Page 86 of Breakaway Hearts

“She said something?” I ask.

“I wouldn’t tell you if she had.” At least Sav looks apologetic. “But I saw you two spend the rest of that party huddled together, laughing and looking at each other like…you could have warned me.”

“I didn’t want to influence what you’d say about me.”

“I would have been your biggest cheerleader.” I think she’s genuinely offended.

“Exactly, Sav. You would have talked me up, and Madison would have known she couldn’t trust a word you say, and I’d be no better off.”

“But now she came to kickboxing.” Sav sighs. “I guess I’m glad you did it then, because I like her.”

“I do too,” I admit.

“We know,” Colt and Dave tease, so I throw a potato at them, which is maybe childish, but they do catch it.

Mad

And the article is sent! Freedom!

“Sav, it was so great to see you, come to team dinner, come over, you’re always welcome,” I say, going over to give her a hug.

“Where are you going? We’re not leaving for another hour,” Colt points out.

“I have to hand in an assignment. Old school,” I lie, which I am very not good at. They’re nice enough to pretend they believe me. Today, at least. “I’ll meet you at the arena?”

“Good luck!” Sav calls after me as I take a couple of churros for the road.

I find Madison at her usual table in the library and realize I didn’t bring my bag, so I can’t even pretend I’m here to study.

“Don’t you have practice?” she asks when she sees me.

“In an hour or so.”

Madison looks around to make sure there’s no one up here, then walks through shelves of books to the back area where the lights are turned on by motion, which, thankfully, doesn’t seem to include making out between the stacks. Do I enjoy this weird exhibitionism thing she has going on? No, not really. I’d much prefer her apartment, or my living room when the guys are out, but if this is what she wants, I’ll give it to her.

I follow when she turns down a row and kisses me once, pulling away before I have the wherewithal to wrap my arms around her. She turns so her back is to me and gives me her neck, so I explore it while my hand travels down from her hip to her pelvis, where she presses into me, chest heaving by the time I get a finger inside her.

There’s noise in the distance so I still, but the lights stay off, and I don’t think Madison heard it, so we keep going. But Madison doesn’t seem as into it.

She reaches behind her and grabs me through my sweatpants.

“How about we just do you today?” she says in what is undoubtedly her sexy voice, but I’m not buying it.

“I’m actually kind of nervous here.”

“Performance anxiety?”

She’s smiling, and I want to put her hand back on my junk to show her just how anxious I’m feeling, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, so I play my cards carefully.

“More like I don’t want an audience.”

“Suit yourself.” She sounds annoyed as she fixes her pants.

“Or follow me.”

I give her my hand, which she stares at like it’s a snake before reluctantly taking it and following me to one of the private study rooms no one uses until exams.

I’m still sporting a semi, so I hurry inside, then once Mad is in, I keep my hand on the doorknob, waiting for her to nod before I lock us in.