Page 34 of Broken Player

I wanted to start with something more chill, so I pickedParadiseby Bazzi to start us off, and Quinn's hands rested on my waist as we swayed together. I closed my eyes and let the music flow through my body, losing myself in the beat. Halfway through the song, the hair on the back of my neck stood up, and a shiver ran down my spine. I only had that reaction to one person in the entire world.

Maddox.

My eyes snapped open and locked with his dark gaze across the bar. His eyes were narrowed on Quinn and me, and he suddenly broke our staredown and strode across the room and stopped at the jukebox. He turned his back to me, and the next song that came on made my heart beat faster.Mineby Bazzi started playing as I danced with Quinn but listened to every lyric.

"I think someone's trying to send both of us a message," Quinn chuckled.

I shook my head. "He doesn't feel like that, Quinny. It's probably because he thought we liked Bazzi."

"Uh, yeah, no. That's not it. Have you seen the way he's looking at you? He looks like he wants to murder me right here with all these witnesses for daring to touch what's his."

I chanced another glance at Maddox, and it was then I noticed he wasn't alone. He'd come in with three other guys, one of which was talking to him, but his eyes were locked on me. I tore my eyes off of him and looked up at Quinn. "Maybe we should go say hi?"

He looked over my head back at the guys before smirking. "Lead the way. I wouldn't mind getting to know the guy with all the tattoos on a morepersonallevel if you know what I mean."

Rolling my eyes, I giggled. "Ialwaysknow what you mean, Quinny."

We wove through the much more crowded dance floor and stepped up to the bar. I stood so close to Maddox, I could feel the heat of his body even through all of our clothes. He turned to face me, brushing a stray strand of hair out of my face before a cocky grin crossed his face. "Ryan," he said my name in a low growl that I was surprised I could hear over the music. I felt it all the way down to my toes, the way his voice alone could set off every nerve ending in my entire body.

"Maddox," I countered, hoping I didn't sound breathless.

We stared at each other, completely lost to the heat building between us until Quinn cleared his throat behind me and broke the spell. Maddox shot a glare at Quinn before a tall guy with huge muscles and a short, military-style haircut behind Maddox turned around and smiled at me. There was something about his gray eyes that were both sad and captivating, and I wondered how he and Maddox knew each other.

"Mad, aren't you going to introduce us?" the guy asked as the other two guys stepped closer to Quinn and me.

Maddox sighed. "Ryan, this is Connor, Zen, and True. You probably know of Zen and True from the band, and Connor is Zen's bodyguard since he's too much of a pussy to bother with learning how to protect himself."

"Fuck off, dude," Zen said, and I felt Quinn perk up behind me.

"Nice to meet you guys," I said and turned to Quinn behind me. "This is Quinn, my best friend, and partner in crime." I noticed Maddox's eyebrows furrow a little before he erased the expression from his face. He did the same thing when I went to see him at his house, and I wondered how often he actually let people see what he was feeling.

"It's about time we meet the famous Ryan we've heard so much about," True beamed, and I liked him right away. His smile was genuine and kind.

"Oh? Have you heard a lot about me?" I asked True, but my eyes found Maddox's, and he looked away.

"Not really, this fucker doesn't tell us shit," Zen answered for True, and they all laughed as if it were some inside joke.

"Oh, well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to get back on the dance floor," I said, signaling to Garett for another beer. He slid it across the bar, and I sipped the refreshing liquid, letting it slide down my throat and cool me off.

"Want to dance?" The hulking guy who must have been Connor held out his hand, and I grinned, sliding my palm against his much larger one and following him back onto the worn dance floor. A more upbeat song came on, and we moved to the music. After a couple of songs, Connor leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Have you seen Maddox's face? I've never seen him more pissed off." He sounded delighted as he let out a deep chuckle.

"Do you like to piss him off?" I asked, chancing a look at the murderous expression on Maddox's face.

"It's not that hard to do, but this is next-level. I wanted to see how he'd react if I asked you to dance, but don't worry. You're safe with me. I'd never touch someone he was interested in," Connor assured me, and I was more confused than ever. Why did everyone think he was interested in me? I kissed him once when I was a kid and he ran away and never looked back. That wasn't how you acted when you liked someone.

I just nodded because I didn't know what to say to that, and I didn't really like talking to Connor about Maddox even if they were friends. I stepped out of his arms. "I'm going to get some air," I explained before crossing the room and stepping outside.The sun had set, and the stars were out. The air outside was more humid, but somehow it was easier to breathe.

It had been a long day, and after a few beers, my thoughts were swirling. I was confused about Maddox, confused about what to do about Yates, and tired. I walked around the bar's side, away from the people coming and going in the parking lot. I rounded the corner of the building, leaning against the wood paneling that had long since faded in the harsh sun.

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, and trying to calm my racing thoughts. I felt him before I even opened my eyes, his hard body pressing up against mine. My eyes snapped open, and Maddox was standing in front of me, his hard chest pressed against mine, his eyes dark and filled with lust. He rested his hand on my waist and pulled me closer into his body. His scent wrapped around me, woodsy and masculine and clean, and I breathed him in.

His face was inches from mine. "Other men don't get to touch you," he growled, and I laughed.

"You don't get to say that. You left, remember?" I countered, pushing against his hard chest to try and put some distance between us, but he didn't budge.

"Biggest mistake of my fucking life. I'd take it back if I could, but I can't. But fuck, Ryan. I can't stand watching anyone else's hands on you. When other men look at you, I want to rip their fucking eyes out of their heads and crush them under my boot. Why didn't you tell me you were getting married?" he asked, hurt and anger swirling in his dark eyes.

I dropped my gaze down to the ground as blood pounded in my ears. Being this close to him made it hard to think clearly. With one of his fingers, he lifted my chin until I was looking into his eyes. "Why, Ryan?"

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