Page 60 of Written In Flesh

Madden shakes his head, his ink black hair falling into his eyes. “We never broke up, Angel. Not officially. You just don’t remember.”

“Then why would you say that?” I gasp, feelings of hurt and longing rise up in my chest and squeeze around my heart.

His hands grip my arms, and he pulls my body into his. I struggle, but he holds on, letting me feel every hard plane of his chest and torso. Madden grabs my hand and places it over his chest right where his heart beat is thrashing under my palm. “To push you away. To make you feel how I felt.”

Tears burn my eyes, threatening to spill over and onto my cheeks. I refuse to cry in front of him, not again. “Why are you telling me this?”

“I can’t push you away anymore, Angel. Memories or not, I can’t stay away from you. I was never able to, and I don’t give a fuck about trying to or not. You chose me.” His fingers grip my chin, bringing my face toward his. Our gazes collide, and for the first time I see the rush of his emotions staring back at me. “You chose me this time.”

The moment is ruined by a shrill vibration, his phone buzzing in his pocket. Madden exhales loudly, his forehead dropping to mine. His hand falls from my chin, and I feel as he reaches for his phone.

“What?”

“Head over to the far east side. Things are quiet tonight.” Heath’s voice says over the line.

Madden’s eyes meet mine, asking for permission, approval, or checking to see how I feel about leaving things this way. In all honesty, I need a break. I need space to think over the truths he dropped on me today. I nod my head back.

“We’ll head over.”

Madden hangs up and repockets his phone. Once he steps back from me, I gulp in a breath of the frigid fall air and let it burn my lungs. Without speaking, since we both seem to be emotionally wrung out, Madden takes my hand in his, and we start walking. The rest of the night falls into the same pattern. Madden and I barely speak, but move as one constantly. After meeting up with Aero and Heath, we all head home. I volunteer to use my reaper shimmer, but Madden insists on taking me back. The drive is just like before, except this time my insides are quiet. My heart beats normal, comfortable, basking in Madden’s presence. When he drops me off, he opens my door and presses a light kiss on my forehead. Again, no words, no promises or declarations. There’s nothing else we can say right now. I need time, and he seems to process that without me having to say it. Right as I step inside the front door and lock it behind me, my phone vibrates twice. Pulling it out of my pocket, I notice two new messages. My eyes widen, and my fingers grip the phone until they turn white.

UNKNOWN: We’re heading out of town for a meet tomorrow, Angel. I won’t be around so don’t worry about going to the Gate.

UNKNOWN: You made the wrong choice.