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"If you leave," I warned, a slight edge to my tone, "I won't chase you. I will move on with my life." My chest clenched as a lump formed in my throat, praying she would choose me.
"Maddox." She paused as if the words jammed in her throat. A tear streamed down her cheek, and she wiped it away with the back of her hand. I squeezed my eyes shut as a swell of pain flowed through me at the sight of her. I wanted to hold her and wipe away her tears. "I understand."
She grabbed her laptop and stormed out.
The room spun around me, and my gut twisted with nausea.
That was it.
She was gone again.
FIFTY-EIGHT
ADDISON
I managed to control my emotions until I made it home, but the minute I pushed through the front door, letting it close behind, everything came rushing to the surface. My swollen and puffy eyes burned with tears as I slid against the door to the floor.
Maddox was wrong. There was no revenge. I never meant to hurt him, but I couldn't help but wonder if, somewhere deep down, I knew this would never work. I knew that, eventually, I would walk away from him because I could never trust him again. Because I would never be able to get past the hurt I felt that day or the pain I felt all over again when Asher showed me videos I didn't even know existed.
Picking up my phone, I clicked on Maddox's name. I wanted to text him to tell him I was sorry, but his words replayed in my head. If I chose this internship, we would be over. He was done.
How could he ask me to choose between him and my future? Would he give up football for me? No, but I would never ask him to, either. Maybe once he calmed down, he would realize what he was doing. That he was asking me to give up everything I'd worked so hard for to follow him and his dreams.
A knock sounded on the door behind me, and I jumped to my feet.
He'd changed his mind.
He'd come after me.
I threw the door open, exhaling deeply with disappointment when I saw Maddy.
"Good to see you too." She scowled, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Sorry, I thought you were Maddox."
"Well, I just got done with tutoring, and Leslie, my new tutor, said you were leaving." She shoved her fist on her hips. "Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?" A laugh bubbled up as tears streamed down my cheeks. "Woah, I was just kiddin', Addison."
"I just got done telling Maddox," I said, stepping out of the doorway so she could come in. Then, throwing the door closed, I wiped away my tears. "He didn't take it well."
"I'm sorry." She sighed. "Are you okay?" I nodded. "He's angry now, but once he comes down off his angry high, I'm sure he'll call you. He's in love with you."
"Maybe you're right," I said.
"When do you leave?" she asked.
"Monday."
"Holy shit," she snapped. "Monday." I nodded. "Is it a good opportunity?"
A slow smile spread across my face as I nodded. "It's an amazing opportunity."
"Why don't you tell me about it over drinks?" She smiled.
We spent the next two hours finishing any liquor I had in the house as I told her about my new job. We talked about Maddox, and she spoke of her boyfriend. We made plans to keep in touch, and I promised I'd return for graduation, even though I wasn't entirely sure I'd keep that promise.
* * *
The following morning,we both woke up hungover and regretting our decision to drink so much.
