Chapter 25 #2
Sexual tension has always been a problem between Maddox and me.
Since I was old enough to recognize the feeling of sexual want, I’ve been dreaming of having him that way.
I thought that back then it was crazy how badly I wanted him, but now?
I wasn’t prepared for how downright consuming it would be.
I feel it through every thread of my being.
“You’re not right for Braxton. You never have been. I don’t know how you convinced her to go along with this scheme, but if it doesn’t come to an end, you won’t be the only one not welcome near my family,” Dad snaps.
At that, my heart cracks up the middle. I numbly register the screeching sound of a chair scraping the floor and my sister’s voice, but I don’t look away from my father.
“Sorry, guys. It’s packed in here, so they had to get me an extra chair from the back.”
Maddox is tensed up tight beside me, holding me like I’m the only thing keeping him from climbing over the table and wrapping his hands around my dad’s neck. I don’t dare look at my mother.
“What is that supposed to mean?” I ask, calling upon every ounce of my courage.
Dad’s stare is pure fire, but his words burn far worse.
“It was your mother’s idea to do this here so that you didn’t make a big scene and embarrass all of us further, but if you don’t put an end to this little game and come out with a statement saying that this was all one big misunderstanding, you will not be welcome in this family anymore.
If this is a cry for attention, congratulations, you’ve got it.
But I will not let you make a fool of us because you’re feeling unloved. ”
The blood drains from my face. That small crack spreads.
“What the fuck did you say?” Maddox snarls.
“Braxton, baby. That’s not why I insisted we come here. I didn’t know this was going to ha—” Mom starts before Dad cuts her off.
“Don’t, Larissa. For God’s sake, can you just let me do something without needing to be the good guy?”
He’s leaning forward, his fingers white from pressing down on the table so hard. The vein that always pops out when he gets angry is throbbing in his forehead. I’m surprised it hasn’t burst.
Mom, on the other hand, stiffens and closes her mouth. Any hope I had that she would finally have enough of Dad’s shit and tell him off for once poofs into thin air.
“So, it’s not just your daughter you treat like shit, then? It’s everyone? What a keeper. And I wonder why the league won’t touch you with a ten-fucking-foot pole,” Maddox says, not even a twinge of fear in his voice.
“You want to talk about why the league won’t work with me? That would be your daddy, right? The great Oakley Hutton who couldn’t stand that someone other than himself had an idea of what your future should look like,” Dad throws back.
Maddox goes deathly still. “Keep my dad’s name out of your mouth before I ruin Braxton’s love for this place with the memory of me decorating it with your front teeth.”
“And here we are again. Back to my daughter. I’m always painted as the sole reason for you needing to re-enter the draft, but she played a part in that decision too, didn’t she? Some would argue she is more to blame than I am.”
I startle at how easy it is for my father to throw me under the bus. Like I’m an easy casualty. Yet, it doesn’t hurt as much as I thought. Maybe because he’s already done enough damage to our relationship. Maybe when it comes to my love for him, I don’t have anything left for him to break.
It’s a sad thing to accept, but our relationship ended the day I left Vancouver. Maybe it even had before then. Roy Heights is the man whose blood runs in my veins, but he’s never been much of a dad. This fallout was always coming, and I’m glad I wasn’t alone when it happened.
I lift my arm and cover Maddox’s hand with mine where it clutches my arm, giving it a squeeze that’s meant to comfort the both of us. I’m so grateful to have him here with me.
“You’re really going to blame an eighteen-year-old girl for your mistakes?
For your greed? You never wanted to help me.
You thought if I skipped out on Florida, that because of who my father is, Vancouver would have picked me up and in turn would have been able to offer me a heavier contract.
It was never about the team or the coach.
It was always about you and how thick you could line your pockets.
“I don’t know how you have anyone left at this point.
You burn every bridge you build. The only reason the full truth never came out about you was because of Braxton.
It would be a hell of a lot worse for you had she not begged me to keep out the details.
You owe her a thank you. But at this point, we all know it would fall on deaf ears. ”
Maddox is eerily calm as he finishes speaking and looks at me, his lips forming just the hint of a smile.
When he speaks, he doesn’t look away. “I don’t really care what you think about our relationship.
Believe it or don’t. You can shit on my name to everyone who will listen because the best thing you’ve ever done for me is bring Braxton back into my life.
It’s the only thing I will never hate you for. ”