Page 17 of Worthy

“It’s a TV show onApple. It’s about an American football coach who goes to England to coach football over there, only it’s really soccer. Ally loves it. You’ve never heard of it?”

He gives a curt head shake.

“Ally roped us all into watching, and I have to give it to her, it’s actually a pretty decent show. I’ll help you find it,” I offer without thinking.

Shit, between working at his house, the bike race, and now showing him a popular TV series, I’m going to have way more contact with Maddox than I planned to when I left his house earlier today. But how do I change course now? He’s asking questions like he wants to learnmore about me, my friends, the race… And Ally’s already designing his costume in her mind, I can see it. It’d make me a huge dick to try to keep my distance, even if I’m doing that for his benefit.

“Can you make me something to keep my coat from getting in the way when I pedal?” Ally’s question brings me back to the present.

“I’m sorry,what?” My tone catches the attention of the rest of the group, who all zero in on our conversation.

“Rebecca’s a boss bitch. In one episode she’s wearing this long black coat with this killer pillbox hat, and I found the perfect replicas, but I don’t want the coat getting caught in the wheel.”

“You’ll roast in a long black coat.”

“It’s not wool,” she retorts like I’m supposed to know what that means. “I just need like a frame or something the coat can drape over so it doesn’t get stuck. Like a hoop skirt. Can you build me something like that?”

All inquiring eyes bore into me, but one pair just looks flat-out confused.Great. Keeping Maddox at a distance keeps getting harder, because I can tell he wants to know more, which means telling him something about myself I don’t share with many people. Hell, even my friends only know because Deacon broadcast it when he came for the summer a few years back.

“I have no idea,” I tell Ally honestly, ignoring the blatant curiosity pulsing off the man next to me. “I’m not sure what a hoop skirt is, and while I could build a frame around your bike, I don’t know how comfortable it would be for you to ride. I’m not sure you could get on and off around the frame, or even if I can make that frame detachable so it’s not permanently stuck to your bike.”

“If I have to buy a cheap bike you build a permanent frame on, I can do that. I’d probably be able to reuse it with other costumes.”Ally’s eyes are about ten times bigger than normal, and a quick glance at Madd tells me his are full of wonder.Great.

“Whoa, slow down, Al.” Finn sets his hand on his wife’s leg. “This is starting to sound like a lot of work, and I’m not sure Cade has that much time to commit. The race is in a month.”

Ally’s face starts to fall, but seeing as she’s Finn’s wife, and a friend, I hate to disappoint her. “Tell you what,” I offer. “Find me a bike to play with and I’ll see what I can do. No promises though, so you better have a backup costume.”

“Of course, no problem,” Ally beams.

Shesowon’t have a backup. And now Ally’s given Maddox another thing about me he wants to get to the bottom of.

I’m trying damn hard to be good, but I’ve never been known for my restraint.

Fuck my life.

Chapter five

Maddox

Getting out of the house last night was refreshing, and I had a good time meeting new people and talking about costumes for this bike race that’s apparently a huge deal. Plus, it was nice to see Cade in a different setting, one where the air between us didn’t feel socharged. I’m not sure what’s changed and while I’m hoping it’s just an off day, something about it makes me feel like I’ve done something. Something beyond the scope of accusing him of being a dick and blocking in my car.

That’s what I’m trying to convince myself of anyway, since I don’t want to admit the alternative..

I missed the flirty atmosphere between us.

That’s a dangerous statement, but a true one. It would seem I actually like, or at the very least am amused by, his playful banter, and that side of Cade was entirely absent at the concert. He didn’t flirt. Not once. Not even a double entendre. Nor were there any of his godawful attempts at goading me by calling meSolo.

Instead, he was polite, reserved, and nothing but a pure gentleman. And I don’t know what to make of that, because it’s so unlike the guywho plowed into me when we first met. I miss that guy. The one so keen on plowing into anything with legs…

I want him to look atmy legs.

Maybe I’m not being fair. I barely know him, so I’m not sure I’m in a position to judge if he’s not acting like himself. But ever since he brought the breakfast tray back, he’s seemed distant, not at all like the playboy I know he is.

Oh damn!That’s what it is! I made breakfast, which he took as a signal that I want something with him. He did say no one had cooked for him before, so he must be reading into it. I know he’s not the relationship type, and he probably assumes I am, so he must be worried I want more than he can give. Christ, that’s embarrassing. And so far from reality it’s laughable.

Yes, I find him attractive, and yes, I do kind of enjoy when he flirts because it’s a nice change from the serious, pointed conversations I’m used to having with my family and my professors. But that doesn’t mean I want to claim him as mine. It just means I find him entertaining. And maybe I like looking at him, because he’s easily the most attractive man I’ve ever seen.

Okay that’s a lie.

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