Page 4

4

JAXON

B ass thumps through the floorboards as I make my way down the crowded hallway, red cup in hand, though it's filled with water. It's only the first week of classes, but the party scene already seems to be in full swing.

I spot my teammate Carter by the keg and head over.

"What's up, man?" I greet him with a fist bump.

"Jax! Glad you made it." Carter flashes me a cocky grin. "Some fine ladies here tonight."

I nod, scanning the room. It’s not that I don't agree. The room is full of women who I’m sure are amazing, but it doesn't matter. None of them hold a single bit of interest for me. There's only one girl on this planet who has ever had my attention, even if she refuses to acknowledge it.

That's when I see her, standing near the entrance with a redhead who looks a lot like Coach Harding’s daughter, looking uncomfortable as she fidgets with the hem of her shirt. She leans in, saying something that makes Madison roll her eyes, but there's a hint of a smile playing at her lips.

Madison's gaze pulls to mine, as if a magnet is attached to each of us. Our eyes lock for a brief moment, my heart rate immediately picking up before she quickly looks in the other direction. I should do the same—shouldn’t make it obvious I’m staring—but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away.

Fuck, she's gorgeous, even when she's not in her element. Her jeans hug her in all the right places, her oversized t-shirt cropped and the neck cut out, hanging off her right shoulder, showing nothing but sun kissed, smooth skin underneath. I know what the other shoulder looks like, and I think it’s just as stunning as the rest of her.

"You into Maddy?" Carter's voice snaps me back to reality. "I wouldn't bother if I were you. She's blocked off and locked down tight. Took me weeks to even get her to talk to me."

Already a few beers in, he's not making the most sense.

"You know her?" I raise an eyebrow, working to keep my tone casual.

Carter smirks. "You could say that."

His words hit me like a sucker punch, but I manage to keep my face neutral. "Oh yeah? Didn't know you were seeing anyone."

"Well, not really," he admits with a shrug.

"We've hooked up a few times. She's a bit of a challenge, but I like that. You could say we have a mutual understanding."

I take a swig of my water, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach.

It sounds like my best friend is still stuck in her same habits, always keeping everyone at least an arm’s length away, making sure feelings never get involved.

"Anyway," Carter continues, oblivious to my inner thoughts, "there are plenty of other fish in the sea. Check out that blonde by the fireplace. She's been eyeing you since you walked in."

I glance over at the girl he's pointing out. She's undeniably attractive, but my gaze keeps drifting back to Madison. Her redheaded friend has now spotted me, her eyes widening with recognition before nudging Madison hard enough to make her spill her drink. Madison glares at her friend, who's now pointing directly to where Carter and I stand.

It might be fucked up, but I take some comfort in the fact that she clearly told her friend about me .

"Yeah, maybe," I mutter to Carter, forcing myself to look away. "I think I'm gonna make the rounds. Catch you later."

I weave through the crowd, stopping to chat with teammates and classmates. But no matter who I'm talking to, I'm hyper-aware of Madison's presence. Every time I glance her way, she's looking at me with an unreadable expression. It's driving me crazy, wondering what's going through that gorgeous head of hers.

Does she regret leaving? Is she upset I showed up here? Or is she just annoyed I keep staring at her like some creep? Does she even remember the voicemail?

I'm in the middle of a conversation with Allie, the blonde Carter pointed out earlier, when the redhead bounces up to us, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.

"You must be Jaxon Montgomery," she says, sticking out her hand. "Lyla Harding. I’ve heard a lot about you. Can’t decide if it’s good or bad yet.”

I shake her hand, taken aback by her forwardness. "Nice to meet you."

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine." She grins. "We're starting a game of Truth or Dare in the living room by popular demand, and by popular, I mean my demand, and you're joining us."

Before I can respond, she's grabbed my arm, dragging me through the crowd, Allie trailing awkwardly behind us. We end up in a circle on the floor, and just as I'm wondering where Madison is, she appears with Carter, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else.

Her eyes widen when she spots me before narrowing dangerously at Lyla. "What’s this?"

"Truth or Dare," Lyla says innocently. "You know, that game where people ask questions, and you have to tell the truth or do a dare?"

"I know what Truth or Dare is," Madison hisses, but Carter's already pulling her down beside him.

"Come on, Maddy. It'll be fun," he says, handing her a fresh drink .

She takes it with a sigh, deliberately avoiding my gaze as she settles into the circle directly across from me.

We start off with the usual silly dares and mundane truths. Drinks flow freely as the game progresses, and the raunchiness increases proportionately with our intoxication. Lyla seems determined to create chaos, asking increasingly personal questions and assigning outrageous dares.

"Carter," she says with a mischievous gleam in her eye. "Truth or dare?"

"Truth," he says confidently.

"Have you ever tried to hook up with a professor or TA?"

The group erupts in laughter and gasps, but Carter doesn't miss a beat.

"Jessica Miller, hands down," he says, a cocky smirk taking over his features. “Freshman year, Intro to Psych. She was so hot. She was into me too, I’m sure of it.”

I notice Madison roll her eyes, but there's no hint of jealousy or offense in her expression, only further confirmation that whatever's going on between them isn't serious.

A few more rounds pass, and then, it's Madison's turn. She locks eyes with me across the circle.

"Truth or Dare, Jaxon," she says, her voice barely audible over the music.

"Truth.” Her eyes narrow on me as she weighs her options. I can tell she's a few drinks in, simply by the way she's slouching more and more into her seat.

"Do you still sleep with the nightlight on, or did you finally grow out of it?"

My brows dart up, my hand going to the back of my neck instinctively, a nervous tick I’ve never quite outgrown. The group falls silent, all eyes darting between Madison and me. Of all the questions she could've asked, she goes there?

"I, uh..." I stammer, caught off guard. "No, I don't use it anymore. "

Madison's lips quirk up in a satisfied smirk. All right. Two can play at this game.

Once it's my turn, I don't hesitate. "Madison, truth or dare?"

She bites her lip, considering. "Truth," she says finally, her voice barely above a whisper.

I lean forward, my elbows on my knees. "What's the most embarrassing thing you've done while drunk?"

Eyes narrowing, she takes a long sip from her drink, buying herself time. Everyone in the group looks her way, waiting for her answer.

"I stole a traffic cone," she begins with a sigh, "and then proceeded to leave said traffic cone beside me in bed all night. Mind you, I had snuck out to go to the party to begin with. Spent the next 2 weeks grounded."

The group erupts in laughter, but I can't take my eyes off Madison. She either doesn't remember or isn't acknowledging her phone call to me last spring. There's a vulnerability in her expression that reminds me of the girl I knew all those years ago. For a moment, I forget about Carter's claim, about the voicemail, about everything except the way her eyes shine in the dim light.

The game continues, but Madison and I keep finding ways to target each other with our questions. It's like we're having our own private conversation in the middle of this crowded room, speaking in a language only we understand.

"Jaxon, what's your biggest fear?" she asks during one round.

I roll my eyes, knowing she already knows the answer. "Thunderstorms," I admit, ignoring the confused looks from the others. Madison nods slightly, a ghost of a smile on her lips.

"Wait, are you serious?" Lyla asks with a laugh. "Big, tough football player is afraid of a little thunder?"

Madison shoots her a look that could freeze hell. "Leave it alone, Ly."

Lyla's eyebrows shoot up at Madison's protective tone, but she raises her hands in surrender .

The group continues playing. Carter dares Shawn to kiss the hottest girl here. Allie giggles beside me when he leans over and plants one on her. Allie chooses truth, and it turns out, she has a real track record with athletes. Not that I'm judging—to each their own.

When it's my turn again, I don't hesitate. "Madison, truth or dare?"

She meets my gaze, a challenge in her eyes. "Dare."

I pause, considering. Part of me wants to dare her to ditch Carter and talk to me alone, but I know that's too much. “I dare you to tell me why you never showed up to Michigan State for freshman orientation three years ago."

Madison’s eyes flare with shock that swiftly turns into anger. “That’s not how this game works.”

Our gazes are locked in a standoff that has me forgetting we’re in the middle of a crowded party. I’ve wanted to kiss her since I was eleven, but fuck, if that stubborn look doesn’t make me want to even more.

Lyla stands, breaking the tension. "I think we've all had enough of this game. Madison, come help me get more drinks." She grabs Madison's hand, pulling her toward the kitchen before she can protest.

Carter watches them go, then turns to me with a calculating expression. "So, how exactly do you know Maddy?"

I meet his gaze steadily. "We grew up together."

"Hmm." He nods like he's fitting pieces together. "And now, you're here. Interesting timing."

"It's not what you think," I say, though it absolutely is.

His eyes narrow slightly. "What do I think, Montgomery?"

Before I can answer, Madison returns, looking irritated as Lyla trails behind her, whispering something that makes Madison shake her head firmly.

"Carter," Madison says, her voice tight with forced casualness. "Let’s go upstairs."

Carter nods eagerly and follows her without another word. I watch as Madison leads him away, her shoulders tense, her steps determined. A hundred scenarios play through my mind, none of them pleasant. One of them ends with my fist in Carter’s face, even though I have no right.

"Don't worry," Lyla says, appearing beside me. "She's not going to sleep with him."

I blink, surprised by her bluntness. "I wasn't?—"

"Yes, you were," she cuts me off. "And I get it. But Madison has enough walls up to fortify a medieval castle. Whatever happened between you two, she's still processing it." She gives me a considering look. "What I want to know is why you're here, at PCU, when you were at Michigan State."

I shift uncomfortably. "It's complicated."

"It always is with Madison," Lyla sighs. "Look, I don't know everything that happened between you two, but I do know my best friend. And I've never seen her as rattled as she was today after seeing you in class." She tilts her head. "That means something. I’m just not sure what, yet.”

I don't know what to say, so I just nod.

Lyla pats my arm. "Don't give up on her, Jaxon Montgomery. She's worth the fight." She studies me for another moment. “But I think you already know that.”

With that, she disappears into the crowd, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I take a deep breath, staring at where Madison and Carter disappeared. I won't chase her tonight. That's not what she needs.

But I'm not giving up, not by a long shot.

After all, I transferred schools for her. What's a little more patience in the grand scheme of things?