Married? We talked about a future. I can still feel what we were doing in the wee hours of the morning when he was inside me. That sinking feeling that men cheat and lie takes hold of my joy and crushes it into dust. “What?”

Brian grumbles. “He’s married. He has no right to do anything with you.”

The door opens as I hold up the phone to Dixon’s crinkled brow. “Who is it?”

“My brother. He wanted to share about your wife.”

Dixon’s jaw drops as my brother continues to bark on the phone. Dixon blurts. “I can explain.”

Wicked retorts hover in my mouth as I move toward my luggage. Throwing on whatever clothes I can find, my brain hears him pleading but anger radiates off me, keeping him at bay. I wrap my messy ‘just-fucked’ hair into a messy knot. He tosses his phone on the bed as he approaches.

“Leave me the fuck alone. I shouldn’t have let you in again.” I sob. “How could you make me a woman who sleeps with a married man? I’m disgusted. You’re just like my father.” Sliding my feet into my shoes, I hoist my carry-on over my shoulder and rush for the suite door, listening to Dixon beg me to stay. I can’t believe I’m so stupid. Checking my phone, I let out a sigh as my boarding pass pops up on my notifications. Put this in a box and just get back to Phoenix; back to the only thing I can count on. My hand pulls the door as Dixon wraps his hand around my arm. I turn and my heart clenches at the regretful face of the man I’d fallen for again.

“Now, Madison. Give me a chance to explain.” He runs his fingers down my arm. “It’s not an actual marriage.”

Bile spikes in the back of my throat anger coats my regret with a righteous stench. I set my hand on my hip. “Are you married?”

His face falls answering my question. “We got married young. I haven’t seen her in a dozen years.”

The anger locomotive roars into my brain. “Wait. You mean you were married when we were together four years ago?”

The color drains from his handsome face. “I thought Brian told you.”

I bring my hand and slap his face providing a loud pop. “Fuck you. I’m not that kind of person. I never would have had anything to do with you if I knew you were married. How dare you?” I brush by him as he’s sputtering words about convenience as I exit the room. Moving quickly, I remember he’s still in a towel. He won’t be running after me until he throws on some clothes. Taking the stairs, I arrive at the concierge desk.

“Hi. I need the shuttle to the airport.”

“Yes, ma’am. You got here just in time; he’s getting ready to close the door.”

I move to the van and step on, holding my bags as protection from the hurt once again.

Chapter 7

PRESENT DAY

MADISON

Shaking off the memory of the last time I saw Dixon, I walk alongside my new coach. She’s nattering about the team and team dynamics. “Your agent should be in the conference room.”

I nod. Todd, my agent, works for my boss. My day-job, boss, Lily Dornan. She manages Glenwood Elite Sports and Talent Management. It’s a sad fact of life that most professional women athletes have full-time jobs while they play their sport. I acquired my Paralegal certificate and fate brought me to Lily who needed someone to handle legal paperwork for her company. When I moved to Phoenix for the Bobcats, her firm represented me. By the end of the weekend, she hired me for a thirty-hour weekly position to supplement my income. Smiling,I think about how great it will be to be back in Dallas on a permanent basis.

Lily smiles when we walk into the conference room. “Hey. Todd’s sick, so you get me.”

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