Page 221 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“So, the weed is good?” Damien asks.

Maddox seems so calm, as though the world could be on fire, and he’d just shrug and walk away.

“Makes me feel like I don’t give a crap about shit,” he admits and shrugs. “Could get used to it.”

“Just a lesser dose,” Damien encourages and lets go of him. “I’m off to shower. Will join you guys in the bed.”

“So, you bought her a king-size bed on purpose,” Maddox concludes as he looks back at Damien, who’s walking to the house. “I know that wasn’t the bed that was there during this morning’s tour.”

“Duh. How else are four of our big asses fighting on it?” Damien doesn’t even deny it.

He literally got a new bed for the main bedroom that has already been designated as Mikayla’s.

Unbelievable.

Maddox rolls his eyes.

“Should have got her a Viking bed then.”

“Thought about it, but I’d rather kick Ace off this one. He’d sleep on the floor and not realize it until morning.”

“Evil,” Maddox mutters, and then his eyes are on me. “You coming inside?”

“I… I didn’t finish cleaning up,” I admit.

“It’s our property,” Maddox grumbles and turns away. “We can clean it tomorrow or call a cleaner to do it. Come inside already.” He walks away but stops after a few steps.

Glancing over his shoulder, he notices I’m still standing there, my hands in my pockets, my left hand still gripping my phone for dear life.

For a moment, I wonder if everything will be okay.

If I can really handle this on my own.

Before I know it, Maddox is in front of me, and his forehead presses against mine.

“When you make expressions like that, it makes me wonder worry I’ll wake up one day and you’ll no longer be in my life.”

His confession shocks me, just like the kiss that follows. It’s soft and short, but it does everything to make me feel a sense of safety at this moment.

That I’m loved and protected.

“Don’t be so scared,” he whispers and peers into my widened eyes. “You can take your time until you’re ready to inch into this. We won’t leave you behind. We’ll be ready when you are.” He leans back and offers me his hand. “Can we go inside now? It’s cold.”

I ignore the warmth swarming my cheeks as I nod and put my hand in his. He squeezes it tightly before tugging me forward with him as we head toward the house.

My left hand is still around my phone, reminding me the only obstacle is this mysterious person.

This person who doesn’t want my happiness.

I don’t know why I’ve given them so much control over my life these past few years, but I’m beginning to realize I can no longer let this continue.

I need to break this cycle… or else I’ll lose everything.

Including myself.

Fundraiser Balls

~MIKAYLA~

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