Page 20 of Sweet Addiction

Last night proved Mom has feelings for Knox. I saw it in the way she looked at him. She wants him and even though he doesn’t feel the same, it doesn’t change the fact that Mom does. “Madi?”

My head snaps up at the sound of my name. Christ, I need to get myself together. “Hmm?” Talan’s brows furrow, his eyes rolling in exasperation. “Do you want to grab dinner tonight?”

Dinner. That could be just what I need. It will get me out of the house and away from Knox. “Sounds good,” I chirp making Kenzie snort next to me.

I turn to glare at her. She shrugs, choosing not to elaborate. That’s okay; she will talk once we are alone.

Stopping outside the girl’s locker rooms, Talan presses a deep kiss to my lips. I am so shocked; I only push him away when a groan vibrates in his chest. He ignores it, shooting me a wink before he saunters away with his friends. I stare after him, mouth gaped at his audacity. But there is something else. An urgency inside me asking myself a question, I have before. Why can’t I like Talan Conetti? He is hot. Popular. Rich. Everything a girl wants. Half of the female population would be grateful to have him. But no matter how much I try to convince myself. I just don’t see Talan like that.

“What is with you today Mads?” Kenzie asks, her eyes suspicious as her hands land on her hips.

Glancing around the corridor, to make sure we are alone, I say. “What do you mean? I’m fine.”

She huffs a laugh. “No, you are not. I know you, Madison. You have been off since school started. You just let Talan kiss you on the lips. What gives?”

“We have to keep up appearances, Kenz. You know that,” I grit. I shouldn’t be annoyed at her but damn. Can she back off already?

“Yeah, I do know that. But all the time you have been ‘together,’” she does air quotes. “You usually only let him kiss your forehead, or cheek. I can count on two fingers how many times you have let him peck you on the lips. And it was nothing like what he just did.” She is right; I know she is but still. I can’t help but get defensive.

“Maybe, my feelings for Talan have changed. Did you ever think that maybe, I want it to be real?” I don’t want that, not at all, but I can’t exactly tell Kenzie the truth. That I let my mother’s fiancé fuck my face last night and I feel guilty which is why I didn’t push Talan off right away. Subconsciously, I know that I am trying to convince myself that I don’t want Knox. Consciously, I know it’s a lie.

Kenzie chuckles. “Yeah right. The truth Mads?”

I shake my head, sighing. “I am just tired of pretending. I had a moment of weakness and let it happen for a second longer than I should have.”

Kenzie throws her arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “It’s hard being the most popular girl in school, Madi. But just know you can make it on your own. You don’t need Talan.”

“I know. It helps though because he keeps the vultures away.” I smile.

“That he does. Now come on. Cheer awaits us.” She pulls me through the door and into the locker room.

Greeting the team, we quickly change into our uniforms and make our way out onto the field. My eyes instantly go to Knox despite telling myself not to look his way. He is already watching me, his eyes hooded with desire and hunger. Moisture seeps into my panties. I want to run across the field, forget about all the shit and throw myself in his arms. I don’t do any of that. Instead, in my head, I chant.Look away Madison. Look the fuck away.As if he can hear my thoughts, he winks and smirks, before I look away.

I spend the rest of cheer practice ignoring the asshole. Even when I hear his voice, I never once glance in his direction. I feel his gaze on me though. Scorching every part of my body. Setting me on fire and turning me into a sweaty, aroused mess. But still, I refuse to make eye contact. Fuck him and the weird hold he has over me.

“Well done girls. Great job with practice,” I tell the team before taking a sip of water. Murmurs and smiles break out before I tell them they can go, leaving Kenzie and me.

“You coming?” she asks, eyeing me.

I shake my head. “I’m just going to talk to Talan.”

She sighs. “Okay. Well, call me later and let me know how yourdatewent.”

I laugh, waving her off. “Sure.”

Moving to a bench on the sidelines, I take a seat and watch the football team as they cool down. My eyes shift to Knox on their own accord. It’s no surprise, I find him already watching me, a look of curiosity on his handsome face. I hold his gaze for a long beat until I hear my name being called. My head snaps up, to find Talan jogging toward me, a big smile on his face.

Dropping down beside me, I focus on Talan. I don’t dare look at Knox. I already know what I will find. “Hey baby,” he presses his lips to mine, but I immediately pull away.

Hurt flashes in his eyes but I ignore it. Forcing a smile, I say, “Hey. You played good.”

He scoffs. “Good? I played fucking great. Real MVP here.” I chuckle at his arrogance, even though Talan’s ego has nothing on Knox’s. “What time do you want me to pick you up for dinner?”

My gaze meets his. Everything inside me screams at me to say I can no longer go out with him but then I remember it’s better than the alternative—being alone with Knox. “Seven would be good.”

His lips curve into a big smile. Leaning forward, his lips pucker as he comes in for a kiss. I close my eyes, only for them to snap open. A yelp bursts out of me when a loud smack sounds. In the next second, Talan falls to the ground in a heap. I dart to my feet, eyes landing on a fuming-looking Knox who is shaking his fist out. He just hit him. He punched Talan so hard, he knocked him unconscious.

How the hell did we not hear him?

---