Page 66 of Mad As Hell

“Then tell me how we move on,” he retorted quietly, his eyes flashing. “You wanted us to come here and sort shit out.”

“No, Ryan.” I pressed my fingers against my temples. “I came here so we could work out a schedule to make things as easy as possible. I just need to know where and when you expect me to be so I can plan my life accordingly.”

He frowned and began shaking his head. “Maddie, you can do whatever you want. Go back to practice—”

“Cheerleading is off the table, remember? So, forget it.” I cut him off as fast as I could, ignoring the pang of regret at giving up something I loved.

Then again, staring across the table at Ryan, I realized there were more important things that I’d loved and lost recently.

“You love it,” he replied, his eyes narrowed. “I can talk to Gary—”

“Please don’t.” I shook my head, resigned. “It’s not worth the fight. Besides, he wants me to focus on the wedding.”

“Is there going to be a wedding?” he asked carefully.

I held up my left hand, where that obscenely large diamond glittered. I hated this ring and all it represented. “Of course.”

Ryan looked down. “I don’t expect you to still marry me, Maddie.”

“What about Cori?” I asked softly. His sister’s future hinged on us getting married and pregnant.

His jaw clenched. “Cori isn’t your problem. She’s mine, and I’ll figure it out.”

I sighed. “It’s not up to either of us. We’re just playing the hands we’ve been dealt, right? You do what Beckett wants, I do what Gary wants. Let’s just keep it simple. We’re getting married in June, just like they want.”

His expression turned furious for a second before he pushed it down. “Fine. Next weekend I have to go home. Since we’re together again, my father will expect to see you there as well.”

I nodded, my stomach shriveling at the idea of seeing Beckett again. “Okay.”

“I have a game Friday. Even if you aren’t cheering, we’re engaged. If we’re really selling this blissed-out couple thing to the masses, then you need to be in the stands and waiting for me after.”

I licked my dry lips. “Okay.”

His eyes narrowed, and I could practically see the calculating wheels turning in his brain. “You might as well spend the night Friday.”

Immediately, I wanted to say no, because it was easier to keep my emotions locked down when Ryan wasn’t so close to me. When I wasn’t staring face to face with what I could have had. At least in my room, I could mope around in peace.

“Optics, baby.” The slightly mocking note in his tone hung between us. “Besides, we’ll leave first thing Saturday morning to make it back home for dinner that night.”

“Okay.” My entire vocabulary had been reduced to this word.

The snark dissipated from his eyes as he leaned back and studied me for a second. Like he was waiting for me to say something else, or attack him.

But I was tired. So damn tired and overwhelmed. I wanted to go back to my room and nap for the rest of the day.

With a soft sigh, Ryan turned his attention behind me and signaled the waiter over.

“What can I get you both?” the young man asked.

“Maddie?” Ryan prompted.

I opened the menu reluctantly and scanned it quickly. Immediately I craved a Belgian waffle and every kind of meat they offered.

My fingers curled, my nails digging into the side of the leather-bound menu as I struggled to make a decision. I even missed Ryan covering for how long I was taking by ordering for himself first.

Finally I muttered that I wanted an egg-white omelet with my usual side of yogurt. I couldn’t look at Ryan. This was embarrassing, and I knew my cheeks were pink as I passed my menu to the waiter and he disappeared.

Ryan cleared his throat, and I braced myself for whatever comment or question came next.

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