Free Chompin' at the Bit (Horse Play #2) by A.D. Ryan Page A

me.” 
    “ Whatever I want?” I repeated, several ideas coming to mind—some of which I wondered if she would actually allow. 
    Her head snapped back as she suddenly realized that “whatever” really could mean whatever. “Uh … within reason,” she clarified quickly, and I laughed before pulling her back into my arms and kissing the tip of her nose.
    “Come on,” I said, sliding my hands down until they reached hers. She threaded our fingers together before turning toward the elevator. 
    We rode in comfortable silence down to the banquet hall, my thumb tracing lazy back-and-forth patterns over the skin of her hand the entire time. When we walked out, we were lost in a sea of people from last night’s dinner. Kyle and Gavin were already in the room, Kyle schmoozing with guests and Gavin hitting on Bethany. It appeared that she was interested, laughing at his jokes and all. Mom and Dad found us shortly after we entered and came over to talk.
    “Oh, Madison!” my mother exclaimed elatedly. “You look exquisite. That color is just … Well, it’s simply marvelous.” I smiled as I watched my mom pull Madison into a warm embrace. It was then that I found myself trying to remember Mom ever showing that sort of affection for Kaylie. I couldn’t.
    “Janet’s right, Madison,” Dad spoke up with an affectionate smile as he pulled her into his arms and hugged her also. “You really do look beautiful. Jensen’s going to have to fight off all the single men.” 
    They were both aware that Madison and I weren’t together, but they treated her like we were. I was completely taken aback by their instant connection with her. I knew my dad had never been close with Kaylie, but I figured it was just because he was my dad and that would have seemed inappropriate. But as I watched my parents with Madison in that moment—and even thought back to how engaged they were in getting to know her better the night before—I knew that there was a reason they treated her differently. 
    They never really liked Kaylie. They only tolerated her because she was what I thought I wanted. 
    But they saw something different in Madison. Something I tried not to see because she didn’t want more. They saw how happy she made me, and in turn, that made them happy and willing to welcome her into our lives. 
    Momentarily lost in my silent revelation, I hadn’t even noticed that the three of them were staring at me expectantly. My parents both had a small amount of concern in their expressions while Madison seemed to hold a glimmer of knowing in hers. Unable to contain the smile that grew on my face, I leaned forward and pressed a firm kiss to her temple. 
    “I’m sorry. I must have zoned out for a moment,” I apologized. “What were we talking about?” 
    “We were just wondering how everything went this morning with Kyle. He seems to be pretty relaxed,” Mom said, gesturing to Kyle as he stood in a sea of people somewhere behind me. 
    I nodded, pulling Madison even tighter to me as I continued to bask in my happiness. “Yeah, it was great for the most part.” They all eyed me curiously. “Oh, no. Nothing to do with Kyle. Kaylie stopped by to drop off a gift from Lilah.” 
    The eye-rolls exchanged between my parents weren’t missed. The contempt they seemed to be harboring toward her almost mirrored my own—almost like maybe they knew something.
    Madison wrapped one of her arms around my back and rested the other above my heart. “So, when does everything start?” That was the thing about Madison; she was always so in-tune with my feelings that as soon as she sensed I was feeling a little off, she was quick to try and take my mind off of whatever it was that bothered me. It was almost like she cared more than a friend would.
    “Soon, actually,” Dad announced after checking his watch. “I should go and see how Lilah is doing. Jensen, why don’t you remind Kyle of the time so we can get started?” 
    Nodding my