Riley Paige > Quotes

“So what was worse? The pain of trying, or the pain of never knowing?”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“Since always, Mads. Since we were seven, and you told me my football uniform made me look like an overstuffed sausage.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“Because at the end of the day, the physical pain? That'll heal. Losing her? That won’t.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“I try to picture it, what my life is going to look like in six months. Option One: I go first round. I end up on the East Coast, with one of the teams that’s been after me since the season started. New city. New apartment. New everything. I wake up, go to practice, and grind every damn day to prove I belong there, that I deserve the spot I was given. I go home to an empty place. I eat dinner alone. I stare at my phone, wondering if she’s thought about me, wondering if she even cares where I ended up. Wondering if she’s still here, on campus, finishing her last semester, pretending we never happened. Option Two: The exact same thing—except Madison is there. Except she’s waiting for me after practice, curled up on my couch, stealing my hoodies like they belong to her. Except we’re cooking dinner together, laughing as she burns the garlic bread, sneaking kisses while the TV plays in the background. Except she’s in the crowd at my first game, wearing my number, her hands tucked into the sleeves of my oversized sweatshirt, proud of me. Mine. I blink hard, forcing my grip to loosen on the wheel. But that future? It doesn’t exist.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“No concussion. No fractures, no internal bleeding. They said it was a bad hit, but you’re going to be okay." I nod slowly, processing. I should feel relieved, but the tightness in my chest doesn’t let up. Because there’s only one question on my mind. I shift slightly, my voice quieter. "Where's Madison?" Mom and Dad exchange a look, and that tells me everything I need to know. She’s not here. The knowledge slams into me like a second hit, sharp and brutal.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“dip my head, voice low, just for her. "I want more than just one night, Mads. I want you.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“I did not run. I made a strategic exit.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“And I don’t give pieces of myself away to anyone who doesn’t know how to hold them. Not anymore.”
― Riley Paige, Play Fake

“He smiles, and it's soft and sure and steady. "It means it matters, Mads.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“You're the reigning champion of the Irish exit. The minute things get even semi-real, you're gone faster than free beer at a frat party.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“never thought I’d get this, never thought I’d get to call her mine again. But I do. And I’ll spend every single day making damn sure she never doubts it.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“I shake my head, already knowing where this is going. “I’m not chasing her anymore.” Carter scoffs. “You never chased her, man. You showed up for her. You fought for her. That’s not the same thing.” I drop my bag onto the floor, dragging a hand down my face. “And where did that get me?” Carter doesn’t answer, because we both know where it got me—alone, standing on the sidelines of my own damn life, waiting for her to decide if I’m worth fighting for too. I let out a slow, controlled breath, shaking my head. “I love her, man. I do. But I can’t keep being the only one trying.” Carter studies me, his expression unreadable. “So that’s it?” I swallow hard, my throat tightening. “That’s up to her.” Carter doesn’t argue. He just nods like he understands. Because at the end of the day, I can’t make this decision for her. She has to make the move. And as much as it fucking kills me, I know—I know—I have to let her.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“She hesitates for a moment, then walks up and takes her seat next to me. "Morning," I say, earning a sideways look from her. “I, uh, got you a coffee." “Jaxon…” she sighs. “You didn’t have to.” “I know, but I wanted to. Consider it a small peace offering.” I hand her the cup. “Peppermint mocha with an extra shot.” She looks over at me, her hazel eyes looking almost gold today, scanning my face for something she can’t seem to find.  "You remembered," she breathes, her voice barely above a whisper.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“That’s her ending to the story. Not that she got hurt, but that she survived long enough to learn she wasn’t the problem.”
― Riley Paige, Kiss Me First

“Okay. One more thing. What do you want from this?” I blink. “From skating?” He nods”
― Riley Paige, Kiss Me First

“I’m not overthinking,” she mutters. “I’m strategically panicking.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“To those who feel broken, lost, or unworthy of love—this book is for you. May you find healing in the pages and remember that you are worthy, whole, and loved, exactly as you are.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“I realize with startling clarity that I've been lying to myself, running from the truth that's been chasing me for years.  Jaxon’s feelings weren’t one sided.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“She never asked me to be someone I wasn’t”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“So”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“She might believe she's too broken to let someone in, but I know better. I've always known better. She isn't broken. She just needs someone who refuses to let her believe that lie.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“Still here. Still standing. And damn if that doesn’t count for something.”
― Riley Paige, Red Zone

“She has to know what she's doing to me, but I don't think she really has the slightest clue.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“Every second of that carefree joy hits me like a punch to the gut. Mostly, I miss the days when I was the reason for that smile.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“We just unraveled. Slowly. Quietly. Just like two young kids who loved each other but ran out of the right timing. I thought I’d get over it. Obviously”
― Riley Paige, Lose You Twice

“I force my voice to steady. "I just… I didn’t know if I could be what he needed. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I think I did anyway." Mr. Montgomery hums, like he’s processing. Then, softly—"Sometimes, the biggest risks are the ones worth taking. Sometimes that also means taking a step back and working on ourselves for a bit. You’ve had a rough go of it, Madison, I won’t lie to you. But you are a brilliant young lady. You are resilient, strong, smart, and my son has been head over heels for you since that boy first laid eyes on you.” I finally turn to look at him, and his expression is warm, understanding. "Sometimes, we have to take a step back and ask ourselves if the risk is worth the reward," he continues, "even with the potential heartache." With that, he pats my leg and heads back towards Jaxon’s room.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“And for the first time in a long time”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“We don’t need coffee,” Weston says. “We run just fine on childhood trauma and protein.”
― Riley Paige, Kiss Me First

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Carter yells from the truck, voice exasperated. “Would you two just kiss and make up already?”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play

“I blink up at him, surprised. "You remembered my order?" He shoots me a look, like I just asked if the sky was blue. "Of course I did.”
― Riley Paige, Broken Play