Chapter Three - Ansley

The screwdriver incident followed me around like a bad day. To know Marcus would do something so petty pissed me off and embarrassed me.

Madden was right … what did I see in him?

The rest of the day flew by and I felt myself relax when softball practice neared.

Madden plopped down in the passenger seat of my car. “Any more surprises in store for today?”

“Just softball and my shift at the restaurant.”

Madden sighed. “Damn girl, do you ever sleep?”

I smiled. I liked to keep busy for many reasons. Paying the bills being the biggest one. My apartment was small and crappy but a lot when I had other expenses. I couldn’t ask my dad for pride reasons, so I did what any college-aged girl needed to.

The softball field sat in the back corner of the campus surrounded by woods and bleachers. It was my time to relax, other than the gym and I loved every minute of it.

My practice partner, Sarah, waited for me by the fence, noticing Madden instantly. Which wasn’t hard to do since he didn’t have any clothes other than camouflage.

This may be Louisiana but despite what they say, camouflage is not the most worn color. Everyone noticed Madden like I assumed they would. Judging by the amount of females that checked him out today—I’d say he drew attention no matter what.

Sarah pursed her lips as he climbed the bleachers and leaned back to watch us practice.

“Uh, did I miss something?” she asked, tying her dark hair into a loose bun.

I sighed. “No, he isn’t a side piece.”

She snorted and kicked my butt with her leg. “I wasn’t gonna ask that, but now that you mention it, he would be a good one.”

I gave him a glance once we made it to the outfield to practice. “Yeah, well, no that’s not it. He’s just waiting on me to finish softball so we can study during my free time at Hogs. It’s a Monday, so we won’t be busy.”

Sarah didn’t buy it. She chunked the ball at me and popped her hip. “Whatever … that dude is not in school.”

“Yeah-huh,” I lied, tossing the ball back to her.

“Tell me another lie. That one isn’t working.”

Madden still watched us even though he couldn’t hear, I didn’t want to break his trust. “He is my brother’s friend and needs a place to stay until he gets his own apartment.”

Sarah narrowed her big eyes and thought about it. “Why wouldn’t you just say that?”

I’m gonna change her name to Skeptical Sarah.

“He doesn’t want people to know.”

“Oh,” she said, turning when Coach called us in. “Okay, I guess I believe you even though your eye twitched a bit and that means you’re lying.”

Maybe Sarah should be the interrogator.

We practiced for an hour and a half, which left me forty-five minutes before my shift at the restaurant.

Madden watched me relentlessly rush around my apartment and get ready for my shift. The laidback barbeque restaurant made most of its money on the weekend, but did enough business during the week for two servers.

We took turns studying since most of the servers were students.

I slipped into my black shorts and white t-shirt, feeling more like Sookie Stackhouse than ever. The outfits didn’t bother me too bad, but they drew a lot of attention to my legs.

Some customers stared and others felt bad for me and tipped well. It was bitter sweet.

Madden stood up when I grabbed my keys from the table.

His dark eyes swept me from head to feet and I fidgeted nervously, tugging at the end of my shorts. “Ready?” I asked.

“Will Marcus show up to this too?”

I shrugged. “Not usually. He usually waited outside to make sure I made it to my vehicle safely, and meet me at my apartment.”

Something flashed over Madden’s face. “Did he spend the night with you often?”

“I … uh, why?”

Madden titled his head. “Because it’s important to know how well he knows your apartment.”

I tucked a stray hair, and looked down at my comfortable black sneakers. “Yeah.”

Madden chuckled. “You’re an adult, Ansley. I didn’t expect you to stay celibate forever.”

The thought of me giving myself up to him pissed me off. Marcus had been my first, and I willingly gave it to him. Now it seemed like an irrational, hormone-driven mistake.

“Let’s just go,” I said.

Madden rode with me in silence toward the restaurant, keeping his eyes on the road. I noticed the way his fingers tapped against his thigh, which seemed out of place for him.

Madden didn’t get nervous too often, or at least he didn’t, I guessed being in the military could have changed him. However, the demeanor he wore on his sleeve didn’t match nerves.

We pulled into the gravel parking lot five minutes before the start of my shift. The wooden building covered in LSU flags and old license plates blasted country music from the outside speakers and made me feel at home.

The owners weren’t around a lot, but the manager Cindy Kate, always wore a smile and let us study as much as we could, as long as we took care of our tables.

“Okay, well, here we are. The nights I work, I normally eat here, so I can get us some food half price. Just let me know when you’re hungry and I’ll put the order in.”

Madden got out and followed me inside while I wrapped my apron around my waist. The laidback atmosphere would attract anyone to this place. The smell of food and the buzz of a small dinner crowd hummed as I opened the front door.

Cindy Kate stood behind the counter, bartending since she couldn’t find a decent one since Alex left after graduation the year before. She perked up when I entered, her pretty smile widened when she noticed Madden behind me.

She curled a finger toward me, and I gestured toward an empty booth for Madden. I walked over, clocking in with the old-timey clock and turned to face her.

Her pixie cut and wild-eyes made her look younger than her thirty-seven years, and her killer high-cheek bones did wonders for the tip jar. “Who is that?”

Madden sat against the window, staring out over the restaurant floor, his eyes moving to mine. “Umm-hmm,” Cindy Kate said. “You move fast, Baby Girl. I can tell from here that I like him better than Marcus.”

“No,” I said, waggling my finger. “He is my brother’s friend and needs a place to stay until he gets his own. Nothing more.” I took my ticket book out of my apron.

“He’s eye-humping you right now.”

“No, he’s not. Calm your tits, Cindy Kate.”

The door dinged and a group of college kids walked inside. “I’ll get ’em. You go drink some water and stop drooling over my roommate.”

She chuckled.

The night was busier than normal for a weekday, and I made enough tips for our dinner and my electric bill. When the rush slowed, I took a seat at the booth with Madden, and handed him a plate of ribs while I ate my sirloin salad.

“This looks good,” he said.

Cindy Kate walked over and slid him a beer. “Looks like you may need one of these. I’m Cindy Kate.”

I took a bite of my food and pretended not to notice Madden looking her over. He’d been on active duty for a while which meant that he hadn’t had sex in a while. Most likely, at least.

I didn’t want to imagine what he thought of Cindy Kate, and it didn’t matter regardless.

“Madden, nice to meet you,” he said, tipping his beer toward her. “Thank you.”

She winked at him before taking her place behind the bar. I kept my eyes on my food, and took out my Technical Writing assignment. Madden cleared his throat after several minutes of silence. “What time do you get off?”

“At nine. I’ll take a thirty to eat and study, and then finish up my tables before closing. You can go home if you want.”

Madden rolled his eyes. “Right, because that’s what I was hired for, to leave you vulnerable.”

Sighing, I stabbed a piece of meat with my fork. “Ya know, I wouldn’t be mad if you were to go take some time to yourself.”

Madden gave me a long sideways look. “What do you mean by that?”

“You’ve been overseas for a while, I just figured you’d want to … ya know, have some fun?”

Madden furrowed his brow but leaned forward, his elbows rested against the counter. “Elaborate?”

Ugh. “With a woman!” I said, giving him a look.

He smirked, as if he knew what I meant the entire time, and leaned back in the booth. “You mean have sex with someone? What made you think about that, Ansley? You trying to get rid of me?”

“No,” I said. “I just … never mind.”

Madden glanced over at Cindy Kate talking to a customer. “You think I want Cindy Kate?”

“No!” I said, suddenly uncomfortable with the situation. “Just drop it.”

He chuckled and shook his head slightly.

I wanted to ask him what was so funny, but the front door slammed against the wall causing a scene. Marcus and two of his friends walked into the restaurant.

Nerves skated down my spine. I watched him search for me and grin when he noticed Madden. Madden took a slow sip of his beer and looked unbothered.

My heart pounded against my ribcage. Even though Cindy Kate knew Marcus was trouble, I didn’t want someone causing a scene for me at my job.

His friends walked to the bar to Cindy Kate while he found his way toward our booth. “Looks like you have a problem of taking my seat. I need to talk to Ansley.”

Madden didn’t move.

I bit the inside of my cheek. Marcus’ dark eyes shifted toward mine as he worked his jaw in an irritated grind. “Come outside and talk to me.”

The table closet to me watched carefully.

“I’m working,” I said.

“Looks like you’re eating, get up, and come outside,” he demanded, his voice growing louder with each octave.

Heat engulfed my face. I went to stand up, wanting to stop the humiliation of being the entertainment with dinner.

“Sit down,” Madden said quietly. He glanced up at Marcus. “I suggest you leave or I’ll have to throw you out myself.”

Marcus’ fist tightened at his side. “I’m about sick of your empty threats. How about you show me outside, huh?”

Madden didn’t budge.

“Just like I thought, chicken shit.” March grabbed my upper arm and hauled me out of my seat.

I tried to hide the pain that shot through my arm, but a soft groan escaped me. I felt my feet briefly leave the ground as he pulled me toward the door.

The humid breeze outside sucked the unsteady breath from my lungs. Marcus let go of my arm and I stumbled against the outside railing leading up to the door.

“Who is the Marine,” he spat.

I straightened, but didn’t have a chance to answer when Marcus tumbled forward over the railing, landing on the gravel. Madden stood at the door. “Get in your vehicle, we’re leaving.”

“My stuff—,”

He gave me a stern look that said do what I say.

I rummaged through my apron for my keys and fumbled with the lock.

“You’re gonna regret this, jarhead,” Marcus said. “You’re doing all of this for that disabled whore?”

My heart slammed to a halt. Marcus had never called me disabled before … not that it wasn’t obvious, but we never talked about it. It hurt my pride more than anything. I wanted to go back and kick him while he was down. I'll show him disabled.

A hard thud sounded from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder seeing Marcus on the ground again, and Madden rested his boot back from a brutal kick.

I slipped into the silent, humid front seat and watched as Marcus crawled to his feet.

Madden came nose to nose with him, but Marcus didn’t make a move. What were they waiting on? Madden said something but I couldn’t make it out.

Marcus laughed his sadistic laugh and backed away. Seeing his friends were still inside, I figured it out, he was the chicken shit.

Madden walked over to the passenger’s side and climbed in. “Go home.”

I floored it on the way back to my apartment. I wasn’t sure if Madden doing what he did was a good idea or not, but I didn’t question it.

My stomach hurt from Marcus’ comment. I knew it shouldn’t matter what he said, but it did. It hurt. Madden walked with me toward my apartment and locked the door, including the new sliding motel style lock bolted to the top.

“I guess you’re still hungry—,”

Madden grabbed my elbow to turn me to face him. His dark eyes were pissed while he examined me. Besides a bruised upper arm, I wasn’t hurt.

He clenched his jaw tightly and brought his gaze to meet mine. “Don’t you let that jackass get to you, Legs. You don’t deserve it. You’re worth so much more than that. He’s scum.”

I opened my mouth and shut it. Tears threatened my eyes. I needed to be strong like I’d been taught. Not cry over some douchebag waste of space.

Madden watched my face carefully, noting my trembling bottom lip. He pulled me into a hug, his arm wrapped tightly around my lower back, and the smell of him lingered against my soul. He felt warm … and safe.

“Let me heat up the leftovers and you go shower,” he said, pulling back to look at me.

I nodded, needing the escape from him. I stripped down in the bathroom and let the warm water wash away my worries. The smell of leftovers filtered through my small apartment when I stepped out in my sweats and tank top.

Madden had my plate ready and the TV on some random show. “Thank you,” I said, tucking my wet hair behind my ear.

He sat down beside me and started in on his food. The silence felt like a huge elephant sitting in the corner of the room. I demolished my plate even though I didn’t feel like eating, just to give myself something to focus on.

I glanced down at my leg and stared at it.

Disabled. It tasted sour on my tongue.

I knew that word, I’d been called that word before but never by someone I thought cared about me. I felt my aggravation climb the more I thought about it.

“Ansley,” Madden said.

I looked at his dark eyes and the worry that rested in them. His full mouth opened several times before he sighed. “I can tell he upset you and I hate him for it. He’s just pissed. You’re …. You’re perfect the way you are.”

Of course, he had to say that.

“It’s okay, Madden, you don’t have to apologize for him.”

He groaned out a frustrated sigh and turned to face me, one of his palms rested on my knee and he really looked at me. I’d never been so close to him before in my life.

Everything about his face screamed perfect. The manly cut of his scruffy jaw and the way his cupid’s bow pulled up when he smiled. “I do, because I saw the look in your eyes tonight and you don’t deserve it. You know you’re beautiful, right?”

I felt suffocated with the compliments. I didn’t need his pity. I stood up and grabbed our plates, walking toward the kitchen to get away from his stare.

I slammed the plates down in the sink, letting a tear escape and hating myself for it. Madden gripped my hip from behind, and turned me to face him. His breath hit mine.

“Stop it,” he hissed.

A knock sounded against the door. Madden grabbed a gun that I hadn’t noticed from the waistband of his pants and slowly walked over. Looking through the mini-blinds, he sighed and opened the door.

Cindy Kate barreled through with my stuff. “Are you okay?” she asked.

Madden grabbed my bag from her, along with our food boxed in to-go plates. She examined me as Madden had, turning my chin from left to right. “Did the bastard get you?”

“No,” I sighed. “Madden got there first.”

Cindy Kate glanced over her shoulder at Madden who leaned against my dining room table, arms crossed with a pissed off glare on his face. She turned back to me with wide eyes and mouthed the word, “hot.”

I wasn’t in the mood. “Thanks for the stuff.”

She frowned. “You’re welcome. I need to head back anyway. I left Frankie in charge of the bar. Who knows what it’ll look like when I get there.” She looked at Madden. “Thank you for protecting her. I’m glad you’re here.”

Madden gave her a clipped nod. Cindy Kate stopped at the door. “I called the cops on him tonight, and they picked him up. I didn’t give him your name because I figured you didn’t want any drama, and I told them you left in a hurry to get away.”

“Was he picked up?”

“Yep.”

“Thank you,” I said.

She winked at me before shutting the door.

“I think I’m gonna go to bed early tonight,” I said.

“You need the rest,” he agreed. “But I have a few questions first.”

I sat down at the dining table across from him. “What do you think Marcus wants to talk to you about? Getting back together?”

I shrugged. “Yeah, and now that he can’t text or call me, it’ll be worse.”

Madden swallowed heavily. “Does he have any enemies? Does he talk about his family?”

“His dad lives in Spain and his mother is in prison for transporting drug paraphernalia.”

Madden leaned back and tapped his fingers against the countertop. “Does Marcus do drugs?”

“Weed, yeah. He is most of the schools supplier.”

“Do you ever smoke with him?”

“Hell no, I can’t. The drug test me at the gym.”

“So no one has anything on you? No pictures or proof that you’ve been associated with it?”

“No,” I asked. “What are you getting at?”

“I think we need to take him down a different way.”

“Madden,” I whispered. “His Dad ships him that stuff. If we mess with it, the freaking Mexican cartel will come for us. Have you ever watched TV? I mean … I’m not trying to get my toenails pulled off.”

Madden nodded and swiped his palm down his face. “You’re right. We need to keep his family out of this. I’m trying to figure out a way to get this guy off your back besides beating him to death, because that’s what I wanted to do tonight.”

“I think you embarrassed him. I’m not sure if he’ll keep coming after me.”

Madden shrugged. “I need to be sure.”

“Are you gonna tell my dad what happened?” I asked.

“When the time is right. Mr. Sanders and Sammy are both on a plane to North Carolina. They don’t need to worry until I’m worried.”

“You’re not?”

Madden lifted his gaze to mine. “Not yet.”

We said our goodnights shortly after a long silence that left me feeling worried. Madden didn’t say it but I felt the tense atmosphere he tried to hide. I sat down on my bed and slipped off my leg before propping it against my nightstand.

There was a time in my life that I hated my leg so much I wanted to toss it in front of a bus. Maybe being in a wheelchair would be easier. I’d finally found a place in my life where it didn’t bother me.

After tonight, I felt those insecurities of being a thirteen-year-old girl crawling around inside of me. I couldn’t let Marcus bring down my self-worth because it already danced along the edge of insecurity and like Madden said … I was worth more than Marcus.

I just prayed Marcus let go and let me live to tell the tale.