Page 33 of Claimed by my Bestie's Dad

MADISON

Aurora stormsinto my living room, her face flushed with anger, while Mia trails behind her. I opened the door because I saw Aurora and Mia on my front porch. I can’t just ignore two of my best friends. It’s strange for them to show up without some sort of notice, though.

“Aurora,” Mia says in a warning tone that indicates Aurora has already been flying off the handle.

My stomach drops. She knows.

How thehelldoes she know?

Ethan didn’t tell her. There’s no way. Maybe she just innately knows the same way people sometimes know when they’ve been cheated on, even when they don’t have any proof.

I back up toward the couch, feeling frazzled and more than a little guilty. My hands are clasped together, and I can feel the tension in my posture, bracing myself for the confrontation I know is coming.

What if she asks and acts like she doesn’t know? I don’t think I can admit that I’ve slept with her father…and enjoyed it. I can’t say it out loud, but I can’t lie either.

But then, everything changes when Aurora speaks. “You didn’t come to the emergency meeting, Madison! I’ve been trying to get everything organized, and you just…didn’t show up! Do you even care?”

I blink a couple of times because this is so far from what I imagined that I don’t even know how to handle it at first. So, if she’s upset about the dumb “emergency” meeting I missed, that means she doesn’t know about the thing I have with her father.

Good. Okay, good. I can handle this.

Aurora has taken my silence to mean I’m not sorry, though, and she’s continuing to yell. “I’m the one who has kept us all together these years even though we all have different lives and are going in different directions. If you think I’m going to just let you disappear and not say anything, you’re wrong. You’re just as much a part of this group as anyone, and that means I expect you to be places.”

“Aurora, I’m sorry. I was busy with the dogs. They’ve been a handful lately, and I just couldn’t get away.”

Aurora crosses her arms, her glare intense. “You couldn’t get away? This was important, Madison! You know how much my holiday party means to me. It’s not just about me—it’s about everyone. You said you’d help, and then you just…bailed.”

I try to keep my own temper in check. Aurora is mad because I didn’t come to an emergency meeting about something that is verynon-emergency. I can’t get upset at her, though. Because I have no right. In the end, I’m the worst person because I’m keeping an even bigger secret from her.

Mia steps forward, placing a calming hand on Aurora’s shoulder. “Hey, let’s calm down, okay? Madison didn’t bail on purpose. She had responsibilities. You know how crazy it can get with those dogs.”

Bigfoot comes over just then and thrusts his nose forcefully into Mia’s stomach.

Bella seems to sense she’s missing out on something and circles them both.

“Let’s sit down,” I suggest. “The dogs will calm down if we’re sitting down.”

I set the example by sitting on the couch. Samson comes and curls up next to me, but Aurora doesn’t want to sit down yet.

Her shoulders relax just a little, but she’s still huffing at me angrily. “It’s just…this party is in barely over a week, and I’m freaking out. I can’t do this alone.”

Now, I actually start to feel a little guilty. Aurora and I have always been closest in our group. And I’m usually the one with the crazy, creative ideas. They probably could have used me at the meeting for the party. “I know, Aurora. I really am sorry. If I could’ve been there, I would’ve. But the dogs needed me, and it’s not like I could just leave them.” It feels like such a lie that I’m sure they can see through it. I rush to add details.

“One of the dogs got out.” I point to Bella. At least, I’m pretty sure it’s Bella. “She is a handful. She’s strong, and…anyway. It was a whole thing.” Even though she got out the daybeforeAurora’s emergency meeting, we don’t need to get into all the exact details.

Aurora sighs, her frustration still simmering. “I get it. I do. But I need you, Madison. We all do. This party is a huge deal, and there’s so much left to do. You’re always so helpful in the planning phase, and if you weren’t going to come, you should have at least texted us. I thought you were on your way. We kept waiting for you.”

“I can definitely still help. I promise. Whatever you need, just tell me, and I’ll be there.”

“Fine. But no more excuses, okay? And learn how to text if you can’t be somewhere. I mean, we could have come and helped you get Bella back in and then had the meeting here. It didn’t have to be at Groovy Grounds.”

Aurora finally settles onto the sofa next to Mia. I still feel like it’s them against me, but at least Aurora isn’t yelling anymore.

I nod earnestly, hoping to reassure her. “I’m in. You know I’m in. Just give me an assignment… One I can do in my bedroom so the dogs don’t mess it up.”

Aurora pulls out her phone and starts scrolling down a list. “Okay, right now the unclaimed jobs are decorations, specifically something for my front door, and making a playlist.”

I shrug and nod. “I can do both of those. I’m not sure the decorations will be Martha Stewart style, but I’m sure I can come up with something.”

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