Page 118 of Fought and Freed

Maddy’s heart sank even more. “It doesn’t matter. I washed my hands of Grant.”

“I’m sorry, Silk, but for what it’s worth, you made the right choice.” He moved her off his lap. “Let me just tell my friend we’re good, then I’ll drive us home.”

Ryder hopped out of the Jeep to talk to his friend, who pulled around them and headed down the street.

Climbing into the driver’s seat, Ryder drove them home.

The house was dark when they walked inside, and Maddy let out a deep breath. Thank goodness.

“You still have to tell them tomorrow,” Ryder said from behind her.

Damn. He was right, but she hated it.

“Stay with me?” he asked.

“I’d like that.”

Ryder took her hand as they walked upstairs, leading her to his bedroom and closing the door behind him.

While he took a shower, Maddy crawled into bed, and the minute her head hit the pillow, she was out.

* * *

When Maddy told everyone what happened last night, to say Cody was angry would be an understatement.

After he yelled at her—listing everything that could have happened—he stormed out of the house.

She sighed and fell back on the couch. “Well, that went just like I expected.”

Jace walked over and sat down beside her.

She glanced at him. “You going to yell at me, too?”

“No.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Between Cody and your own self-recriminations, you’ve had enough. But I do need to tell you that I’m disappointed.”

Damn, that hurt just as much as Cody’s yelling.

“I’m sorry.” She hung her head. “I don’t know why Grant didn’t want me to wake you up. It was wrong to take the Jeep, but he sounded like he was in deep trouble.”

“It’s over and done with.” He gave her a squeeze before releasing her. “Why don’t you go get dressed, and we can head out.”

“Where are we going?” She popped one eyebrow up. “I don’t have anywhere to be.”

Ryder came bounding over. “Yes, you do. We made you an appointment. You’re going to take your driver’s test, then we’re going to the Kia dealership. That way, there will be no more illegal driving in stolen vehicles.”

Her insides felt like they were vibrating as she let out a giggle. “I’ll go get dressed. Love you both.”

As they drove to the DMV, Maddy brought up her plan to take Janet’s class, provided she didn’t get kicked out of college before the end of the spring semester. She hadn’t felt up to adding more to her course load as soon as she returned from rehab, but Janet was doing a summer course, too.

“You can only go if you promise to bring home leftovers,” Ryder told her.

Maddy laughed. “I’ll try.”

When Maddy pulled up outside of the DMV, her vibrating stomach turned into a lump that made her nauseous.

She stared at the DMV doors. “I can’t do this.”

“You drove by yourself last night,” Ryder reminded her. “So, you can handle taking a test. You’re just nervous, is all.”

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