Page 2 of Tomorrow's Never Promised

Ke$hais blasting throughout our off-campus house. Leah is preparing for another Friday night out after our shift at the hockey stadium. All our friends are about to meet at the local bar Schmitty’s—which we like to call ‘Schitty’s’—due to how you felt the next day.Cheap liquor and 2 dollar beers will do that to you.

It is down the block from our house, making it a prime spot. Our broke asses can walk home without having to pay for an overpriced Uber. Schmitty'sis the hot spot for post-game drinks and getting lost in the music orsomeonefor that matter.

Leah pops her head in my room smelling like Victoria’s Secret Love Spell perfume, hair spray, andtequila.

Oof,it’s going to bethatkind of night.

I’m sure I’ll hear her stumble in later with one of the hockey players. Looks like she will be the next one to add her name to the ‘getting pucked’ list.

Yeah, I really just said that.

Since our school lacks a football team, the hockey players are the big eye candy around campus. And my roommate has made herself quite comfortable with the whole team.

I’m silently sending a prayer up to the sex gods to have the two of them end their night at the hockey house and not ours.

Leah is a loud lover—let’s just say she can win an Oscar for her performances in the bedroom.

You go girl.

She is absolutely stunning. Leah has legs for days, curves in all the right places, wild short brown curls, and tattoos that scream ‘come take a peak’. She truly is my best friend; no matter how orwhereshe chooses to enjoy her sex life. All I care about is that she stays safe and out of trouble.

I guess that’s how my nickname “mama” came about. I am always cooking, helping with hangovers, and checking in on her and our friends. I used to be out on the town with them—except that all stopped a year ago when my life decided to crash down on me.

“You aren’t going to get laid looking like that,” Leah half laughs, eyeballing my messy bun and pajamas. She's been my rock this last year, and sarcasm is her way of getting some kind of reaction out of me.

I look up to see her charcoal-lined eyes, strappy heels, and tight black bodycon dress. She’s holding two shot glasses filled to the rim with the bottle tucked under her arm. My eyebrow instantly raises at the sight andsmellof it.Yep—definitely tequila.

She’s up to no good tonight.

TheMad Maddyinside me misses the party animal whileMama Maddyclutches the bedspread tighter to her chest.

“I amsoonot in the mood to go out tonight, Lee,” I sigh. “I am freaking exhausted from work and I have ahugeanatomy exam to study for.” I pin her with a stern gaze, nodding my head to the open PowerPoint on my laptop. I’m praying she will just drop it. Although, knowing her,she won’t. If there is one thing about my roomie—she is stubborn as hell.

She holds her hand out with the shot spilling over the rim as I laugh and shake my head. I place one of my headphones back in my ear, ignoring her. Lee sits on my bed and uses her elbow to shut the screen, completely shutting down my music, PowerPoint, and incognito tab.The tab hiding my reactivated online dating account.

I finished updating my new bio earlier this morning, trying to pack as much as I could into a small character limit.

Hey! My name is Madison. Some like to call me Maddy or Mama Maddy. I guess you can say I’m already wifey material lol. I love to cook, watch movies and snuggle up with some good books. Family is everything to me. I am currently studying to become a nurse. Traveling the world is at the top of my to-do list, especially if I end up on a beach. I would love to meet someone who shares similar values and interests as me. If you asked me where I see myself a few years from now, it would be getting married and starting to build my small army of kids…adding in a few fur babies as well. Oh, I may have a slight obsession with coffee...some would call it an addiction. I call it love.

Disclaimer: *Hearts break easily, so be gentle with mine…it already has a few cracks.

So far, there have only been some creepy men with no bio and Myspace-angled pictures. Youknowwhich ones—taken from below or above at thatcertainangle. The type of men living out their dreams in their parent’s basement, still wearing Ed Hardy hats and ripped jeans.

One pleasant message did stick out, however—

Killian

Hello, sweetheart. My name is Killian. I immediately noticed your profile. It was something about your eyes...they hold the pain of loss. I also have experienced loss and heartbreak. Even the strongest of men have a couple of cracks in their armor, in the fortresses they’ve built around themselves. I think you could be the one to break down those walls. Perhaps we could get to know one another. Maybe two sad souls wandering this world and hardened by grief can feel a little less lonely. I look forward to speaking to you, and if not, I hope you find someone who can mend those cracks in your heart.

What theactual fuck. Is this for real?

I am intrigued now.

Not only are his profile pictures complete eye candy, but he is 28, owns his own business, and iscoveredin tattoos. HelloMr. Tall, Dark and Handsome. Did I mention he lives in New York City? I grew up on Long Island.

I was about to respond before Leah closed down my laptop.Guess it’ll have to wait until later.

“It's been over a year, Mad. You are too young to keep yourself cooped up here while we all go out. You are only young once, Maddy. You know Sean would want you to move on, to be happy, and not becomegrandmaMaddy,” Leah says, her voice cracking.

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