Page 34 of The Puck Secret

“Hector told me what happened,” he starts, and I see a flicker of emotion in his eyes, as his hands tighten around his glass before he takes a sip. “I have spoken with Thorne’s father and he has assured me it won’t happen again.”

Tears build up at the back of my eyes as his words wash over me, and I can’t hold back my scoff, “Would you even care if it did?” Seriously? Brad waits for me late one night to do god knows what if Hector hadn’t stopped him, and what? My daddy talked to his daddy and now it’s all going to be okay.

“Madeline,” my dad warns in a no nonsense tone of voice, and I snap.

“No, dad, this is fucking bullshit and you know it. Is that really the kind of guy you want me to marry?” I stare at him as I ask that question, and when his silence holds firm I nod. “Okay, good talk.”

I stand and walk out, not bothering to wait for another word from him. They clearly don’t mean anything anyway, and he doesn’t care what I say, so there is no reason to stay. The tears are seconds from falling as I rip open the door and stalk from the room, almost bumping right into Josh in the process, who was clearly listening in on the conversation. I stare up at him and he opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t wait around to hear it.

I’m done with anyone with the last name Peters today.

I drive back home and dive straight into getting ready for tonight. First by showering and shaving every inch of my body, then lathering it in moisturizer, before moving to the kitchen to make a batch of margaritas for Hallie and I. When my phone chimes, I smile as I read the name, and open up a message that has me heating up.

The Lonely Charm: Happy Halloween Grim

*image attached*

He has sent a shirtless picture, which have been few and far between lately, that looks as if he is also fresh from the shower and I have to bite my lip as I take in his toned body. God he is fucking delicious. Not really in a state to send my own flirty thirst trap back, I snap a shot of my jug of freshly made cocktails and fire it off in return.

Maddie: Happy Halloween to you too Stalker

*image attached*

The Lonely Charm: Looks like you are setting up for a good night

Maddie: I am, I’m going to a party

The Lonely Charm: Well what a coincidence, so am I

Maddie: See, I knew you were a stalker!

The Lonely Charm: Maybe I’ll see you there?

Maddie: Maybe you will

The Lonely Charm: I’ll be the one looking fly

Maddie: I’ll just search for the guy whose friends are carrying his giant ego

The Lonely Charm: Don’t forget about my giant dick

My smile and blush are instant, as always with him, and I spend the next hour getting ready with butterflies in my stomach. Now I have two men that I am anxious about seeing tonight.How fun for me.I think it’s time for more alcohol.

After spending most of the day with my mom, celebrating and looking through old photos and stuff, I wasn’t at the house to rein the guys in. So by the time I get home the place looks like a freaking haunted mansion. As usual, Alexander Reign has gone overboard, not used to anyone ever telling him no. Not that I can blame them, and I guess my own birthday party is no different. I should have known that him and Archer teaming up would be a bad idea, and when I got home and asked Jake about it, he just shrugged and said there was nothing he could do.

I just shook my head and headed straight to my room to get ready. My costume is simple and probably a little overplayed, but it was Archer’s idea. He is the Goose to my Maverick. I am wearing a white tank, green flying jacket, black jeans and boots, and black aviators. Like I said, simple. I’m not really one for Halloween parties, which is saying something considering how many of them I have attended on my birthday each year, but it is what it is.

As the house starts to thump with the bass of the music, I make my way downstairs to join the fun. There are cobwebs everywhere, smoke machines both upstairs and down to create a kind of foggy atmosphere, and ghoulish decorations falling off every surface. I have to hand it to the boys, the place looks sick. They have even rented some light machines that make the house look more like a club, and I’ll be surprised if we don’t get a noise complaint at some point tonight.

Not bothering to worry about that, I head straight for the kitchen to grab myself a drink, which is where I find my three housemates waiting for me, along with most of the guys from the team. “There’s the man of the hour!” Reign booms, swinging an arm around my neck and pulling me in close to ruffle my hair with his hand.

Pushing him off with a laugh, I rise to find Archer smiling wide, holding a glass of champagne out to me. “Champagne, really?” I question him, taking the glass, knowing full well that he remembers the last time I drank champagne I fell into a bush in the yard and slept there all night.

“Of course champagne,” he smiles, holding his glass up for a toast. “Tonight is the last Halloween we will all spend together, some of us won’t be here next year.” His words are sobering, as I look around at some of the guys and see similar expressions on their faces as I am sure is on mine.

I hold my glass up in the air as I say, “Arch is right, we are together now, and even though we will move onto bigger and better things one day, we deserve to celebrate the good times now.” A few of them begin to nod, holding their glasses up to match my own.

“To the birthday boy,” Reign says with a smile. “The best damn Captain the Fairfield Flyers have ever seen,” and the crowd of guys around us cheer in agreement. I feel a ball of emotion crawl up in the back of my throat, and I push it down before I embarrass myself. Bottoms up I guess.

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