Page 23 of Anti Player

“That isn’t any of my business,” I retort. “What is my business is that you’re shit-talking my friend and my brother.”

Taylors brows draw together. “I don’t understand.”

“That’s because you must be really dense. I should maybe reintroduce myself. Hi, my name is Madison Noble.” I extend my hand to her. I don’t think she will take it. What I want to do is slap her.

It takes her a moment to process; I can tell the ball is rolling by her expression.

“You’re Brett Noble’s sister?” she asks and her jaw falls slack.

“Damn straight, and Kaleb’s my friend. You’re a bitch who doesn’t deserve him,” I say.

“Excuse me?” she asks, as if I just spoke a different language.

“You heard me,” I repeat.

“You’re really rude,” she replies. “You’re fired.”

“You can’t fire me. Lucy is my boss. I plan to take this to her,” I state. No way am I getting pushed around by a mean girl like her.

“Maddie, Madison. Look, we’ve had some sort of miscommunication. Whatever I told Vivie was meant for her ears only. I’m sure you have a friend you can just spew anything to. I didn’t mean what I said, I was just jealous about her dating an NBA player recently and I was trying to one-up her.”

“I’m done here, Taylor,” I say. I take my clothes and leave the restroom.

By the time I get back to my car I am shaking from that whole interlude. Taylor was such a bitch, but I also feel protective of Kaleb. No wonder he has issues with women. They go after him for his status.

I’m tense the entire way home. I park in the underground and then take the elevator up. It stops in the lobby and Ellie gets on.

“Hi, Maddie,” she greets.

Hi,” I reply.

“Thanks so much for the cake. Syd loved it. Connor loved it too. It was delicious,” she gushes.

“Thank you.”

Her auburn brows draw together. “Are you okay?”

“Huh,” I say.

I realize I’m tapping my foot and I feel really on edge.

“Oh, I just had something really messed up happen at work,” I explain.

“Oh no,” Ellie says, looking wide-eyed.

“No, no, it’s a good job. Just one of the employees did something and . . .”

“Maddie, whatever it is you can tell me,” she assures.

The elevator stops on my floor.

“I should go,” I tell her.

“No, please come over. If you’re this upset, it’s not good for Asher to see you like this,” she notes and she has a point. Funny how kids can pick up on moods while some adults just don’t have a clue.

“Okay, yeah, thanks.” I rub my arm, feeling cold.

We head up to Ellie’s apartment, it’s much bigger than my brother’s.

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