Page 24 of Fractured Frets

“Yeah.”

We’d hooked up again, for the fifth time, just after Valentine’s Day, when I’d gotten home from recording in New York. But tonight wasn’t about another sexy rendezvous. Maddy needed a friend. A shoulder to cry on. And I was there for that.

Twenty minutes later, after a quick stop via the grocery store, I rocked up to Maddy’s door and pressed the bell.

She opened it and stole my breath, even with red-rimmed eyes and unbrushed hair, and wearing faded Louis Vuitton sweatpants and a hoodie. Damn! So sexy and hot.

I held up two shopping bags. “I didn’t know whether this called for ice cream, chocolate, popcorn, or wine, so I bought everything.”

A tear fell, catching on her cheek. “I need everything.”

I put down the bags just inside the door. “It looks like you need a hug the most.”

I drew her into my embrace and wound my arms around her. Her cheek rested against my shoulder, her fingers slid around my waist and clung onto my jacket. As I circled my hands around her back, she sobbed. I was there for as long as she needed. I was content to hold her and inhale the sweet, cocoa butter scent of her hair. That helped erase some of my own work stresses.

“Hey?” I kissed the side of her head. “Let’s eat something. Have a drink. You can tell me everything.” I picked up the groceries.

“I’d like that.” She took my free hand and led me down the hallway and into the living area.

Just as I placed the bags on the kitchen counter, Valerie rose from her recliner, staggering to her feet. I’d met Maddy’s mom after my first night there. It was clear to see where Maddy got her stunning looks from. The two women had the same dark brown eyes and mocha skin, but Valerie’s cheeks were blotched with angry red blemishes and her hair was short compared to Maddy’s long straight locks.

Maddy rushed to her mom’s side and caught her elbow, assisting her over to the kitchen.

Valerie slid onto one of the stools. “Sebastian. I didn’t expect to see you again.”

“I’m becoming a regular, aren’t I?” I waggled my eyebrows at Maddy as I got the items out of the bag and placed them on the counter.

“Don’t get used to it.” Maddy threw me a saucy smile before refocusing on her mom. “You shouldn’t be up. Can I get you anything? You need to go to bed and rest.”

“I’m fine.” She patted Maddy’s arm. “Luckily, I have you and Bridget to take care of me.”

I hadn’t met Bridget yet, but any nurse who helped Valerie there at home, took her to appointments, and relieved some of Maddy’s stress was a godsend.

“What’s all this?” Valerie circled her finger toward the groceries.

“Binge food.” I held up the tub of chocolate ice cream. “Want some?”

“No.” Valerie snapped. “And neither does Maddy. She can’t have any of that.”

“Why not?” I ripped off the lid and licked the melted ice cream that had gotten on my fingers. Maddy had eaten treats before.

“She’s on a strict diet.” Valerie’s voice turned short and cold. “She needs to lose a few pounds, not put on more.”

“Ah, no.” I jerked my chin back. “Mads doesn’t need to lose weight. She’s perfect.” I leaned toward Maddy and gave her a wink. “You’re beautiful. Sexy as fuck. Don’t listen to her.” Maddy was two or so inches shorter than me and slender but not bone-skinny. Fuck. There’d be nothing left of her if she lost weight.

“Slip. It’s alright.” Maddy sighed, brushing her mom’s comments off, but her tired eyes told a different story—one I’d ask about later. “Mom? Do you need anything? Help going to bed?”

“No.” She slid off the stool, waddled over to the cupboard, and fetched a wineglass. “I’ll have a drink, then I’ll go to bed.”

“What?” Maddy shot around the end of the white marble counter and blocked her mom’s path to the fridge. “You’ve just had a flare-up and you’re loaded with strong meds. You can’t drink.”

“I feel fine. One won’t hurt.” She shooed her hand at Maddy. “Please move, dear.”

“Mom?” Maddy closed her eyes, and her jaw tensed. “For one night, don’t drink. You’ve had a lot of treatment. Just go to bed.”

Shit. Now I understood why Maddy didn’t drink much. I shouldn’t have bought the wine. But Maddy loved a drop of red.

“Soon.” Valerie gently shoved Maddy aside. “One wine, then I will.”

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