Free Taken by Storm by Kelli Maine Page B

she’d let herself sleep that late, but that’s what this trip was about. Figuring herself out. Staying up into the early hours of the morning letting her mind wander qualified.
    Maddie stumbled out into the living room, stretching and noticed the light on her phone lying on the kitchen counter was lit, indicating she had a text message. She picked it up and unplugged it from the charger. The text was from Talan.
    Just wanted to say hello. Hope everything’s good at home.
    The ring hanging around her neck felt so heavy, it could pull her to the floor.
    Or maybe that was her heart.
    Why couldn’t she just tell him yes and be happy like any normal woman would be? Talan had a great job as a design engineer at Chrysler, he was sweet and funny, and he’d be a patient and loving husband and father—no question about it.
    What was this mental block in her way?
    As if she needed an answer to that question. MJ wasalways in her way. Him and his intensity, his inability to tell her how he felt. He’d never once told her he loved her.
    Talan told her every day since the first time he’d said it.
    What was she doing?
    Maddie slumped down into one of the chairs at the tiny kitchen table. She had to get over MJ. Past their past. On to her future. Just because he knew her inside and out didn’t mean they were meant to be together.
    They fought too much to be together anyway.
    She got up and grabbed a paper towel and some cleaning spray to wipe up the coffee ring her dad left on the table. Her mind drifted to a fight she and MJ had over the summer when they were together. He’d been jealous of one of the single Little League dads who had stopped her to talk after practice one day. Charlie Singleton’s dad.
    “You’re a pretty good fielder,” Mr. Singleton said, helping her collect baseballs scattered behind the backstop. “Got an arm on you for a girl,” he said, laughing. He winked and let his eyes roam up and down her body. “For a woman I should say.”
    He was good looking for a guy probably ten years older than her, but she only had interest in one man. “Thanks,” she said, stuffing balls into the big, canvas ball bag.
    “Charlie really likes you. Talks about you all the time. I think he might have a little crush.” He came close, his arms loaded with balls. She held the bag open for him. “Not that I blame him.” He dumped the balls in and ducked his head so his mouth was close to her ear. “I think I have a little crush too.”
    Flattered and embarrassed, Maddie stepped back, letting go of the bag. Baseballs rolled in every direction. “Oh,” she said, watching the balls leave trails behind in the soft, dusty dirt.
    One of the balls flew past her and hit Mr. Singleton on the leg. Maddie’s eyes shot up to find MJ stalking toward them.
    “Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes hard, brow lowered and creased in anger. “I meant to toss that into the bag. Guess she dropped it for some reason.”
    “Yeah,” Mr. Singleton said, brushing dirt off his jeans where the ball hit. “Good aim.” He smiled, like he was joking, trying to lighten the mood, but MJ wasn’t lightening up.
    MJ stood beside her, feet planted apart, arms folded across his chest, glaring at Mr. Singleton.
    “Don’t,” Maddie whispered. “Please. For Coach.”
    “Good practice today,” Mr. Singleton said. “I was just telling Maddie how much Charlie talks about you guys. You’ve taught him a lot this year.”
    “Great,” MJ said, the word sharp and pointed.
    Mr. Singleton watched MJ for a moment before turning and waving them off. “See you at the game Saturday.”
    “Bye!” Maddie called, hoping Coach hadn’t just lost his team’s catcher. She pivoted on her heel to face MJ, her hands coming up to rest in fists on her hips. “What the hell was that about? You totally threw that at him intentionally.”
    MJ stepped toward her and leaned in, his nose almost touching hers. “You’re damn right I threw it at him intentionally.