“This was my weekend escape. You crashed it.”
“I didn’t mean to. Damiano brought me here, and I had no idea. You don’t have to take out your bad attitude on me.” She peels a banana and tosses it on top of the mango, strawberries, and spinach.
“I don’t have a bad attitude.” Christ, she makes me sound like a child.
Instead of responding, she jams the lid on the blender and presses a button. A loud, electronic whirring fills the kitchen. Madison stares directly at me while it runs, like she’s daring me to do something about the noise.
I have all kinds of ideas for things I can do. Throw her over my knees and spank her sassy ass, for starters.
Finally, the blender finishes spinning. The new silence in the kitchen stretches on while Madison and I stare at each other. I remember kissing her at Low Vice, in that private room with Damiano. Her lips parted for me, allowing me in. She tasted fresh and sweet.
If this moment continues, I’m in danger of kissing her again. Something must be done.
“Are you finished making a bunch of noise?” I ask.
“Yes,” she snaps. “You do your thing, I’ll do mine. No need to speak, or even be friends.”
Before I can respond, she pours her abhorrent concoction into a pint glass and marches out of the kitchen.
MADISON
I’d half hoped that this weekend might be a re-start for Seth and me, that we could get past all of our previous hang-ups and approach something civil.
All hopes were dashed when he acted like a total dick this morning.
I tell myself I don’t care, but there’s a small part of me that remembers facing him with Kyle. All those years ago, I’d held the hand of my fiancé and listened to his brother tell us we’re making a mistake.
I couldn’t help but hear Seth’s unspoken words: that I was the mistake.
Looking back, now that I’m older, I get it. Kyle and I were young. Maybe too young. I don’t have regrets, though, because the time we had together was short, but precious.
And what the hell could Seth have known of our hearts, of our love for each other?
I spend some time at the beach. It’s too cold to swim and I’m not much for sunbathing. But I do love walking along the shoreline and looking for shells and pretty rocks.
Intent on avoiding Seth, I stay out longer than I normally would, and I’m exhausted by the time I get back to the beach house. When I cross the deck, I see Seth’s silhouette in one of the upstairs windows. He’s probably throwing a tantrum now that he doesn’t have the house to himself.
Sighing, I go inside and head straight to my room. Maybe I’ll hide out and watch Flesh and Teeth on my phone until I’m hungry enough for dinner. Even better if Damiano happens to come back before then. Maybe the two of us can go out. We’ll leave sour-pants Seth at home.
My phone rings. Damiano’s name shows on the screen. I hope he’s calling to say he’s on his way.
I answer the call. “Hey.”
“Madison.” His tone is warm, but tired. “I have bad news, I’m afraid. I won’t be able to return tonight, as I’d hoped.”
Ugh, dammit. No Damiano tonight, and I’m going to have to ride back to San Esteban with stupid Seth. My heart sinks, but I keep my voice perky. “Okay, I understand.”
“I am missing you already, bella.”
A switch flips in me. He calls me bella often, but there’s a special tone when things are getting frisky.
And that tone is present now.
“I miss you, too,” I whisper.
“Yes? I keep thinking of all the things we could be doing, if I were there with you.”
My breath hitches. “Like—like what?”
