Chapter 46

ANGEL SINCLAIR.

During the evening, I take a refreshing bath and feel much better, so I decide to go downstairs for dinner. Luckily, Bryan isn't here, so I feel much more comfortable eating in peace.

"Feeling better, Angel?" my father asks.

"Yes, Dad," I reply, smiling weakly.

"I've put together these cookies that you love," he says, handing me the basket.

"I love them," I say, popping one into my mouth.

My father receives a phone call and leaves the table, leaving me alone with Madison. We both look at each other and she breaks the silence.

"Is that guy who was here today your boyfriend?" she asks, trying to get me to talk.

"I wouldn't say boyfriend, but we're more than friends," she laughs.

"He seems like a nice guy," Madison comments.

"He is. Dad loves Lorenzo," she nods.

"I met his family at the wedding party and they seemed kind, just like the boy."

"Yeah, I met him at the club. We haven't been apart since."

"I think he's a good match for you," I agree, nodding.

But that's not what I want to talk to Madison about. I can talk about Lorenzo with anyone, but about Bryan, I have her as the best person to talk to. No one better than Bryan's mother to talk about him. I need to know what happened in their conversation and especially what they decided to do.

"What about Bryan, didn't he want to have dinner?" I ask, trying to disguise my curiosity.

"He's not at home," Madison replies dejectedly and I arch my eyebrow, "He's decided not to come home until bedtime, so he'll be out of here most of the day."

"And where is he?" I ask.

"Gym, shooting club, driving motorcycles... that's what he likes to do," she says.

"Ah, okay. As long as he's away from drugs and drink, I think that's good enough," I say.

"I made him promise that. Bryan promised me he'd try to avoid it as much as possible and I had to give him a vote of confidence, because above all, he's my son."

"Yes, you're right," I agree, "Everyone deserves a second chance and it shouldn't be any different with Bryan, that's why I don't hold any grudges against him. I know that people don't think about anything they're doing when they're under the influence of substances."

"Exactly, Angel. Bryan needs to focus on the future and get out of this phase. I'm not going to spend my whole life correcting his behavior."

"I hope he really took you seriously and changed, Madison," I say and she smiles weakly.

I'm startled to hear Bryan's voice.

"Are you talking about me?" he asks, sitting down next to Madison and staring at me.

I look away from him. I was taken by surprise and I didn't want Bryan to know that we were talking about him. When his mother told me he was only coming to sleep over, I imagined he'd be home later.

"We were just talking about basic things, son," says Madison.

"Coming from you women, I imagine you must be talking wonders about me," he says, making his plate.

"Just eat without causing any discord, Bryan. Can you do that or is it difficult too?" I ask, losing what little patience I have.

Bryan glares at me and then shuts up and starts eating. It's not long before my father returns and sits down next to me. His expression is a little strange, I don't know if it's because of the phone call or because Bryan is here.

"Who was that?" I ask, referring to the call he's just made.

"It was from the company, it's about work," my father replies.

"Oh, okay," I reply.

Bryan is quieter than usual, for obvious reasons. I really prefer him to stay like this, at least he doesn't get in my way like he used to. The quieter he is, the easier it will be to forget him.

"I thought it was good that Lorenzo came here today", my father says, "Tell him to come more often, we can arrange something together".

"Yes, he's planning a dinner with his parents for me to meet," I say.

"You'll love them, they're very nice people," I nod.

Bryan watches with a frown as he eats and I go back to talking about Lorenzo.

"I think I'll also arrange something here at home to make him feel more at home with us," I say.

"That's fine with me," my father says.

"And for me too," Madison says, "The first impression I got of him was wonderful. He's a very polite boy and..." she interrupts.

"Mom, hand me that cup," Bryan asks.

"Well, moving on, I'll be looking forward to his next visit," she says.

"I guarantee it won't be long, because he makes a point of being part of my life."

"You should start dating already, you seem to be made for each other," Madison smiles.

Bryan chokes on his tea after Madison says this and she slaps him on the back.

"Is everything all right?" she asks.

"Yes, it is," he replies, now recovering.

Bryan leaves the dining room soon after, without finishing his meal. Dad, Madison and I finish dinner in silence and I stay in the living room, talking to my dad about my high school graduation.

I get a message from Lorenzo saying that his parents' dinner will be postponed because they're traveling, but he tells me that he'll have a party at home on his birthday, which is on Sunday, after the championship. I agree and say I can help him organize it. As Lorenzo is new here, it will be a more private party with only a few people, and that's great. The thought that the whole school won't be there is good enough.

This weekend is going to be incredible and I can't wait. The more I'm around people who are good for me, the better. I have appointments with Lorenzo and Ashley, the best of company. I'm going to forget about these recent events and have fun.