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I’d hated him with every fiber of my being after the day he betrayed me. That hadn’t even been the worst of it—just the beginning. When I refused to meet him again after that incident, he’d made it his duty to torment me so I would never forget him.
What did he mean he offered to pick me up?
Nope, not going to let him suck me back into his little twisted world.
I must have dozed off because the next thing I knew, Maddix was shaking me awake. Standing way too close with his gorgeous face covered with stubble right in front of mine.
“I’m awake,” I said. “Back up, will you?”
“Sorry.”
I unclicked my seat belt and hopped out of the truck. A lump formed in my throat. The house seemed much smaller than I remembered. Two large trees stood on either side of the driveway. The lawn would need mowing in a couple of weeks, but the house had a fresh coat of paint, and the porch looked as if it had been repaired recently.
A flood of memories unleashed of the sad child who’d entered this house at eleven and had been shown all the love in the world. But then I’d left as unhappy as the day I’d started living here. Because of the man at my side.
The front door opened, and Gladys walked out onto the tiny porch, reminding me why I was here. For her and not anyone else.
“Finally, you’ve come home.” She held her arms wide.
I rushed up the steps and enveloped her in a warm hug, the scent of apple mixed with cinnamon tickling my nostrils. She’d been baking. Her familiarity erased the resentment I’d felt coming back here. She was the most important person in the world.
“Gladys, you look great.” I stepped back and beamed a smile. “Not a day over forty.”
“Always the sweet talker.” She pinched my cheek. “Look at you, all grown up and handsome. Isn’t he handsome, Maddix?”
“Gladys,” I said with a warning growl.
“What? It’s the twenty-first century. Men can call other men handsome now. Ain’t that right, Maddix?”
What was it with her always roping Maddix in the conversation?
“That’s right, ma’am.” He came up behind me and placed my suitcase on the porch. “Here you go.”
“Thank you.” I made a show of pulling out my wallet. “How much do I owe you?”
“Owe me?” He furrowed his eyebrows.
“For your pickup service.”
“Troy.” Gladys circled my wrist. “Maddix doesn’t expect to be paid. He offered to get you when he found out about my knees.”
“Oh, my bad. I just thought this was business.”
“No worries. I was happy to help. Hope your stay goes well.”
Maddix walked off to his truck.
“But I—”
“Come on, Gladys.” I took her by the elbow and grabbed my suitcase with the other hand. “Have you forgotten your knees? You shouldn’t be standing.”
Behind me, the engine of a truck came to life. It took everything out of me to open the door and walk Gladys inside without looking over my shoulder, but I did it.
3
MADDIX
“Assholes, I’m heading out.” Ryker slapped the back of my head as he walked past me. “Can’t make it to practice tomorrow, though.”
