“Dead serious.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“Naked?”
I nodded, fighting back a smile. “Only your boxers.”
Oh, this was going to be a sight to see.
“They’ll call the police,” Maddox said, still looking at me as if I had lost my mind.
“That’s the point, Poodle.”
He blinked, still looking surprised. “Holy shit, I corrupted you,” he gasped.
My lips quirked up. “Do you dare, Coulter?”
Maddox smirked, a playful and sinful as fuck smirk. “I accept this dare.”
He quickly pulled his clothes off his body and handed them to me. He was partially… naked. His Calvin Klein boxers hung low around his hips, the crevice of his ass visible and my throat was suddenly parched. Fully clothed Maddox was… sexy.
Partially naked Maddox was… gulp
We were just friends, but damn it, I was a hormonal teenager who wasn’t scared to appreciate a fine specimen like Maddox Coulter.
“Stop looking at my ass, Garcia.”
“Stop prancing around me naked, Coulter.”
He sneaked a glance over his shoulder. “I’ve a feeling this was your way of getting me naked. Are you feeling tempted, Sweet Cheeks?”
“Tempted to kick your ass to Mars, yes.”
He grinned. “Liar.”
Fine, I was a liar.
“Damn, it’s cold!” His teeth were chattering as he rubbed his hands up and down his arms.
I stuck my tongue out and waved toward the library. “Off you go.”
He jogged toward the entrance. “Do a little twerk,” I yelled after him.
His warm laughter was heard through the cold breeze. I stalked after him and waited at the entrance, watching Maddox’s spectacle through the large glass windows. He pranced around the library, completely at ease and with a cocky smirk. He was completely comfortable in his skin. The people stared, speechless and in shock. A girl had her phone out, probably filming him. Some laughed, others looked outraged.
Maddox paused in front of the old librarian, who was blushing and sputtering, bent down and did a half twerk against the granny before running off.
I couldn’t hold my laughter in anymore. My stomach cramped, and I wheezed as he sprinted out of the library, the librarians and security guard at his heels.
“Run!” he hollered at me, his smile wide and infectious.
I took off, and we ran.
We didn’t stop until we lost them. Hiding behind the dumpster, I tried to catch my breath.
“You’re crazy,” he gasped through his laughter.
I elbowed him, grinning. “We make a good team, don’t we?”
He smiled.
A real and sincere smile.
My chest tightened, and my stomach did a crazy flip, like little butterflies dancing around in there.
Maddox might seem like he had the world at his feet. He was Berkshire’s king, and he ruled with a cocky grin, though no one saw the pain behind that playful smile. To the world, he had everything everybody else wanted: money, status, friends, a scholarship and two beautiful, successful parents. He was untouchable.
But he was still human.
Maddox Coulter wasn’t invincible. He had multiple cracks and scars in his soul.
He was a simple, seventeen-year-old boy, who only wanted his parents’ approval, with a little messy childhood and now, he starved for attention.
I made him smile.
I did it. And I’d continue to do so.
One dare at a time, I’d chase his smiles – because I realize Maddox needed someone who cared enough about his happiness and his anger. And I did.
22
Lila
The crowd cheered so loudly that I wondered if my eardrums were ever going to be the same. Excitement bubbled in my chest, and I felt giddy as the players strode out of the tunnel, leading to the football field. Maddox liked to have me accompany him to his practices but this was my first actual game. I knew absolutely nothing about football but I had to be here for Maddox. This was important to him, hence it was important to me.
“MC! MC! Go Berkshire!” the girls screamed from behind me.
Holy shit, this was huge and it was exhilarating.
The cheerleaders were doing their own thing as the game started. All eyes were on the Berkshire players. I held my breath, and I couldn’t tear my eyes off the field. Riley grasped my hand in hers, and she was screaming at the top of her lungs.
Maddox probably just scored a point because the crowd went wild, batshit crazy wild. I knew it was him because of the swagger as he trotted around the field, soaking up all the attention. He banged his fist against his chest, and our cheerleaders cheered even louder. I was too far away to see his face, but I could imagine the cocky grin. Yeah, this was definitely MC – Maddox Coulter, all macho and arrogant.
Tonight was the last football game of the season. Due to the snow in January, the game got pushed back a few weeks. It was still cold, but our Berkshire boys were crushing the other team. I didn’t understand much about football or any sports for that matter, but when Riley and our people cheered, I did too.
I tried to keep an eye on Maddox, but everything was happening too fast, so I had no idea what was going on.
The audience hollered once more, “MC! MC! MC!”
They were calling out to Maddox. He was the star football player, after all.
There was one last touchdown before the field and crowd erupted. We… won?
Holy shit, we won! Not that I was surprised or anything, but WE WON!
I was never much of a sports fan; I didn’t much care about football, but this was Maddox’s passion – his whole fucking life. He was happy, which made me happy.
Riley jumped, and I danced in my spot, laughing. “We won!” she shrieked.
My heart thumped so loudly that I could hear the beats in my ears. What a night.
Maddox paused at the edge of the field, and I was standing in the front row, courtesy of being the quarterback’s friend. He took off his helmet, smirking. His breathing was ragged, but the expression on his face was one of pleasure and bliss.
Maddox wiggled his eyebrows at me as the girls surrounded him. A cheerleader rubbed herself against him, grabbed his face and landed a big kiss on his lips.
Okaaayy then.
More girls joined the group, all of them trying to cop a feel of Maddox. I sincerely worried for his ego. This couldn’t be healthy for a seventeen-year-old boy. So much arrogance and cockiness.
He spared me a glance, challenging me with his gaze. I remembered the words he spoke to me before the game.
Riley stood beside me, completely oblivious of what was about to happen. Maddox waited, giving me an infuriating look, as if he expected me to lose this stupid dare.
Sincerely, fuck you, Maddox Coulter.
As another girl wrapped her arms around him, I lunged into action.
Do you dare?
Ha. Ha. Ha.
Riley let out a shocked gasp as I grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her forward. My mouth landed on hers, and her eyes flared in surprise. I pressed my lips harder against hers before pulling away.
She wiped her mouth, sputtering and glaring. “What the hell, Lila?”
Shrugging, I gave her a sheepish look. “Maddox dared me, sorry.”
“If I win the game, I dare you to kiss Riley,” he said, amusement flashing in his eyes. This was probably some woman on woman fantasy for him.