Trust Me .(62)
“I will be,” I reply. I don’t want to get into the Maddox drama. Not until I know more about what is going on, and definitely not with Will. The last thing that I need is for him to go all ‘over-protective brother’ on me.
He sits down next to me on my bed and throws his arm around my shoulder. I lean into his embrace and let out a deep sigh. “I take it this has something to do with Maddox?”
“How did you know?” I ask with a small sniffle.
“The only time I’ve ever seen you cry was over a guy. Do I need to kill him?”
Normally I would have laughed at his attempt to cheer me up with humor, but today, I just don’t have the laugh in me. “No.”
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Not yet. I still have things I need to sort out. I haven’t actually talked to him yet.”
“I’m confused. What does that mean?”
“Will, I promise when I’m ready to talk, I’ll call you. Right now, I just need to process and figure this all out. Is that okay?”
He looks at me long and hard before he answers. “Okay. Call me when you’re ready to talk, and I’ll be at your place in a flash.” He leans over and kisses the crown of my head. “Come on. Mom’s looking for you. Dinner’s about ready.” And with that we head down stairs to join my family for dinner.
*****
That night after Brooklyn goes to sleep, I lie on my couch with the TV on for background noise. I can’t concentrate on what’s going on during the repeat episode of “Friends”. It’s after nine o’clock. Will Maddox call me or come over? Does he have plans tonight with Vanessa? ‘No, don’t go there yet,’ I chastise myself. ‘Wait until you hear what he has to say.’
At nine-thirty, my phone dings signaling a text. I know who it is without even looking. I look down at the phone I’ve held onto with a death grip for the past hour and tap the screen to display the text message.
Hey! I miss you. Can I come over?
I stare down at the screen. Do I want him to come over tonight? Do I want to deal with this right now, when my mind is still confused and lost? My fingers hover over the screen as if awaiting my decision to reply. I set the phone down without typing.
Ten minutes later, my phone rings. Maddox. After a few rings, I decide to answer.
“Hello?”
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“Just lying down,” I say. The sound of his voice is almost enough to send me into another crying fit.
“Are you feeling alright?”
“Just really tired.”
“Oh, okay. I just got off work and want to see you.” He leaves it hanging wide open, waiting for me to either invite him over or turn him away. I pause for a few moments before I answer.
“Probably not a good idea tonight. I’m just not feeling the best.”
“You sure? I can come over and take care of you, maybe a back rub or hot tea?”
“No, I’m sure. I’m heading to bed now. I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Okay. Take care, babe. Sleep tight.”
“Bye.” And then I hang up before I can say anymore or hear his good-bye.
I decide to sleep on the couch for the rest of the night, my bed not looking as appealing as it normally does without Maddox sleeping next to me. I feel the silence of the house consume me, taking me back to that dark place I was trapped in for so long after Drake left. I close my tear filled eyes and pray for sleep to take me.
*****
I’m startled awake by pounding on my front door. As I try to get my bearings, I glance at the clock and see it’s after midnight. When I look through the peek hole, I see Maddox standing there and my breath catches. What is he doing here?
“Avery, I can hear you. It’s Maddox, open up.” I disengage the lock and turn the knob. Maddox is standing there in sweatpants and a sweatshirt, hair sticking up all crazy like as if he was sleeping.
“Can I come in?” he asks with a questioning look on his face. I don’t answer, just step back and pull open the door for him. He steps inside and looks at me, his face full of concern.
“What are you doing here?”
“I couldn’t sleep. I missed having you snuggled up against me. I couldn’t sleep without you next to me.” He pulls me into his warm, strong embrace. I go willingly, but refrain from putting my arms around him.
“What’s the matter? You’re not acting right.”
I steel my nerves, lift my chin, and square my shoulders. It’s now or never. “I met Vanessa today.”
His face takes on a pained look. I can’t tell if it’s pained because he wasn’t expecting me to say that or pained because he realizes he’s busted.