We Were One

Madeline, once again, seemed to be an open book. She held nothing back with eyes that lit up whether she was smiling or speaking seriously about something. She had this air of energy and life and . . . waywardness she carried with her so unapologetically. Even as she sat at the table with the other three women, she was once again the life of the group—from the way she smiled big and spoke with confidence, to the way she listened intently, giving whoever was speaking her full and undivided attention.Ama excused herself to the ladies' room, and I was left there by myself trying to keep my eyes from wandering in the Hellman's direction. When Madeline slid out of her booth suddenly, taking her mother's keys, I breathed in, relieved that she walked outside. It gave me a break from all the restraining I'd been doing.Then she walked to their minivan, which, of course, was parked in clear view of my window. Once again, I was powerless to keep from looking. She slid the side door open and p

Weeks passed after that first conversation with Madeline at the lake. Not only did it seem she was everywhere I turned now, infuriatingly, she invaded my every fucking thought. I managed to keep her off my mind while I was busy working, but anytime I was in town, all I could think of was the next time I'd see her. More frustrating, who I'd see her with.Before she could make good on her threat—because there were no two bones about it, I'd since decided it'd been a purposeful threat—I made good on my promise. That same night at the lake, first chance I got Nolan alone, I made a few things clear."Stop laying it on so thick with that Hellman twin."As expected, he'd been surprised when I explained about Madeline's request. "Why didn't she come talk to me?" he'd asked, already looking around for them."Because I told her I'd take care of it. You can flirt with Maggie. Just tone that shit down. It makes her uncomfortable. But you stay the hell away from Madeline altogether.""What?" h

It'd been several weeks since the incident in Kings Falls, and so far, I hadn't noticed anything different about the way Madeline and I continued to sneak looks at each other. Her smile was still as sweet, and she was still keeping the boys at bay whenever she was around a mixed group of guys and girls.I was fairly certain and relieved to conclude her mother hadn't mentioned what she'd seen in that alley. Not long afterward, I got confirmation that she had zero knowledge of the incident in the alley.The usual crowd was out by the lake, hanging around bonfires and drinking beer and wine coolers. So far, I'd only ever seen her hold a wine cooler, but for the most part, she seemed to baby it all night. I'd never seen her act stupid or sillier than her norm when she was just laughing with her girlfriends.I was kicking it with my brothers and a few other guys, far away enough so it didn't look like we were trying to hook up with high-school girls but close enough that I could keep an

Thankfully, my bike's motor was too loud once on the highway. I purposely revved it up even more as we turned a corner. Since it was too loud to talk, especially for me since I was facing away from her, there were no more questions or exchanges, except for her telling me where her friends would be waiting for her. When we reached the lake side where she'd be meeting her friends, I braced myself as I turned my bike off.Even with the stop we made to get the helmet on her, we'd left so abruptly we got there before any of her friends. I was certain they wouldn't be long since Maggie and Nolan looked ready to take off when we did. I just prayed Nolan hadn't taken a detour and gone somewhere more private, leaving me no choice but to stay and keep Maddie company until the rest arrived. Not that it'd be a bad thing, but I had to remind myself how much more tempting this just got. More than anything, I did not want to deal with her mama's wrath.I got off my bike first. She stayed on the bik

I put the helmet down on the counter, feeling caught, but shrugged. "Or anyone who might jump on my bike. Helmet laws. Not looking to get a ticket."He nodded, but judging from his expression, he wasn't buying my BS. Only instead of following it up with an annoyed frown as I was expecting, he smirked. "Look, Hijo," he said, leaning against the counter. "When I first heard about you riding this girl around town—I'm not gonna lie—scared the shit out of me. Not that I didn't think you wouldn't be using your head. I trust my boys. None of you would ever do anything any of those girls aren't fully willing to do. Pisses your grandma off how shameless girls are these days—""Not Madeline."My interruption was so abrupt and full of unexpected attitude, I knew I was toast. Here I'd done nothing but given her rides, and I already knew any chance I might've had of walking away from this conversation without my dad picking up on just how fucking hung up on her I was now just flew out the window