Page 75 of Pucking Grey

He smiles like I’m paying him back a million bucks I borrowed. No, Maddie is worth more than that, but what the fuck can I say to him? Yeah, throwing a punch and telling him fuck no would do the trick, but when I caught Crew Nixon staring at me, I already knew he would run to Madison to tell her. It’s definitely over. She’s going to believe her brother’s best friend. It was a fun little ride we had for a moment. I can’t stop thinking about her, and I probably won’t stop. But I doubt she’s feeling the same. That’s why she couldn’t answer the question that night in the rink.

Matt pats my shoulder. “That’s probably for the best.” He walks off.

“Fuck you, Matt,” I say to him.

“Fuck you, too.” But he smiles. That’s our twisted way of coming to an agreement.

He takes a step up the stairs as I say, “You better take good care of her, Matt.”

He nods as he leaves. He swings the cave door open, and I hear Knox greet him in the living room. I wait until I hear him leave the front door before walking up and making myself breakfast.

“What was that about?” Ace asks.

“Telling me that Madison Wilder is his,” I mutter as I move around the kitchen.

Ace laughs. “He said that?”

“He tried threatening that, but I don’t fucking care, bro. He can have her.”

Ace scoffs. “Grey, what?”

“Yeah. Last night Nixon was staring at me when I was walking downstairs with Poppy.”

Ace chuckles. “Shit, dude. That guy thinks he’s a fucking Wilder.”

I shrug. “Exactly why she’ll listen to anything he says.” And I don’t stand a fucking chance. I inhale because I need to fucking let it go.

Ace says, “Bro, we both know that you didn’t fuck Poppy that night. You were up there for two seconds. Now I know why you left. And the way Poppy was acting after you left, man. She was getting shitfaced. And it was obvious you didn’t fuck.”

“Did you fuck her?” I ask Ace, knowing that he’s attracted to her. I need to change the subject. I would be happy for the man if he did.

He laughs. “Fuck no, dude. She was plastered. And I don’t need your sloppy seconds.”

I shake my head. “I see the way you look at her.”

He shrugs. “Yeah, she’s hot. But bro code. I’ll never touch her.” He pauses for a moment and then looks at me. “Are you seriously going to let Matt win this one?”

I nod, unable to meet his gaze. I’m embarrassed by the reality of it. “Yeah.”

Ace laughs, which pisses me off. “Come on, man, fucking admit it. You really fucking like this girl, and you’re scared she doesn’t feel the same way.”

“I’m done talking about this shit.”

Ace stands. “And he seizes up. Denial is never a good place to be.”

He leaves the kitchen and finally, I have peace and quiet.

Chapter 22

“Oh, my God! Goodbye to old Maddie and hello to the new Maddie!” Sydney screeches as she touches my newly brown hair. Her jaw is to the floor right now, and that’s what I looked like in the mirror at the salon. I’ve always been a blonde but being a brunette has transformed me into a new human. “Madison!” She’s admiring me in shock. “If I knew you were going to transform into a Victoria Secret model, I would have suggested you dye your hair a long time ago. Are you freaking kidding me, Maddie? You’re a freaking goddess! I can’t believe how good you look. Your eyebrows even match now. They’re seriously not that bad anymore. You look amazing!”

I hear Ryan walk into the house from the back door. “Is Maddie back yet?”

Sydney laughs as I look at him. “Hello? Right here.”

He shakes his head as he stares at me. “Maddie?”

I laugh as I shake my head. “Yeah?”

---