Page 27 of These Jagged Edges

"Yeah, Maddox, you can." Strong arms wrap around me, and Maddox rests his cheek on top of my head. I again feel nothing but centered, standing in his arms, and I can't help but notice I don’t flinch at his touch, not once.

I hadto work later than expected, which led to asking Maddox to get the boys to their basketball game. I had twenty minutes to run home, change shirts, and throw on a clean pair of cut-off shorts before sprinting into the gymnasium. In my hurry to get inside, I collide with someone as soon as I blast through the door.

"Oh my! I’m so sorry!" I say, reaching out to steady the person.

A woman with long black hair gives me a small smile. "It's okay," she says barely above a whisper. Looking at the woman, she looks frail, she's wearing clothes that swallow her, her face is gaunt, and heavy dark circles sit below her eyes.

"Are you sure you’re, okay? I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention to where I was going."

"Yeah, don't worry about it."

Just then the buzzer sounds, and I turn to look for the boys. When I turn back around the woman has gone. I find my guys right before the game starts, give them each a good luck kiss, and go to sit in their designated cheering section, which consists of all three Wilder men.

"Jesus Christ! I must have been a Saint in a past life for the good Lord to be blessing me with the sight of you in that shirt,with those shorts." Mercy lets out a low whistle causing me to laugh.

"Good to see you too, Mercy, and it wasn't God. It was Lou."

Maddox and Henry are sitting on the bottom bleachers, so their long legs don't get cramped up, and Mercy's sprawled across the bleachers as if he were lounging on the beach not giving one damn how much room he takes up in the crowded gym. I sit next to Mercy just behind Maddox. I groan as I finally sit and relax for the first time today.

"Stand up and sit down again, sugar." Mercy winks at me.

"Has he always been like this?" I ask the other two Wilder men.

"Since fucking birth, unfortunately," Maddox growls causing Henry to chuckle. Maddox moves to sit beside me. "Hey, Pretty Girl."

There it was again I shift uncomfortably, "Uh, hey there, yourself.”

Maddox leans down and whispers in my ear, “You’re the prettiest little thing I’ve ever seen.” I turn towards him, our faces inches apart, his green eyes bright. “One day you’ll believe it too. I’ll make damn sure of that.”

I swallow and nod my head, maybe I’m getting in way over my head with Maddox. Should I tell him we should just be friends? I didn’t plan on another relationship for the rest of my life, or whatever this is. It just doesn’t fit the plan.

I carefully look over my shoulder, scanning the crowd for anyone who seems out of place. Maddox watches me, offering no false assurances that we’re safe or that everyone is fine. He, too, casts a wary glance over his shoulder, assessing the crowd. I want to wrap my arms around him because he gets it, instead, I give him a grateful smile before turning to the game.

We watch the game, cheering every time one of the boys attempts to shoot a basket. It’s a shit show, but I love every minute of it. It’s more than worth it to see huge smiles on my boys' faces.

As the game wraps up, Henry gets a call. He hangs up andlooks at Maddox. "Gotta split, little brother, you're going to have to ride with Mercy."

Wait. Maddox didn't drive here? Maddox looks green at the thought of riding with Mercy, so I offer to give him a ride since we're headed in the same direction. There's a slight hesitation, but he accepts my offer. Mercy gives each boy a fist bump and promises to come have dinner one night this week and bring them a new model car to help him work on if they’re good and mind their mama. He kisses my cheek before heading off.

"Let's go, boys. Mama’s tired."

After everyone gets in, I start the car. Suddenly, Maddox grips my steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turn white.

"Boy's buckle up." After making sure they've buckled up, he shoots me a scathing look. "Now you."

For the entire trip home, Maddox turns his head and doesn't look at me again. Leaving me to wonder what the hell just happened?

By the timewe pull into the drive, I'm a bundle of nerves. Maddox's cold behavior has my back sweating like I'm a child being called into the principal's office. My hands are trembling on the steering wheel as think about what I could’ve done wrong. Putting the car into park, I turn to the boys. "Head to Vic's. He's finishing up the rope swing and could use a hand or two."

They climb out and run to greet Vic in his front yard. Maddox moves to get out, and I stop him with a shaky hand, trying to push my anxiety aside, and decide to resolve this now rather than let it tangle me in knots for days. "Not you. You’re going inside with me."

"Evie—"

"Now, Maddox Cole." I head inside the house as he cursesMercy for telling me his full name. He walks in behind me, shutting my front door with a little more force than necessary. I face him, hands on my hips, and notice he's standing with his arms crossed over his chest. So, it's like that? Fine by me.

"What was all that in the car about?" I ask him.

"What was all that at the game with my brother about?" he spits back at me.

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