Page 33 of Breakaway Hearts

“You’re not okay with this.”

I want to argue, but we don’t lie to each other.

“I want to be. And you deserve a chance. Because you put everyone else first, and my dad would be so upset with me if I stopped you.”

“Your dad would never⁠—”

“I wouldn’t have told him,” I point out. “Because he would have gone to jail. Or already been in jail,” I add, but we never mention Jay’s first stepfather.

“You’re serious.”

“Like a heart attack,” I agree. “Though if my shrink asks, tell him I was super mature in communicating my needs and feelings on the matter.”

“This was his idea?”

“I wanted him to talk me out of it, but he thinks hiding from my issues and just assuming everyone will screw me over isn’t the healthiest way to do things.”

“The nerve!”

“I know!”

We’re laughing, and as much as I’m dreading what I’m signing us up for, it feels nice. Like it’s us against the world and we’ll always have each other’s backs, even when all the odds are stacked against us.

“So…Owen?” Jason has to go and ruin it.

“I was hoping you’d missed that. Or would be nice enough to ignore it.”

“Not a chance,” he argues. “Haven’t you heard? We’re all about growth and going after our dreams now.”

“He’s not a…he came here looking for you. Then he saw us at the rink and something you said made him think I wasn’t allowing you to say yes. Which is mostly the case, but it wasn’t like you asked and I said no.”

“It wasn’t a coincidence that you decided to go today?”

“He might have asked me to get you there. I wanted to see what he had to show for himself before letting you at him.”

“And?”

“He’s cocky, but other than that he either hides it well, or – It’s not like that.” I tell Jason’s look.

“Because he plays hockey?”

I nod. Jason will worry less if it’s my hockey player phobia than if it’s just because Owen’s a man.

Taller than me.

Stronger.

“Maddie…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find myself a nice, tattooed motorcycle dude next time we go out.”

I sound like I’m joking, because I don’t want him to worry that I’m back to old, unhealthy habits. I’ll probably find someone who looks less threatening, for Jay’s peace of mind, at least, but it’ll never be Owen. Because I saw him with children. Being a decent human being. And as soon as you don’t assume the worst of someone, that’s when they can hurt you.

Chapter Thirteen

Madison

Don’t look back