Page 24 of Love me, Maddie Mendoza

I laughed big. “Outlaw? Are you from theFootloosetown in this dream of yours?”

“It’s the forbidden dance, Zeek.”

We were still laughing when the screeched name of Maddie rang through the air. It made us all stop. Our laughter died on our lips as an angry-looking Adamson-Burton III marched toward us with the biggest crease on his brow. He was ready for murder.

Maddie moved on my back, so I eased her legs to help her hop off. One look at her face and I was annoyed. Her lips quivered, and she swallowed. One arm over her belly like she needed to protect herself. On instinct, I stepped in front of her, but she grabbed my arm. “No, Z.” Her voice was small. I almost missed it with the loud music around us.

“Where were you, Pete?” Maddie smiled at him and if I hadn’t known her for sixteen years, I’d almost believe her calm tone.

“Getting a drink.” He huffed, looking away from his girlfriend. His eyes narrowed, taking me in. “Thought you were staying in tonight, King.”

I rolled my shoulders back. “Changed my mind.” It was ridiculous how bad things got.

When your best friend is a girl, you wish for her boyfriend to be someone cool you watch sports with. I never meddled in Maddie’s business when it came to guys, but I always wished she’d find someone cool that complimented our little group.

“Do you want to dance?” Maddie tried.

God, I hoped he said no. I looked around our circle and we were all just standing there watching. His presence killed the mood. I couldn’t imagine us resuming the dance just to include Peter. But I also knew we’d all do it for Maddie.

Peter shook his head with violence. The next words he spoke had me stepping forward, my neck straining. “I don’t wanna fucking dance, Maddie.”

Her hands stopped me in my tracks as I advanced on her boyfriend without noticing. It wasn’t just the cursing. I wasn’t a fan of his tone either. His pretty boy blue eyes on me, and his thin lips turned in a snarl. But he never had the chance to say anything to me. Maddie was quick to smooth things over.

“Let’s talk somewhere else, Pete.”

Peter looked me up and down, but I didn’t cave in. I stood tall, jaw set, pinning him with a look. I was taller, stronger. He was pissing me off and the only thing that kept me from punching his stupid face was the girl between us.

I’d be careful if I were him. Maddie was his lifeline.

They stepped away and my eyes followed them in the crowd until I couldn’t anymore. I turned to the rest of the group and they all wore similar expressions to mine.

Aisha shook her head. “You have to go.”

“Excuse me?” Maybe I misunderstood the ravenous look on her face.

“He’s angry because of you. Just leave Maddie with us.”

“What?” I protested. “Why the fuck would I go without Maddie? I’ll wait right here until he’s done with his tantrum.”

Aisha poked me in the shoulder. “He’s jealous of you. While you’re here, the fight will only keep going. Go home and leave it to me.”

She was right; I knew it. My presence was just going to make things worse for Maddie, and that wasn’t my style. Peter was trying to rope me into a pissing contest, and I almost fell for it. Nodding in defeat, I turned to Nick. I knew he was sober; he drove us there. “Can you bring the girls home?”

“Yes, of course.”

Aisha didn’t protest, thank fuck. She just shifted away and left, hopefully to find Maddie. Nick followed Aisha in a second, leaving Jason and I alone.

“Let’s go.” He nodded toward the front door.

Itossed the car keys on the table and moved my hand through the tight curls on top of my head. Unceremoniously, Jay pulled a chair out and sat down, bringing the forgotten playing cards close to his chest. He shuffled, ready to deal.

With a lopsided grin, he said, “Let’s play.”

I complained about Jason a lot -mostly about how theatrical he made our lives- but truly; he was an empath. Jason Barlowe was the type of man who could understand things even when they were left half said. He didn’t ask me why the little argument with Peter bothered me, he just knew it did.

I dipped my chin and sat down, so we played in silence.

Maddie met Peter on the day of my injury. She was watching me play, glitter sign in hand, and they struck up a conversation. When I fell, she rushed to my side. She was scared and crying. I was taken away in the middle of a game, and it was Peter, someone she talked to for just a second on the bleachers, who helped her up and drove her to the hospital to be with me.

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