Page 97 of Maddox
The asshole nods while Peter watches him suspiciously.
Absently I note the pulse pounding away in my throat until Maddox finally says, “Fine.”
Ignoring his wintry gaze, I turn back to Peter but my stomach sinks to my toes when Maddox stalks to a table where he proceeds to sit down, folding his hands on the table.
Thankfully, Peter isn’t looking but now I have to get him out of here without noticing Maddox boring holes in my skull from where he’s sitting like an asshole.
“Delaney girl, this has gone on long enough. It's time to come home,” Peter says, and I grab the edge of the counter.
So much has happened between us and it stings for him to stand here and pretend this is a silly snit by a stupid girl.
“Peter,” I say, touching the perpetual ache in my chest. “You know I can’t do that.”
“Why?” he asks, and I eye his fingers curling into a fist. “Your mom needs you.”
It’s a low blow, using her as a tool but it solidifies my resolve and with a bittersweet smile, I shake my head and say, “You know that’s not true. She doesn’t need me. She doesn’t even know I’m there.”
“She’s been getting help,” he says. “She’s in a program…”
I hope what he’s saying is true, but it doesn’t change anything. Until she’s willing to admit her sins, she’ll never get better.
It's a slippery slope when you’re hiding behind your lies.
“I’m sorr–”
I start to speak but he slams his hand on the counter. Over his shoulder, I spy Maddox stiffen and fight back a pulse of panic. I need to defuse this situation but before I can say anything, Peter barks, “Your mother needs you, stop being so…”
“What?” I ask, cocking my head. “Selfish?”
“Del–”
“No.” Slashing my hand through the air, I lean over the counter and say, “I’m a slut,remember?”
He has the good grace to flinch but I’m immune as I back away and say at the swinging doors, “You don’t know a goddamn thing.”
As soon as I’m in the hall, tears fill my eyes and leaning against the wall, I bat at them angrily.
I don’t blame Peter for saying something horrible in the heat of the moment but his silence after speaks volumes.
He’s never apologized and that’s because hedoesthink I’m a stupid slut.
“You okay, Delaney?” Jack says from behind me and I spin around.
“Shit,” I mumble. “You scared me.”
“Another customer just came in,” he says, shaking his head.
“Okay.”
I give myself two seconds to recover before grabbing a stack of menus and reentering the dining room.
I’m not up for the mental gymnastics I need to speak to Maddox and pause when I find him in the same damn booth, this time with one of his brothers.
Thank god Peter is gone but I’m already drained and now I have to face off against the sexy bastard? Yay.
With a silent groan, I approach, recalling his cold ass stare while I spoke to Peter and wishing that the ground would just open up and swallow me.
Although I’ve never met the man who sits across from him, I recognize him from the fallout with Micah where he tried to talk Maddox down before Peter showed up.
