it’s all good.” I lift Maddie into my arms and carry her into my apartment, shutting the door with my foot. At least I think it’s going to shut.
“What’s her name?” Evan asks from behind.
“It’s Maddie,” I say, annoyed that he’s followed me in.
“The bitch will break your heart all over again. I thought you were going to blow her off.”
“Get out,” I growl, annoyed. Maddie takes a deep breath and sighs; her lips press against my neck. There are so many things I want to do to her right now. Instead I carry her into my room and lay her on my bed.
“Whoa, she tramped it up tonight. No m ore Pudgy Mudgy, huh? Look at those legs. And that ass. ” He drops the butt of his cigarette into his beer bottle. His eyes rake over Maddie’s body.
“I’ ve asked you nicely once. Don’t make me ask again.” I walk out of my room and into the kitchen. Grab a beer. Twist off the top. Evan follows me. Sets his empty bottle on the counter and grabs himself a new one from my fridge. He’s shorter and less broad than I am. He’s also a senior and a two-time kickboxing champion. I push him toward the door. “Move.”
Evan lifts an eyebrow, daring me to challenge him. “You gonna break your hand on my face again, cousin?”
“If I have to,” I say , thinking about the last time we fought. It was in the ring, right after my dad died. Sure, I broke my hand, but I also broke his nose. He may have two championship trophies, but I have three. “Leave.”
Evan smirks. “I don’t think so. This is too much fun.” He takes a pull on his beer.
I swear silently and try another tactic. “Look, man. I want to be alone with her.” I smile, letting him believe I have less than honorable intentions. “We have a lot of catching up to do, if you know what I mean.”
He smacks me on the arm. “Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” He peeks around my shoulder. “Damn, she’s fine. Mind if I have a turn when you’re through?”
It takes every o unce of self-discipline I own not to haul off and kick his ass. But I want him gone. “We’ll see,” I respond.
He ruffles my hair. “Have fun, little bro. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
I snort and smack his hand away. “Oh, I’m sure I will.” I walk him to the front door.
When it’s closed , I lock it. “Asshole.” I can’t help but smile though. Since my father died he’s treated me more like a brother than a cousin. But Evan’s got no respect for women—for anyone, really. Most of the time I go along with his idiotic plans.
With Maddie, it’s different. It always has been .
12
Maddie
We Made a Pact
I’m not sure how we get to his room. My vision is blurry. I think four Jell-O shots were two too many. My stomach is in knots, rebelling against the sugar and the alcohol swimming inside. A moan escapes my throat.
“ How you feeling?”
My head snaps in his direction. “Kyle,” I whisper. The room spins, and he helps me sit up.
“Give me your feet, I’ll help you with your shoes.” His voice is tender. Smooth, like chinchilla fur, and I think about petting him.
Instead I focus. He wants to help me take off my shoes. And I realize my feet are killing me. There are probably a thousand blisters. “Please.” I lay down. The pillow smells like him. It’s earthy, manly, with a hint of vanilla. I take a deep breath through my nose.
He unhooks my shoes, slips them off. “These are deadly.” He chuckles.
“They’re Gina’s.” I close my eyes, but the blackness spins faster. “Whoa.”
“Hang on.”
I hear him move away, and I miss him. Water runs in the background. He returns quickly.
My eyes peel open. “You’re back.” My hand s find his arms. He helps me up.
“Take these.” He hands me a plastic cup and two white pills.
“What are they?” I try to gauge his facial expressions. “You aren’t trying to drug me, are you?”
He kneels so I can see his face without looking up. “ I
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