Page 23 of Worthy

“What’d you think of Ted Lasso?” I ask as I plate our breakfast.

“It’s deeper than I expected. Funny, but deep. Which character did Ally say I should be?” He takes a bite of eggs.

“Trent Crimm, the reporter with the wavy black hair.” Before I can add anything else there’s a knock at the door and I go let Deacon in.

“Wow, nice place.” He whistles, taking in the walnut cabinets and stainless-steel appliances in the chef’s kitchen. “Did you make breakfast again?” He looks at Maddox.

“You’re carrying crutches,why?” I rest my hands on my hips.

He looks me up and down, seeing that my body is perfectly operational, then Maddox’s, seeing the wrapped ankle. “Oh, yeah. Sorry. Can’t think straight when I smell food.” He winks at me and slips further into the kitchen.

I dish him a plate and he digs in while I make sure the crutches are set for Madd’s height.

“Ever use these before?” I ask him.

“Never. But they’re pretty self-explanatory, right?”

“Yep, just try not to let them rub against your armpit when you use them, the skin can get irritated. Do a quick lap and let me make sure you’re good.” I pass him the crutches and help him to his feet.

Maddox does as I ask and makes his way around the kitchen, even testing a little weight since he has the crutches for balance. It’s exactly what I would do, and I suddenly understand why my mom always used to muttertypical manevery time I was told to take it easy and didn’t.

“Great. You’re all set. I’m gonna change and then get to work,” I tell them both as I grab my clothes from the counter where Deacon dropped them.

When I’m done, I head back to the kitchen to find Deacon has cleaned up and is already outside. Maddox is still sitting at the breakfast bar, a distant look on his face that makes me want to blow off work. But after the wholeit wouldn’t be meaninglessthing last night, I figure distance is best. At least until I know if that comment was supposed to be a warning or an invitation. And which Iwant it to be.

“Don’t forget to ice.” I remind him when his gaze meets mine.

“I won’t.” He nods.

I grab a piece of paper and pen from the kitchen desk and scribble my number on it. “If you need anything or if your ankle feels worse, call me.” I hold out the paper.

“I’m sure it’s fine. Thanks for everything.” His fingers graze mine as he takes it.

“I mean it, Maddox.” His head snaps up when I say his name, and I take a step closer, so he has to look up at me. “I want you to call me if you need anything.”

“Okay.” He blinks.

“I’ll check on you later. Take it easy today.” I rest my hand on his arm as I make my way past him, and immediately want to kick myself for it, because it was way too intimate and yet not intimate enough for the night we just shared.

Chapter seven

Maddox

Jesus. I know that little arm pat wasn’t supposed to mean anything, but it sent shivers down my spine all the same, just like every other time Cade has touched me.

I know his intentions aren’t sexual. That pat, or the way his fingers lightly traced over my ankle to check the sprain…those weren’t sexual touches, but they were sensual, and they made my whole body tingle. I still don’t know how I fell asleep with my nerves on edge like that, especially considering the way I baited him before ducking into the bathroom so I wouldn’t see his response.

It wouldn’t be meaningless.

I might as well have proposed marriage for all the innuendo behind my statement. And the really fucked up thing—that’s not how I meant it at all. I know who Cade is.Whathe is. I know he’s not the relationship type, and while I am, that’s not what I want from him.

All I wanted to imply is how he’s more than the playboy he lets everyone think he is. And since Iseehim, and I think he might see me, we’ve passed the point where we’re meaningless to each other. That doesn’t mean we’re soulmates or some shit. Hell, I didn’t even meanto suggest we’re anything more than friends, but my choice of words was more loaded than I intended.

If I’m being honest though, I’m not sure my word choice was a complete accident. It wasn’t deliberate, but subconsciously, I think I might’ve meant it. After all, the guy came looking for me and stayed all night to take care of me, so my perception of Cade has started to shift. And given how incredible he is to look at, it’s possible I’ve started to see him in a different light. Dare I say, I might’ve even developed a tiny bit of a crush.

Damn that guy for being decent underneath his sexy body.

Having a crush on a hot guy was not part of the plan for the summer, not only because I have a ton of work to do, but because I do relationships, not flings, and there’s no future with a man who lives in a different state, much less one who’s probably allergic to the word monogamous. I need to put Cade squarely back in thedanger: outrageous flirtzone and stop thinking about what a decent person he is.

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