Page 40 of The Truth of Our Secrets

I’m not a liar McLiarson, so I definitely don’t agree, and by the look on Jayce’s face, he doesn’t agree either. Welp, we’ve got that in common. I’ll give her that.

The guy might be hot as fuck and I wouldn’t kick him out of bed, but he’s not the type of person I want a relationship with.

“Here’s what I think.” She stares Jayce in the eyes and captivates mine. “You guys need to apologize to each other and make up so we can all be friends.”

“Friends?” Jayce asks, clearly skeptical.

Madyson bites her lip and nods.

I don’t blame him. If she were my wife, I wouldn’t let her be friends with me. He’s aware I want to fuck her.

The weirdest fucking idea hits me. If he doesn’t want me around, he’s either jealous or afraid. We’ve had no relationship in the past four years, so jealousy seems stupid.

Yes, he’s a liar, and he purposely tried to keep me away from her. I all but told Madyson, and she didn’t understand that he deleted the messages on her phone. She would never believe me. He has nothing to worry about.

I told him I wouldn’t tell her. Unlike him, I’m not a liar and I plan to keep my word. It’s not out of the goodness of my heart. It’s because if it comes down to a choice between us, she’s going to choose him. She’ll choose him and I’ll have no place in her life.

Him being threatened by my presence in her life makes no sense. The truth of his reasons for hating me will probably be an unsolved mystery.

Of course she prefers us to be friends. That makes her life easier. She won’t have to sneak around.

Sighing, I say, “Jayce, I’m sorry my fist found your face. Several times.”

Madyson beams like a proud parent at me and then looks expectantly at Jayce.

“You seriously think I should apologize?” he asks, wide-eyed and feigning innocence.

“Mmm-hmmm, I know Emmet. And he would never hit you unless you provoked him. Even then, it takes a lot to get him mad. I’ve seen him take taunts and threats and bullying and he doesn’t react.”

Jayce opens his mouth, probably to argue, but he shuts it when she whispers, “How does he smell?”

“What the fuck? I don’t smell bad.” I sniff my pits just to make sure, but they’re in a nonverbal conversation that I’m not a part of.

Seriously the weirdest question to ask right now. Like if I don’t stink, he can apologize. Crazy.

Just when I decide to leave, Madyson rests her hand on my thigh. Fuck. Sometimes I swear she knows what I’m thinking. If she told me she’s a mind-reader, I’d believe it. One hundred percent.

“Fine,” he says as if he’s admitted the worst thing possible.

Madyson grins and leans in to kiss him. It starts off as a peck, but they don’t stop and I can’t look away. I’m not the least bit jealous. Maybe because I have no shot.

Don’t mind me. I’m here to enjoy the show.

They are sexy as fuck, and damn, I’d watch them all night long if they’d let me.

Madyson pulls back but palms the side of his face and nods.

He exhales. “Sorry for provoking you.” He’s not looking at me and I don’t expect him to say he’s sorry for something he’s not. Maybe he’s sorry for being a dick at the hockey rink, but he sure as hell isn’t sorry for deleting my messages on her phone.

Madyson rolls her eyes, and it’s adorable.

“That was the worst apology ever. I think you should kiss and make up.”

I laugh at her choice of words, which are metaphorical, not literal. My former English teacher would be so proud I retained that info.

Jayce freezes as if he thinks she’s serious. This dude’s anxiety must override his brain cells if he can’t tell she’s kidding.

But then Madyson’s expression turns wicked. “Maybe I should show you how it’s done.” She shifts and climbs into my lap.

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