Chapter 18 I’ll Protect You
Grace did not slow down.
The moment she spotted Maddox by the school gates she broke into a run and crashed into him, arms wrapping tight around his middle like she had been holding herself together by a thread until now.
"I was so worried," she said breathlessly. "You disappeared and you didn't come today. Where have you been?"
His arm came around her immediately, firmly pulling her flush against him. He held her like he needed it just as much as she did.
"I had some trouble," he said quietly, "But I'm fine now."
She pulled back just enough to look at his face.
He looked tired. Not the usual lazy tired he wore after late nights in the garage but hollow like something had been dragged out of him. His eyes were duller, dark shadows lingering beneath them.
"Mad," she said softly. "Is something wrong?"
Then it hit her.
Her breath hitched, recalling him being stabbed.
“Your wound!”
Her hands flew to his shirt before she could stop herself. As she tried to lift the hem to check his side, Maddox immediately caught her wrist. A little too quickly and roughly.
"Grace," he said under his breath. "Not here."
She froze.
"There are too many eyes," he added, glancing around. "Besides, I'm fine. I promise."
She hesitated, searching his face for cracks for any sign of pain. Then slowly, she followed his gaze to search the premises.
Only then did she notice them.
Students lingered in the parking lot. Some of them leaned against cars pretending not to stare. Others whispered and watched openly, while a few watched them with naked curiosity.
"Get 'em, girl!" Someone yelled and whistled while her friend slapped her on the arm to be quiet.
Heat rushed to Grace’s cheeks, for someone trying to keep a low profile she had a lot of people stare at her today. She dropped her hands and nodded stiffly. "Okay."
"Come on," he said opening the truck door.
The drive home was quiet.
The old truck rattled along the road, familiar and comforting, but Grace could not settle. Her eyes kept drifting to his side, zoning on the place where blood had soaked through his shirt the night before.
The silence was messing with her so she blurted, "I forgot my bike."
He just glanced at her, "I'll get it for you."
"I'm sorry, I don't know why I forgot it. Also, I didn't thank you for bringing it back the other day."
"What other day?"
"Uh, last two nights?"
He just looked at her like she was crazy and she didn't understand the confusion on his face but she brushed it off. If he didn't want to admit it because they weren't talking then, it was fine.
"You're really okay?" she asked.
"Yes."
She believed the word, not the tone.
They pulled up in front of her house, the tires crunching softly on gravel. Before she could reach for the handle, Maddox leaned toward her.
He pressed a kiss to her cheek then to her forehead.
"Can you meet me tonight?" he asked.
Her heart jumped. "Tonight?"
"At a hotel," he said. "I want you somewhere good and safe. We'll eat, rest, and celebrate your birthday eve together. I'll take care of everything."
She stared at him, discreetly pinching her thigh to calm her racing heart.
"A hotel?"
"Yes."
"Maddox, that's expensive," she muttered. Despite wanting the experience, years of being an Ainsley often made her weary of flamboyant spending. "You don't need to—"
"I want to."
There was no hesitation in his voice and no room for debate.
She swallowed, nerves fluttering low in her stomach. She had never stayed at a hotel before. Never overnight and definitely not with a boy she’d kissed. Never ever.
Was he implying something?
Her mind raced but when she looked at him, she did not see expectation. Only resolve.
"I’m your best friend, aren’t I?" his voice was softer now, "I just want you to be okay tonight."
Her shoulders eased.
"Okay," she said.
He looked relieved. "I'll pick you up later."
She stepped out of the truck and watched him reverse then drive off. She rubbed the back of her neck, feeling goosebumps all of a sudden. And when she looked up, back at the house, her father stood by the living room window—watching.
For some reason, that troubled her deeply.
He did not wave didn't smile. He simply watched as Maddox drove away.
She had no idea why she felt nervous, she had not expected him home. And if Vance had said anything, if he had told him she ran, then this was bad.
Grace went inside anyway.
The house was quiet.
"You're late," her father said without looking at her.
"I had school," she replied carefully.
"You usually come straight home."
She said nothing.
He turned then, his eyes sharp. "That was Maddox?"
"Yes." She didn't understand the weird tension, "How is mama?"
He studied her for a long moment as if he hadn't heard her question, "Vance has been asking questions."
Her heart thudded painfully.
"I don't know anything about that," she said.
He hummed, unconvinced. "Go to your room."
Grace did not argue.
She locked her door behind her and leaned against it, breathing hard startling when her phone vibrated in her hand.
It was a message from Maddox.
‘I'll keep you safe.’
Her fingers curled tight around the phone.
“Safe from what?” She whispered aloud.