“Your dad mentioned it when we talked. I hope you get in.”
“Whatever.” She huffed. “I’m done with school. I’m not going.”
“I always did see you as more of a gap-year type,” he said, as if she should know what that meant. He studied her with so much intensity that her heart caught in her throat. The energy between them crackled, and she leaned forward, inviting him wordlessly to come join her on the bed. His eyes didn’t leave hers, and for a moment she thought that this was it. He was finally going to kiss her again.
“I need to head out.” He stood up and shoved the chair under her desk, ending whatever she thought she’d felt between them. “I don’t want to miss my plane.”
“Okay.” She heard herself say it, but she felt numb. She couldn’t move. She couldn’t think. All she could do was sit there while he said goodbye and walked away.
The moment he left the condo, she locked her door, fell onto her bed, buried her face in her pillows and cried.
chapter 8:
Madison walked into the Diamond Residences after school, her iPhone held up to her ear. As expected, the call went to voice mail. When was Oliver going to stop avoiding her and talk to her? It had been weeks since the accident, and all she’d gotten were a few text messages saying he was doing fine and that he would let her know when he was ready to talk. But it was now the beginning of February, and she was losing hope. Why didn’t he want to see her? She was trying to be there for him, but she couldn’t do that if he didn’t let her in.
She was heading to the elevators when she spotted Damien in the Grand Café. She hadn’t hung out with him one-on-one since the incident over the summer when she’d kissed him while drunk, but maybe he had a better idea of what was going on with Oliver. Despite her misgivings, she walked over to him.
He had a plate of the happy-hour meatballs and was doing something on his phone. He put it down when he saw her. A year ago, they would have already greeted each other and slipped into easy conversation. Now, his dark eyes watched her suspiciously. She missed the friendship they used to have.
“Hey.” She smiled and forced herself to sound upbeat. “Mind if I join you?”
“Go ahead.” He motioned for her to take the seat across from him, and she did. “Feel free to have a meatball.”
The scent of the marinara and basil made her mouth water, but she ordered a freshly made “Green Machine” juice instead. “So, what’s up?” she asked.
“Just grabbing a snack before hitting up the gym.” He leaned back and studied her. “What about you?”
This was officially the most stilted conversation she’d ever had with Damien. Luckily, her drink arrived, and she swirled her straw around, taking a sip. She pursed her lips at the bitterness of the green juice.
Damien finally smiled. “Not a fan of green juice?”
“I’m getting used to it,” she said. “According to the juice expert I follow online, pure green juice is the healthiest, but it doesn’t taste as good because there’s no sugar added from fruits.” She took another sip, trying not to make a face this time.
“Well, good luck with that,” he said.
“Thanks.” She drank some water to chase away the taste. “Anyway, I saw you here and figured it would be a good time to ask—have you heard from Oliver lately? He doesn’t pick up when I call, and when I do hear from him, it’s just a vague text. I’m worried about him.”
“It’s been the same for me,” Damien replied. “He told me that he’s going through some stuff and that he needs space.”
“But it’s been over a month,” Madison said. “He should be back in school. Or at least he should want to see his friends.”
“Didn’t you have a fight with him before he left Savannah’s party?”
“Yeah.” She looked down, unable to meet his eyes. She hadn’t told anyone the details about the fight, and she didn’t plan to. It was too humiliating. “But Oliver and I have been friends for years. One fight doesn’t change that.”
“Depends on what it was about.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she lied. “It was stupid.”
“If you say so.” He popped another meatball in his mouth, looking off into the distance as he chewed. “But I’m worried about Oliver, too. I’d hoped he was at least talking to you.”
“He’s not.” She sighed. “I hate this. I want to be there for him, but I can’t if he won’t even talk to me.”
“I know what you mean,” Damien agreed. “I think that if by the weekend he’s still hiding out, we should go to his place and see what we can do.”
“You mean go there and refuse to leave until he sees us?”
“Exactly,” he said. “It’ll be easiest if we do it together. As a team. Unless you have a better idea.”
“If I had one, I would have told you already,” she said. “That idea sounds as good as any. We might as well give it a shot.”
“So we’ll do it this weekend.” He sipped his soda, watching her as if he was waiting for her to say something else. “Anyway, I’m glad you came over here. It’s been a while since we’ve hung out.”
“After what happened last summer, you told me that things couldn’t go back to how they were between us,” she said softly. “I assumed you meant it, so I gave you space. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“Come on, Mads.” The use of the nickname made her heart ache. “I was angry at first, but you know me—I get over things fast. We’ve been friends for years, and while I used to want more, what you said to me in that hotel room was right—a relationship wouldn’t work between us.”
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I know it came out mean when I said it. I’ve felt awful about it ever since.”
“You definitely could have been nicer about it,” he said. “But what you said got me thinking. You have your whole life figured out. You’re ambitious, determined and independent. Which is all awesome...but me and you together would be a disaster. I want to be with someone who wants my help and support. Someone who still has ambitions of her own, but who looks up to me, and who I can be there for no matter what.”
“You want someone who makes you feel needed.”
“It sounds lame and old-fashioned when you put it that way, but yeah, pretty much,” he said. “And you’ve never needed me—at least not like that.”
Madison blinked, amazed that this was all coming from Damien. Despite how long they’d been friends, he’d never struck her as particularly insightful. “You’ll find that person,” she said. “I know you will. But I’m glad you’re moving on.”
“I’ve already moved on.” He smirked. “I did months ago.”
“Right,” she said. “Of course you did.” Sometimes she forgot that while she’d been in a haze these past few months, everyone else’s lives had gone on without her. “So, who’s the lucky girl? Is it Savannah? Or that redheaded friend of hers you were flirting with at her party?”
“I wasn’t flirting with Evie.” He ran his hand through his hair, exasperated. “Evie was in a corner alone, and she looked sad, so I went over to cheer her up because I felt bad for her. She took it the wrong way and threw herself at me. I tried letting her down easily, but Savannah saw us...and it turned into a mess.”
“Sounds like you care a lot about what Savannah thinks.” Madison leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were into her.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter.” His eyes flashed with hurt. “She’s into that douchebag from One Connection now. Perry whatever his name his. The one all the girls were screaming about and falling all over.”
“Perry Myles,” she said.
“Yep.” His jaw hardened. “When the Fabulous Sweet Sixteen episode aired, there was a bit with Savannah and Perry flirting, and now they Tweet eac
h other all the time.” He stabbed one of his meatballs, shoved it into his mouth and swallowed it in a few bites. “They even have a ‘celebrity couple name’ online. ‘Sarry.’ How stupid is that?”
“Pretty stupid,” Madison agreed. “But it’s better than ‘Pevannah.’”
“They both suck,” he said. “This whole thing sucks. I had my chance with her last summer, and I blew it.”
“Because of me.” Madison bit her lip and sipped her juice. It wasn’t tasting any better, so she opened a sugar packet and dumped the entire thing inside.
“You never could figure out how to like the taste of healthy food.” Damien laughed and handed her another sugar packet, which she gladly emptied into the juice.
“Life would be much easier if I were one of those people who loved salad,” she said, stirring the juice and taking another sip. It was only slightly better than before, so she gave up and ordered an extra thick chocolate milkshake. She’d been doing well with eating healthy all week, and times like these called for comfort food...right?
“That’s more like it.” Damien smiled when the milkshake arrived. “But about last summer...I don’t blame you for it. Maybe I did at first, but I kissed you back when I knew Savannah would see. I barely knew her at the time. I just thought she was hot, and I was having fun over the summer.”
“And now you regret it?”
“I tried making it up to her by helping her with her YouTube,” he said. “We spent a lot of time together last semester—as friends. She’s an awesome girl. But now she’s moved on to bigger and better things, and Perry’s getting her a lot of publicity. Why should I get in the way of that?”
“I might be stating the obvious,” she said. “But have you tried telling her how you feel?”
“And have her shoot me down because she wants Perry Myles instead of me?” he scoffed. “Hell no. I screwed up, and I lost my chance. It’s done.”
“I don’t know...” Madison wished she had a better answer, but Damien knew Savannah a lot better than she did. Which was pretty sad, since Savannah was technically her sister. “You could try. After what happened with Oliver, it got me thinking—what if you never have another chance? You don’t want to have any regrets.”
“Maybe,” he said. “But Savannah can make her own choice, so there’s no point in talking about this anymore.”
“All right,” she said. “Then what do you want to talk about?”
“You.”
She shifted uncomfortably, running her hands over her jeans. “What about me?”
“I saw how you shut everyone out last semester. I’ve been worried about you.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.” She cringed at how robotic and unconvincing it sounded. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t pull that on me,” he said. “We’ve been friends for years, and I can tell when something’s bothering you. You know you can trust me, right?”
He looked so sincere, and she wanted to tell him the truth. But she’d already told Oliver. And Brianna. She couldn’t tell Damien. Because with each person she told, there was a higher chance the Diamond sisters would find out before she could tell them herself. And she planned on telling them—she really did. But how? She couldn’t just knock on their door and say, “I know it’s unexpected, but we’re sisters. Surprise!”
That would be a total disaster.
“I know I can trust you.” She took a bite of her milkshake, savoring it. It was thick enough that she needed a spoon to eat it—like ice cream—which was the way that all milkshakes should be made. “And you’re right—these past few months have been rough. But this thing I’ve been worried about involves other people, so I can’t tell anyone without betraying their trust. Not even you.”
“Okay.” He sank back into the booth. “But you’re hanging out with everyone again, so whatever happened is getting better, right?”
“Sort of,” she said. “After everything with Oliver, I got...distracted. It’s too much all at once, and I feel like I’m drowning in it, and I hate it. I just wish he would talk to me.”
“We’re seeing Oliver soon,” Damien said, as if it were a fact. “But you also shouldn’t let his issues stop you from taking care of yourself.”
“I’m trying,” she said. “It’s just hard.”
“Even though I don’t know what’s going on with you, I know you’ll get through it,” he said. “You’re the most determined, stubborn person I know, and I mean that in only the best way. I’m here for you if you need a friend, all right?”
“Thanks.” She blinked away tears. “Really—it means a lot.”
“Anytime,” he said. “And this weekend, we’re breaking down the doors of the Prescott villa and we’re talking to Oliver, whether he wants to see us or not.”
“Sounds like a plan,” she said. “So...can I have that last meatball?”
He motioned for her to take it, and she picked it up and popped it into her mouth, enjoying every bite.
* * *
A few hours later, Madison paced around the living room, and as always, the sound of the key in the front door echoed through the condo at 9:30 p.m. Her parents entered the foyer, still dressed in their scrubs from work. They stopped when they saw her.
“Hey,” her mom said cautiously, hanging her jacket in the coat closet. “Is everything okay?”
“No.” Madison shoved her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, forcing herself to stop pacing. “I need to talk to you guys.”
“Is this about Oliver?” Her mom’s brow crinkled. “I know you’re worried about him, but like I’ve told you before, even though your dad and I work at the hospital, we can’t find out information about his condition. I wish I could, but we can’t break our confidentiality agreement. If anyone found out, we could get in serious trouble.”
“I don’t think this is about Oliver,” her dad broke in. “Is it?”
“No.” Madison took a deep breath—she might as well get this over with quickly. “It’s about Adrian and the Diamond girls. They need to know the truth.”
Her mom’s face went from sad to worried in less than a second. “You know that the girls aren’t emotionally ready yet after finding out about Britney,” she said. “They’re going through an extraordinarily tough time. Especially Courtney.”
“But what about me?” Madison crossed her arms, determined to hold her ground. “I can’t keep this secret anymore. I’m lying to everyone—even my closest friends. I hate it.”
“You have us,” her dad said. “I know you’re angry at us, but I hope you know that we love you, and you can talk to us about anything.”
“But I don’t want to talk about it anymore,” she said. “I’m done talking. I want to do something.”
Her mom reached for her cell phone. “If you need to speak with a psychiatrist, I can get you an appointment as soon as possible. I’ll even let you skip school tomorrow.” She smiled, as if the offer were a real treat.
“No psychiatrists.” Madison raised her voice, holding her gaze steady with her mom’s. “I’m done keeping this secret. If Adrian won’t tell Peyton, Courtney and Savannah the truth, then I’ll just...tell them myself.”
“You can’t do that,” her mom said, stepping forward. “Especially two months before he marries Rebecca. Do you really think that timing’s wise?”
“It’s even more of a reason to tell them now.” It took all of Madison’s strength to not rip her own hair out. “This wedding won’t just be about Adrian and Rebecca. The Diamond girls will be in the wedding, and Brett will be in it, too. They’re becoming a family. And I’ll just be sitting there watching, as if I had no more connection to the people at the altar than the rest of the guests. And what do they always say during weddings... ‘if anyone has a reason why these two people shouldn’t be wed, speak now or forever h
old your peace?’ The husband keeping an illegitimate daughter secret from his wife-to-be and three daughters is a good reason to speak up, don’t you think?”
“Well, Rebecca already knows,” her dad said.
“What?” Madison dropped her arms to her sides and looked back and forth from her mom to her dad.
“Back when Rebecca was still with John Carmel—Brett’s dad—and when Adrian was still with Donna—that’s Peyton, Courtney and Savannah’s mother—the six of us would do everything together,” her mom explained. “We were best friends. So after your dad and I separated, and I ended up pregnant with you, Rebecca was the first person I confided in. She helped us come to the...arrangement we have today.”
“And she’s kept quiet for all these years?” Madison couldn’t imagine how she was able to manage that.
“It wasn’t her place to say anything,” her dad said. “Rebecca would take a secret with her to her grave.”
“Okay.” Madison was caught off-guard, but she was determined to hold her ground. “So Rebecca knows. But the Diamond girls still need to know before the wedding, and I meant what I said. I don’t need anyone’s approval anymore—not yours, and not Adrian’s. If I have to, I’ll tell Peyton, Courtney and Savannah the truth myself.”
“Let’s not get to the point of threats,” her mom said. “You do realize that Adrian Diamond is one of the most powerful men in America? Angering him probably isn’t a good tactic.”
“Well, he ‘angered’ me when I found out that he wanted nothing to do with me, and that he still wants nothing to do with me,” Madison said. “I don’t even want him to be my father—I hate him.”
“You’re acting rashly—”
“No, I’m not,” she said. “Adrian doesn’t want to be my father. I get it. And I don’t care, because I already have a great dad, and I don’t need another one. But Peyton, Courtney and Savannah should at least be given a chance to be my sisters.”
“You’re right,” her dad said, pressing his fingers to the bridge of his nose.
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