Yours Truly: Loving the One I Shouldn’t

[Maddox] Most people on this campus have a thing they're known for. Tyler in 204 does backflips at parties. The Nguyen twins run the fastest two miles in the state. Even weird Greg from the third floor is famous for eating an entire pizza in four minutes. Me? I write p**n. Not that anyone knows. Because when the lights go out and everyone else is chasing parties or hookups, I’m in my tiny dorm room, fingers flying across the keyboard, writing the kind of stories that make people blush behind their phones. Anonymous submissions to the university literary magazine. No byline, just the pseudonym “Yours Truly.” Readers devour them. Comments flood the forums; filthy, hot and imaginative as hell. But there’s always that one recurring jab: “Bet the author’s a virgin. Those positions sound completely made-up.” It hurts because they’re right. I’ve never even kissed anyone properly, let alone done half the things I describe in graphic detail. My imagination runs wild, but reality? Locke

[Maddox] The little café just off campus was packed with students trying to squeeze in one last decent meal before winter break. Daniel sat across from me, red hair messy as usual, scrolling through his phone while shoving eggs into his mouth. “You still ain’t telling me about your rendezvous with Damian?” Daniel started putting his phone down, the corner of his mouth curling into a smug smile. I ignored him and sipped my mocha, trying very hard not to give in that easily. He sighed dramatically and launched into his usual mantra. “Oh, what has become of me? No fella to cry to...” I snorted. “You must have forgotten, but that doesn’t work on me anymore.” He rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair. “How long until you consider me your best friend?” “You ain’t even my friend yet.” “Dude, we’ve known each other for three years…” “Maddox! Daniel!” Daisy’s voice cut through the chatter like a siren. Heads turned as Daniel’s twin sister marched straight to our table, her red p

[Maddox]The rain wouldn’t fucking stopIt hammered against the hotel windows like it’s the end of the world.The outdoor field ceremony was canceled, and everything got moved inside the grand wedding hall downstairs. I stood in my room in a black suit, staring at the downpour while Daniel and Daisy argued over my tie.“You look like you are about to shit your pants.” Daniel said, yanking the knot loose again. “Shut up,” Daisy shot back, slapping his hands away. “He looks hot. Stop messing with him.”They had driven all the way from Alpharetta just for this. The only two people here who actually knew me. Their teasing was the only thing keeping my nerves from exploding.“I need to see my mom,” I muttered, slipping out before they could follow.Her dressing room was quiet except for the soft click of the door. The second I saw her, my chest tightened. She looked… younger. The white dress hugged her perfectly, and the smile on her face was real. This is what I’ve been working my ass

[Maddox]Now this wasn’t what I was expecting after Damian slept in my space yesterday, well not my space, my doorstep… his doorstep. God I need to take a break.Looking at him across the breakfast table, pushing his scrambled eggs around, his jaw so tight the muscle kept twitching every few seconds… I’m starting to think something’s seriously off with him.We hadn’t talked. He left before I even woke up. It was like the guy from last night had vanished, replaced by this cold version sitting across from me, wearing a scowl like it was part of his face.Damn me, I want to know why he’s like that.My stepfather, Edward cleared his throat. "Kids," he started, his voice booming cheerfully in the quiet room. "Your mother and I have decided it's time for a proper break. We're heading up to the lake house this weekend. The whole family."He smiled, a broad, politician's smile that didn't reach his eyes. My mother smiled back, nervous and hopeful. Me? I want to spend time with my mom, but w

[Maddox]Here I was, gripping the damn wall of the skating rink like my life depended on it, heart pounding, while chaos exploded around me.Earlier this morning after breakfast, I had planned to go fishing with Edward. Nice, normal stepdad bonding. Safe territory where I wouldn’t have to smell Damian. Not after what happened last night and how he’s been smirking at me…wickedly.You are so right for whatever you are guessing.When I got to the cottage, Damian was already there, lurking like a shadow. He kept fidgeting with the hem of his shirt which I’m starting to think he doesn’t even know he does.He was shifting his weight, opening his mouth and closing it again. The tension rolling off him was so thick I could almost taste it.I stopped and crossed my arms. “Stop pacing around like that and just say what’s bothering you.”He scratched the back of his neck, refusing to look at me. “Doyouwannagototheskatingrinkwithme?” The words rushed out of his mouth in one breath.I heard him pe