by J. L. Leslie
“You want to grab lunch?” Keegan asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
“It’s your first day back from your honeymoon and you’re telling me you’d rather go to lunch with me than your wife?” I tease.
“We’ve spent the entire month together on a cruise. She’s the one who wants a break from me. Besides, Amelia’s looking for possible storefront locations for her boutique. She’s with Amanda and Tiffany, so I’ll pass. Anyway, you look like you could use some cheering up.”
“Is it that obvious?” I ask.
“If you miss her so much, why don’t you just go get her?” he questions.
“She’s with someone else,” I explain.
“You were probably oblivious to it, but I saw the way she looked at you. I seriously doubt she’s with someone else, Madden,” he snorts.
“The whole reason we started seeing each other was to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. It was just a fling and it worked. She’s back with him.”
“And you saw proof of this? Maybe she didn’t want to put up with your overbearing family and bailed. Either way, are you going to give up without a fight? That’s not the Madden I know. I’m free in half an hour if you’re in. Here’s your mail.” He tosses a stack onto my desk and walks off.
His words are sinking in as I sort through my mail. I didn’t put up a fight at all. I just let her go. I ran, same as last time. I was so angry at the thought of her being with Brady and throwing away what we had that I didn’t even try to convince her I was the one for her. That I love her.
I flip through the mail, trying to sort out in my head what I should do when I come across a letter from Hollis, no return address. I tear it open and pull out a check. There’s a sticky note from Casey attached.
I should’ve sent this to you weeks ago. Tell your mother thanks, but no thanks. Jade isn’t for sale.
I frown at the check, seeing that it’s made out to Jade. A hundred grand. Clearly, she hasn’t cashed it. From the date on it, it’s obvious my mother tried to pay her off the day Keegan and Amelia were married. I grab my keys and phone and head out.
“It’s about time,” Keegan calls out as I exit the building.
I shoot him a smile over my shoulder. I have about three hours to figure out what to say to Jade to win her back. To convince her that she should be with me, not Brady.
I’ll say anything to get her to come back to me. I replay imaginary scenarios in my mind of what our conversation might consist of. I do this the entire drive to Hollis, but when I pull up to Jack’s bar, all those scenarios fly right out of my head.
I push the door open and immediately look behind the bar. I search for a familiar flash of blonde hair and a Jack’s t-shirt, but she isn’t there. I scan the room and the construction crew is seated at a table for a late lunch. I instantly zero in on Brady. I cross the room and snatch him out of his seat. He’s still chewing his food as he asks me what the hell I’m doing.
“I thought we were cool!” I yell, giving him a hard shove.
“We are!” he yells back. “You’re the dipshit that left town and left us shorthanded!”
“Do you think I give a shit about the crew? This is about Jade, Brady!” I give him another hard shove and he stumbles back into the pool table.
“What about her? You won, man!” he growls and throws his hands up.
I stand there stunned. Caleb, Tate, and Logan have come to stand between us now and the other patrons in the bar have started to stare.
“What the fuck are you talking about?” I ask.
“You won, Madden,” he repeats. “I knew that a long time ago. I don’t know if Jade can handle this long-distance bullshit, but that’s between the two of you. Leave me the fuck out of it.”
It dawns on me then that Jade lied. She lied to me about her and Brady being back together. Just like Keegan suggested. But why? If she didn’t cash the check from my mother, why lie to me about Brady?
“Where is she?” I ask.
“Shouldn’t you know?” he laughs and then he must realize something’s wrong. “Wait a minute. Why’d you come at me like that?”
I clench my jaw and look at the floor. I hate admitting I’ve been duped. That Jade made me look like an idiot just to get away from me. To run me off. To send me home.
“She told me the two of you were back together about a month ago. I haven’t spoken to her since,” I admit, and he lets out a whistle.
“That sucks,” he deadpans. “Well, she’s taking classes at the community college in Redbud. Her and Casey both.”
So, she lied to get me out of her life and now she’s taking college classes in Redbud? I need answers. I should’ve gotten them a month ago. I apologize and thank Brady before heading out.
Jade can’t shut me out forever.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Jade
I stifle a yawn as I turn onto my street. I’ve run myself ragged these past few weeks. Casey talked me into signing up for classes in Redbud, having Professor Hale assist me in filling out a form for financial aid. We have class together some nights, Jack and Marlene covering our shifts, but I know that won’t last long. He’s already looking for another waitress to fill in.
Despite how busy I’ve been, I think about Madden every single day. I’ve been tempted to call or text him, but each time I see his name on my screen, I chicken out. He’s probably already settled in Dallas with his job at Steele Industries and a perfect future trophy wife on his arm.
Saddened by that thought, I pull into my driveway. I don’t even notice his truck until I get out and spot him sitting on my porch. My heart hammers in my chest. He looks as good as I remember, better even.
“Hey,” I say quietly, unsure what he’s doing here.
“Hey? That’s what you have to say to me?”
I avert my gaze in shame. “Not sure what else you want me to say, Madden.”
He stands up, shoving his hands in his pocket. “I talked to your boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?” Oh...Brady. Shit, shit, shit. “I’ve been in class today, so I haven’t seen him.”
“Cut the shit, Jade. He had no fucking clue what I was talking about. Thought we were trying a long-distance relationship. Imagine that.”
“I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“No? You only wanted to lie to me?” he asks, anger laced in his tone. “Break my heart so I would run back to Dallas? Was that the plan?”
“Look, I had my reasons for doing what I did!” I say, getting angry myself.
It wasn’t easy pushing him away and now he’s back, reminding me of what I lost. It’s not fair. It would’ve been easier had he just stayed gone.
“What the hell does that mean?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “I heard what your parents said about me. They both know what I did, about my past. Your father was going to cut you off, Madden!”
“You think I give a damn about that?”
“I’m not good enough for you! Your whole family can see that, except you! Your mother even paid me to stay away from you!”
“What did you do with the money, Jade?”
I swallow and turn away from him. “I deposited that check the day we got home. That’s why it was so hard to be around you. That’s why I pushed you away. She bought me just like everyone else did.”
He comes up behind me, so close I can smell him. “Liar.” I turn around quickly, my eyes wide. “You can thank Casey for returning the check to me.”
“It doesn’t change anything. You have an inheritance to claim and I’m not going to be the reason you‒”
He silences me with a kiss, jerking me into his arms. I moan into his mouth, my body melting against his.
“It’s my decision, Jade. None of that matters. None of it.”
“You will lose everything.”
“I lost everything when I lost you,” he says. “Don’t you get it? You are it for me, Jade. You have permanently marked me and I’m not letting you go. I love you.”
“The only thing I regret is not coming here sooner. Back to you.”
“How long are you here for? Because I’ll go wherever you go. If it’s to Dallas, I’ll put up with your family. I’ll make a home there with you if that’s what you want.”
He picks me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. “My home is right here with you.”
Epilogue
Madden
Keegan and Landon look at me, then back to the hardware store. I can tell they’re interested even though they haven’t said a word. Both of them have their arms crossed and a pensive stare on their faces.
The hardware store opened while I was in Dallas, but the owner has already closed its doors. According to Jack, businesses just don’t have longevity in Hollis unless the owner is willing to put in the work.
“Hollis will grow on you,” I assure them. “It’s a great business deal. The owner decided small town life wasn’t for him.”
“It shouldn’t be for anyone,” Landon mumbles.
It’s definitely for me. Jade and I have been back together for three weeks. Since then, I’ve moved into her house and gotten my job back at King Construction. I stumbled upon this business venture and decided it was an opportunity for me. It’s time for me to start planning my future.
Well, mine and Jade’s future.
I called Keegan and Landon and asked them to make the trip to Hollis. I want them to go into business with me. I need partners who are willing to invest and who I can trust, especially since I’ve given up my father’s money and any inheritance I was set to receive.
“So, you want to own a hardware store?” Landon asks.
“Sure, why not? It’s a plan and it can grow,” I answer and Landon nods. “It doesn’t matter to me that I’m starting out small. I just need to start somewhere. I have a connection with the local construction crew and think that will help.”
“I like it,” he states with a shrug. “Keegan?”
“Me, too. Let’s do it.”
Relief courses through me at the knowledge that I have my brothers’ support. I never really doubted that, but to hear them say it makes me feel better. I also know this is an opportunity to have them closer to me. They’ll have to make trips to Hollis every once in a while to help manage the business. I’ll have Jade and my brothers.
“Let me know when you’re ready to finalize everything. I’d like to get home to my wife now,” Keegan grins.
“Yeah. I’d like to get home to a redhead who’s waiting for me. Can’t recall her name,” Landon quips.
I shake my head and tell them goodbye. I may have lost my yearly allowance and trust fund, but I still have them. That will never change. It doesn’t matter what my parents do.
When I get home, Jade’s getting ready to head to class. I slip my arms around her waist and ignore her protests that she’s running late.
“They said yes,” I whisper against her ear.
“You knew they would! I’m so happy for you!” she says and glides her lips over mine. I ease her back toward the bed, effectively making her forget how limited on time she is.
“I’ll be quick. I know class is important to you,” I murmur, while trailing kisses across her neck.
“Class?” she jokes.
“You’re lucky you’re wearing a dress. It makes this so easy for me.” I smile and settle in between her legs. I keep my word on making it quick, but still manage to make her come twice.
When we’re finished, I help her stand and smooth her dress out. She reaches up and cups my face.
“I’m truly happy that Keegan and Landon agreed to your plan. I know you want them to be a part of it.”
“I do, but as long as you’re a part of it, that’s all that matters. You’re my plan, Jade. Always. I love you.”
“You told me before that I marked you. The last thing I expected when I saw you walking into Jack’s bar was to fall in love with you. I can’t see myself with anyone else and I never want to. I love you. You’ve marked me too, Madden.”
As my future wife walks out the door, I know I made the right decision. I never stood a chance against Hollis’ charm.
THE END
I hope you enjoyed my re-release of Marking Madden and fell in love all over again with Jade and Madden! If you did, please leave a review! Authors love reviews and they don’t have to be long! Just a few simple words to tell us what you thought of the book!
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