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"She had the means and definitely the motives," he said. "She was the only one who knew the passcode to my phone, and she was pissed, especially after she saw you wearing my jacket." He shrugged. "It was definitely her, and I'm telling you because I don't know if she's also behind all of this."
"How did she get the pictures, though?"
"I'm not sure." He shrugged. "But she must have gotten a hold of my phone at some point and sent herself everything."
"She's been helping me," I whispered.
"I know," he said, brushing a loose strand of hair out of my face. "And maybe she's trying to make up for what she did, but it's hard to believe that someone so vindictive back then has changed."
FIFTY-ONE
ADDISON
The Knights had just won another home game, and not only were the fans going wild, but also the girls.
"We love you, Maddox," a group of girls chanted from the stadium stands. He flashed an all-white smile up to them, and they swooned.
My stomach fluttered as I watched him flash his perfect smile for the camera as he gave his after-game interview for not only the school but also the local and national news. His hair was slick with sweat, but the excitement in his bright blue eyes and smile said it all.
"Rumor has it the NFL has their eyes on you," a reporter said. "Any truth to that?"
Maddox laughed. "I still have a few weeks left in this season to get through."
Good answer, Maddox.
"Maddox, will you marry me?" a young blonde screamed from the bleachers, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"The ladies love you," Cole, one of our school reporters, smiled. "What is your current dating status?"
Maddox's gaze shifted to me for a brief moment before turning back to the crowd of reporters.
"I'm interested in someone." Maddox smiled as his gaze shifted back to me, and everyone within earshot of Maddox's interview followed his eyes to me, wearing his jersey. Shit.
Every girl in the stadium stands voiced their disappointment in a dramatic wave of sighs. A bolt of anger surged through me as I realized not only had their gazes shifted but also their cameras.
Even though he didn't say the word, the world would now label me as Maddox Parker's girlfriend. But I was not his girlfriend. I was his tutor, maybe even his friend, but girlfriend, no. Those four words would ruin any chance I had of a dating life.
"That's all, guys." Maddox smiled before heading over to me. Pressing my lips into a thin line, my eyes flashed between Maddox's and the rolling cameras and reporters. My chest tightened as a wave of panic washed over me, and I bolted toward the tunnel. Maddox talking to me in front of the camera would only solidify that I was the girl he was talking about.
"Addison," Maddox called out behind me, but I didn't stop; I kept going. "Addison." His firm grip wrapped around my wrist, jerking me to a stop.
"What, Maddox?" I snapped, glaring at him.
"What's wrong?" he asked, his brows pinched together.
"What's wrong?" I repeated sarcastically. My chest tightened with anger. "Why would you tell everyone you're interested in me?"
"I didn't," he corrected me, looking so serious. "I told them I was interested in someone. The rest they figured out for themselves."
"Why would you insinuate that you're interested in me?"
"Because I am," he said matter-of-factly. My lungs constricted so tightly that it was hard to breathe. "What's the big deal?"
"Maddox," I growled, jerking my wrist out of his grasp. "You know exactly what you did, and now..." His hands grabbed my face, and his mouth crashed against mine, cutting off my words. His kiss was so insanely intense that every ounce of fear and panic faded, and I melted into him.
In that moment, nothing mattered but his soft lips against mine. The chemistry between us was explosive, and even though I knew I shouldn't, I couldn't help but want what I thought we had then.
"I told them there was someone I was interested in," he said, cupping my face and forcing me to look at him after breaking from the kiss. "Because I'm interested, and I'm not going to pretend I'm not anymore." Swallowing hard, I nodded. "I know what I want, and it's you. It's always been you, so I'm going after what I want with every ounce of my being."
