Page 39 of Every Single Wildflower
“I know.” Her fingers move across her screen. “I’m just checking in. This is Hannah’s first time babysitting.”
Bless her mama heart. I hate that she feels guilty for having some time to herself. She deserves it more than anyone.
“Well look who decided to crawl out of his cabin?” I almost flinch at the sound of Brady’s voice behind me.
Maddox lifts his beer in salute, before knocking back a drink.
Does he normally not go out either?
I feel Brady’s hands land on my shoulders, squeezing lightly before he says. “Let me buy you a drink.”
I pick up my glass. “I've got one but thank you.”
“Ah, come on Ivy. It’s the least I can do.” He winks.
When he heads to the bar, I take a chance on flickering my eyes across the table. I should have known better, because as soon as I did, a slender arm wraps around Maddox’s neck, and my heart drops to the floor.
Two hours. Two whole hours I’ve had to endure watching Emily O’Connor flirt, dance, and practically grope Maddox on the dance floor. Memories from the night he shattered my heart into a million pieces plague my brain as I try to keep myself busy. I did everything in my power to avoid ending up in the crowd with Brady, but after the fourth time he asked for a dance, and when he didn’t give me the opportunity to deny him, I let him lead me to the center of the floor.
“It’s been a long time since we danced.” He grins down at me, his hand sliding down to rest at my lower back.
“It has.” I nod, swaying to the Zach Top song the band just started. “So, a fireman?” I ask.
He laughs, his eyes radiating pride before he speaks. “Yeah. I was in a bad way for a while there. Made a lot of mistakes.” He swallows, meeting my eyes. “I wanted to do better.”
I’m happy for him. Truly. I only ever wanted the best for Brady. We may not have been meant to be in a romantic aspect, but he was my friend. And I was rooting for him.
“I’m proud of you,” I tell him. “It’s an honorable job.”
His hand slides up my back, the feeling leaving no tingles or any other reaction like it does when Maddox touches me. I immediately hate myself for the comparison.
“It’s tough some days, but I feel like I’m finally on the right track. I’ve been trying harder with Maddox too,” he admits.
They were working things out. Rebuilding their relationship. My heart squeezes at the thought, and my eyes involuntarily seek him out.
Peering over Brady’s shoulder, I find Maddox across the dance floor, swaying similarly with Emily strapped to his chest.
It hurts.
Man, does it fucking hurt.
I thought four years was enough time. I was clearly wrong.
I wait for his searing gaze to turn back to her, but it doesn’t lower to his dance partner. No, those hazel eyes remain pinned on me.
No words. We never really needed any. I could feel him with one look. His frustration. Hisheat.Tonight, it mirrored mine.
The song finally slows, and I pull away from Brady. “I’ll be right back.”
I maneuver past an older couple bickering, then squeeze by my brother who’s dancing with Allison but clearly watching Dakota from across the room. His glare is unmistakable as her laugh reaches the dance floor. I’m almost free from the crowd when I feel a familiar set of hands slide over my hips.
“Dance with me, Goldie.” Maddox’s whisper sends chills racing down my spine, and I swallow as he pulls me into his hold.
My eyes scan for Emily as I turn, letting his palm splay across my back. Our hands join, and his thumb slowly glides back and forth along my skin as we begin to move to the new song.
“You remember the last time we danced?” He asks, his voice a whisper against my temple.
If I close my eyes I can see it clearly. The way the moonlight shined over the ridge. The way he held me. Just like this.
