Chapter 10: Chapter Ten

“Heather! I get it, okay?” Madison paced her room, sidestepping all the boxes she hadn’t unpacked yet.

She massaged her forehead with her free hand, hoping the encroaching headache wouldn’t fully form. She really shouldn’t have told Heather about the lack of concrete transportation to Vegas, but in Madison’s defense, Heather had been harassing her for details. Madison couldn’t ignore her cousin any longer.

“Do you, Maddie? Because you don’t seem to care. We were best friends, and you threw it all away. For what? And now that I’m trying to make amends, you’re back to ignoring me,” Heather shouted.

Madison flinched, and her stomach recoiled. “Making amends? You’re marrying my ex-boyfriend. And you lied to me about it!”

“I didn’t lie,” Heather protested. “And it’s not like you cared enough to ask, either.”

That was a low blow, but Madison couldn’t really argue. Heather was right. Madison hadn’t asked. But it wasn’t because she didn’t care.

“Look, I know you don’t get along with your parents, and they’re probably the last two people you want to see, but they aren’t the only people you turned your back on when you left. Why do I have to pay for what they’ve done to you? This isn’t how you treat family, Madison.” She said her name as if it were the most disgusting thing in the world.

And there it was: Heather’s famous guilt trip. Even though she would never admit it, she was jealous of Madison. Being stuck in the same town she’d lived in her entire life, going to the same old places, working the same dead-end job…it was no surprise Heather was bitter. But she was taking some cheap shots.

“You don’t have to be so harsh about it. I’m doing the best I can,” Madison said. She flopped down on her unmade bed. All her sheets and blankets were wadded up in one of the boxes piled up in her room, staring at her accusingly, judging her for not getting things put away. “And you know what, you don’t treat family the way you’re treating me right now, either. You’re making me feel like shit for things that are out of my control.”

“I’m sorry.” Heather sighed.

“Why Will?” Madison’s voice broke, and she cursed herself for showing any sort of emotion toward that man.

“It just…happened. I’m not sure I can explain, really.” There was a long pause. “It’s just…well, there’s a lot more going on than you realize, and I need you to come home.”

“What? What do you mean there’s more going on?” Her ears rang, and unease twisted in her gut.

“Hey, c’mon, let’s go. We’re gonna be late.” Lil walked in then froze, her eyes widening when she realized Madison was on the phone. She mouthed “sorry.”

“Hold on a sec, Heather.” Madison lowered the phone and stared at Lil. “Late for what?” Had they made plans she’d forgotten about? She racked her brain trying to remember.

“We need to go meet our new neighbors,” Lil said, shifting on her feet.

“Uh, okay. Give me a minute.”

Lil nodded and left the room. That was weird. Madison held the phone back up to her ear. “Sorry, Heather. You still there?”

“Yeah.”

“Look, I’ve gotta go do…something, but I give you my word that I will call you back later, okay?”

“And when is that going to be?” Heather demanded.

Sighing, Madison rubbed at her head again. “I don’t know. A couple of hours?”

“Fine.” Heather abruptly ended the call.

Letting out a frustrated scream, she ran her fingers through her hair and pulled it back into a messy ponytail. What right did Heather have to be mad at her? Madison hadn’t done anything wrong. She left her room to find Lil standing in the middle of the living room.

“Hey. Why are we meeting our neighbors?”

“Because if we’re going to be living here, we should get to know people. Be friendly.” Lil grinned. “I promise we won’t stay long. Let’s just go say hi.”

Madison rolled her eyes. “Fine, but I’m only staying half an hour. I have too much unpacking to do, and I need to figure out a way to Vegas before my cousin kills me.” She ushered Lil out the door and followed her around to the front of the house.

“Is that who you were screaming at?” Lil tossed a smile over her shoulder then stuck out her tongue.

“She was doing most of the screaming, but yeah.” A sudden chill worked through Madison, and she rubbed the goose bumps on her arms. “I don’t know. Something feels off about this whole thing.” Something more than the fact that she was marrying Madison’s ex.

Lil stopped and turned to face her. “You were such a huge part of her life for so long, and then you weren’t. She misses you. And she’s getting married! Of course, she’s going to want you there.” Lil tilted her head and smiled as if it was all so obvious. “So, stop being so paranoid and go home to see your family. I think it will make you feel better, too.”

Madison grunted. More like it would make her feel like shit. Her parents had that effect on her. “Fine, when we’re done here, I’ll start looking at flights again.” She frowned.

“You know, if money’s an issue, I can cover the apartment and give you back your check. I haven’t cashed it yet.”

The threat of tears loomed, and Madison blinked them away. “Thanks, Lil. But I—” Loud voices inside their neighbor’s apartment interrupted her. Then, a deep rich laugh that she’d know anywhere filtered out to her. Madison froze, the hairs on the back of her neck stood on edge.

The front door opened, and Ryder stepped out. He glanced up, then down, then back up. “Madison?” He grinned. “Well, who’s the stalker now?”

“Whoa, wait.” Lil’s gaze darted between her and Ryder. “This is the guy you were telling me about?”

Flames of embarrassment licked up Madison’s neck and face.

“You’ve been telling people about me?” Ryder’s grin widened.

This was not happening. There was no way Ryder was their neighbor. No. It couldn’t be true.

“Dude, who the fuck you talking to out there?” Liam appeared in the doorway with a handful of potato chips. “Hey, Lil.” He waved. “Glad you… No, shit.” He laughed. “The bookstore girl is your roommate?” He slapped Ryder on the back. “This is the best day ever.”

Madison stood there, mortified, unable to speak. The universe hated her. There was no other explanation.

“Oh, my God.” Lil giggled. “What’re the chances?” She shook her head. “I swear I didn’t know. I would have told you.” But the glint in her eyes told a different story.

Crossing her arms, Madison’s T-shirt bunched up around her breasts, and it was then she realized what she looked like—ratty shirt, faded black sweatpants, flip flops, minimal make-up, and her hair was in a mess of a ponytail. Kill me now.

“Food’s inside. Let’s go.” Liam waved for them to enter.

Lil stepped around Madison and Ryder and followed Liam in the house.

“Did you really rent the back apartment?” Ryder asked.

Madison snapped out of her daze. “Yeah, I had no idea you lived here. If I had, I wouldn’t have…”

The corner of his mouth kicked up, and his dimple appeared. “You wouldn’t have what? Rented the apartment?” He put his hand over his heart. “You wound me, Madison.”

She couldn’t stop from smiling.

“Feel free to make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a second.” He walked down the steps and toward his car.

Madison watched him for a second and then went inside. Liam and Lil were in the kitchen, laughing and eating. “Hey, there you are.” Liam nodded. “Where’s Ryder?”

“I’m right here,” he said, walking back into the house. He stepped around Madison, letting his fingers graze across her lower back, and she shuddered slightly. Heat rose inside of her, and she blew out a breath. He reached over and grabbed a hunk of cheese, popping it into his mouth.

“So, you two all moved in?” Liam asked.

Lil nodded. “We’ve got everything moved, but we still have to unpack it all.”

Madison swallowed hard and glanced around. Their apartment was spacious, and much larger than hers and Lil’s. And it was surprisingly clean knowing four guys lived there.

“It’s just you two?” Ryder asked, his gaze settling on Madison.

God, those eyes. So warm and deep and inviting. She wanted to drown in them. “Yes,” she said. “There’s two other guys living here with you, right?” She remembered him telling her that.

“Gavin and Brayden,” Ryder said. “But they’re not here very often.”

He tilted his head and stared at her with a look she couldn’t decipher, and she moved to lean against the counter. She crossed her arms. Could things be any more awkward? Even though they weren’t, Madison felt like everyone was staring at her, like they knew the thoughts running through her mind.

“Yeah, and Ryder will be gone for a while, so if you two need anything, I’m your guy.” Liam pointed at himself.

“You’re leaving?” Madison blurted before she could stop herself. Her heart raced, and the tips of her ears burned. She really needed to watch what she said.

“I’m heading to Vegas in a couple of weeks.” He grabbed another piece of cheese.

Madison could feel the color drain from her face. Ryder was going to Vegas? Why? Lil faked a cough and nudged Madison’s arm, nodding in a not-so-subtle way at Ryder. Oh, no. No way. She knew what Lil was thinking, and it was not going to happen.

Madison straightened and forced a smile. “It was nice to officially meet you, Liam. Ryder.” She gave him a quick bob of her head. “But as Lil said, we have a lot of unpacking to do, so I’m going to go.” She rushed out of the house.

“Madison!” Ryder followed. “Hey, you don’t have to leave.”

“I know.” She laced her hands together behind her back. “I just have a lot to do. That’s all.” But before she could make her escape, Lil joined them on the porch.

“Everything all right?” Lil asked.

If Madison prayed hard enough for the porch to collapse and bury her alive, would it happen? With the luck she had, probably not. “Everything’s fine.”

“I was just telling her she didn’t have to go,” Ryder said.

“Would you give us a second?” Lil asked Ryder.

Madison’s stomach clenched. She knew what was coming, but knowing didn’t prepare her for it. The second Ryder disappeared into the house, Lil said, “You have to ask him for a ride.”

“Nope.” She shook her head adamantly. “That’s the very last thing I need to do.”

“C’mon, it’s perfect! You need to get home, he’s going there…”

There was no way Lil could understand Madison’s feeling about this, so she wasn’t about to try and explain herself. But she also wasn’t going to give in, either. “Don’t push this, Lil. I am not going to ask Ryder to take me to Vegas. End of discussion.” She spun on her heel and went back to her apartment.

***

Madison’s Tuesday afternoon class didn’t start until three, so she headed across campus toward the dining hall. She’d grab a quick snack to take to her next class. Head down, she power-walked, not wanting to socialize with anyone.

She hadn’t been able to get Lil’s suggestion out of her mind, and that annoyed the crap out of her. Road-tripping to Vegas with Ryder would be fun, and it would mean she wouldn’t have to drop hundreds of dollars she didn’t really have on a plane ticket. It would go against every promise she made to herself to stay away from him, but she had no doubts it would be fun. And she knew he’d say yes.

“Hey, Madison! Wait up.”

She stopped cold, and her ears rang. “Ryder?” She slowly turned to face him. How did he always seem to know where to find her? It was both exciting and creepy.

He stopped in front of her and smiled. “So, it’s Taco Tuesday, and we’re—”

“It’s what?” She laughed.

“Taco Tuesday.”

That’s what she’d thought he said, but she wasn’t sure because that was a weird thing to say. “Uh, okay…”

“We set up a taco bar in our apartment and binge watch Catfish the TV show. I’ve been instructed to invite you and Lil.”

“Oh.” She shifted on her feet. “That’s nice, but I have to work tonight. Sorry.” Her heart thundered in her chest. Being close to him had that effect on her, but more than that, she was actually disappointed she had to decline his invitation. She loved tacos. And Catfish. And she was sure it would be a fun evening with him and his friends.

“What about tomorrow night? It’s Waffle Wednesday.”

She stared at him. She had a hard time telling when he was joking with her. “I have to work tomorrow night, too.”

“Okay, how about Thirsty Thursday?”

Madison shook her head. “Working again.” She frowned.

“Fiesta Friday.” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

She laughed. “Sorry. I already have plans.”

“A date?” He lifted a brow.

“No.”

“So, are you really working all week, or are you still trying to avoid me?” he asked.

“Unfortunately, I’m really working all week.”

“Hmm.” The way he puckered his lips was distracting, and she had a hard time not staring. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to see you around the house then.”

She knew living so close would be trouble. “Right, well, I have to get to class, so I’ll see you later, okay? Enjoy your tacos.” With a wave, she walked away. Enjoy your tacos? She was a certified idiot. Shaking her head, she picked up her pace, but no matter how fast she walked, she could still feel Ryder’s gaze following her.