;she's a combination of sensitive and savage

It's like being stuck in limbo. Maddox finally knew all about what happened with Jack - and that was a weight lifted in some sense, as quickly as that was lifted was now replace with the floods of feelings that came rushing back from seeing him after so long.

The smug look on his face. His cocky attitude.

I'm so glad Maddox punched him. Multiple times.

As much as I would of loved him to carry on, it just wasn't in my nature. I didn't want Maddox carrying that burden on his shoulders.

Jack wasn't worth it.

He was a worthless worm.

So, typical me got so drunk I couldn't stand without support, slid down the hallway wall and spilled my sob story while necking back a bottle of wine.

One thing that made it bearable? Maddox fucking Hunter.

The baller I never thought I could fall for.

But I have, hard.

He stayed in the hallway with me, wiped my eyes when I cried, made me laugh and supported me in the best way he could - a way that suited me to a T.

Maddox fucking Hunter.

It's two days until christmas.

Me and the girls spent the morning shopping - because who doesn't wanna shop until they drop in NYC!?

The boys lazed around all morning playing video games and online shopped. Typical.

We decided to do a one present christmas.

Our families had sent our presents from them to campus as they wouldn't see us at all this holiday.

Then the worst happened.

Everyone voted - without me knowing - to cook christmas dinner.

It's not like I hadn't done it before, but for this many people? I call nightmare.

"Hey, beautiful." Maddox grinned as he walked into our bedroom, closing the door behind him then resting against it. "Where you going?"

"We're going on a tour." I announce with a impish smile as I pull my jeans up.

He cocks that dark brow as the corner of his lips tug up. "We're going on a tour?"

"Mhm. Get ready."

Maddox doesn't like to listen though. Does he?

Nope.

He stalks over to me, picks me up by my waist and throws me on the bed, flopping and landing right on top of me.

"You're going to kill me one of these days." I tell him through a strained breath.

"I'll be right behind you. Don't worry." he pecks my nose. "I was thinking we go to the winter fair tonight. What ya say?"

Another peck on my nose.

"You wanna go to the winter fair?" I mock shock.

My boyfriend snorts. "Yes. I wanna go to the winter fair. With you."

I can't help but smile. "Sure, we can go to the winter fair. But tour first."

Placing playful kisses along my nose and across my cheeks, he mumbles, "you're the boss, baby."

It took twenty minutes to get Maddox off me and dressed.

He really suited the cold weather look, his tan glowing against the snowy backdrop. I couldn't help as my heart twanged with an enormous amount of love.

We walked hand in hand down the lively streets. He made me feel so happy and comfortable.

Maddox swings our intertwined hands over my head and wrapped them over my shoulder. "So, you gonna tell me where we're going?"

"Can you not just enjoy the suspense?" I retort.

He shakes his head animatedly. "Nope. For all I know you're taking me somewhere to murder me then dump my body."

I snort. "You know me better than that. If I was going to kill you, it'd be slowly so it looks like an accident."

A hum of silence. Good. That'll teach him.

After another fifteen minutes of walking, we arrive at my old high school - Beverly Hills High.

"You brought me to a school?" he drawls, looking the fancy building up and down.

I breathe out a laugh while rolling my eyes. "I wanted to show you something." I tell him, pulling him along.

I navigate myself around the empty building, the gate was left open thanks to Collin - the guard - who's a good friend of the family.

Upon entering the school, I was hit with a lemon cleaner and disinfectant. The waves of memories hit me like a bus. Everything looks exactly the same, nothing out of place. I spot the dim overhead light that's shining inside a glass cabinet.

Pulling Maddox over towards it, I see my blue and white cheer pom poms as well as a squad photo from my senior year national championship win.

Maddox's eyes are searching everywhere, widening when he spies it.

"Holy shit! You were a national champ!?"

I snicker. "Mhm. My last two years here, as captain, I led us to victory." I proudly announce. "And look." I nod my head upwards. "Eli was captain too, won us the senior game against Memphis."

Eli stands in the middle of his teammates, holding the trophy high above his head with the biggest grin ever. All the guys look extremely happy. Even Jack. That was before he did what he did to me.

"Jack was his team mate?" Maddox asks warily.

I nod. "He was a decent guy. Sad really, the way things ended. They were really good friends from sophomore year, Eli kinda looked up to him - which wasn't always a good thing."

"Why do you say that?" he looks at me from the side of his eye.

I sigh, mulling my brain trying to find the right way to say, "Eli used to have a drink and drug problem. My parents had him in a rehab for youths, but he couldn't deal with being away from me, so every night he'd throw a massive fit until they decided to kick him out, not being able to cope with his temper." I tell Maddox, voice turning shallow as I think back at the memory. "My brothers everything to me, y'know. I hated being away from him as much as he hated being away from me. So, when my mom and dad said they gave up on the idea of helping him, I stepped up, got him in with this sports councillor."

Maddox takes my hand in his as I stare at the photo of a younger Eli.

"Then what happened?" he asks. "After the councillor?"

"They spoke twice a week. Eventually Eli had enough and quit cold turkey. I was so proud." I softly chuckle. "He says it was me that saved him, but I know it was all him. He did the hard part, I just supported him, y'know? Really, I had no choice, but even if I did, I'd of still been there. Since then, it's been me he comes to when shit hits the fan."

"I don't blame him. What you did is above and beyond what any sibling would do. Makes sense why you guys are so close. So, now?"

I shrug. "He's been clean two years now. He nearly relapsed freshman year of college, but instead of running out and getting wasted, he came to me, we spoke, he slept it off, woke up with a fresh mind." Maddox nods, his brown eyes have this unknown twinkle in them as he stares at me. "All he had to do was trust himself as much as I did, and now he does, he can drink a beer, two or three and not fall back into that pit. That's also why I asked you to watch out for him when he first moved in. I didn't want the partying to drag him back to square one."

"He's good with us, Bella. Don't worry." he assured me in a soft voice.

I nod. "I trust you. The guys too."

Before Maddox can reply, I clear my throat as a coping mechanism. "Right, to why we're actually here." I plaster a smile on and begin dragging him down the hallway and towards the gym.

Swinging open the gym doors, I'm met with that familiar scene.

Pristine, smooth courts. The bleacher seats set up in blue, white order. Both basketball nets lit up with spot lights shining down on them. A cage of basketballs sat idly in the corner.

I look up at Maddox who's looking around the gym dumbfounded. A smile curving his lips.

"Thought we could have a one on one." I say sweetly, walking backwards away from him.

Maddox follows pursuit. "Think you can handle it?"

"I'm no longer in heels and a dress now, Hunter. Be prepared to have your ass handed to ya." was my smart ass reply referring to the first date we had.

Maddox swallows a laugh then stretches his arms out to the side. "Show me what I'm up against then, baby."

He picks a ball out the cage and bounces it to me as I shrug out of my coat and scarf.

I catch the ball and bounce it a couple of times before pausing, raising my arms and shooting the ball, letting it swish in with pure ease.

Maddox claps slowly. Mocking? I don't know, but I'll show him.

"Not bad, Bella. You stance is all wrong though." he informs me with a smirk.

"Then teach me, Baller." I shoot back.

Maddox captures the bouncing ball and takes a few confident strides towards me.

Letting the ball roll off his fingertips into my waiting hands, he steps behind me - like once before - and takes my arms in his hands, raising them, kicking my feet into position with his foot. His chin brushing the top of my hair.

"Remember what I said to you that night?" he asked.

"Mhm. It's all in the wrist."

He chuckles softly. "Exactly, so why are you tensing?"

I wiggle my body, releasing my limbs and then return to my position, loosening my wrist up.

"Good girl. Now aim, don't close your eyes. -- And release." he says, pushing my hands up as I let the ball free from my grip and watch as it hits the backboard and into the net.

"Think you can handle my new skills in a rematch?" I say, challenging him.

"Show me, Bella."

I grab the ball and begin bouncing it, even throwing in the move of bouncing between my legs, jumping up and shooting the ball - actually surprised that it went in.

Maddox catches the ball, begins to dribble around me, one hand expertly manoeuvring the ball while the other hand tugs at my ponytail. "Get it. If you can, that is."

I cock up a brow.

I lunge at him but he spins, turning his back on me all while still dribbling the ball, faking a left, ducking right and hurling the ball through the air, it hits the net.

I dart for the ball but Maddox is too fast, I yelp when he wraps his arms around my waist and lifts my off my feet - spinning me around and dropping me behind him so he's got a head start for the ball.

"I demand a do over! You cheated." I call out.

Maddox snickers. "This is couples one on one. Touching is allowed, baby."

"Who came up with that rule!? I protest - do over!"

Maddox dribbles the ball, circling around me. I don't move, I want him to think he's winning, then when he's least expecting..

I lunge for the ball, stealing it from his possession and dribble it towards the net, aiming for the net, just as the ball leaves my hands, Maddox grabs me and throws me over his shoulder.

I can't stop giggling as he begins to run away from the net with me.

"No fucking way, it still went in!" he exclaims.

He gently places me on my feet in front of him, his body pressed against my chest as his baby brows are fixed on mine.

I hold my hands out between us like I'm giving him something. He stares down and raises a brow as he looks back up.

"You ass. I'm handing it to you." I say innocently.

Instead of taking the ass I'm handing him, he reaches up and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. His gaze is filled with a twinkle, love and everything a girl would dream to be looked at like.

I can't put the butterflies at bay - they're flying around like they've been locked up for years. My heart starts to pound and my body shivers at his loving touch as his long fingers linger against my cheek.

I slowly drift my eyes up from his chest and meet his focus. It's extremely intense.

"I love you, Bella."