Heart's Duo (Ugly Eternity #4) Read Online Free PDF

god.”
    Maddox visibly startled at Benton’s cry. He couldn’t stop. The truth slammed into him with such power Benton couldn’t contain it. It brought him to his feet. Maddox lifted his glass to his lips, taking a sip. Benton wondered if the man was attempting to hide his emotions before focusing on him.
    “Didn’t see you there,” Maddox said after a moment. Benton ignored Maddox’s statement of the obvious.
    “Oh my god,” Benton repeated, pointing at him. He didn’t care if he looked like a madman. “You didn’t do it.” Maddox glanced over his shoulder. His discomfort plain for anyone to see. Benton couldn’t stop. “I don’t know the hows or the whys of it, but you didn’t do it.”
    Maddox’s gaze danced away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    Benton laughed. Even to his ears, it sounded like an “AHA”. “Nope. I’ve got you now.”
    “All right,” Maddox said sounding dry and obviously uncaring that Benton had his number. “Why are you here, by the way? I thought this was an event for friends and family. You’re neither.”
    “I’m Jamie and Hawke’s plus one,” he answered, brushing off Maddox’s question so they could get back to how Benton knew his secret. In truth, hundred proof was using Benton’s lips to do some of the talking, but Benton was there too. A little. Possibly. “You didn’t cheat on Hawke.”
    Maddox refused to meet his stare. He snorted. “Of course I did. Haven’t you heard all the stories?”
    Benton was shaking his head before the man finished. It made the world spin, so he stopped. “No. I don’t doubt you weren’t completely innocent in all things, but you didn’t cheat.” Maddox didn’t respond. That was fine. Benton didn’t need him for this. He paced the empty space in front of Maddox, working out the details on his own. Using what he knew against the rumors going around and combining it with his own imagination. Benton became a regular Thelma, working on a mystery. “You didn’t cheat per se, but something else happened right? Something that called into question Hawke’s ability to trust you.”
    He searched Maddox’s face, looking for any signs he was right. The man seemed to hold his breath. Oh yeah. He had this. Not to mention, he really needed something, anything to busy his mind other than the image of Sophie and Joss that continued plaguing him. “Joss has openly claimed chasing you, so he was probably texting you, right?” Maddox looked away again. It was a tell. He was on the right track. “Maybe Hawke saw some of these messages or you always acted shady every time you checked your phone. Am I close?” He didn’t wait for Maddox to answer. Benton was on a roll, feeling like one of those fake mediums who used people’s body language against them. Maddox’s every reaction fed his obsession to know. “I don’t know what happened from there, but I know I’m right.”
    He chewed on his thumbnail and watched his feet as he paced. A thousand scenarios ran through his head. Benton couldn’t pick just one, so he moved on. “Hawke said he knew about Joss for six months before the two of you split up, so let me guess, you begged him to believe you weren’t instigating the messages. You thought, since he stayed, he believed you, but instead things got worse. I mean, considering your reputation, no offense,” he added in case Maddox thought he meant to bash him. Maddox shrugged. Benton took it to mean he was free to continue. “Also taking into account the rocky start to your relationship, it stands to reason Hawke would have a hard time swallowing that you weren’t giving Joss hope.” Maddox’s silence annoyed him. He knew he was dead-on, but Maddox wasn’t alleviating his curiosity. “I know it. You may as well tell me the story. Don’t let the alcohol fool you. I can go all night.”
    Maddox growled but gave in. “The first time Joss wanted to meet up in the middle of the night, I thought something had