;I never want to say goodbye, only goodnight

Having my rule was supposed to save me from feeling this way about another guy who could so easily hurt me, and destroy the last pieces of my already fragile heart - but Maddox Hunter? He was slowly edging me to breaking point.

Ripping the rule book up, page by page.

At breakfast, I wanted nothing more than to hold him in my arms and whisper that everything will be okay, that his dad was an asshole for making him feel like this.

It was the first time I've ever seen Maddox anything other than cheeky, flirty or happy - so naturally I think back to the time I was observing him when we helped Eli move.

The time I saw how his smile would falter when he thought no one was watching, only he didn't know I was.

You could see it in his baby browns that he loved basketball, he was born to play the sport he was so effortlessly talented at.

The way he livened up on the court, soaking in the glorious moment when his ball would glide through the thick ropes of a hoop.

He was a born Baller and anyone who knew Maddox, knew that.

The first game of the reason was in full swing, four minutes until the second quarter was over, we're ahead by a lot, and I mean, a lot a lot.

Maddox was on fire tonight, his bright white sneakers constantly sending echoing squeaks through the hall from the lightening speed he showed up and down the court, his eyes narrowing in pure concentration that it was admirable.

He's calling plays and shouting orders like nobodies business.

That's why he's captain, and his father should be damn well proud.

Especially when Maddox hurls the ball in the air and sinking it into the net from the three pointer mark, just as the whistle blows.

Along with the crowds in the stands, the cheerleaders are equally hyped. Bouncing around, erupting in chants and cheers as the ballers made their way towards the benches for Coach chat.

It's halftime now, and we're up.

Taking stance in the middle of the court and the music begins.

My eyes catch onto a familiar deep dark pair of orbs staring daggers at me, as I manoeuvre my way through the routine, keeping as much eye contact with Maddox's dad as I could - I was temporarily drawn away as Alex threw me in the air, catching me seconds later to then hurl me onto his shoulders.

My eyes desperately looking around to find the death glare, but he'd gone, the back of him making his way through the small tunnel that led to the locker rooms.. The locker rooms where Maddox would be.

As Alex placed me on my feet, and we finished the routine, Steph wrapped her arms around my shoulders in a giddy manner as she pulled me towards the side lines.

"Hey, what's up?" She said, still smiling away from the high she was riding out.

I shake my head, and plaster on a fake smile. "Nothing, just taking it all in." I lied, wrapping my arm around her and she shot out into giggles.

The third period came to ahead. Maddox's whole demeanour had changed drastically, and not for the better. His shoulders wound tighter than a coiled spring, jaw constantly ticking and clenching, eyes dark and gloomy hidden beneath furrowed brows.

Whatever happened in that locker room shook him, and I have a feeling I know why.

✫✬✫

"FIU KNIGHTS TAKE THE FIRST GAME AND HIT IT OUT THE PARK WITH THE FINAL SCORE BEING 112 - 87! MADDOX HUNTER SEALING THE DEAL WITH A FINAL BASKET! KNIGHTS, KNIGHTS!"

The crowd had gone absolutely berserk, storming the court and chanting Knights on top of their lungs.

I found myself in the midst of everything while searching for my brother, who I spotted, thanks to his lanky legs, running at him full speed and jumping on his back.

"Congratulation, Elijah!!" I bellowed down his ear, dropping to my feet behind him.

"Thanks, Tee!" His grin touching ear to ear.

A pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind and threw me into the air, catching me then spinning me around.

"Fucking Knights, baby!" yelled the deep voice.

I turned and wrapped my arms around Jason's neck, pulling him in for a hug. "Congratulations, Jacey!"

"Thank you, honey bunch!" He cheesed into the side of my hair.

The whole atmosphere of pure and utter joy was contagious. I found myself grinning like I was on the court playing with them.

"WHO ARE WE? GO KNIGHTS! WHO ARE WE? GO KNIGHTS!" Cammy's chanted, belting out at full volume, walking towards us with a swaggered limp, pumping his fist in the air.

"Congrats on player to watch, Cameron!" I teased. I meant what I said though, he played amazingly.

"Thank you, tiny princess." he remarked, smirking down at me.

"You're coming to the after party, right, Tee?" Jason asked, wrapping his sweaty arm over my shoulder, looking down and giving me a cheeky grin.

"I'll be there. Can't let you celebrate without me now, can I?" I sassed his sweaty ass.

Although I was super happy for the guys, and of course I wanted to congratulate them, I couldn't stop my eyes wandering around the busy gym in search for Maddox. I felt this strong urge to make sure he was okay, that his father wasn't getting in his head or stressing him out, he deserved to be celebrating with his team, not being ridiculed and grilled by the one person who should be supporting him regardless of how the game played out.

Jason leaned down and whispered in my ear. "He's with his dad."

I look up through my lashes and blink blankly.

Jason snorts. "I know who you're looking for, sugar plum."

I shrug like it was nothing. "I just wanted to congratulate him."

"Yeah, sure." he spies over his shoulder, giving me a knowing smirk.

Cammy groans out loud, stretching his arms out wide before nudging my brothers arm. "Come on, boys. We need to shower up. Tee, meet us at ours? I'm in dire need for your food before we party like Lohan."

"I got you." I winked, giving him the same gun fingers he gives me, earning me a howl of laughed as he tipped his head back.

After grabbing my duffel, showering up and heading outside, I waved the girls off, knowing they'd see me in a few hours so I could get ready for the ballers celebration party tonight.

Standing idly outside the gym, my heart dropped into my panties when I felt a large pair of warm, rough hands grab onto my waist and spin me around.

There, looking down on me with a grin on his lips was my freshly showered, impeccable looking, deliciously smelling, Baller Captain, who's hands are tightly gripping on to the only small sliver of skin that was on show, holding me incredibly close.

"Come with me." he speaks out in a husky voice before grabbing my hand and leading me away from the gym.

"Where we going?" I panted, trying to catch up.

"Stop being so god damn nosy, Bella."

Whoa, okay then.

After we footslogged it to the roof entrance of the library building, I was mesmerised by the most stunning view of our entire campus, the stadium where footballers scored touchdowns, the jade green lawn used by students to study while soaking up the Miami sun, the old rustic style buildings lacing around the quad.

In such awe, I tore my gaze from the beautiful landscape painting in front of me, placing it on one that was, Maddox Hunter - eyes already burning into my side profile, heating my cheeks all the more.

With a shift in my feet so I'm leaning against the wall that overlooks the view, I shrug. "A reason for this?"

A slow smirk pulls at his rosy lips, his tongue slipping out and wetting those plump lips as he turns to look over the view. "This isn't the reason."

Nudging my body with his, I jerk forwards as he gives me a tilt of his chin over to where a small brick building is sitting in the corner.

They have buildings on top of buildings in Miami?

Silently following Maddox over to the brick hut, he flicks a lock and enters, me behind as I warily take a step inside.

With a flick of a switch, golden fairy lights glow on every wall illuminating the tiny room - draping over a small book case bringing to life the brimming of endless worn out pages of hundreds of books. A charcoal hammock hanging from corner to corner decorated with a couple of white fluffy throw cushions and a matching blanked rolled up in between, while a tiny squared desk accompanies the right corner that holds onto a retractable silver lamp.

"I don't understand." I say but barely comes out as a whisper.

Maddox sighs and ushers me towards the hammock, shoulder checking me once, making me fall onto the swinging cloud, flopping his overly build body beside me, his long legs pushing against the concrete floor so we're gently rocking back and forth.

"You've seemed to of made my father very nervous, Bella." he states, stretching his long muscular arm out, resting it behind me.

My eyebrow instantly cocks up. "How so?"

A soft chuckles rises from Maddox's throat. "Oh hell if I know. That man could have an argument with his own reflection if given the chance."

His wording had me snorting out a laugh.

After a few beats of silence, swinging aimlessly from front to back, we're both lost in the comfortable silence.

"I saw him staring at me during half time." I admit. "Not in a good way either."

I glance to my right to see Maddox staring off into the near distance. The glow of the fairy lights giving his eyes the twinkling effect.

"Mhm." he hums. "He told me."

"How does he know who I am?" I carefully ask.

Maddox shrugs, pulling me into his chest by the outside of my shoulder. "He's quite the PI when it comes to me and drafts. Seems he saw pictures of us all on Facebook, his investigation took him from there." An amused sigh blows out. "Ordered me to stay away from you."

I felt my body tense in the most unexpected way. I didn't miss the way my stomach clenched either. I shouldn't care if Maddox has to stay away from me or not.. If I reacted any other way than not caring, I'd have to admit that I'd miss our friendship - if that's what we're calling it.

I have no words in response. I think it's pretty clear why he brought me here.

With a lick of his lips, turning his face to me. "I don't take orders very well, Bella."