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.

his gaze. “Are you afraid

“No.” I’m lying

in over my head. He disarmed me when he kissed me, and now I’m

I’m eating from his hands, but I know I

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

illusion; therefore, I can’t allow myself to let my 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 his face. I can finally slump my

do…” I say in a low tone. “Will

asks me weird stuff, like my favorite color and what kind of flower I prefer, we talk about

my dessert, Maddox throws a

with your parents at all?” The world seems to slow

can trust Maddox, but I don’t have any other friends to talk with. “They picked

you’re fine

he wants

Probably.

king of unfiltered questions and intense

asking me for money even though I’m a poor college student. I have a scholarship, and rent is cheap since I live

you pay

the questions, but… I’m trying to give Maddox a chance to get to know me, Call me silly, but I

a new one, “I blush

understand you better now. Your parents. Did they mistreat you or something? Is that why you’re so

Mistreat me?

I suppose my dad hit me a couple of times, but my real fear comes from when Thomas raped me. I

I wake

stare out into the distance. “Yeah, that’s probably why

Daniels said “we” as if we are on the same team or as if we are friends. It’s endearing, but the big guy doesn’t look amused

His nostrils flare. “What?”

back a smile. “It’s just

“Yes?” He drawls.

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

said changes

out with you if you were a bad company,” his eyes rake me up and down, merciless, yet not as cold as

“You

sort of secrets… Like, what is your favorite hobby? And

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