Maddox

by Lisa Helen Gray

  I shrug, trying to play it off. “Yeah, why not. I live across the street. The kids love me.”

  “Perfect,” Nita calls out, clasping her hands together. “Me and your father can go and watch a movie together. We’ve not done that in a while.”

  “Um, I’ll be back. What time are you going?” I ask her.

  She watches me closely, her brows pulling together. “At seven.”

  “I’ll be back at six.”

  “Hey, what about the food?” she calls out when I go to leave.

  Trying to clear my head, I force a smile. “Just pop some in the oven. I’ll eat it later.”

  I leave before I say anything else I’ll regret. I need to know what’s going on in my head.

  *** *** ***

  “You,” I roar, lifting my dad off his chair. “What did you do to me?”

  He shoots me a furious glare, pushing me back. I stagger back, bumping into the fireplace.

  “What the hell are you doing, son?” he bites out.

  Mum stands, coming between us. “What on earth?”

  I point at Dad whilst addressing her when I answer. “He put it in my head about being in a relationship. That I could never do it. Then he crawled into my head and messed with it. He made me look at Amelia differently. And now she’s going on a date and I feel… I feel… I don’t know what I feel.”

  “You’re jealous,” Dad muses.

  I take a step towards him, clenching my fists. “You did this.”

  “Sit down,” Mum barks, using her mum voice.

  I take a seat in the chair, running my fingers through my hair. “Why do I feel like this?”

  Mum kneels in front of me, placing her soft hands over mine. “Because you love her.”

  I lift my head, snorting. “No, I do not. Why are you being ridiculous?” I ask, glancing at Dad. “Did you let her drink again?”

  “She’s right. You love her.”

  “No, I don’t.”

  “Do you want her with anyone else?” Mum asks, standing to step next to my father.

  “What? I, I… it’s not up to me,” I admit, unable to look at her.

  “Maddox, answer the question,” Mum orders softly.

  I stand, throwing my hands up. “No, okay. No, I don’t. But I’m not saying she should be with me either. The only reason I’m feeling this way is because of him.”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Dad states.

  “Yes, you did,” I yell. “It’s just like that time you told me not to climb the tree outside, saying that I’d never make it.”

  “Because you wouldn’t have, and you didn’t,” he barks. “You broke your leg in three places. I don’t say these things to egg you on. I’m not Max. Life isn’t a competition.”

  “But she’s the prize,” I yell, my shoulders slumping. “She’s the prize.”

  “Oh, honey.”

  I wave Mum off when she goes to take a step towards me. “Don’t. It doesn’t matter anymore. She’s going on a date. She’ll probably go on more and have hot, sweaty sex. He’ll be a father figure to the kids, and they’ll like him more than me. She’ll cook him meals, and make him laugh. I’ll just be the neighbour.”

  “Stop her. It’s only one date.”

  “I’m not doing that to her. He must mean something to her if she agreed to it. She’s been through a lot.”

  “Honey,” she murmurs.

  “It’s fine.”

  Dad claps his hands, forcing out a laugh. “Well, you are just like your uncle Max.”

  I narrow my gaze on him. “Take that back,” I hiss.

  “No. He gave up Lake, you know. She went back home. You’re doing the same,” he tells me, stepping out of Mum’s arms. “I’ll tell you the same thing I told him. We are Carter’s. We don’t give up, and we fight for what we want.”

  “I’m not giving up,” I grit out.

  “Sounds that way to me,” he retorts.

  My entire body tenses. “I’m not.”

  “Then go and babysit those kids while she goes out on a date. Keep telling yourself it’s me who pushed these feelings onto you. Hide what you really want. You’ve been doing it for a while.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I screech.

  “You moved out because you wanted ‘peace’, yet we all know you’ve regretted it ever since. You missed us, missed your family, missed the noise that comes with being surrounded by love. Yet your stubborn arse stayed there or used Lily’s pad as an excuse for company.”

  “I did not,” I deny.

  Mum sighs. “Honey, you really did. You want this. You want Amelia.”

  “I’m happy being single.”

  Dad snorts with disgust. “No, you aren’t. You have been older than your years since the minute you could walk. You bought a house, and started up a business—hell, you started your driving lessons way before any of your cousins. And yet, none of it was enough. You want more.”

  “No,” I deny, breathing heavily. I hadn’t come for this.

  “Yes, Maddox.” I go to leave, and he growls low under his breath. “You let her get away, and you are a fool.”

  I stop in the doorway, my nostrils flaring as I glance over my shoulder at Dad. “I’m not going to let her get away. I’m a Carter. I’m going after what I want.”

  “That’a boy,” Dad booms as I head out the door.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  AMELIA

  A gentle breeze blows through my open window as I get ready. My anxiety and nerves have made showering pointless. I’ve already rolled on deodorant three times.

  I’ll babysit.

  Those words are carved into my brain. I was stupid to believe he’d fight for me, for us. It cemented the realisation that he doesn’t see me as more than a friend. I can’t fault him for that. I was stupid to hold on to the hope that he did.

  I’ll babysit.

  I close my eyes as I drop down on the end of my bed, glancing down at my black cotton trousers.

  I’m going on a date. Yes, granted it isn’t with someone I have a connection with, but it still feels real. The nerves are real.

  It’s for the best. Maddox made it perfectly clear that we are just friends. And I cherish that friendship. He has done more for me than anyone else, other than my family, has ever done. He has been there and truly listened. I can’t lose that. But I also have to come to terms with the fact that we will only ever be friends. And going on this date is the start I need.

  There’s a light knock on the door, bringing me out of my downcast thoughts. “Come in,” I call out, sliding my feet into my ankle boots.

  Mum pops her head around the door, smiling wide. “You ready? It’s nearly six and you have to get there.”

  I stand, grabbing my bag off the bed. She’s right. When Nolan text me in the week, it was to confirm meeting arrangements. Since I didn’t feel comfortable with him coming to the house, I told him I’d meet him there. The restaurant is a ten-minute drive, plus the time it will take for me to find a parking space. “Is Maddox here?”

  Mum steps further into the room, checking behind her quickly to see if anyone’s there. “I like Maddox, I do, but are you sure about leaving him with the kids?”

  I stare at her, bewildered. “Earlier you couldn’t have been more excited.”

  “That was before he came back and looked like he was ready to pass out. Jasmine’s movie just finished. When the prince and princess got married, he bolted off the sofa like he had a stick up his arse.”

  “Mum,” I scold lightly, unable to keep the amusement off my face.

  “He’s sat down there eating all the junk food.”

  “He’s good with them, Mum. Hell, for someone who was petrified of kids and didn’t like them, he does better than me.”

  “Okay, okay,” she concedes, then pauses, scanning me from head to toe. “Oh, sweetie, you look beautiful.”

  I glance down at my plain trousers, scrunching my nose up. They’re all I have and are the only bottoms that
go with my purple silk halter neck. Mum bought me a beautiful red dress, but it seemed too formal to wear for a dinner date, so I decided to wear the top she bought with a pair of trousers I already had stored in my wardrobe.

  “I don’t know. It feels weird,” I admit, twisting the infinity necklace around my neck.

  She cups my cheek after brushing my curled hair over my shoulder. “It suits you, darlin’. Now come on. Let’s get you moving. I have to get back to your father. He booked us tickets.”

  I grip her wrist when she turns to leave, taking a deep breath. “Thank you,” I declare, my throat tight with emotion.

  She scans my face, her brows pulling together. “Whatever for?”

  “For being my mum. For loving me. For pushing me when I was close to giving up. For being you.”

  Her eyes begin to tear up as she takes a step forward. “Always for my girl.” She leans in, kissing me on the cheek. “Now, have fun, and call me to let me know how it goes.”

  I nod when she steps back. “I will.”

  I follow her down the stairs and into the front room, my heart racing when I hear Maddox’s voice.

  I’ll babysit.

  I inhale before exhaling slowly. Just because he didn’t hesitate to say it, didn’t care that I was going on a date, doesn’t mean I should let it ruin my night.

  Maddox shoots up from the sofa, gawking at me. “Amelia.”

  “Mummy, you look pretty,” Jasmine sings, dazedly looking up at me.

  “Thank you, baby.”

  “I need to talk to you,” Maddox blurts out, before his gaze goes to the door, just as there’s a knock.

  “I’ll get it,” Mum calls out.

  “What did you want to talk about?” I ask, placing my bag on the arm of the sofa.

  “Honey, it’s Nolan,” Mum calls out.

  “Nolan?” I repeat, staring in shock. I glance at the clock above the fireplace, seeing I’m not late.

  “Amelia,” Maddox calls.

  “I need to go see what’s going on,” I tell him, just as Asher begins to stir.

  Maddox looks conflicted, but in the end, my son wins out. While he heads over to pick him up, I head to the door.

  I sidle up next to Mum, smiling at Nolan, who looks sharp in his two-piece suit. I’m glad he opted for no tie, because then I would have definitely been underdressed. He’s good looking in a nerdy kind of way. His has a sharp jaw, brown slick hair that’s gelled into style, and the most piercing blue eyes I have ever seen. They’re just like his mum’s.

  “Nolan, I thought we agreed to meet at the restaurant? Did I miss a call or text?” I ask, glancing behind me when I hear Maddox approaching.

  “I know. I know. But it didn’t feel right meeting you there, so I thought I’d surprise you. I got your address off my mum.”

  “That is so sweet of you, Nolan,” Mum announces, before pressing a kiss to my cheek. “Speak to you later, honey.”

  “Bye, Mum.”

  “I’m sorry, have I messed up plans?” he asks, glancing from Mum to me.

  I wave him off, pushing my annoyance about him being here aside. “No, no. Of course not. Let me get my bag and we can go.”

  “Hello,” Maddox rumbles, rocking Asher in his arms.

  The look on his face has my feet freezing in place. I have never seen him look so… so angry. Or at least, that’s how it’s coming across. I bend down to Jasmine, whispering, “Can you get my bag off the sofa, please?”

  She nods, racing back inside.

  “Nolan, this is Maddox. Maddox, Nolan.”

  “Is this your little one?” Nolan asks, pushing up on his toes to see him.

  I force a smile and take the bag Jasmine hands me. “It is.”

  “He is adorable. I just want to eat him up.”

  Maddox steps back, holding Asher closer. “You want to eat him?” he asks, horrified.

  “I didn’t mean literally. I like babies.”

  Maddox hisses under his breath. “You like babies?”

  “Not like that,” he rushes out, glancing at me briefly with a pale face. “Stop twisting my words.”

  Maddox holds his hands up, giving Nolan a pitying stare. “I’m not twisting anything.”

  “Who are you again?” Nolan asks, his cheeks getting colour now.

  “He’s a friend,” I interrupt, pushing Maddox out of the way so I can step out onto the front step.

  “He sleeps over,” Jasmine declares.

  Nolan glances from Maddox to me, his brow puckered into a frown. “I thought you were single. Mum said—"

  My eyes widen. “I am. I am. He sleeps on the sofa.”

  “And in her bed,” Jasmine sniggers, and Maddox chuckles.

  I turn my back to Nolan, glaring at him. “Why don’t you take the kids inside, Maddox, and I’ll see you later. All the information you need is on the fridge. If you have any questions, call me or call my mum.”

  He nods, still staring over my shoulder. “Where are you taking her?”

  “Maddox,” I quietly call under my breath.

  Nolan clears his throat. “I’ll go wait in the car.”

  Once he’s out of earshot, I turn and narrow my gaze on Maddox. “What are you doing?” I hiss out.

  “He’s not your type,” he states.

  “You don’t even know what my type is.”

  “I know it’s not him,” he retorts. “I mean, ‘I like babies’. Does he want to be on a register someday?”

  “Maddox,” I cry out quietly. “Please, stop. He’s a family friend’s son. I can assure you, he’s harmless. Please, this is hard enough.”

  Something flashes in his eyes before he closes them briefly, letting out a sigh. When he opens them, his pupils darken. “I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you,” I reply, before bending down and kissing Jasmine on the forehead. “Be good for Maddox.”

  She places a hand over her chest. “I promise.”

  I let out a breath and lean over, kissing Asher on the head. “See you soon, little man.”

  I take a step back when Maddox’s voice stops me. “Don’t I get one?”

  I stagger, shakily turning to face him. “W-what?”

  He holds his free hand up, grinning. “I’m joking. Have fun.”

  “Y-yeah, thanks,” I murmur, shaking away the turmoil going on inside of me.

  I head down the path towards where Nolan is standing, waiting for me. “Amelia?” Maddox calls out.

  I stop, my heart in my chest as I turn around. Something inside of me is hoping he’ll ask me to stay, tell me not to go.

  “You look really beautiful tonight.”

  I give him a nod, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Thank you.”

  My legs feel like jelly as I head back down the path, forcing a smile to Nolan. I try to steel my nerves, but on the inside, all I want to do is run back to the house and ask, Why can’t I be enough?

  Why can’t he want me?

  *** *** ***

  Half hour in his presence, I began to relax. An hour in, and I was laughing and joking around. It’s now hour two, and we’ve eaten our starter and main and gotten to know each other. I’ve met his sister, who owns the restaurant, and she was a blast.

  All in all, I’m enjoying myself. All that tension from earlier seems ridiculous now I’m in his company. He’s smart and kind. A little nerdy, but I like it. He’s fun to be around.

  It’s also a nice change. Cameron and I didn’t do anything like this, so technically, this is my first date. It’s nice to be treated.

  Nolan places his drink down on the beer mat, a soft smile playing on his lips. “I just want to say sorry again if I made you uncomfortable earlier. I thought you were just being polite about meeting me here.”

  I wave him off, placing my Coke down on the mat. “Don’t be. I was just being paranoid. I’ve never been set up on a date like this, or any date.”

  He lets out a dry laugh. “I swear, my mum would have me married with kids by now if she cou
ld.”

  “You don’t want those things?”

  “I do. But I also want it to be on my terms,” he explains. “What about you? Mum said you broke up with your ex nearly a year ago. You’ve got a new baby. It must be hard on your own.”

  My lips tip down. “It is and it isn’t. It’s the best kind of hard because you are constantly rewarded. I have two amazing children. It makes up for the hard work and stress you go through.”

  “I get that,” he replies.

  “What about you? You said your job is taxing, so what do you do to wind down?”

  He grins, flashing his pearly whites. “I’m boring. Honestly.”

  I chuckle, leaning forward. “No, c’mon, you have to tell me now.”

  He groans through a chuckle. “Promise you won’t laugh?”

  I place my hand over my heart. “Promise.”

  “Just remember, I said I was boring,” he warns me. “I like to read SYFY. By the time I get back from the office, I’m mostly too wired to do much else. If I do have time off, I spend it with family and friends.”

  It’s funny how kind of perfect he is for me. So far, we have a few things in common with each other. Sadly, the one thing we don’t is attraction, but this is only the first date. I don’t get the vibe that he likes me in that way either, so it’s mutual.

  “That’s not boring. That seems practical.”

  He tugs at his shirt collar as he clears his throat. “Um, what about the guy at your place? What’s going on there?”

  My breath hitches. “Nothing is going on there.”

  “Are you sure? Because he didn’t seem happy about you going on a date,” he tells me, arching an eyebrow.

  I shrug, swirling the paper straw around my drink. “He’s just a friend.”

  “He seems more than a friend,” he tells me, and I hear a hint of something else in his voice.

  I tilt my head up. “What makes you say that?”

  His gaze flicks over my shoulder. “Because he’s just barged past the hostess with your kids in tow.”

  “W-what?” I rush out, spinning around in my chair. My eyeballs bug out at the sight of him holding Asher to his chest and Jasmine holding his hand. “Oh my God.”