Trust Me .(39)

“Shut up! I am so freaking jealous of you right now, you know that, right? I can’t believe you just had amazing sex with Maddox Jackson. Lucky Bitch.”

I laugh a little at her comment. “It was pretty amazing. It’s been so dang long that I was worried I’d forgotten how to do it.”

“Oh, honey, they say it’s just like riding a bike. And I’m hoping that’s true because it’s been a while since I went for a ride around the block myself,” she adds with a giggle.

“It definitely all comes back to you, especially when you have an expert riding partner.”

“So what happened this morning when you woke up? Was it all weird and stuff?”

“You mean after we had amazing shower sex?”

“I’m really starting to hate you right now,” she mumbles as she takes a drink of her water.

“Well, we were just getting back to his room from taking a shower when Jake started pounding on the door.”

Her water bottle stops halfway back down to the counter, and she stares at me wide eyed. “Jake came over? What happened?”

“Well, he didn’t know it was me who was there. I was basically hiding in his room while Maddox went out to deal with Jake. For the record, Maddox wearing nothing but a towel may be my favorite outfit I’ve seen him wear.”

“Uhhhhhh! That’s a visual I am happily taking with me to bed tonight,” Holly remarks which earns her a playful slap on the arm.

“Don’t you dare! Maddox had to leave this morning with Jake for work but we did get to talk for a few minutes before he left. We’re going to see each other on the sly and maybe see where it goes.”

“What exactly does that mean? Maddox doesn’t exactly do dating.”

“He said that, but he wants to spend more time with me. We agreed we wouldn’t date or sleep with other people while we are together figuring this out.”

“Honey, do you think that’s wise? I mean, sex with Maddox is great but what happens when you want more out of him than he’s willing to give.”

“Holl, aren’t you the one who encouraged me to go out with him last night? You’re the one who kept reminding me that he might be exactly what I’m looking for. Honestly, right now I’m not looking to get married. I want to date a little and have fun; things I haven’t been able to do very much in the past few years. I’ve been too scared to trust someone again, and I’m tired of sitting back and watching everyone else experience the things I want to experience too. And I like him. Like really like him. I want to spend more time with him.”

“I want you to have all of that, believe me. And Maddox might really be the guy for you. I just don’t want to see you get hurt is all.”

“I know. Chances are I’m going to get hurt in the end. I can’t exactly see Maddox settling down and getting married, can you? We’re gonna take it very slow. Besides, no one can know we’re seeing each other. Jake can never know. He’ll flip his lid!”

“No shit! I don’t even want to think about what will happen if Jake finds out.”

“Let’s just pray that never happens,” I said after I took another drink of water.

“I am really, really happy for you, though.”

“Thanks, Holl. I’m pretty darn happy for myself right now, too,” I reply with a smile.

We pack up all of Brooklyn’s stuff and head out the door. The Mexican restaurant is two blocks away so we decide to enjoy the semi-decent October weather and walk. As we’re walking into the restaurant, my phone dings signaling a text message. After we’re seated in the booth, I retrieve my phone from my purse and see a text from Maddox.

Make it home ok?

I smile at his thoughtfulness as I type out my reply.

Yes. Just walked into El Toro with Holly and Brooklyn.

Sounds good. Jake and I were just arguing about lunch.

Stop by here. We just got a booth.

Can’t tell him I’m texting you tho. Gotta make it look like his idea.

There’s a pregnant pause, and then I see him typing another reply.

Done. Be there in a sec ;-)

I look up at Holly and say under my breath, “Looks like we might have company. Act surprised.” Just as she starts to question me, I see her look over my shoulder with a smile of understanding stretches across her face.

“Hey, sis. Didn’t know you would be here. Hi, Brookie Bean!” Jake leans down and kisses his niece on the cheek.

“What are you guys doing here?” I ask.

“Lunch time. Jake was in the mood for Mexican,” Maddox response with a sly wink.

Jake slips into the booth with me which leaves Maddox to share a booth bench across from me with Holly. I try not to make too much eye contact with Maddox because I’m afraid everyone else will be able to see my secrets written plainly all over my face. Or at least Jake will see them. He’s the only one, in fact, who doesn’t know them at this table besides my daughter.