by Daya Daniels
Madison
I didn’t want to admit to myself that I came here to fuck but I knew I probably did. I rested in Ty’s lap, looking over his muscular chest and the chiseled profile of his face. He ran his fingers over my thighs, letting them settle on my knee.
I knew he would expect me to explain the response I’d given him but I didn’t know how. I couldn’t give him the exact reasons why, without really chasing him away.
“I want to take you to my lake house this weekend,” he said.
I let out a long breath, unsure of how to answer. I heard what he’d asked me a few minutes ago.
“Yes?”
I wanted to say yes but that meant asking Zita to watch the children the entire weekend.
“Can I get back to you?”
“Of course,” Ty said.
“Let me take you out to dinner tonight.”
“I can’t. I have to be home by a certain time.”
He groaned. “Well, maybe I can come to your place and make something?”
I sat up in his lap, enjoying the feeling of being wrapped in his arms. “That would be nice but not tonight, Ty.”
His brows furled as he looked me over. “So, you just came here to fuck me, Madison, and then disappear for another week?”
“No,” I said firmly while he glared at me.
“I’ll see you on Friday, after my shift. Then we can go and eat pie.”
Ty let out a long sigh. “Okay, and you will decide then about the weekend?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.” He placed a kiss on my cheek.
Madison
“Who is this man again?” Zita asked in an exaggerated tone through the phone that made me laugh a bit.
“His name is Ty. Will you do it, Z?”
“Of course, of course I will. I’m just curious. Are you sure you know him well enough, before running off to some secluded cabin somewhere? He could be a serial killer, you know.”
I laughed, staring at the numbers on the cash register in front of me. “He isn’t. He’s nice.”
“Nice,” Zita repeated. “And you met him where?”
“At a diner.”
“Okay, okay. So after tonight, you will be gone until Monday?”
“Yes.”
I knew she was chewing on her fingernails. “And you’re sure he’s cool?”
“Yes.”
“He really likes you, Madison. I know it. He’s cool with everything?”
I nibbled on my bottom lip, watching the cars zoom by on the highway. “I don’t know.”
“You haven’t told him, have you?”
“No,” I told her. “But I will.”
“You have to tell him.”
“I know,” I said taking some cash through the cutout in the window.
This was what I did from Tuesday through Friday. I sat in a small booth at a car wash, taking payments and phone calls, wishing the day would move by faster, which it never did.
“How are they?” I asked, referring to the kids.
“Everyone’s fine here, Madison. I’m painting my nails. I couldn’t decide on a color and then I thought I would paint them black to suit my mood.”
I laughed and shook my head.
Zita yelled out something to one of the children. I heard fumbling and then she muttered that she had to go. There was more yelling before she hung up.
“Thanks,” I said raising my voice hoping she heard before the line went dead.
I checked my watch, noticing that it was almost six. I would finish here in an hour and then head home to relax for a bit. Then it was off to The Red Room.
Ty
The day had been crazy with meetings back to back and in between a lunch with Malcolm, followed by a dinner in another hour. I massaged my temples with my fingers, walking into my office.
“Coffee?” Gillian asked.
“No, thanks,” I said, giving her a smile while my eyes fixed on the beautiful sunset outside.
I walked further in and then stopped in my tracks.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, craning my neck to look around the woman standing in front of my desk.
Whitney spun around, giving me a smile and headed towards me. “I was in town. I thought I would just come by to say hello.”
I raised my brows, stopping to grab a bottle of water. I ran a hand over my hair, sifting through the papers on my desk.
“I had lunch with your mother today,” Whitney said.
“Oh.” I looked up from what I was doing.
She smiled and flicked her blond hair over a shoulder, taking a seat in one of the chairs, as if I welcomed her to stay. I smirked and looked away from her, walking across the room.
“Your mother said you’re not seeing anyone.”
I narrowed my eyes, looking at Whitney as she crossed and uncrossed her legs, looking me over.
“I am actually.”
Whitney flinched at my words and then pasted a smile on her face. “You are? Who is she? Diana seems to think you’re still single.”
“Believe it or not, Whitney, my mother doesn’t know everything about my life.”
Whitney narrowed her blue eyes at me and pursed her lips. “I didn’t mean it like that, Tyler.”
The name grated against my insides. I hated my full name and Whitney knew that, yet she insisted on calling me Tyler, every single fucking time. I wanted to choke her with the floral scarf that hung from her neck.
“Whitney, I have a dinner in an hour that I really need to be prepared for. I don’t have time for this.”
She stood and walked towards me, giving me sad eyes. The ones she used to use when she wanted to try to manipulate and control me. Then she stepped closer while I twisted my face looking her over.
“Tyler, I just thought maybe we could do dinner or something while I’m here. Possibly, tomorrow night?”
I laughed. “I’m busy, Whitney,” I said walking off to change my jacket.
She laughed, trying her best to hide that my statement hit a nerve. “Have you taken her to your place?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at me. “You never took me there or to that fucking backwoods cabin of yours.”
“And that’s exactly why,” I muttered to myself.
I darted around the room, grabbing my watch and wallet and headed for the closet while Whitney stood there following my every move.
“I miss you.” She raised her voice.
I spun around to look at her, trying my best not to roll my eyes.
“I miss you, Tyler, a lot,” she said, whispering the last part.
I froze, unable to find my words—completely unsure of where to start. I flailed my arms up in the air, in an exasperated gesture and pulled another jacket from a hanger and headed for the door.
Madison
Dylan stood in the door watching me shove things frantically in a duffel bag. Kacey was in the living room with Mason, Sam, and Carter. I’d cleaned, cooked, and read to Kacey for an hour already. I barely found time to eat a sandwich, before having to hop up again.
When I looked at Dylan, he was still staring. Only this time his arms were linked across his chest. I walked over to him and ruffled his hair, pulling him into a hug. Then started packing again.
“Who is he?” Dylan asked, leaning against one leg.
I sighed and turned around to face him. “A friend of mine.”
Dylan made a face and then nodded. “I don’t get to meet him?”
I laughed. “No, Dylan. He’s just a friend. We’re not dating or anything.”
“But you’re running off with him for the weekend?”
“It’s not like that, Dylan, come on.”
He stepped inside and shut the door. “Mom, I don’t have a problem with it. I think you should go.”
I froze, fumbling with a few toiletries that were threatening to slip out of my hands, staring into Dylan’s brown eyes.
“You do?”
“Yes,” he said with a quick nod of his head.
I let out a loud laugh. “Dylan, I’m the parent, remember?” I said sternly, pointing a finger to the center of my chest.
“Yeah, I know, Mom, but I just worry about you...all the time.”
I plopped down on the edge of the bed next to Dylan and pulled him into my chest, for a hug.
“Well, you shouldn’t. I’ll be fine. You have my number if you need to call. I won’t be out of reach, you know that.
“I love you.”
“I love you too, Mom, so much.”
I gave Dylan a kiss on the cheek, rubbing his shoulder.
“Just help Zita as you always do. Mason and Sam can be a handful sometimes.”
“I will.”
A knock on the door caused us both to look up.
“Come in.”
Kacey pushed the door open, trying her best not to get the bright pink tutu she insisted on wearing damaged while she played around the house.
“Mommy.”
“Yes,” I said taking in her sad eyes and form when she came closer to us.
“Mason and Sam said Daddy is never coming back.”
“Mason! Sam!” I yelled.
“Because he isn’t, Kacey,” Dylan snapped.
“Dylan.” I gave him a stern look.
He rolled his eyes and picked Kacey up, cradling her to his shoulder.
“Dylan,” I whispered. “I don’t want to break her heart.”
“You’re only breaking it even more, Mom, by not telling her the truth. Who gives a shit if Dominic doesn’t come back? I hope he’s fucking dead anyway.”
“Dylan,” I said raising my voice as he walked off with Kacey.
“Hey, hey, heyyy,” Zita sang entering the apartment with her two girls. “What’s going on?” she asked while her eyes shifted between Dylan and me nervously.
I ran a hand through my hair and leaned against the wall.
“What’s going on?” Zita asked.
“Nothing, nothing,” I said, giving her a wave while I finished packing my stuff.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes,” I hissed and blew out a breath. Then I stood straight, massaging my temples. “This is the money. It’s enough for the three days.”
“Yeah, okay, no problem.”
“You know how to reach me.”
Zita gave me a nod and then held a finger up. “As soon as you get the address to where you are, you text it to me, okay?”
“Yes,” I said trying not to laugh.
“And if at any point in time, he starts acting like a freak, you call the police, Madison. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Zita. Oh my God. Why is everyone treating me like I’m a child tonight?”
I slung the duffel bag over my shoulder, making my way out to the living room to kiss them all goodbye.
“You have fun, Midnight,” Zita said giving me a wink.
“Thanks.” I kissed her cheek.
Ty
Standing at the back of The Red Room in a dark corner, with one foot against the wall, I took in the packed house. Then I checked my watch, realizing that it was almost twelve. On any other Friday night, this place wasn’t packed like this. I was sure they were all here for Madison.
I sipped my beer casually, as the lights went down and the stage became tinted with orange. Madison stepped out barefoot.
The high-pitched sound of a muffled trumpet sounded throughout the place and drums that beat in a hypnotic rhythm. It was Miles Davis, I recognized. The song was called Portia.
Madison ran towards the pole, jumped and hung on to it by her ankles at the top, slowly twisting her body, sliding back down on the floor. The audience remained silent.
The temptress crawled forward, like a cat, jerking her back a few times, moving to the opposite end of the stage. Then she stood, swaying from side to side underneath the light, revealing the sheer, black bodysuit she was wearing. Her long hair swayed with her movement. Madison did a few more steps across the stage and then a handstand, which she eased slowly down into the splits. It was fucking amazing. A few whistles were heard but most of the people in the room were transfixed on Madison and her movements, as was I. She was lost when she danced. It was as if she’d forgotten the entire world and went with the flow of whatever she was feeling.
The sound of the trumpet echoed from the speakers, syncing with her movements. Madison flipped her hair back and moved into a handstand from the floor slowly, bending her body completely in half.
I nearly choked on my beer watching her, making a mental note to explore that flexibility very soon.
Then she twerked a few times to the jazz, which was odd but somehow fitting with the style of dance she was doing. She was talented. I had no doubt about that. I just didn’t understand why she’d ever given dance up and how she ended up here.
Walking on her hands back to the pole, Madison leaned her body against it casually. Then she bent in half, holding on to the pole with only the inside of her thighs, tightening up into a ball and then back into a handstand, easing down into the splits.
The crowd went crazy as the lights came up. The stage became littered with money, which bothered me more than I thought it would. I finished my beer, checking my watch again.
I would sit patiently and watch another one of Midnight’s shows and then she would become Madison again. My Madison.
Madison
“Good night, Linda,” I said when she looked me over.
I left my car with Zita, so that she would have transportation while I was gone. Ty drove here to the diner in his black Aston Martin Vanquish, promising we would eat before making the hour drive out to the lake. I felt like I was doing the expensive vehicle a dishonor just by sitting in it.
“The special,” Linda said, looking between both Ty and me.
“Yes, please,” I said while he only nodded.
“Thank you for agreeing to join me this weekend.”
“No, thank you for inviting me. It was nice of you.”
He looked me over. “Your performance tonight, was something. I mean it’s always amazing but tonight, it was different.”
“Thanks.
“What’s it like out there? At this lake?”
“You will see,” Ty said.
“No funny business,” I joked, giving him a brilliant smile.
He tipped his head forward. “Of course not. I’m sure you brought your pepper spray along.”
“And I’m not afraid to use it,” I made a serious face.
Linda returned with two hot plates of food she placed in front of us. I looked the food over, which was turkey, mashed potatoes and vegetables.
“This looks good.” I unwrapped my silverware.
He cut into his food the same time as I did. We ate in silence for a while, taking occasional glances at the television across the room. It was comfortable, like there was no need to fill the quiet with endless conversation. It was just us sitting and enjoying a meal together. Ty shifted in his chair a few times, looking up at me with his big, brown eyes.
“Did you bring your panini press along?”
He barked out a laugh and shook his head. “Actually, I have one there already.”
“Of course, you do.” I pointed my fork at him.
“What are you thinking?”
He let out a small laugh and ran his hand over his jawline. “I’m actually thinking about you.”
“Yeah?”
“Yes.”
“Thinking of?”
He gave me a lopsided grin and leaned forward. “What I’m going to do to you.”
I swallowed my nervousness and laughed.
“Oh.”
“Yep,” he said, accentuating the p.
“You do realize you’re trying to date a stripper, right?”
He narrowed his eyes at me and leaned forward again. “Yes, Ma
dison, if you want to keep ripping yourself to shreds. You’re a dancer—a talented one at that. And I didn’t think I was trying anything. I thought we were dating.”
“I’m sorry.” I played with the carrots on my plate.
“Good, but that still doesn’t tell me anything, Madison.”
I let out a long breath when Linda returned to take our plates away. Immediately, she put a piece of warm apple pie in the center of us, giving me and Ty a smile before she backed away.
“Thanks, Linda,” we both said at the same time and laughed.
“I want to stop at a Whole Foods on the way to get some ingredients,” he said digging into the pie.
I arched a brow in his direction.
“To cook with.”
“We’re going to cook?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,” I said in a singsong voice.
“I like to cook.”
“I kind of figured that.” I laughed.
“I have the perfect recipe for a red wine reduction sauce.”
“Oh.”
“It will go really nice with some filet mignon.”
I cackled loudly. “Where I come from we eat very cheap beef. Filet mignon cost too much.”
Ty gave me a small smile. “I don’t think I’ve ever had beef fingers but okay.”
I laughed, slamming my hand down on the table.
He chuckled. “As long as you’re with me, Madison, you will be having filet. End of discussion.”
“Yes, sir,” I said giving him a salute.
Ty
Madison was playful tonight. She laughed and joked the entire way while she told me stories about this and that. It didn’t escape me that she completely left out her entire childhood and anything remotely personal about herself.
We’d been here only for an hour. She was still looking around, admiring the large cottage. This place was my haven. It belonged to my grandfather who gave it to my dad when he died. Now it belonged to me. I had so many great memories here from when I was a kid with Malcolm. I loved everything about it. When I came here, I shut everything off.