Wingspan (Westbrook Elite, #2)

by Cambria Hebert

“Promise,” she implored. “Promise me, Jamie. I can’t take any more death. I’d been good, you know? Existing, getting by. But then you…” Her voice faltered. “I what, baby?” I coaxed. I wanted every fucking word out of her mouth because, with Mads, these weren’t just words. They were little pieces of her soul. “Brought me back to life.”

Shoving myself in her would be a dick move. My dick was a gentleman. Well, at least until he was sure he fit.

How strong Jamie was, how his willingness to give made him even more so. For only a truly strong man could surrender but still retain his power.

“If you wanna talk, baby, I’ll listen. If you wanna sleep, I’ll hold you. I don’t care what we do right now as long as you do whatever it is with me.”

“I dare you to love me as long as I love you.” I giggled. He was beyond ridiculous. “What do I get if I win?” “My entire lifetime.”

“Okay, Mads. You tell me your secrets, and then I’ll tell you they don’t matter.”

When I do things, I do them all the way. No half-assing shit for me. Swimming? I picked the most challenging stroke. Eating? I eat for three. Best friend? More like bromance. Girlfriend? Got me one with a closet full of skeletons. Bro. Good thing I liked Halloween.

“What’s that?” she asked, dividing her stare between the band and my face. “Your hair is dripping on your clothes. You’re gonna be cold.” “Oh.” She reached for the band, but I pulled it back, tsking at her. “I got this,” I said, gathering up the thick mass of half-wet, half-dry hair falling around her. Scooping it into a ponytail, I twisted the band around it and let go. The entire thing flopped sideways, partially falling out. I scowled. “Your hair is disrespecting me.”

“My little fighter.” Her eyes snapped up. “Been fighting all your life. Just know that even little fighters need to rest sometime, and I got your rest right here.” I held my arms out wide.

“Hey, theater girl,” he mused, ruffling my already messy hair. I was about to yell at him, but then he smiled. “How’s the arm?” “Feels like it was just stabbed,” I said. “Oh, wait, it was.” He grimaced. “Did I scare you just now?” He followed up the words by thumbing over his shoulder toward the door. I shrugged one shoulder. “It’s your room.” “I’m sorry,” he apologized. Moving across the room to his dresser, he added, “Next time I’ll knock.” “You don’t have to do that.” I worried, taking a step toward him. “Oh hells no!” Jamie suddenly roared, jumping up out of the bed again to snatch me at the waist and spin, putting his body between me and Ryan. “What are you doing?” I demanded, feet dangling over the ground. “Woman, where are your pants?” “I don’t have any.” “Remember when I said I don’t share?” he declared. “Don’t be showing off the goods to Ryan.” Behind us, Ryan laughed. “I’m not showing off my goods to Ryan,” I refuted as Jamie muttered some foul words and then stuffed me into the bed, piling the covers and a pillow over me. “What is this pillow gonna do?” I wondered. “You better leave that on there,” Jamie said, nodding seriously. He was an idiot.

“She sent clothes?” I asked, emotion tightening my chest. “That pillow clearly ain’t gonna work,” he mused, eyes flicking to where it lay on the ground. “You better not have seen nothing,” Jamie told him darkly. “Please. I wear skirts all the time. What’s the difference?” I muttered. “You wear underwear with them skirts!” Jamie bellowed. Then he spun, pinning me with a look. “You better be wearing underwear.” I lifted one brow. “Maybe I don’t.” Jamie started to sputter, and Ryan burst out laughing. “Mads.” Jamie was emphatic as though he really needed to make sure I wasn’t walking around without underwear on. He was so stupid, but I couldn’t help it. I softened to him wanting that reassurance. “Of course I wear underwear, J.” He made a sound of satisfaction, kissing my forehead gently. “Good girl.”

She wiped her nose on my shirt and pulled back. I smiled. You know you got it bad when you think a girl wiping her snot all over you is cute as fuck.

Mads gasped again. Jolting a bit, I swore. “Maddie, you gotta stop doing that.” “Sorry,” she said weakly. I groaned, leaning up to kiss her head. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Gasp all you want. I’ll just get some heart pills.” She scowled. “That is not funny, Jamie whatever-your-middle-name-is Owens.” I put a hand over my chest. “That’s worse than actually using my middle name.” The detective cleared his throat. Papers ruffled. “It’s Michael.” My mouth dropped open. “What?” Madison asked. “Jamie Michael Owens,” he said, pointing to the paper. “I have it right here.” “I will never trust the police again for the rest of my life,” I declared, shooting to my feet. “It’s against the law to be giving out personal information all willy-nilly like that!” Detective Paul smirked. “That was for the divorce comment.” “Police brutality.” I confirmed. “That’s what this is.” “Jamie Michael Owens!” I winced and spun. “Yes, baby?” “Making jokes about your heart is not funny.” She pointed to the chair beside her. “Sit down.” “You bossing me?” “Yes.” I sat.

“I would do anything to take away even half of what you feel. It makes me insane to think about you as a helpless little girl listening to your mom get beat and your dad scream. It makes me want to puke at the last memory you have of her. And now someone is trying to take away the life you fought for. And for what?” he asked, turning his eyes up. “You don’t deserve this, Madison. None of it. I know you’re a little fighter, but I wish you didn’t have to be. I wish I could find who’s doing this and make them pay. I wish I could take away all the hurt and trauma you have to live with. I wish I could do something…” His voice faded and was a mere whisper when he added, “Anything to make this even a little easier.”

would do anything to take away even half of what you feel. It makes me insane to think about you as a helpless little girl listening to your mom get beat and your dad scream. It makes me want to puke at the last memory you have of her. And now someone is trying to take away the life you fought for. And for what?” he asked, turning his eyes up. “You don’t deserve this, Madison. None of it. I know you’re a little fighter, but I wish you didn’t have to be. I wish I could find who’s doing this and make them pay. I wish I could take away all the hurt and trauma you have to live with. I wish I could do something…” His voice faded and was a mere whisper when he added, “Anything to make this even a little easier.”

“You love me,” I told him, hoping the love I felt for him glimmered. “No one’s ever loved me like this.” “No one ever will, baby. This love is limited edition.” I shook my head once, and he raised an eyebrow. “It’s priceless.”

If I am powerless against any man, I’m thankful it’s this one. “You aren’t powerless, little fighter. You never will be.”

“And, baby, you can have my mom’s number anytime you want it. She’s already got yours.” I gasped and nearly stumbled. “You gave her my phone number?” I wasn’t sure if I should be mad or charmed. “Of course, baby. I can’t be letting my heart walk around without giving moms a way to contact it.”

Bro, why didn’t anyone tell me there were so many choices for bedding? Girls like shopping for this shit? Bro, why?

Getting past Maddie’s walls required persistence and patience. Earning her trust was work. I didn’t mind hard work. But loving her? It was incredibly easy.

“You aren’t alone anymore, Mads. You never will be again.”

Letting my girl out of my sight was basically the equivalent of shaving my boys with a rusty razor and spit. Dramatic? I’m dating a drama major. Sue me.

Seriously, if Coach Resch blew that whistle any more, I was going to hear it in my dreams. No wonder Jamie twitched in his sleep. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t because he was a swimmer. It was because his nerves were raw from that damn whistle.

“I don’t know what your deal is right now,” Jamie said, taking a step toward the director, “but you better yank that head out of your ass before I permanently lodge it up in there. Then the only thing you gonna be seeing in the future is the inside of your asshole.”

Stomach bouncing with excitement, I started to head inside. Jamie caught me around the waist, lifting me off my feet and putting me behind him. “Woman, don’t ever go into a dark room before me.” The sudden urge to hug him was so strong I actually swayed on my feet. But I held back. If I started rewarding him for his bossy behavior, he’d get a big head.

“I’m never giving it back, you know,” I whispered, winding around him tight. “My wingspan or my heart?” I smiled against his chest. “Both.”