“Oh, now, come on,” Kelly prodded. “She looks amazing.”
“She looks fine,” Nick repeated, barely glancing at the auburn-haired beauty. “I … .”
Kelly cut him off before he could make an excuse and leave. “We’re going to catch up by the fire. Do you want to join us?”
“Not really,” Nick said, taking Kelly and Sydney by surprise. “We’re going back to our cabin.”
“But it’s so early,” Sydney protested. “I haven’t seen you in … what … five years? I want to get caught up on your life. Are you still a police officer? Are you still living in the same house? I love that house. Waking up there after long nights of … hanging out … was one of my favorite things while we were together.”
And there it is. Maddie briefly pressed her eyes shut. She knew Nick dated a bevy of women while she was out of town. She also knew he kept to a six-month schedule. So far she’d only met one of his former conquests – and it was a rough road before coming to an understanding with the woman in question. It seemed another had just landed in her lap courtesy of Kelly and her vindictive nature.
“I sold the house to John,” Nick answered, his face unreadable. Maddie moved to pull her hand from his, but he refused to relinquish it. “I don’t really remember you spending a lot of nights there. I’m a detective with the Blackstone Bay Police Department. This is Maddie Graves and we live together.” Nick laid everything out like he was giving a lecture in front of a college class.
Sydney’s eyes widened as she turned them on Maddie. “I see. You’re the famous Maddie Graves, are you?”
Maddie’s tongue felt unnaturally thick. “I am,” she said finally, extending her free hand by way of greeting. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Sydney Markham. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
After releasing the woman’s hand, Maddie turned to Nick expectantly. “I … .”
“We should get going,” Nick said, cutting her off.
“Oh, come on, Nick,” Kelly prodded. “Sydney is here to see you as much as she’s here to see me. You shouldn’t be rude and ignore her.”
“Oh, don’t worry about me,” Sydney said. “I’ll be here the rest of the week.”
“You’re staying?” Maddie was surprised, although she knew it was a waste of time. Kelly arranged for Nick’s former flame to join the family camping trip as a way to edge her out. Of course the woman was staying. That was part of Kelly’s plan.
“I love camping,” Sydney explained. “Nick brought me to the family camping trip when we were dating. I’m very excited to see everyone.”
Maddie’s heart dully thudded. “You camped with the family?”
“You didn’t think you were the only one, did you?” Kelly asked, wrinkling her nose. “Nick dated quite a bit while you were out … sowing your wild oats. It’s not like he was sitting here pining for you.”
“No,” Maddie said, rolling her neck. “I … .”
“Maddie, ignore her,” Nick snapped. “She’s just trying to create problems.”
Nick was angry. Maddie could read it in the stiff slope of his shoulders. Unfortunately, Maddie was angry, too. No, angry wasn’t the right emotion. She was hurt. She just couldn’t put her finger on why.
“I think you should go to the bonfire and catch up with Sydney,” Maddie offered, choosing her words carefully. “I’m exhausted after all the fishing we did today. I’m going to go back to the cabin and take a bath.”
“Maddie, that’s not what’s going to happen,” Nick charged.
“Oh, listen to her, Nick,” Kelly said. “She wants to take a bath and you obviously want to talk to Sydney. It’s written all over your face.”
“Shut up, Kelly,” Nick seethed.
“Stay and talk to them,” Maddie said, her voice hollow. “I’ll be fine. It’s a short walk.” Maddie pulled her hand from Nick’s even as he fought the effort. “I’ll see you when you get back.”
“Maddie … .”
“Oh, come on, Nicky,” Sydney purred. “You know you want to hang out. It’s too early to go to bed.”
Nicky? That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Maddie thought she was the only one to ever use that endearment with him. “I’ll … see you in a little bit.” Maddie moved away from the trio, hurrying into the night in a desperate attempt to put space between her tears and Nick. She knew she was acting like a child but … something inside hurt.
Nick turned on Kelly the second Maddie was out of earshot. “Are you happy? Did that make you happy?”
“I’m not unhappy,” Kelly said, clearly missing the anger in her brother’s voice. “Come on. We’ll have some beers and hang out by the fire. You’ll be happy you let her go by the time you finish your first beer.”
“I’m not letting her go,” Nick shot back. “I didn’t want her to hear what I’m about to say to you. She’s got enough on her plate.”
Kelly faltered. “What do you mean?”
“If you think bringing Sydney here is going to change anything, you’re crazy,” Nick spat. “Nothing you do is going to change the way I feel about Maddie. Nothing! She’s the love of my life. She’s it for me.”
Kelly opened her mouth to argue, but Nick silenced her with a glare.
“I will never rethink anything about my relationship with Maddie,” Nick added. “I am seriously starting to rethink my relationship with you, though, Kelly.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Nick ignored the question as he turned on his heel and stalked into the night. He could barely make out Maddie’s form as she hurried in the direction of their cabin. He had some explaining to do, and he wasn’t looking forward to it.
“MADDIE, wait up.”
Nick’s voice caused Maddie to jolt, swiveling quickly when she realized he was right behind her. “What are you doing here?”
“Following you.”
“You should’ve stayed and caught up with Sydney,” Maddie said, hating the way the woman’s name felt on her tongue.
Nick closed the distance between them. “I don’t want to catch up with Sydney,” he said. “I … have you been crying?”
Maddie wiped her hand against her cheek, frustrated by her emotional failings. “I … no … not really.”
“Oh, Maddie.” Nick reached for her, but Maddie sidestepped his embrace.
“I’m really fine, Nick,” Maddie said. “You should go and spend time with your sister and her friend.”
“I don’t want to spend time with Sydney,” Nick argued. “I … you’re upset. Let’s go to the cabin so we can talk.”
“I’m not upset. I’m just … tired.”
“Yeah? Well your tired face and your crying face look a lot alike,” Nick said, reaching out so he could snag Maddie’s hand. “Come on.”
They were silent for the rest of the walk. By the time they got to the cabin, Maddie was able to collect herself. She knew she was being irrational, but there was something about Sydney’s appearance – and Kelly’s glee at hurting her – that tugged at her resolve.
Nick watched Maddie with a mixture of curiosity and sadness, furrowing his brow as he removed his shirt and dropped it on the cabin floor. He unzipped his pants and kicked them off, double-checking the front door to make sure it was locked before turning his full attention to Maddie.
“I dated Sydney for six months five years ago,” he said. “She wasn’t anything special. Not one of them was anything special. You know that.”
“I didn’t say she was special,” Maddie said, rummaging in the bag on top of the rustic dresser. “I’m honestly fine with her being here.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Maddie. You always have been. Tell me what’s wrong. Is it Kelly?”
Maddie kept her back to Nick as she pulled her tank top and swimsuit bra off before sliding into a loose-fitting T-shirt. “She hates me.”
“She hates everyone, Mad,” Nick said. “She’s so bitter about the way her marriage ended that she can’t find joy
in other people’s happiness. I don’t know what to do for her. We’ve all tried talking to her. She’s an unhappy person and she takes it out on anyone in her general vicinity.”
“She obviously likes Sydney.”
“She didn’t like Sydney when I was dating her,” Nick countered. “She’s never liked anyone I dated. I was fine with it … until you. She’s going to have to get over herself.”
“She’s your sister.”
“And you’re my heart,” Nick countered. “Maddie, I’m not giving you up to make Kelly happy. The truth is, Kelly will never be happy until she fixes her own life. It’s not my job to fix it for her.
“You’re my only concern in all of this,” he continued. “I love you. Kelly’s feelings mean absolutely nothing to me.”
“I know you love me,” Maddie said, finally turning so he could see her face. Her eyes weren’t red and puffy and he was relieved because that meant she hadn’t shed more than a few tears. “It still … jarred me … to hear you took her camping. I don’t know why. It’s petty and immature. I’m sorry.”
“She kind of invited herself on the camping trip,” Nick supplied. “I told her I was going to be gone for a week and the next thing I knew she was in my truck. I didn’t want her there.”
“She called you Nicky.”
Nick raised his eyebrows. “I … didn’t even notice that until you said something,” he mused, rubbing the back of his neck. “She never called me that when we were dating. Anyone who tried calling me that … well … they got dumped a lot faster than my usual six-month cycle.”
“They did?”
“You are the only one I’ve ever let call me that,” Nick said. “After you left … I couldn’t deal with it when someone else tried. I swear she never called me that when we were together. Kelly probably told her to call me that to bug you.”
It made sense and yet Maddie was still conflicted. “Do you wish you would’ve tried to make things work with her?”
Nick made an exasperated sound in the back of his throat. “Maddie, you’re all I’ve ever wanted. Ever! No matter what Kelly said to you tonight, it’s not true. I spent ten years pining for you. I spent ten years aching for you. You’re the only one I’ve ever wanted to make things work with.”
“I … .”
Nick moved to her and pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her and tugging her close. “I’m sorry Kelly is making this trip miserable for you,” he whispered, smoothing her hair down as she rested her face against his shoulder. “She’s doing it out of spite. We don’t have to stay. We can get up in the morning and go home. Heck, if you want to leave now we can pack up and be home in less than an hour.”
“No. I don’t want to leave. I want you to have fun with your family.”
“I’m not going to have fun if you’re miserable,” Nick said. “I … you’ve got to develop thicker skin where Kelly is concerned. Anything she tells you is designed to make you unhappy. That’s the last thing I want, Mad. I need you to be happy.”
Maddie tightened her arms around Nick’s waist. “I’m happy when I’m with you.”
“Well, you’re going to be happy for the rest of your life then,” Nick promised. “You’re stuck with me, love. Nothing in this world is going to shake me from your life.”
“That’s good. I’m pretty attached to you.”
Nick could feel her smiling against his chest. “I’m addicted to you,” he said, brushing a soft kiss against her forehead. “Now, come on. We have a huge bathtub and I owe you a massage. I think we can combine those two and salvage this evening if you’re willing to give it a shot.”
“That’s sounds like the best offer I’ve had since Kevin suggested I wait for him,” Maddie teased.
“There’s my girl,” Nick said, lowering his mouth so they could exchange a sweet kiss. “You’re always going to be my girl, Mad. Never doubt that. Never.”
Ten
“Okay, Mad, we’re coming to an understanding before we leave this cabin,” Nick said the next morning, leaning against the door as he waited for Maddie to slip into her J-41 boat shoes.
“Oh, good, I love it when you’re bossy,” Maddie replied, her flaxen ponytail tumbling to the side as she leaned over. “Tell me how I’m supposed to behave today, oh wise one.”
“That’s very cute,” Nick deadpanned. “If you want me to boss you around when we get back here tonight, I’m all for it. Today, though, you’re going to be the bossy one.”
Maddie stilled, flicking her eyes to Nick’s somber orbs. “I’m not going to get into a fight with your sister. I … that’s not going to help matters.”
“That’s not what I’m suggesting, Mad,” Nick countered. “You do need to develop thicker skin, though. What are you going to do when Kelly tries to get a dig in?”
“Punch her?”
Nick couldn’t help but smile. Maddie was definitely a lover rather than a fighter. “If you want to punch her, you should go for it. We both know you really won’t do that, though. I’m trying to think on the practical side here, love.”
“You’re practically perfect, if that helps.”
“Oh, my ego does love a good bout of boosting,” Nick shot back. “That’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”
“Nicky, I promise I won’t let Kelly get to me today,” Maddie said, pushing herself up from the mattress and tugging her black knit shorts into place. “Do you think these are too short?”
“I think I want to go back to bed right now.”
“I need to change.” Maddie turned back toward the suitcase.
“Maddie, the shorts are fine,” Nick chided. “I was being … well … a man. The shorts cover everything and they’re not too short. I can guarantee the ones Sydney wears today are going to be a lot shorter.”
“Well, that’s something to look forward to.” Maddie’s sarcastic tone told Nick it was going to be a long day.
“I think we should go home,” Nick announced.
“No, I’m sorry,” Maddie said hurriedly. “I … .”
“Don’t apologize so much, Mad,” Nick ordered, causing Maddie to realize he was trying to get a rise out of her. “If Kelly says something, ignore her. If she says something really mean, then tell her to shut her big mouth.”
“And what about Sydney? Can I tell her to shut her big mouth, too?”
“I’ll handle Sydney,” Nick said. “She’s my problem. She’s not your problem.”
“How are you going to handle her?” Maddie asked, arching an eyebrow. “It’s not going to involve kissing, is it?”
“Maddie! How can you even think something like that?”
Maddie patted Nick’s chest as she moved closer to him. “Oh, look, you’re not the only one who can push someone’s buttons.”
Nick grabbed Maddie’s face and planted a smoldering kiss on her, pinching her rear end for good measure before separating. “I love you. We’re going to spend most of the day in kayaks. We can either lag behind or get ahead of everyone. I don’t care which.”
“You know it’s not going to be as easy as that, right?”
“Oh, I know,” Nick conceded, opening the door and pushing Maddie out first. “I just can’t wallow in too much self-pity until my stomach is full.”
“I HAVEN’T been kayaking in years,” Sydney said, moving closer to Nick as everyone readied their rented kayaks near the river’s edge two hours later. “I love how peaceful a river trip is. I’ll bet we can catch up on everything during the trip.”
“I’m sure you and Kelly will have fun catching up,” Nick said, tossing a water bottle in Maddie’s direction. “Make sure you have two bottles, love. It’s going to be a scorcher today and I don’t want you getting dehydrated.”
Sydney narrowed her eyes, her gaze bouncing between Nick and Maddie. “I get the distinct impression that you’re not happy I’m here.”
“I don’t care where you are,” Nick countered. “You’re really not my concern.”
; “Oh, Nicky, don’t be like that.”
Nick straightened. “My name is Nick. Either use it correctly or don’t address me at all.”
Sydney was taken aback. “I … .”
“What’s going on?” Kelly asked, appearing at Sydney’s side. “Do you guys want to pair up for the ride? I can go with Maddie if you want. That will give you and Sydney a chance to spend time together.”
Nick snorted. “Yeah, that’s never going to happen.”
“What? I’m trying to be helpful.” Kelly was full of faux innocence and light.
“You’re trying to make me hate you and never talk to you again is what you’re doing,” Nick countered. “Keep it up, Kelly. See what happens. I can guarantee you’re the one who won’t like the outcome.”
Kelly licked her lips. “I think you’re misunderstanding the situation.”
“No, I’m not,” Nick countered. “I … .” His gaze landed on Maddie, worry creasing his forehead as she rubbed her temple. She wasn’t even listening to the argument. Nick pushed past Kelly and moved to Maddie’s side. “What’s wrong, Mad?”
“I just have a headache.”
Nick knew she was lying. He also knew she might have a legitimate reason for it. “I have some aspirin in my bag. Let’s go over by the outhouse so you can take some before we get going.”
“Or she could go and take a nap back at the cabin,” Kelly suggested.
“If she goes back to the cabin, so do I,” Nick replied, shooting Kelly a warning look. “Do you see how that works? Come on, Mad.”
Nick made sure they were completely alone, no prying ears close enough to hear their conversation, before asking Maddie what was wrong again.
“I’m not sure,” Maddie admitted. “I … it was weird. I was listening to you smack Sydney down – I was really enjoying that, by the way – and then I heard something.”
“In your head?”
Maddie nodded, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth. “It sounded like someone was … crying.”
Nick absentmindedly rubbed the back of Maddie’s neck as he handed her two aspirin and a bottle of water. Maddie downed the aspirin, wordlessly waiting for him to respond. Nick was still getting used to Maddie’s psychic flashes. He didn’t know how often they were right … or if they were ever wrong. It wasn’t something he ever envisioned having to deal with. He knew he wanted Maddie in his life no matter what, though, so he was trying to find a way to navigate through the murky haze that always followed her whenever she sensed something.
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