Page 30 of Love me, Maddie Mendoza

“Ok. So cut him loose.”

I was acting like the whole thing would be better for the prick. I couldn’t wait until Maddie was over this whole thing and I could finally share what I really thought of him.

Maddie stood up with a determined look on her face, nodding, as she convinced herself. “All right. I’m going to break up with my boyfriend.”

“I’ll order pizza.”

She gushed and came over me, hugging me even with the sweat. “Tacos, please.”

“Yeah, yeah, Mad Max.”

“Loads.” I shook my head. I knew what she liked.

“I know.” I kissed her temple. “You’ll be fine.”

“Someday right?” she whispered to my chest.

“Someday what?”

“Someday I will find someone who makes me want to stay rather than run off to you.”

“Yeah, someday.” I agreed, even though I really wasn’t looking forward to it.

There were three people cuddling up in the place I now called my bedroom.

Nick on the left side, Jason on the mattress at the bottom and Maddie right in the middle with one of her fluffy blankets. That was the flaw in making the living room my permanent bedroom. Eventually, I’d have to fight people over my space.

After seeing Maddie at the court, I ran for a shower while she was out, talking to Peter, I’d assumed. When I left to get her tacos, she was still out.

I shook the bag, and the three idiots cheered. My girl cheered a little less enthusiastically. I dropped the bag into Jason’s hand, trusting he’d get dinner ready for us all while I aimed at Maddie. She lifted her head as I approached, watching me with red-rimmed eyes.

“All good, Mad Max?”

“I’m single.”

“You’re crying.” I pointed out and a dramatic lone tear went down her cheek.

“Well, I shouldn’t.” She brushed the tear away. “It’s my doing.”

“You’re smarter than thinking you can get away from feelings just because you caused them.”

She groaned. “I don’t need the smart ass Zeek today. I need cuddles and tacos.”

“I got you tacos.”

“Great, now come over here.”

She pulled my arm, and I fell to the couch gracefully so I wouldn’t crush her. In a second, she snaked around me. Her chest plastered on the side of mine, her head on my shoulder and her hand on my beating heart.

“Was he a dick?”

“When was Pete ever a dick?” She wanted to know.

“All the time,” Jason and I replied, just as Nick said, “Always.”

Maddie said nothing to that. Jason passed her food in a takeout container, and she took it with a thank you. Picking at the lettuce on the side of her plate, she asked. “You guys really didn’t like him?”

“Let’s say we are happy you won’t be Mrs. Adamson-Burton III.” Jason winked at her.

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