Blocked (Boston Terriers Hockey #3) - Jacob Chance Page 0,35

how we would deal with it, and when it came time you chickened out and slept with another girl.” Tears fall down her cheeks. “Way to drive your point home, Shaw. I should’ve just listened to my instincts. I knew this would never work and you would break my heart.” She opens her car door and slips inside while I stand there shaking my head. I don’t blame her for being upset, but she barely heard me out. Maybe she just needs some time to think things over. Taking a step backward, I give her room to back out of the driveway. I watch her the entire time, willing her to change her mind and pull back in, but she doesn’t.

“What’s up? Why did you chase my sister outside?” Marshall comes up behind me.

“I was trying to find out if she was coming back here. I was gonna have her grab food for me.”

“My dad’s got it covered. He’s making breakfast.”

“That works,” I reply automatically, my head space still occupied by Maddie and the devastation on her face.

“I found your phone outside. You’re lucky it didn’t rain last night.” He pulls it from his pocket, handing it over.

“Thanks. I was wondering where it was. I’m gonna grab my shirt and I’ll meet you at the table.”

Listlessly, I climb the stairs and enter Maddie’s room. Ignoring Tara who’s still in the bed, I grab my shirt from the floor, tugging it on. Pausing in the hallway, I type out a text to Maddie.

Me: Let’s talk some more later.

Maddie: Consider us over.

Me: I said cut me some slack. I never said cut me loose. That’s not what I want.

Maddie: It’s what I want.

I replay Marshall’s words from last night in my mind. “No one who knows me would ever dare to touch my sister. Hell, you’re my best friend and you’re not good enough for her. In fact, you’re probably the last person I’d want dating her.”

Maybe Maddie is right to want to end things now before it becomes complicated. Marshall doesn’t know about us, and I won’t have to tell him if we’re not together. What happened while he was away can remain a secret between Maddie and me. I’m sure she won’t say anything to him regarding us.

Fuck it.

Me: If that’s what you want, consider us over.

She doesn’t text me again.

Part Two

Chapter Thirteen

Maddie

EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER

“Are you sure we should be going to this party?” I ask Clover. We’re now roommates at B.U.

“Maddie, trust me when I tell you this fraternity has the hottest guys and the best parties.”

I draw in a deep breath as we stare at the large, white house. It doesn’t look intimidating from the outside, but it’s what we might find on the inside, or I guess I should say who, that worries me. “Let’s get this over with before I chicken out.” I trudge up the path toward the front entrance.

Clover clutches my arm as she walks beside me, like she’s worried I might run off. “You need to work on your attitude. Having fun is a state of mind. You have to allow yourself that luxury and try not to be so negative about things. Just enjoy each moment and don’t overthink everything.” Funny, I don’t consider myself a negative person, but I’ve been through a lot, and unfortunately, it’s jaded my perception of life.

It doesn’t help that Clover is like Suzy sunshine. Ironically, her parents are motivational speakers. Anyone would come up short on positivity with her as the measuring stick.

However, in the interest of being the best person I can be, and enjoying myself tonight, I’m willing to acknowledge that sometimes I have a tendency to be uptight and it can be off-putting.

Well, not tonight.

While my past experiences have shaped me into who I am now, I cannot allow them to dictate who I am moving forward. Maybe my time at Boston University can make me more optimistic. God knows, I’ve wanted to attend this school for as long as I can remember. I foolishly let my bad experience with Shaw deter me from coming here sooner. And now that I’m where I belong, it’s a new beginning.

What the hell, I might as well have a new and improved attitude too.

So, regardless of who awaits on the other side of this door, I’m committed to being outgoing, fun, and relaxed. No one’s going to ruin my good time.

We’ve barely stepped inside when Clover mentions her need for a drink. Weaving in and out