Page 46 of The Truth of Our Secrets

“Okay,” I say after a beat of silence. I’m surprised but not judging their choices.

“We enjoy having a third person with us, but no, we rarely invite someone else. We’ve found it hard to find someone we both click with and trust.”

“But,” I try to keep the accusation out of my voice, “J-Bear doesn’t like me, so why me?”

Jayce flinches and asks, “J-Bear?”

It’s not the appropriate time for me to explain the nickname, and luckily, Madyson answers my question.

“I trusted you immediately.” Madyson stands and starts pacing.

Her teeth sink into her bottom lip and she’s not making eye contact with either of us.

“Baby Girl, say what’s on your mind,” Jayce encourages. He seems to be in the dark like me.

She blows out a breath which ripples through her hair. “I have trouble trusting men. In college I was touch starved but terrified to be touched. It’s horrible to want something so badly and be afraid of it.

“Emmet, when I met you, I felt safe with you.” Her gaze falls on me.

“Probably cuz I was a mess,” I joke to lighten the mood.

She’s not amused. “Don’t diminish what you did for me.” She turns to Jayce. “You should actually thank him. If I hadn’t experienced trust with him, I could’ve never had a relationshipwith you and definitely not with,” she clears her throat with a look of disgust, “him.”

Jayce shifts uncomfortably and glances at me with a hard gaze. “What exactly happened between you two?”

“It wasn’t sexual.” Madyson waves her hand as if the idea is crazy.

“I knew,” I say softly.

Madyson’s mouth opens to say something, but she clamps it shut. After a beat, she says, “What?” Her voice is high pitched and almost hysterical.

“I could tell you didn’t like to be touched. You flinched and kept your distance from all the male students and teachers. You would hug the girls and stand right next to them. But not the boys.”

Jayce’s eyes flick between the two of us.

“But you would stand or sit right next to me. I’m not gonna lie. I had a huge crush on you and it made me feel special. So one day when I was drawing, you sat down, and I brushed my arm against yours on purpose. You didn’t flinch, and I was flying high all day with that simple touch. I guess I was touch starved too.”

“Oh, Emmet.” Madyson flings herself at me.

“Every day I tried to brush against you. It was comforting both of us, and it was the best part of my day.” I sink into her hug.

“You reminded me that touch could be innocent and not something to fear. I needed that. Thank you.” Her words heal some of my insecurities.

Missing comfort, I seek refuge in her body.

When she stands, she leans over and gives Jayce a quick kiss.

“But I still don’t understand what you want from me,” I say, needing the truth, but scared of the answer.

“We’re not sure either,” Jayce answers. Madyson gives him a stern look and his face softens. “We don’t. We’re trying to figure it out.”

“Because she likes me and you don’t?” I say bluntly.

“I…uh…” Jayce makes a face and doesn’t finish his sentence.

“It’s not that he doesn’t like you.” She sits back in Jayce’s lap. Her next words are for him. “But part of you trusts him and that’s a big thing.” She runs her fingers through his hair again, possibly forcing him to see a truth he’s not happy with.

He nods and brings her head into the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. His blue eyes pin me with a stare. “I’m protective of her,” he says, and I bite back my reply—no shit. “I’ll never letanyone close to us if I think they’re a threat to her safety or will emotionally hurt her.”

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