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“But…?” I take my turn and then look up at him.
“But… I don’t know if I can handle having her in the house.”
I let out a low whistle. She and Rob weren’t just been a short-term thing. They were together for years. Practically engaged for a while until he met someone else.
“Does she know…?”
“No. Fuck no. She has no idea. I’m Lizzy’s dad and Rob’s brother to her.”
“I mean, I guess Rob moved on from her, so it’s not like she broke his heart or anything but still…”
“I know. And she’s Xavier’s sister. Not exactly someone I want to make an enemy out of.”
“I wouldn’t recommend it.”
He gives me a cheeky grin and takes his turn.
“Speaking of… how’s that going?”
“I’m fucked.”
“How so?”
“Absolutely fucking leveled over her all over again, and she’s got walls up that are fucking unscalable. I’ve tried everything I can think of.”
“But behind the walls?”
“She still looks at me the same way she used to years ago. When her guard’s down, it’s almost like it used to be. But she’s with him, and she uses it like a shield.”
“So call her out on it. Ask her if she’s in love with him or not.”
“And if she says yes?”
“It’ll hurt like a motherfucker, but you won’t keep bashing yourself up against the rocks. You can move on, find a rebound, and get on with your life.”
I don’t like the idea of moving on from Madison. I haven’t been able to in all these years and don’t think I can now. But I suppose Cooper isn’t wrong either. Something has to give. I can’t keep going in circles with her.
21
Quentin
“I thinkeverything went really well tonight. The turnout. Everyone getting along.” Madison smiles as she fills the containers with the last of the food and places them into the fridge.
We had half the team here, including her brother and his wife, Cooper and his daughter, and my uncle and his family. Madison organized everything on my behalf and it’s yet another moment when she feels as much like mine as she can be. The kind of mine that makes me want to have her stay here tonight.
“I think so too. Thanks in large part to you. Getting your brother here and his support.”
“You did that on your own when you went to West Field’s opening. He knew it took you setting your ego aside to do that,and he’s willing to do the same. You both want the same things.”
“When it comes to the team at least. He doesn’t want me anywhere near you given how many times he brought A.J. up tonight.”
She stutters in her steps when she sees the way I’m looking at her but turns to wipe down the table anyway.
“Yes well… he’s still a Westfield at the end of the day.”
“Half-surprised you didn’t make me invite Wren’s friend to this.”
“We talked, and she didn’t want to put on the act anymore.” She washes the sponge in the sink and sets it up to dry.
