The Playmaker (Fire and Ice Series Book 1) by Michelle Scott

Author:Michelle Scott [Scott, Michelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Oakley

“My mom is getting on my last nerve,” Madison complains from my bed.

She’s lying on her stomach, flipping through a magazine.

“I swear, if she hovers anymore, I’m going to pack my stuff up and go back to school early,” she grumbles.

I giggle from my spot on the floor. I’m sitting in front of the mirror in my bedroom, straightening my long black locks. “Your mom is the best. I don’t know why you always complain about her.”

My best friend has been raised by a single woman. She’s more of a big sister than a mother, which is probably good and bad in some ways. Madison has never had many rules. And her mom might party more than she does. But she’s around, and she loves my friend more than anything else in this world.

I see Madison roll her eyes from the reflection in the mirror.

“I can see why you love her. She’s fun. But she isn’t your mother. Sometimes, I wish she’d act more like the woman who bore me and less like my BFF. I don’t need another one of those.” Her ocean-colored eyes meet mine in the mirror. “I already have a bestie.”

My smile widens when she winks at me.

“It’s good to see you smile again,” she sighs after a few moments.

I feel the emotion start to gather in my chest from the concern in her words.

Her tone turns cautious. “Mike’s having a party tonight. A get-together for some of our old high school friends who are in town for Christmas break.”

There’s a question hiding somewhere in her words. She’s indirectly asking if I want to go. I swallow down the no that threatens to automatically emerge.

If Mike’s having a party, Sam will surely be there.

“Okay,” I say instead.

Her eyes widen, and she tilts her head. “Really?”

“You don’t have to sound so surprised,” I protest, running the wand down another section of hair.

She scoffs.

“All right,” I relent. “Maybe I deserve that.”

“No offense, Oak. But you’ve been MIA ever since you and He Who Won’t Be Named broke up.”

Madison refuses to mention Sam’s name out of solidarity.

I run my fingers through my silky strands, then reach down to unplug the straightening iron.

“I’m aware.” I turn to meet her gaze head-on. “It was hard for me to see him. It still is.”

“I know.”

The sympathy in her tone almost breaks me again.

I turn back to the mirror, studying my reflection. “Will it ever get easier, Mads?”

“Yes,” she answers resolutely.

“Promise?” I ask, needing affirmation.

“I swear.”

“Have you seen him around?” I’m scared, even as the question leaves my lips. I’m afraid of the answer, which is probably why I haven’t asked anyone about him before now. Not even Madison.

“A little,” she admits, dropping her eyes.

“He’s not very broken up about the breakup, is he?”

She sits up, crossing her legs in front of her while considering her answer. “Guys just hide it better.”

I nod with a small, bitter smile. She’s softening the blow, and I love her for it.

“Well, screw him,” I say with conviction, meaning it and hoping I can back up the proclamation with action.

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