Page 116 of Love me, Maddie Mendoza

I shook my head. “Ok. It doesn’t change that…”

“Yes, it does.” She scoffed.

“We fucked up.” I used the same tone as Jason and Nick. But Aisha couldn’t have been more dismissive.

“All of Statham held their breath until you kissed. That was how much chemistry you two have. People you don’t know wanted you together.”

“Reminding me how that school is insane…”

“Chemistry.” She insisted. “King, you and Maddie are inevitable. You can tell each other you’re best friends or whatever. You can say to me you fucked up, and that’s the end. I don’t believe one bit. You two are going to be together. You were born to be together. I can’t believe I am the one telling that to your stubborn ass.” I went to talk, but she was on a roll. “Damn it, just think about it. Really, just think for a second. Without your excuses.”

The silence stretched. I licked my dry lips, watching the quiet road instead of her eyes full of conviction.

“So you believe in fate?” I asked.

Aisha threw her head back and laughed. She wagged her finger at me. “When things are meant to be, they are. Don’t tell me you fucked up. Love is messy, King. Real love stories don’t start perfect. Honestly, you and Maddie started pretty neat. Just got a little messy in the middle.”

I placed my elbows on my knees. “You really believe in that? In destiny? That me and Maddie are made for each other and it doesn’t matter if I fucked up?”

She arched an eyebrow. “Do I like you fucked my best friend and didn’t claim her to her school? No. But Maddie is a kinky motherfucker, so she liked the sneaking around.”

I chuckled. “You knew.”

She nodded. “Of course, who you think gave her the idea to wear your jersey?” Aisha huffed like she was offended I didn’t assume she was involved.

“I never pegged you for a romantic.” I told her in a little joke that rang with truth.

She shrugged and leaned on her arms behind her back. “I believe our paths were carved before we were even born. Many things are free will, but some things are inevitable.”

I digested that. She was being so honest, and only because of that, I asked. “Are you and Nick inevitable?”

Aisha was a strong-willed woman. I knew she was real with Maddie, but it was rare to see her without a mask. But when she looked at me, I saw the real Aisha for the first time when pain flashed through her eyes.

“Yes.” Her words were certain. “Yet, he fights. Some things are beyond repair.”

I didn’t ask beyond that. I stood up, and she followed. “Don’t think too much. Don’t give yourself excuses.”

“You talk like you have a lot of experience.”

In love? In hurt? In relationships? I wasn’t sure.

“Let’s just say I know the messy parts of life. And I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t accept them.”

I thanked her and went to my car.

My mind raced as I drove. Aisha spoke with confidence, and more than that, acceptance. I loved Maddie so much I wanted our love story to be perfect the way our friendship was, but it wasn’t a separate issue. Our story was perfect and imperfect.

I needed to take the bad with the good. The same way I took the stupid crochet around the house but loved the skimpy tops. It made me chuckle, that was life. The ugly and the beautiful all together.

I burst into the house and found Nick and Jason in the living room playing FIFA. They barely acknowledged my presence when I stood there with my chest puffed.

I couldn’t think straight. I was bursting at the seams.

Nick pressed stop, a crease in his brow when I smiled unhinged. “What’s going on?”

I focused on them, my eyes darting from one friend to the other.

“I’m getting my girl back.”

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