Chapter 11

Michelle

I don’t belong at this fancy restaurant, and my only comfort is that Maddox doesn’t fit in either.

Not when he is wearing sweatpants and a hoodie-the only thing he had with him to the game. The rest of his stuff is in the back of his car.

I eye his chest, and even though his muscles are hidden behind the fabric and some cheesy slogan from our college, they are still visible. Firm and snug. Maddox is in peak condition. 1

My cheeks turn molten when his eyes catch me looking, and I stare at the floor instead. We finish our drinks in silence. There is no sign of our food, and the atmosphere is thick

Awkward.

Tense.

“They usually aren’t this slow,” Maddox comments. “Maybe they burned our food or something.”

“I bet it would still taste good even if they burnt it. I’ve never eaten at a classy dinner before. The chefs here could probably serve me dog shit, and I would still like it.” Maddox chokes on his drink and laughs tears. “Did prim and proper Michelle just say the word “dog shit” in a sentence?”

Did I?

Oh.

I did.

I shyly smile at him. “I’m not good at handling alcohol.”

He pushes his drink towards me. “If I had known alcohol could unwind you, I would have bought you a drink long ago. Here, have mine too.”

“Are you trying to get me drunk?” “Maybe?” I narrow my eyes at him and blush. “You’re a terrible influence. Please don’t try to inspire me to become an alcoholic.”

“You don‘t have to drink. That’s not why I brought you here.” “You don’t want me to drink?”

Warm blue eyes move over me. “No. I want you to eat with me.”

I go still and let my eyes roam his face. Maddox tilts his head as if trying to read whatever is in my expression. Whatever he sees has his features warming up around the edges.

you afraid of eating with

“No.” I’m lying

over my head. He disarmed me when he kissed me, and now I’m sitting here like a

rare moments of showing me gentleness and sly humor are dangerous. I’m eating from his hands, but I know I can’t get used to it

taking home that football victory, is suspiciously flirtatious. He persuades and cajoles. He could probably charm a manager-seeking Karen at the supermarket into admitting she was in

guard down. “Then just enjoy the food and don’t overthink,” Maddox says and shrugs a massive shoulder. Ah, there it is. The I-don’t-give-a-fuck expression is back on

do…” I say in a low

deep. He asks me weird

into my dessert, Maddox

slow down, and

but I don’t have any other friends to talk with. “They picked alcohol over their

fine

guy just ask whatever he wants and expect people to

Probably.

king of unfiltered questions and intense

don’t see another solution, and I’m tired of them asking me for money even though I’m a poor college student. I have a scholarship, and rent is cheap since

you pay for

I don’t like the questions, but… I’m trying to give Maddox a chance to get to

so I’m searching for a new one, “I blush when I catch myself sounding like a beggar. “Anyway, let’s t-talk about something

Your parents. Did they mistreat you or

Mistreat me?

a couple of times, but my real fear comes from when Thomas

I wake

that’s probably why I’m

if we are on the same team or as if we are

His nostrils flare. “What?”

back

“Yes?” He drawls.

before talking. “I sometimes can’t tell whether you like us hanging out or if you hate it. Now you’re wearing a

this, but whatever I said changes

merciless, yet not as cold as usual. “You’re

“You think

keep all sort of secrets… Like, what is your

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