Chapter 12: Chapter Twelve

“Ugh.” Madison tossed her phone on the bed next to her, covered her face with a pillow, and let out a frustrated scream. There were tons of flights that would work with her class schedule and within the time off Brenda had given her, but every single one of them were out of her price range.

She could accept Lil’s offer not to cash the apartment check, but how would Madison be able to pay her back and still pay all her current bills? And the last thing Madison wanted was to be in debt to Lil—that would make things too awkward.

Ryder’s offer hung heavy in the air, and for the first time since he’d offered to let her go with him, she allowed the idea to form. Offering gas money was cheaper than any plane, train, or bus ticket, and she had a sinking feeling that he wouldn’t take it anyway. But then there was hotels and food…

Tossing the pillow, she sat up. There was still some money left on the credit card her stepmother had sent her. Not that she wanted to use anymore of that, but she would be using it to go home, so she could sort of justify it.

Madison rubbed her hands over her face and stood, stretching. Of course, if she went with Ryder, that would mean even more time off from work—four or five days to drive to Vegas, three days there for the wedding, and then another four or five days back to campus. Could she really afford that? Would Brenda be agreeable to so much time off?

“Hey.” Lil knocked on Madison’s bedroom door then stuck her head in. “Want a ride to campus? I’m heading to class.”

“Thanks, but I still need to shower and get dressed. I’ll just walk.” She smiled. Thankfully, her first class didn’t start until eleven, and it was only nine, so she had plenty of time.

“Okay. See ya later.” Lil closed the door and left.

If she hurried, she’d have time to go to the dining hall and grab some food. Neither she nor Lil had had time to go shopping, and why pay for food at the grocery store when she had a meal plan already paid for as part of her tuition?

Thirty minutes later, Madison walked into the main dining hall and got into line. She grabbed a tray and piled it with muffins, cereal bars, yogurt, and pop tarts that she’d shove into her bag and take home. Then she grabbed a warm bacon and egg sandwich to eat now. She swiped her meal plan card, then scoured the hall for an empty table. Finding one in the far corner, she made a beeline toward it.

Once she shoved all her extra food into her bag, she devoured the breakfast sandwich. Apparently, she’d been hungrier than she realized, and she spent a solid five minutes debating buying another sandwich. Deciding against it, she gathered her trash and stood to dispose of it.

Madison needed to talk to all of her professors about her impending absences so she could gather whatever work she’d miss. Seriously, taking a trip was so much work. It would be easier if she just told Heather she couldn’t make it and then deal with her cousin’s wrath.

Standing, she gathered her stuff and dumped her trash. She left the dining hall and began the trek across campus. A familiar, deep laugh stopped her in her tracks. She glanced around until she found the source—Ryder stood near the marble fountain with Liam, two other guys she recognized from the pizzeria, and a group of giggling girls. One of the girls—at tall, curvy redhead—touched Ryder’s shoulder, her hand lingering for an unnecessarily long time before she trailed her fingers down his arm. And he didn’t seem to mind at all.

Hot jealousy pooled in Madison’s gut, though she had no idea why. She wasn’t interested in Ryder. He was an arrogant distraction she didn’t need or want. So what if he was dead sexy. Who cared that his smile made her knees weak? For Christ’s sake, get yourself together, Madison.

As if able to sense she’d been staring, Ryder turned and grinned. Heat erupted on her face. Pretending not to notice him, she adjusted the strap of her messenger bag and continued to walk.

“Madison,” Ryder called. “Hey, Madison. Wait up.”

She kept walking. Maybe if she ignored him, he’d go away. But she knew better than that.

He caught up to her. “Hey, I was calling your name.”

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t hear you.” She smiled sweetly. Score one for me.

“Hmm. You may not have heard me, but I know you saw me.”

Damn it. She fought to keep her face expressionless and shrugged one shoulder with an air of nonchalance she didn’t feel. “You looked busy.” She glanced behind him. The redhead was glaring at Madison. “In fact, it looks like your fan club is eagerly waiting for your return.”

Ryder didn’t bother to turn around. He kept his gaze firmly on her. “Liam is having a party at our place tomorrow night. Will you come?”

“I have to work.” Relief and disappointment warred inside of her.

“Stop by after. I’m sure it will still be going,” he said.

“Yeah, maybe.” She gave another shrug. “I have to get to class.” Madison turned to walk away, and Ryder fell into step beside her. Was he going to walk her to class? It was on the tip of her tongue to ask, but she refrained, not wanting to encourage him.

“Lil’s coming,” he said after a moment.

“Of course, she is.” Madison sighed. “I think she has a thing for Liam.” She frowned, making a mental note to talk to Lil about that.

“Everyone has a thing for Liam.” Ryder laughed.

“I don’t.”

“Good to know.” He smiled, showcasing his dimple.

Madison’s breath caught, and she glanced away, praying he didn’t see the blush she felt coloring her cheeks. Why did he have to be so damn sexy? And funny. And charming. She groaned, and then clamped her lips shut when she realized she’d done so out loud.

“Something wrong?” Ryder stopped in front of Webster Hall and held open the door for her.

“No,” she said, voice bordering on a squeak.

“So, do you usually walk around groaning like that?”

Dear God, just kill me right now. She plastered a smile on her face. “Only when you’re around. You annoy the crap out of me.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wished she could take them back. She hadn’t meant to be so rude. And she certainly hadn’t meant that the way it sounded.

To her surprise, Ryder laughed. “I’ve been told I have that effect on people.” He stepped aside so she could go inside, but for some unknown reason, she hesitated.

There was seriously something wrong with her. She should be dashing into that building and putting as much distance between them as possible.

“Though, I usually have a different effect on women,” he said, tilting his head as if it were some big mystery why she wasn’t throwing herself at him. If he only knew how hard it was for her not to do exactly that.

“Well, with the way you stalk them…” She shrugged but couldn’t hide her smile.

He laughed again. “For the record, you’re the first person I’ve ever stalked.”

“Lucky me.”

A group of students approached, and Ryder moved out of their way, putting him extremely close to her. She sucked in a breath. “Lucky you,” he whispered.

A shiver ran through her body. Okay, that was it. Time to stop flirting. She stepped inside and waved over her shoulder. Grinning, Ryder closed the door behind her. Her heart jackhammered in her chest. Yeah, going on a road trip to Vegas with him was a colossally bad idea.

****

Madison arrived at the pizzeria ten minutes before her shift and caught Brenda in the back room getting ready to leave. “Hi, Brenda. Can I talk to you before you go?” Nerves flitted in her stomach. Even though she wasn’t sure she was going to go with Ryder, she wanted to have her bases covered, just in case.

“Of course.” Brenda set her purse on the table.

Taking a deep breath, Madison dove into the story of being evicted, having to find a new apartment, taking an advance from her credit card to pay for it, and not being able to afford a way home for her cousin’s wedding. The story came out in a rush, and when she finished, she was breathless.

“Wow,” Brenda said with a frown. “I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with all of that.”

Madison gave a grateful smile. “So, I have friend who happens to be going to Vegas the same weekend as my cousin’s wedding, but he’s planning to drive there and back. He’s offered to let me ride with him, but that means I’m going to need more time off.” She cringed, dreading Brenda’s response.

“How much more time?” she asked slowly.

“Well, he’s leaving early Thursday morning, and we probably won’t be back until the following Thursday or Friday, so…a week or so?” She bit on her bottom lip, hoping Brenda didn’t give her a hard time. If the option of going with Ryder was off the table, she really would have no choice but to call Heather and tell her she wasn’t coming.

“That should be okay. I have a new part-time waitress starting tomorrow, so I’ll just have her work more while you’re gone,” Brenda said, though her tone was less than encouraging. “Erica’s a strong shift leader. She’ll be fine.” She waved her hand as if the specifics didn’t matter and then smiled. “It’s fine. Go home. Visit your family and have fun at your cousin’s wedding.”

“Thank you.” She expelled a pent-up breath, relief settling around her. For as understanding as Brenda has been through all of this, Madison couldn’t in good conscience not go with Ryder and mess up the work schedule. Again.

Her relief turned to dread, making her stomach twist. She was going to actually have to go on this trip with him. She swallowed her rising nausea. Five days trapped in a car with Ryder? The guy she so desperately wanted to avoid but couldn’t seem to no matter how hard she tried? She was in so much trouble.

Now all she had to do was figure out how to pay for gas, food, and hotels. Oh, and she had to tell him she was going. That was a conversation she wasn’t looking forward to. She could just imagine him smiling at her, saying something flirty and suggestive, her body reacting despite her constant refusal not to bet involved with him.

“Madison?”

“Huh? I’m sorry.” She frowned. “What did you say?”

Brenda chuckled. “I said I’m leaving for the night. But you call me if y’all need anything, all right?”

“Right, of course. See you later. And thanks again,” Madison said.

Brenda slipped on her jacket and left, calling goodbye to everyone as she exited the backroom.

Madison tied her apron around her waist and walked into the dining room, ready to start her shift and hopefully forget all about Ryder for the rest of the night.