Page 112 of Silver Fox Puck
"About Kenzie."
My stomach tightens. I watch Kenzie flounce down the hallway, giving me a moment alone.
Because I knew this was coming. It has to happen.
I just didn’t think it’d be now, over the phone.
"What about her?" I say, keeping my voice neutral.
"Don’t play dumb." His tone shifts—firmer, more serious. "I let a lot of shit slide when I first found out about you two. Shit I wanted to say. I figured it was just a thing for her, that she’d get bored of you and move on."
"Appreciate the vote of confidence," I mutter.
"Don’t be short with me on this, Maddox. I’ve been trying to give you space. But this isn’t just a fling anymore, is it?"
I don’t answer right away.
Because what the hell am I supposed to say?
Jake isn’t wrong.
At first, Kenzie and I had no rules. No names, no complications.
But we passed that line a long time ago.
And now, it’s everything.
She’s everything.
Jake exhales, and when he speaks again, his voice is quieter.
"She acts tough, but you and I both know she’s not as unbreakable as she pretends to be. So I’m asking you, man to man—what are you doing?"
I clench my jaw.
"What do you want me to say, Williams?"
"I want you to tell me you’re not going to hurt her."
The words land like a punch.
Because that’s the thing—I don’t want to.
But what if I do anyway?
What if I fuck this up? What if Kenzie wakes up one day and decides this isn’t the life she wants?
What if Lauren makes good on her threats, drags me through a custody battle, and I lose Olivia?
What if Kenzie walks away because I can’t be everything she deserves?
The weight of it settles deep.
And I realize—I’ve never been more afraid of losing something in my life.
"I care about her, Jake."
I don’t mean to say it. But it’s the truth.
