Maddox rises like he’s about to sprint after him.
“Maddox…”
My ass hits the ground. I don’t know what he's saying. All I know is that his hand is on my face, and I’m on the verge of puking. I blink repeatedly. I don’t know whether it’s from the hit on my head or simply a hazy reaction to the brawl.
I can’t catch my breath.
“—you stand?” I hear Maddox ask. "Andi, can you move?—“
Can I stand…
CanI stand?
Wait…
We’re in an abandoned alley in the middle of town, merely a block away from where the press is swarming, looking for glimpses of the band. I don’t even know how Maddox managed to leave the club without being seen, without there being a gaggle of photographers on his ass right now.
Ihaveto stand.
He can’t be seen like this.
“Yeah,” I finally say.
Maddox takes my hands and hauls me to my feet. I see him watching around us for any onlookers. He pushes his hoodie over his head and turns his mask inside out as we approach the street. I don’t know where he’s taking me, and I don’t care. I force my legs to move one after the other down the street until we can no longer hear the club or people.
It’s a few minutes before either of us says a word.
This new street is dark and quiet. Maddox pulls his phone from his pocket and dials a number, pausing us on the sidewalk.
His fingers areshaking.
The sight causes tears to line my eyes. I reach out in some desperate attempt to help him settle, to assure him we're okay, even if it’s futile.
Maddox’s gaze lifts. Our eyes meet, and he laces his fingers into mine, then draws me into his arms. And as he waits for the person on the other end to answer, he kisses my forehead and each of my knuckles.
Blood is running down my cheek, my stomach. Somehow, my pants are still on my hips. I’m trembling, though I don’t know if it's from the chill in the air or the ordeal.
I only know I’m crying because I feel the tears dripping onto my chest.
“Hey—” Maddox says as someone answers. “Hey, yeah, it’s me. I need you. I sent you my location.”
I hear James on the other end, concern lining his tone.
“No, the others are still at the bar,” Maddox goes on. “No—no,fuckno. Don’t get them. Something’s happened. Yeah. Thanks, James.”
As Maddox ends the call, he presses his hand against my cheek. I hear him curse, see the glisten in his gaze.
It’s all I can do to stay steady in his arms.
The black Escalade pulls up beside us a moment later. Maddox quickly reaches for the back door handle as James gets out. His eyes widen upon seeing me. He looks down at his phone, and I know he’s searching for missed calls or texts from me.
Maddox doesn’t speak.
I climb inside, Maddox after me.
James doesn’t drive away the instant we’re all in. He turns in his seat as Maddox pushes the hood of his jacket off my hair, and rage pools in his eyes when he sees me.
“I’ll fucking kill him,” he seethes.
