INICIAR SESIÓN[Damian]Hurting Kason badly enough for him to end up in the ER with a broken arm wasn’t exactly in my plans. That’s a half lie and half truth. I never expected to see him there, and I definitely never expected him to be an asshole to Maddox.That was my whole problem. Him calling me names wasn’t the issue.The way Maddox froze and flinched when Kason tried getting close to him did something to me. It woke up the monster inside me, the one that seems to crawl out whenever someone gives Maddox shit.Except me. I don’t want anyone hurting him. Maybe me a little? But not like that. He was my crush before he became my brother… stepbrother.Calling Maddox my crush felt like a crime. Well, because he’s my stepbrother now. How the fuck did I miss that? I swear I stalk him every fucking day. How did I miss him meeting my father? It just doesn’t add up.I was fine with watching Maddox from afar because he was too perfect to keep close.Those stupid blue-green eyes, the prettiest combination I’
[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
[Maddox]This was supposed to be a peaceful weekend at the lake house.Instead, I was stuck sharing a damn cottage with the human equivalent of a walking anger issue.Edward had dropped the bomb right when we arrived: Damian and I would be staying in the smaller cottage facing the lake, while he and Mom took the main house five minutes away. “You boys need to bond,” he’d said with that politician smile.Bond. Yeah, right.I wasn’t happy. At all. After the way Damian had slammed me against the wall a few days ago and basically told me I stole his family, being forced to share breathing space with him felt like signing up for emotional Russian roulette.Still… I couldn’t stop watching him.He was dragging his suitcase toward the cottage like it had personally offended him, jaw clenched so tight I thought the muscle might pop. Part of me; this stupid, protective monster I couldn’t seem to kill, wanted to know what the hell was really wrong with him. Wanted to fix it. Wanted to make that
[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] The rain wouldn’t stop hammering against the hotel pavement, turning the world into a blurry grey mess. I stood under the rain, chest heaving, heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. I had run out there, drenched in seconds, looking for him. But Damian was gone. I scanned the wet street, the parking lot, the huddled groups of guests running for taxis. Nothing. Just rain and the dull ache of disappointment that settled in the pit of my stomach. It wasn't just that he’d run off, though that was annoying. It was the look in his eyes. That dark, dangerous look that had flickered when we locked eyes in the hall. It wasn't just a shock. It felt like he was afraid. The confident hockey captain had looked at me like I was something he’d lost and was terrified to find again. Why? "Maddox!" Daniel's voice cut through the downpour. He and Daisy appeared under a shared umbrella, red hair plastered to their faces, looking at me like I'd lost my mind. "You're soa
[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







