Page 40 of Back To Our Beginning

“I talked to my commander. A little less than two weeks.”

“Understood,” Kai nodded.

“Just know that if you decide to change your mind, I have made some phone calls, and you come highly recommended. It would be a pleasure to have you join us,” Simon said with a firm nod.

“I appreciate that.”

“You should,” Drake growled.

“You still staying at Maddie’s place?” I asked.

“I’m thinking about bunking here tonight,” Drake responded, shaking his head in disgust.

“Good thinking.”

I headed back into the house, knowing that the odds were I was going to have to hunt down my prey, which was fine by me. It was about time Maddie and I got some things straightened out.

Chapter Ten

I ran.

Of course I ran. What else could I have done after Beau kissed me like he had? After what he had said. Telling me he wanted to wake up to me every morning. He couldn’t possibly mean it. But it was exactly what I wanted him to say, and it hurt too much to have him say those words and know they weren’t true.

So, fuck yeah, I’d run.

I was curled up on my couch, my knees tucked under my chin and my arms wrapped around my shins, when I saw Beau’s headlights pull into my drive. They had to be Beau’s headlights. Who else would they be?

I pulled my legs even tighter. I didn’t even know if I was going to let him in.

I was a mess.

How dare he talk like we had some kind of damn future!

How dare he!

“Open up, Maddie!” Beau’s shout was coupled with his fist pounding on my door.

I started to rock. I couldn’t figure out what to do.

I couldn’t.

“Maddie, we need to talk.”

What should I do?

More pounding.

None of the lights were on in the house. Maybe he would think I’d gone to bed.

“I know you’re up. Answer the door,” he yelled.

I stared at my front door, trying to think of what to do. One thing I did know is that Beau and I couldn’t have a future together. I knew that. I’d resigned myself to that years and years ago. Opening myself up to hope would kill me.

More pounding.

This time, he wasn’t as loud, but I could still hear him. “If you don’t answer the door, I’m going to start yelling about how good you feel in my arms. What a fantastic kisser you are. How you set me on fire. How I can’t wait to fuck you.”

I don’t even remember getting off my sofa. I was just in front of the door and flinging it open, then Beau was standing in front of me with a smug expression on his face.