Page 96 of Maddox
Delaney
It’s Thanksgiving and instead of spending it with my mom and Peter, I just clocked in for my shift at the diner.
Things have been tense with Joey. I haven’t asked him to elaborate about what he said and at this point, I’m not sure I want to know.
I wouldn’t put it past him to lie just to get a rise out of me.
I haven’t heard from Maddox, and I don’t have his number. I could ask Draven, but I’m not interested in the fall out from that.
If he wanted to see me, he could have figured it out. It sucks knowing he could drop me so easily but what did I expect from a fucking biker?
Although after what Joey insinuated, maybe it’s better to let whatever was happening between us go.
If it is true, I can’t imagine Maddox would be pleased to find out about it.
Now I’m trying to get through this shift without losing my shit and when one of the customers gives me the stink eye, I escape into the bathroom before turning on the water.
I’m walking a tight wire and with every breath I take I feel myself slipping further into the abyss.
The cool water soothes my aching eyes but when I glance in the mirror, I pause.
Did I make a mistake? Yes, it stings that Maddox hasn’t made an effort to speak to me but it’s not like we had an arrangement, and I wouldn’t classify anything we’ve done as dating.
Stop obsessing about this, Delaney.It’s done. Move on.
Resolved I blow through the swinging doors to the dining area and stumble to a stop.
Not two feet away from each other, Peter musters a stiff smile while Maddox raises a brow.
I know I was just complaining that Maddox never reached out but come on…is the universe trying to tell me something?
“Delaney?” Peter says and I turn to him.
If this were six months ago, I would be embarrassed but happy to see him.
Now, I can’t define the emotions swirling through my system. Love. Anger….and sheer fucking panic.
While I stand there dumbly, Peter’s gaze slides to Maddox and his brow darkens. I know what Peter thinks of the MC but it never truly resonated until he turned that distaste on someone I know.
Yes, Maddox is rough around the edges but he’s not evil. He’s just a guy.
Except the silent exchange between these two makes me wonder if I’m missing something.
Does Joey’s affiliation with the Aces have anything to do with this?
My throat dries when I consider the possibilities and summoning a casual tone, I step away from the doors and say, “Peter?”
I don’t know what’s happening but it’s deeper than this silly scenario and I give a brief moment to be grateful I composed myself in the bathroom because the last thing I need is for either of them to know that I was upset.
Meanwhile Peter turns back to me and says, “Hello, sweetheart.”
“Hey.” Once again, his eyes slide to Maddox and I turn, saying, “Did you need anything else, um, sir?”
My heart clenches when Maddox’s eyes narrow before his lips pull into a smirk and he says, “Nope, I’m satisfied.”
Kill. Me. Now.
From the corner of my blurred vision, I see Peter stiffen and rush to say, “Okay. The, uh, bill is on your table.”
