Brandon's POV
I was going to confront her. Every vein in my body screamed for it. But no! Doing that would make it seem like I cared.
And I don't.
At least, that's what I told myself.
Still, a voice inside me scoffed. It's normal to want a confrontation. She's been staring at you all day.
Has she?
Maybe it was just my subconscious wanting to talk to her.
As I fought with myself, an SUV screeched into the parking lot, tires cutting hard against the pavement.
The engine barely shut off before the front door flung open and Madison came sprinting toward me.
She wore a bright yellow dress dotted with intricate floral patterns, and her face was lit up with the biggest smile.
In one leap, she jumped into my arms—soaking me with a splash as she landed on my wet body.
"Dad and I went out for ice cream!" she said. Wrapping her arms tightly around my neck.
The force nearly knocked me off balance, but I caught her just in time.
I glanced over at Dad, who stood by his car, smiling at us.
I frowned instinctively and my face hardened.
I knew that smile… It was the same. The same way he smiled at her—the red-haired woman. The memory twisted something sharp in my chest.
"You started swimming again? That's really cool!" Madison giggled, pulling me back from my dark spiralling thoughts.
I tore my gaze from Dad, who was already heading inside, and looked at Madison her eyes bore nothing but pure joy.
I understood why this meant so much to her. Swimming has always been our thing. She had joined her school's swim team because of me.
Before, she used to have terrible aquaphobia, panic attacks, tears, the whole package. But she didn't give up. I didn't let her. I coached her through every step, every meltdown. She always said I was her hero.
Her first team tryout was a disaster. She slipped and didn't make the cut. It felt like her worst day. She cried her eyes out. Feeling like a loser. She just wanted to give up totally, but I was there, we were all there, cheering our lungs out.
"You got this.! Pumpkin!" I remember yelling, louder than anyone.
After that day, I made it my mission to train her. I believed in her even when she didn't believe in herself.
And of course—she did it!
She practiced daily, pushed herself harder each day. And slowly, she conquered her fear.
She made the team in her next tryouts. We were all so proud that we literally lost our voices screaming that day.
Ever since then, we have been swimming together every day. Even Seth joined in sometimes.
They were really good days. That was before I became this bitter version of myself.
Before I started locking myself in my room and letting everything around me fall apart.
Dad's betrayal had shaken me to my core. I had no power to stop it and that alone terrified me.
I can only imagine what Madison must've felt. No wonder she was so excited to see me out here again.
She probably gave up trying to get through to me a few weeks ago.
She climbed down from my arms. "It's so good to know you're swimming again. I've missed you Coach," she said, sending a few soft punches into my stomach like we used to do—our old playful gesture.
But then her smile faded into a frown
"But you haven't been nice to me lately. I don't like this new you." Her lips trembled. "I miss you... And I need you too. Did I do something wrong?"
Each word cut me like a sharp blade.
"Oh no, Pumpkin," I said softly, bending to her level and holding her arms. "You didn't do anything wrong. I've just… not been in the right frame of mind."
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You promised to always let me ride with you to school. But now you don't even wait for me." "You don't even coach me anymore."
I held her gaze and offered her a smile. "I just need to get my act together, that's all. Nothing you need to worry about." I assured.
But her eyes didn't believe me.
Madison has always been too sharp for her age.
She was on to me—and I had to change the subject.
"So, how's school?"
She folded her arms and gave me a side-eye. "Not sure you really wanna know."
"Talk to me," I said, my voice cracking a bit.
She hesitated. "Nothing much. I was hoping to try out for the big team, but my nerves keep failing me. I guess I'm not ready."
That pierced me deep. All she needed was a push, and I haven't been there to give her that.
I tried to hide how I felt, but guilt pooled in my chest.
She was so happy just to see me out here—even after how I'd been treating her. That meant something.
It reminded me of everything I'd let go.
No matter how bad my day was, I always made time for Madison. She was my little sunshine. She had the most beautiful smile.
One time, I even gave up a gig for her birthday when Mum and Dad were out of town.
It was just the three of us—Seth, Madison, and me. And we were out on the Beach.
The sun glowed like it was rooting for us. The ocean sparkled, and palm trees swayed with the breeze.
She and I built sandcastles while Seth stomped over them, and Madison chased him all over the place. Laughing.
It was perfect.
But now?
I was a shadow of myself.
And I couldn't even tell them why I am like this.
Seth had confronted me a few times. He wanted to know what was going on with me. He wanted to help, but I was hellbent on insisting that I was fine.
"You're hurting everyone around you," he said to me one day. "If you won't talk to me, at least talk to someone. Just get it together, Brandon."
He was right.
Looking at Madison now, that was the final push I needed to fix this. Not just for me, but for her.
And for Seth too.
They didn't deserve to suffer for Dad's mistakes.
If he and Mum split… it would completely destroy Madison.
I have to hold us together. I'd do everything in my power to keep this family whole. Even if it means confronting Dad.
But first things first.
I pulled her into a hug and held her tight. Her hair fell into my palm
"I'm so sorry I haven't been there for you, Pumpkin. But I'm going to start making it right. I promise."
Her eyes welled up. A tear slipped down, but her lips curled into a smile.
"I will try out again… but only if you promise to be there watching. Like always."
"Of course I'll be there," I said, wiping her cheek. "Where else would I be?"
She hesitated. "Okay. But… there's one more thing."
"Anything, Sugarpie," I said. "Name it."
She grinned."Let Chloe and me ride with you to school tomorrow."
"Yeah sure!
Wait! What?
The words barely left my mouth before my brain caught up. I stuttered in protest. But it was too late. She was already halfway up the front porch, giggling like a newlywed happy wife.
I stood there in disbelief, both hands lifted in the air like I had just been robbed. My mouth, wide open, staring after her.
That wasn't a question, that was pure ambush.
What did I just agree to? Riding with the red-haired eye stalker. Hell no!