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We’re only inches apart when I look up into those blue eyes that consume me continuously with their depths. Everything about the way we’re pressed together screams intimacy.
“I—”
I don’t get the words out. I’m not entirely sure what I was going to say. But right when I start speaking, Oakley and Chase appear.
“What the hell is going on?” my best friend interjects, her eyes angry and confused. Her mouth is set in a straight line.
She doesn’t look happy.
CHAPTER TWENTY
OLLIE
I’m frustrated when I hear my sister’s voice. I was so close to breaking through Madison’s barriers. She was looking at me with those big, exposed eyes, reminding me of the sophomore girl who was hurting all those years ago. The one who wanted her mom to care more about her than a night out on the town. And I find myself wanting to destroy the world to protect her. To lift her up. To ease her pain, especially if I was the one causing the unrest. It’s obvious she’s pissed about Dallas showing up, and I want Mads to know that I didn’t invite her. That I don’t want her here.
I’m slow to release Mads from my arms even though her spine stiffened as soon as Oakley spoke. I love my sister, but what’s happening between her best friend and me isn’t her business. We don’t owe her or anyone else an explanation. We’re all adults, capable of making our own decisions. Plus, I haven’t figured things out yet for myself. How am I supposed to explain it to someone else?
I can practically see steam coming from Oakley’s ears as her gaze travels from me to Madison and back again, like we’ve somehow betrayed her. Chase is standing quietly by her side in a silent show of strength and support.
“I knew this was going to happen,” Oakley fumes.
I raise a challenging eyebrow. “And exactly what is it that you think is happening?”
Madison steps forward, placing a calming palm on my sister’s arm. “I was trying to find a way to tell you.”
“Tell me what?” she demands.
I scoff, and she turns her fiery turquoise eyes toward me when I start to speak.
“I love you, Oak. But this isn’t your business.”
“My best friend and my brother are entirely my business.”
“Are you going to stomp your feet and throw a tantrum while you’re at it?” I demand. “I’m not obligated to discuss my love life with you just because we share the same blood.”
Her brows practically reach her scalp. “Your love life? Since when is my best friend part of your love life?”
“It just happened,” Madison says, her tone much gentler than mine. Her eyes are pleading with my sister to understand.
Oakley’s emotions shift from anger to hurt in the blink of an eye. “When?”
“Recently,” Madison answers.
“Are you together, together?” she asks.
Oakley has dismissed me entirely at this point. I guess she’s decided her friend is the only one with forthcoming answers. And she’d be right. I still feel like she’s not entitled to know anything, but I’m fine with Madison explaining whatever she wants my sister to know.
Madison glances at me cautiously. I can see the uncertainty in her expression. My hands roll into fists when I have the urge to reach for her and wipe that apprehension away.
“We’re just figuring things out.” Madison takes a step closer to my sister. “I wasn’t purposely leaving you out of this. I just don’t know what’s really happening between us yet, so I wasn’t sure how to explain it to you.”
There are a few seconds of weighted silence before my sister’s shoulders slump.
“I’m not mad,” Oakley murmurs.
I snort, and Oakley sends me a murderous look.
“I know you’re not mad,” Madison says, ignoring me. She’s much better at smoothing things over than I am. “I’ve just been … confused.”
