“Okay, maybe I don’t hate it.” She says with a small smile and another squeeze.
“Yeah?” I say, hope blooming deep in my heart.
“No, but next time just tell me. I’ll let you sleep on the couch. You looked so uncomfortable when I woke you up.”
I blush, remembering my nightmare.
“Yeah, that wasn’t my best night’s sleep.”
She nudges my knee.
“Don’t you have practice today? How’s that going to go with no sleep?”
“Nah, It’s media day, so no biggie. I don’t mind it. The social media stuff they make us do is usually pretty fun. Plus, it’s just a lot of smiling, pictures and signing shit. I’ll be fine. Do you have a class this morning?”
“Yeah, a couple today, but the first isn’t for a few hours.”
We sit in comfortable silence for a while, each of us thinking about the day ahead. It’s sweet and domestic, and I wish I could do this with her every morning. Except for Walker, Madison’s the only other person I can be totally myself around. There’s this feeling of needing to be “on,” with everyone else, and even more so since I’ve become captain. It can be exhausting, but being with her feels effortless. This is how I know she’s my person. I’ve always known.
We finish our coffee, so I rinse and put my cup in the dishwasher. If I’m going to make it to the arena on time, it’s time to leave, but this time feels special, and I don’t want it to end. I’m also the captain, so I need to be responsible. This adulting thing sucks.
“Thanks for the coffee, Mads. See you tonight.” I say as I head to her front door. “Lock up after me.”
“Tonight? What are we doing tonight?” she queries.
“Uh, you know Walker’s going to want to stop by and update your security, right?”
“Oh right. I totally forgot.” She waves her hand dismissively. “Fine, whatever. See you later.” She practically slams the door in my face.
“Madison King, lock that door!” I yell on my way down the stairs.
She opens the door to shout, “Liam Ferguson, you’re a pain in my ass!” before slamming it closed again. I hear the lock click as she bolts the door, though, so I’m smiling as I get in my car.
Media day was long and more tiring than I remember. Apparently, when you’re the captain, you get to do a bunch of extra social media and pictures. I’m dragging by the time we get to the hardware store, but damn if we’re going another night without some security in place for Mads.
Walker seems to know exactly where to go and what to buy, so I let him take the lead, but I pay attention. We look through all the security options available. There are so many to choose from. Fortunately, the two cops from last night gave Walker some solid ideas. He grabs a doorbell camera and a couple to mount on the wall. They come with an app for your phone, and it looks easy to use. I wonder if she’ll let us have access. Probably too much to hope for knowing Mads.
Next, we head to the aisle with the deadbolts. He grabs three, which is overkill, but hey, I wanted to buy her a brand-new door, so who am I to judge. I still think she needs to have her landlord upgrade it. I’m tempted to call him myself, but evenI know that’s stepping over the line. Maybe I can convince her to call him.
By the time we’re done and headed to her place, it’s almost six, and we are both cranky as hell. We need some food before we start this project, or bad things are going to happen.
“Should we call Mads and see what she wants for dinner? I’ll buy but I need some food.” Walker must be reading my mind.
“Me, too. Let’s just order and get it delivered there. Her last class was at five, so I’m sure she won’t care. What do you want to do? We need to keep it somewhat healthy?”
“What about that raman place we tried last week?” he throws out.
“Ooh! Let’s do that. Do you know what Mads would like or should I call her?” I ask, pulling out my phone.
“Nah, I got you. Check under her name in my phone. Under notes.” He tosses me his phone, and I look up her name in his contacts. There’s an entire section under the notes with all her favorite foods. Holy shit! He’s a genius. This is information that I desperately need. I take a few screenshots and text them to myself before I find her favorite raman dish and start the order on my delivery app.
“You want extra meat?” I ask Walker. We have practice tomorrow, and we need the protein. After last night, I also need some sleep. Knowing Maddie’s safe tonight will go a long way toward that goal.
“Always.”
I get the order set up and send it off. It should get there around the same time we do. My stomach grumbles with anticipation.
We arrive just in time to grab the food from the delivery driver before we head upstairs.
