Free Playing With Fire (Guarded Hearts) by Alexis Noelle Page B

though. "Chris, I…I just…I don't want to do this anymore."
    His head snapped up and he glared at me. "Do what exactly?"
    "Us. I want to break up." There, I said it.
    He walked over to me and stood in front of me. "Does this have something to do with Carter James?"
    "I'm sorry, Chris, but yes." He slapped me across my face. That was going to leave a mark.
    "You are not going to leave me, Madison." He pushed me onto the ground.
    "This is not what's going to happen!"
    Kick in the ribs.
    "Especially not for someone like Carter."
    Kick in the back.
    He leaned down and wrapped his hands around my throat. "I already told my parents you were coming home with me for winter break. You will not make a fool out of me. Do you understand?"
    I could only nod my head. I was starting to get lightheaded and I felt like I was going to pass out. He took his hands off of my neck and I struggled to be able to breathe normally.
    "Now, you're going to talk to that asshole on Friday and tell him you chose me, right?" I nodded again. "If you think about trying to trick me, Madison, just remember that I now have a license to carry. In Carter's case, that means I have a license to kill."
    No! I won't let him hurt Carter. I'm not sure how I'm going to do this to him, but I have to. It was easy avoiding Carter. I pretended I was still sick, and he had to work.
     
    *  *  *
     
    Friday morning, Chris followed me to make sure I told Carter exactly what he said to. When Carter saw me coming he smiled, then he saw Chris behind me and his whole body stiffened. When we got closer, Carter reached out his hand to me and Chris slapped it away. "Don't you touch my girl."
    The look on Carter's face was horrible. "What do you mean ‘your girl’? Maddy, what's going on?"
    I couldn't look him in the eye because if I did, I wouldn't be able to do this. "Carter, I don't want to be with you. You were just a way to pass the time. I want to be with Chris. We never had anything real between us."
    Carter leaned down to look at me. "No, Maddy, I can see it in your eyes. What did he do? Don't do this because of him!"
    Chris just laughed. "You're making yourself look pathetic. Oh, and here, take this." He threw my birthday present at Carter. I hated that Chris took that from me too. I tried to tell him it was from Nicole, but he saw right through me.
    The look on his face would haunt me in every dream I had from now on. "Maddy, please, wait! Talk to me, dammit!"
    I swear, I think he had tears in his eyes. I was walking away from Carter, the only person I'd ever loved and who loved me in return. Not only that, but I was doing it for someone who, I had no doubt, would eventually beat me so bad that I might never recover.
    I had to do it, though. I loved Carter so much. If being with Chris kept him safe, then I'd gladly do it. I'd do anything for him.
     
    Carter
     
    This couldn't be happening! It doesn't make any sense! I just saw her two days ago! I had to get to her when he wasn't there. She loved me, I knew she did.
    The fact that he had the nerve to throw my necklace at me made my blood boil. The person that I was talking to wasn't Maddy. It was just a shell of her. I needed to see if Nicole knew anything. I pulled out my phone to text her, but I was so angry that my hands were shaking.
    What's going on with Maddy? She just broke up with me for Chris and he was there through the whole thing.
    He's s been at our room since Wednesday, I swear he hasn't left once.
    Are they really together?
    They say they are , but something is up.
    I think so too .
     
    *  *  *
     
    Maddy hadn't been in classes all week and, apparently, she hadn't been back to her room, either. She never showed up for the job Nicole got her, and she'd been so excited for it. I hadn't really slept since last Friday. I needed to see her.
    Tonight was the winter social and I knew she was going to be there. Chris and his asshole fraternity brothers were the types who felt like they needed to be seen there.