Always Mine, page 23
Charlie explains some of the rules—only one ax can be tossed at a time, spectators need to stay in the lounge area, and having fun is a requirement. “Who’s up first?” he asks, looking back and forth between us.
I step up.
“Okay, so you’re going to hold the handle with both hands and cross your thumbs like this to keep it steady. Now, you’ll want to point the blade at the bull’s-eye, then lift it all the way over your head and bring it forward with all your weight. When it gets to your forehead, let go, but make sure you’re standing behind the yellow line.”
At first, I take a few practice holds, making sure my grip isn’t too tight, then Charlie exits and I decide to go for it. Doing exactly as he said, I put all my body weight into it, and the ax flies and sticks right in the center.
“I told you!” I tell Blake, laughing. This is one of the coolest places.
Charlie gives me a high five. “You’re a natural. Damn. And in a dress and heels too. You should join the tournament.”
I playfully roll my eyes, and Charlie smiles. I’m almost certain he’s flirting with me right in front of Blake, who looks at him murderously.
“Alright, my turn,” Blake says, giving me a wink and bringing the attention back to him. I leave the playing area and stand at the bartop as Blake throws.
“Lucky shot!” I tell him as it lands in the middle. “You’re so going down,” I taunt.
We thank Charlie, and then he’s on his way to help other players.
“I think he might have a crush on you,” Blake jokes, but I hear the discontent in his tone.
I flip my hair and giggle. “I’d be too much for him to ax-tually handle.”
Blake snickers at another one of my lame puns, which is cute he plays along. I want to be with a man who I can be myself around and not some version I think he wants. What he sees is what he gets. “Damn, woman. You might be too much for me to handle,” Blake says in a low tone, causing goose bumps to trail over my arms as he pulls me close. My breath hitches because I haven’t reacted to a man like this since Liam kissed me. Part of me feels guilty, like I’m betraying him, which is so fucked up. Ugh, I push the thoughts away.
“Ready to lose?” I ask him confidently.
He scoffs playfully. “After I get us some drinks. What would you like?”
“Whatever you’re having. I’m not picky.” I pick up the ax and take a few more practice shots. It’s like darts but with a bigger object, and I can kick anyone’s ass at that game. I do a one-handed toss and miss just as Blake walks up with two beers. Smiling, I walk to the bar top and sit on one of the tall stools.
“I booked the lane for an hour, then thought we could order some food afterward.” He takes a sip of his beer, and I do the same.
“Sounds perfect. Guess that means we should start playing. How do we keep score?” I meet his kind blue eyes that seem to sparkle when he looks my way, and I study his face.
He grabs a pencil and the scorecard that has the instructions on the back. Three rounds, ten throws each. The person with the highest score wins. Sounds easy enough. I drink a gulp of my beer as Blake goes to the playing area. I can’t help but watch the way his biceps flex as he holds the handle, then swings, putting all his strength into it. The blade splits the big red circle…bull’s-eye again.
“Seriously? That was a lucky shot.” My mouth falls open. “You’re gonna make me work for this win, aren’t you?” I rub my palms together and crack my knuckles as if that’ll help me.
His head falls back with a laugh, and he shrugs. “You’re the one who started talking smack. I was prepared to let you win, but now I think I better actually try.”
“I’m competitive by nature. What can I say?” We trade places over and over until we’re on our last and final round. I’m only four points behind Blake, and I’m determined to beat him even if that means I’ll be sore as hell tomorrow. Blake lets go of his final ax and misses completely, and then it’s my turn. If I can hit the center, I win.
Sucking in a deep breath, I glance over my shoulder at Blake who’s smiling wide. I shoot him a wink, then get into my stance and give it my all. We both watch as it hits the ring worth four points.
“No way!” I shout, then go to Blake. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me against his chest. “Guess we tied.”
“Dammit. Guess we’ll have to have a rematch someday.” I notice how comfortable I am next to him.
He nods. “I’d really like that, Maddie. Maybe next time, you’ll kick my ass.”
“No, next time I will kick your ass. That’s a guarantee,” I playfully snap back.
“I’m glad to hear there’ll be a next time,” he says, causing my heart to race, and we break apart.
Charlie returns, and we thank him for all his help before we move to a table so we can eat. The waitress immediately walks up and hands us menus. Moments later, she’s setting down two tall beers, and we both order a cheeseburger and fries.
Taking a sip, I can’t help but think about Liam and how he warned me about Blake. From what I’ve seen so far, Blake has been nothing but a gentleman.
“So…” I hesitate, and he notices.
With a popped eyebrow, he smirks. “Yes?”
“Well. I don’t know how to say this so I’m just gonna come on out and ask. What’s the deal between you and Liam?”
Blake chuckles, the light sound zapping right to my heart. “Oh you mean Big Talker Liam? He’s always gloating about catching the bad guys and how he does the job for us. It’s annoying and disrespectful, in my opinion. I’m out on the streets risking my life, never knowing what situation I’m getting myself into during something as simple as a traffic stop. I also went to the academy and sacrificed a lot to be on the force. Meanwhile, Liam has no formal training and chooses what jobs he takes, which is convenient as hell. Every officer is trying to make Sacramento a safer place, and I don’t think he gets it. Plus, he’s an asshole who thinks his shit doesn’t stink.”
I nod, unsure how to feel about his words about Liam. “I can see that.”
“What did he say about me?” Blake asks with amusement.
I bite my lower lip, not wanting to contribute to their battle. “He’s overprotective and warned me about you being a heartbreaker.”
His head falls back on his shoulders. “A heartbreaker? That’s actually hilarious coming from him.”
“Oh, so you’re aware of his reputation as well?” I pop a brow, then take a drink, needing more alcohol in my system if we’re going to have this conversation.
Blake glares at me. “Who isn’t? Word gets around, and everyone knows he’s unable to commit.”
“He’s actually married now,” I explain.
His eyes go wide, and he’s just as shocked as I was when the news broke out. “What? No way. Since when?”
“Yep. Recently. He met a woman in Vegas, fell madly in love, and got hitched. Surprised us all actually.” I shrug, happy to see our waiter coming with our food.
She sets the plates down, and I immediately pour some ketchup on my plate, then dig into my fries.
“If it’s any consolation, I’m not a heartbreaker.” He looks at me genuinely. “I just haven’t found a woman who’s right for me yet, but I haven’t given up.”
I wipe my mouth. “Well, you’re still young. But yeah, I get it. I’ve dated some, but nothing serious.” Intentionally, I leave out the part where the only man I ever wanted was Liam.
While we eat, our conversation is light, and we don’t discuss anything too serious. I can’t help but notice the way he smiles at me, how a small dimple appears when he chuckles, or how polite he is to every single person he comes into contact with. Falling for Blake would be easy, and maybe that’s what Liam’s really concerned about—me being in love with someone other than him. The thought pisses me off.
Blake is perfect on paper and hell, even in person too, but my heart’s still recovering from the shockwave Liam caused. I’m not sure I could give Blake a fair chance until I’m over it—if I ever will be.
On the way home, I take control of the radio again, and Blake even encourages my love for pop music. When we pull into the driveway, I’m laughing at how he knows every single word to a Miley Cyrus song.
As he puts the car in park, I turn and look at him. “Thanks for a great night. That’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”
“Me too,” he says.
I lick my lips, my nerves taking over, and we both get out. Blake places his hand on the small of my back, leading me forward.
“We should go dancing next,” I tell him, excited to learn more about him. Even if I’m torn about dating anyone right now, I’d at least like to try to move on. Or at least have some fun.
“I’m down for the challenge,” he taunts. I’m a bundle of nerves as the date comes to an end. I suck in a deep breath, waiting for his next move. “So I hope you had a fun time,” he continues as we slow and stop on the porch. “I was wondering if I could kiss you good night?” The fact that he asks instead of just doing it has my heart racing. Everything stills, and before I can respond, the door swings open, and Liam’s wearing a grimace, glaring at us.
“Not a fucking chance,” he growls, and I’m so livid I have zero words. “Night’s over.”
What in the actual fuck?
Chapter Seventeen
Liam
I fucking hate that guy.
Not just because he asked Maddie out, but everything about him has always made me want to kick his ass. And I despise that she agreed to go, knowing I don’t like him. She stood in front of me, wearing next to nothing, and screamed at me to back off.
It hurts more than I want to admit, but I deserve it.
I have no right to tell her what to do, and I definitely have no right to be jealous, but I’m motherfucking jealous. And pissed.
Not knowing where she is or how late she’ll be out makes me anxious as hell. Sophie’s most definitely not on my side and only scowls when I glance her way. The air was thick with tension when Victoria arrived and has been since she left three days ago.
“You need a beer,” Mason says, handing one over before sitting next to me on the couch.
“Thanks.” I take it with a curt nod, suspicious of his motives.
Keeping my eyes on the TV, Mason shifts and narrows his gaze at me. “So is Victoria coming back soon? Or are you flying there next?” It’s the first time we’ve been alone to talk, so I figured the questions would flood in. Mason’s not the type to just drop it even if I asked him to.
I swallow hard, not wanting to talk about her. After she dropped the baby bomb on me yesterday, she’s the last thing I want to think about.
Turning my head, I pierce him with a hard look and shrug. “We’ll take turns flying back and forth. We both work a lot, so we’re playing it by ear.”
“How’s that gonna work? I mean…can you really do long distance with someone you’re married to?” he asks, then takes a gulp of his beer.
Shrugging, I blink and focus back on the TV. “It’s been working out fine so far.”
“When are you gonna tell me the real reason you got hitched to someone you barely know?” While his voice is devoid of judgment, I’m certain he has an opinion about the abrupt nuptials.
“Who says I don’t?”
“Because I know you well enough to know you don’t. How does a guy go from avoiding relationships to being married overnight?” Mason scrubs his hand along his jawline, eyeing me curiously. While he may mean well, I wish he’d really back the hell off.
I clear my throat. “She’s lit something inside me that I’ve never felt before, and I didn’t want to lose her, so we decided to skip all the dating shit and just go for it.” I immediately take a drink to swallow down the bullshit.
“And what was kissing my sister before you brought your wife home to meet everyone?” Sophie shouts, walking toward me from the kitchen with a butcher knife in her hand.
I quickly stand and walk around the couch to create a barrier between us.
“Jesus, Soph.” Mason grabs her wrist and pulls her back. “Put the weapon down.”
“You’re lying through your goddamn teeth, Liam!” I’m not sure if she was cooking or if she purposely grabbed it to threaten me. Either way, I wouldn’t blame Sophie for wanting to stab the shit outta me.
“Soph…relax.” Mason manages to pry it from her grip and places it on the coffee table, then looks at me. “Wait, when did you kiss Maddie?”
For fuck’s sake.
“Two days before that skank showed up!” Sophie answers before I can, shooting murderous daggers at me.
Wait. Her words make me halt. “You saw that?” I ask, not realizing we weren’t alone.
“You’re not even gonna deny it, huh?” Sophie crosses her arms, and I can tell she’s seconds away from killing me.
I hold up my hands, trying to defuse the situation. “Okay, just give me some time to explain.”
“Explain what?” Sophie snaps. “I saw you two making out in the kitchen, and according to Mads, it wasn’t the first time either.”
“Dude, not cool…” Mason says, and I release a frustrated breath.
“I was aware the moment I brought Victoria here, Maddie would be pissed. I didn’t know how to tell her or any of you, so I just ripped off the Band-Aid at Lennon’s get-together. That kiss was closure, a final goodbye to any hope she had of a relationship with me. It was selfish, but I’m selfless enough to realize Maddie deserves better than me. So I’ve continuously pushed her away so she could find a good man to be with, but the one she’s with right now—he’s not any of those things. He’ll hurt her more than I ever did.”
“Don’t change the damn subject.” Sophie scowls. “You’re jealous, but you caused this. You strung her along and then married someone else.” She takes another step toward me, but Mason grabs her waist and holds her to his chest.
“Baby…” he murmurs, trying to calm her down.
“Kick his ass, Mason,” she demands between gritted teeth. “He’s a two-timing manwhore who’s played with Maddie’s emotions and needs to be punched in the junk for it.”
If it wasn’t my balls she was threatening, I’d laugh at how angry she is, but I hold back so I don’t piss her off further.
“I’m not going to punch him, Soph. This fight is between him and Maddie, not you or me,” he tells her, but her rage stays intact.
“Fine, I’ll call Hunter and have him do it since you won’t. He’s my brother and will listen to me,” she states matter-of-factly and reaches for her phone.
I scoff with a chuckle, making Sophie more agitated. “You think I won’t?” She pulls it from her pocket, but Mason quickly grabs it.
“Hunter isn’t gonna come over to kick his ass for you,” Mason says.
“What the hell is this, a bros before hoes situation?” Sophie glares at Mason, and I hate that he’s getting her wrath because of me.
“It’s not any sort of situation,” I intervene. “I shouldn’t have kissed her, but it’s over now. I’m with Victoria, and Maddie’s off to date whoever she wants.” I shrug, giving up the fight, though I’m still frustrated she went out with Blake.
Sophie’s breaths even, her eyes slightly soften, and I don’t think she’ll put a hit out on me anymore. Or at least I hope. “This makes no sense, Liam. The traveling, the fancy car, the high-maintenance wife. I’m gonna figure this out.”
“There’s nothing to figure out, but okay,” I say casually, hoping she doesn’t hear the annoyance in my voice. I want to demand that she back off, to let me protect them and Maddie, and to drop her accusations. This is my problem to deal with, and I don’t want any of them dragged into it. Everyone needs to accept the lie and move on.
Mason leads Sophie back to the kitchen, where they cook and hang out for an hour. I stay planted on the couch and decide to order some food. After it arrives, I eat, then sit and wait. Once Maddie’s home, and she’s safe and sound, then I’ll go to bed. I’m tempted to text her, but I know she’ll either reply with a smartass comment or ignore it completely. I have no claims when it comes to her, and she’ll never understand why I’m being protective. Hours pass and I grow antsy, but the moment a car door closes outside, I jump to my feet to see if it’s them.
I don’t care what she says, keeping her safe will always be my priority. Whether it be from the O’Learys or this douchebag Blake, I care too much about her to just walk away so easily, even if that’s what she wants.
Twisting the knob, I swing open the heavy wood just as they make it to the porch. I see red when he asks to kiss her good night.
Not on my goddamn watch.
“Not a fucking chance,” I growl. If he touches her, I won’t hesitate to put my fist in his face. “Night’s over.”
“Can I help you?” Maddie seethes. As she inhales a sharp breath, her nostrils flare with outrage. Blake should be well aware I could kick his ass, and I will. Instead of intervening in our fight, the brave fucker leans in, then presses his lips against her cheek before saying good night and walks back to his car. We both watch as he gets in and drives away, but the second he’s out of view, Maddie stomps her heels toward me with a crazed expression.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” She pushes her palms against my chest, but I stay firm on my feet. “Do you get off on ruining my life or something?”
Before I respond, I grab her wrist and pull her inside the house. I can’t risk any of O’Leary’s guys seeing us or my reaction.
“Where’d he take you?” I ask as soon as I shut the door.
“What?” She puts space between us. “We aren’t talking about my date.” Maddie bends and takes off her shoes before dropping them to the floor. Her height drops a good four inches.
“Why not?” I cross my arms, challenging her. “Too embarrassed?”
She narrows her eyes, shaking her head. “Piss off.” Maddie goes to her room, and I follow her inside.
