Us [18+]

Chapter 16

MADELINE'S POV ⛓️

You'll never guess where I spent the night. At Jared's house, that's where. I was tempted to go home with my parents but they would have been suspicious about it. They'd also never let me leave.

I understand that I need to stop running away from Iris but I can't help it. I'm deluding myself into believing that I'll deal with it better after the fight.

Another part of me thinks something will go wrong if I don't make peace with the way things are now. In any case, I told Jared everything that came to mind. This is the last time I'll do this, I need to give this man a break.

This workaholic was up before me. He just doesn't listen, no matter how many times we tell him to take occasional breaks. It's like the world will fall apart if he doesn't get things done at a particular time.

We had breakfast together, after alot of convincing. I told him that he wouldn't be seeing me for the next week because of the fight and he, as usual, told me to take it easy.

*-*-*-*

I don't know why, but I wasn't that surprised when I saw Iris and Mitchell at the gym. Today's Monday and she's supposed to be working, so what do she doing here? And with Mitchell, who's become her shadow.

The reason became apparent a few moments later. Julia is here, but why? I looked around for Kayden, or Luca at least. I found them and walked over. It seems only me and Jared are single.

The conversation ended with me glaring at Julia. She demanded another practice match and something tells me it's not because she wants to spar with me. I decided to skip my warm-up session and show her to back the fuck off.

Sure enough, she was sporting new foot works and glancing at Mitchell everytime she got a hit in. It took everything in me not to just pummel her into the ground and leave her unable to compete.

I had to repress that urge because it'll be more satisfying in a professional ring. After winning the three rounds, I demanded for two more and she took the bait. As soon as the match started, I dove in and left her unable to react.

By the end of my barrage, I grabbed her neck, pulled her into me and whispered "back off." I forfeited the fifth round and hopped off the ring. I wasn't two steps our when someone grabbed my hand. I turned around to see Iris smiling awkwardly.

I raised a brow in question and she dropped my hand. "Pancakes?" She asked, voice uncertain and smile lopsided. I shrugged in response and went to change. She was waiting for me outside and I raised my brow again.

"Is Mitchell coming?" I'll cancel this shit if he is.

"No." Smart girl. I left my car to Kayden and left with Iris.
-

"How are things on your end?" I heard the desperation in Iris' voice before I saw it on her face.

"The usual." I stuffed my mouth with a pancake, hoping she'd get the memo. She's been trying to make small talk since we left the gym and I put on my headphones at one point. I'm still pumped from my fight with Julia and I'm not in the mood.

"I'm sorry." I paused my chewing for a second, then continued. When I looked up, she looked distressed. I'm tired of holding this grudge. I just want them to leave me alone.

"I forgive you." Her eyes lit up and I kind of felt bad for her.

"Really?" I damn near rolled my eyes.

"Yes." She looked ready to pounce on me from her seat but her eyes turned puzzled the next second.

"What does this mean for us, though?"

"It means nothing." I want to pull my hair out. "It means that I'm tired and I just want you to leave me alone."

"I rather you don't forgive me then." Oh good. Now stubborn Iris is out.

"Boo fucking hoo. It's too late for that and you can't tell me what to feel. Not anymore."

"But-"

"But what? Isn't this what you wanted? You have Mitchell so why won't you leave me alone? What part of "I'm tired" don't you understand?"

"But I want you, too." I stared at her like she's grown a second head.

"That makes one of us, love. Like I said the last time, I won't be an afterthought. Not to you, not to anyone."

"You're not an afterthought. I think about you all the time. I still see you in my dreams. I miss you holding me like you've always done. I want to kiss you every chance I get or reach out and touch you any way I can. I've always loved you and I always will. Yes, I made a mistake by choosing Mitchell at first but I'm ready to make it up to you in whatever way I can."

She must have been holding that one in for a while. It changes nothing, however. The reality remains that she chose Mitchell and some things simply can't be erased. She should have thought about this.

"Eat up, Iris. I need to head home." The look on her face should have been satisfying but it just twisted my gut. I don't know where to go from here.

Scratch that, I know. I'm going to win my fight and feel good about it.