Page 49 of Broken Player

I groaned. "How am I going to stay married to him for an entireyear? The more time I spend around him, the more I realize we have nothing in common and come from two different worlds."

"One look at him and I could have told you that," he pointed out. "Besides, what about Maddox?"

"What about him?" I asked, knowing I sounded defensive but not caring one bit.

"He likes you. Maybe even loves you."

I scoffed, turning to walk toward where we were working earlier, and Quinn followed, falling into step beside me. "He left Quinny. He's back now, and maybe it's the nostalgia, but he hasn't exactly asked me not to marry Yates. I'm just his fun new toy," I argued.

Beside me, Quinn stopped walking, gripping my elbow and spinning me, so I faced him. He cocked his head at me while he stared as if he were trying to figure me out. "What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." I tried to yank my arm out of his grip, but he held on tight, refusing to let me walk away before facing whatever he thought I needed to. This was one of the things I both loved and hated most about my best friend.

"Nuh-uh. That's not gonna work on me, sweetie," Quinn said, using a finger to tilt my chin up, so I had to look him in the eye. "Tell me what's going on with you."

It was a demand, and we both knew it. Sighing heavily, my shoulders sagged. "I don't know. He confuses me because I thought I had everything figured out. I was going to do this whole thing with Yates, and our problems were going to be over. It wasn't exactly clean, but it seemed simple enough. Then Maddox fucking Everleigh comes strolling back into my life, and he actually apologizes. And he's the same and at the same time so different. He kisses like a hurricane, Quinny. He sucks me up and consumes me, scattering little bits of me all over the place because I can't tell which direction is up. And now I'm so confused because it feels like maybe I have something to lose that I didn't have before," I ranted.

Quinn had let me go, and I started to pace in front of him, really getting on a roll as words poured out of my mouth faster than I could think about what I was saying.

"When I was a kid, I always imagined it'd be him and me riding off into the sunset, you know? I know it's cheesy, but it was what I wanted. I didn't even care what happened or where we were as long as we were together. He was my first best friend, my first protector outside of my dad, my first kiss, and my first love. When he left, it broke a part of me that I didn't think would ever heal. And then he came back, and those broken pieces started to sew themselves back together. When he apologized, I had no idea how much I needed that. And then he just shows up. Every day he's here, and he's putting in the effort to get to know me now. But not only me, you, too. He wants to know the people in my life, and I don't know what to do with all of this."

Quinn stepped in front of me and gripped my upper arms, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Take a deep breath, sweetie."

I did as he said and inhaled the thick afternoon air, blowing out slowly. "Look, from what I've seen, the guy can have anything and everything he wants. But the one thing he's never allowed himself to have is you. Now he's trying to make up foreverything he fucked up in the first place. If I had to guess, I'd say he wants you to give him a chance," Quinn said.

"I don't know if I can. Giving him a chance means giving up on this place." I waved my hand around at the land that surrounded us.

"A place you don't even really want to be."

I hated when he was right, but that didn't change how I felt. "Doesn't matter, Quinny. Whether I want to be here or not, marrying Yates solves both problems. And if Maddox really wants me, he'll be willing to wait while I do this." My tone was final, and I was done talking about this. My stomach sank as I thought about whether Maddox would still be here in a year willing to give us a chance.

A lot of things could change in a year, and with a life like his where he'd no doubt be surrounded by adoring fans who'd give him whatever he wanted, I wasn't sure I stood a chance. Why would he ever want to stay here waiting for me?

Don't get me wrong - I knew I was a damn catch. But I was also realistic. I nudged Quinn's shoulder with mine. "C'mon, Quinny. Let's finish this pasture."

"Only if you promise to swim in the pond with me after," he countered, his eyes glinting with something I wasn't sure I liked the look of.

I sighed because he knew I needed his help today. "Fine."

"No backing out."

"I know," I snapped, completely over this conversation. "Now, get to work." I didn't know what he was up to, but I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like it.

By the timewe finished way too many hours later, I was drenched in sweat, covered in dirt, and bits of hay were in places I didn't want to think too hard about. My muscles ached, and I didn't know if I'd ever been more thirsty. I wouldn't admit it, but that swim with Quinn sounded like the perfect end to this day.

I followed his lead, riding over to the shady area near the pond that I liked to go to when I needed a break or some time to myself. We stopped to let the horses drink from the pond before we tied them loosely to the trees. Quinn and I had gone swimming here probably hundreds of times, and even Maddox had swum here with me tons when we were kids. This was my favorite place on the entire property.

I watched as Quinn pulled his t-shirt over his head, admiring his toned body even if I wasn't actually attracted to him. I could still appreciate the view. He caught me staring and chuckled with a wink. "Glad at least one of us gets to enjoy the show," he teased.

I pulled my tank top over my head and tossed it at him playfully. "Just because you're gay doesn't mean I can't look."

"Oh, trust me, sweetie. I don't mind the attention," he assured before undoing the button on his jeans and sliding them and his boxer briefs down his legs. I did the same, and as we stood there, me in my underwear and Quinn completely naked, I grinned at my best friend before we both took off for the water at the same time, splashing into the warm pond.

I dove in, tucking my head so that the water would cover my body completely. I immediately relaxed as I felt the day wash away with every brush of the water surrounding me. When I surfaced, I sucked in a lungful of air and relished the water's feeling dripping down my skin. I slicked back my hair and turned at the sound of approaching hooves. Quinn surfaced next to me, and his gaze drifted to where I was watching Maddox ride up to the pond.

Any confusion I'd been feeling about him was quickly put to rest by the sudden racing of my pulse and the flutter in my stomach as he approached and hopped down off the black stallion he'd rode out here. The horse fit him like they'd been made to be together. He was no white knight riding in to save the day. He wore his darkness like armor he spent a lifetime earning, which made him that much more appealing.

"Damn," Quinn breathed next to me, and I just bit down on my lip to keep the stupid grin that wanted to escape in. I didn't want Maddox to know how much he affected me. That didn't mean I kept my eyes from wandering up and down every inch of his body, from his messy brown hair, down every peak and valley of his muscular torso. He was currently covered in black from head to toe, down to his heavy black boots with the laces untied.

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