Page 61 of Love me, Maddie Mendoza

I chuckled. “You couldn’t be bitchy even if you tried real hard, Mad Max. You’re the sweetest thing.”

She moved onto my lap and hugged me tight. “Will you sleep with me?”

I couldn’t leave her. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. In the back of my mind, the clock ticked as the lines blurred. It had been many years since we shared a bed. We weren’t kids anymore, and I had kissed her like I was starved.

As a friend, I should stay put and hold her until she was sleeping. Yet, things weren’t rational. I wanted to hold her. I wanted to feel her skin on mine, and those feelings weren’t the friendly type.

“Of course.” I answered with a kiss on her forehead.

Maddie shifted away, to lie on the bed, under the covers. She waited for me while I toed off my shoes and socks.

“You can take it all off,” she said. “I know you sleep in your underwear.”

I stared at her. The way Maddie blinked killed me in one hundred different ways. I threw my shirt on the side of her bed and my pants chased it. She was right. If I was going to sleep in her bed, I couldn’t do in jeans. I undressed, trying to convince myself it was a great idea, but then I glanced at Maddie.

Her eyes were burning on my chest, her throat worked as she licked her bottom lip.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I never moved so quickly. In one quick move, I was under the covers. It seemed unadvisable to stay there and let her watch me.

Maddie shook herself off and gave me space to lie, shuffling away, until I had my head on her pillow. She turned to her side and watched me, so I did the same.

“I’m going to stay, Z,” Maddie whispered.

I closed my eyes and dipped my chin. Of course she was. I couldn’t see Maddie sitting in a class while her parents were going through all this.

“I can’t leave and if…” She stopped herself.

“We can send emails to your teachers and explain our absence.”

“You’re not staying.” Maddie frowned.

“Yes, I am.” I replied simply.

Usually, I entertained pointless arguments with her, just for the fun. But Maddie heard in my voice it wasn’t up for discussion this time around.

“Let’s see what the teachers say.” It was her way of compromising.

“When is the surgery?” I changed the subject.

Maddie blew out a fearful breath. “In three days.”

“All right.” I nodded. “It’s not a big deal. I’ll email the faculty and explain it’s a family emergency. The toughest guy we have is the one who likes you the most.”

Maddie almost giggled. “Walter?” She rolled her eyes. “He dislikes everyone the same.”

“No one dislikes you, Mads.”

“Oh my god, don’t be stupid!” She moaned. “So many people don’t like me! They just don’t have the courage to break it to you.”

I thought about that for a second. “Hmm, well, Cathy said you were intimidating.”

Maddie’s eyebrows shot up. “Me?”

I chuckled. “Yes. You’re veryscawy.”Maddie slapped me on the shoulder.

“Why does she think I’m intimidating? I like Cathy a lot!”

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