Page 26 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

“More than I’d like to admit.”

He tries not to further smile, but he’s lost in the moment as he slowly pulls me into a hug.

“Missed you more, my Sweet Kay.” Another of the many nicknames, but this one tugs at my heartstrings because it was when I was such an innocent girl.

Before all the trauma of life hit me like a wall of bricks, breaking me down with every hill that came my way. Until I could no longer run upward, no longer fight the inevitable.

No longer shed tears after being broken into pieces.

The free-spirited, sweet Kayla had spread her wings and flown away, leaving behind the shell of all her traumas. The baggage I had no choice but to carry with me.

I don’t fight hugging him back as I rest my head against him. If only he knew how much I missed his presence in my life. Missed relying on him when the world got so fucking hard.

Maddox always knew when things were getting too hard.

He was a born peacekeeper, even when he looked like the chaos starter.

Now with all his tattoos, his eyebrow and plentiful ear piercings, and jet-black hair that makes him look extra edgy, I bet people were betting for him to cause fights wherever he goes.

No matter his appearance, I knew him the best. Knew he’d always have my back if I really needed him. He was a text away, and he didn’t leave me on read, even when I’m sure he knew I drunk-texted him.

“Why didn’t you leave me on read?” I ask and pull back to look up at him.

He takes a deep inhale, enjoying the aroma of my perfume. I knew he loved this scent from Kayali Huda Beauty, and despite him not being in my life, I still wore it religiously.

“Was I supposed to?” he counters and moves a few strands of my red hair out of my line of view. His thumb strokes my cheek while he admires my eyes, waiting patiently for my reply.

“I… thought you wouldn’t reply.” I hold back admitting to texting Jayce, but I guess from our confrontation earlier, he figured that out.

“Because Jayce didn’t reply?”

“If it makes you feel less jelly, I texted you guys at the same time because I figured it could become an arguable debate.”

He chuckles lowly.

“When it comes to Mkaykay, it seems we’re always disagreeing,” he mutters but leans in closer. “I wonder why, hmm?” His thumb moves along my bottom lip.

“What makes us want to fight like cats and dogs?”

“I don’t know,” I feign innocence even though I know he’s staring at the culprit.

The reason our crew broke apart.

“I know why.”

He’s a mere inch away from kissing me, and how I want those lips. Just getting a moment to kiss him in the club in the midst of dancers and booming music was like a dream come true. One passionate kiss had my world spinning, my toes curling, my heart beating wildly, and my body begging for me to be plastered against this massive beast.

Only, I wanted him alone.

Naked.

Ready to enjoy me riding him for as long as my body would dare allow.

“Why, Maddox?”

If he doesn’t close the distance between us, I certainly will. I don’t have enough restraint in my tipsy system to resist this walking temptation.

He doesn’t answer me. Instead, he uses those sinful lips to seal mine.

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