Page 22 of Done Waiting

Maddie smiles over her shoulder at the tree, looking at it like she would a lover. And for a damned minute, I’m jealous of a fucking tree.

The smile that curls her lips sucks my breath from my lungs. Captivated, I lean forward, ears straining, as I watch her lips move. Her lilting voice carries to me on the breeze.“Don’t leave me. I can’t stand being alone any longer.”

It’s as though someone stabbed a knife through my chest. My hand moves to my heart, the ache so deep it nearly brings me to my knees.

Her voice changes, becoming deeper and gruffer as she says,“Never. I’d never leave you, Maddie.”

Who does she imagine saying those words to her? The jackass boyfriend who took her for ice cream, then dumped her out, leaving her behind once again?

My heart beats faster in my chest.Could it be me she’s thinking of?The obsession rages inside of me, needing to know the answer.

She stays in the tree until blackness covers the land. Her head tilts, captivated as the first star appears in the sky. Relaxation and peace steals over her, a smile tugging at my lips as I observe her.Nighttime is my time, baby girl. You seem to be relishing in the darkness with me.

My head turns as movement on the sidewalk draws my attention. The motion sensor lights turn on, illuminating my enemy as she strolls to the front door, puts her key in the lock, then disappears inside. My gaze returns to Maddie, who is still relaxing in the tree, blissfully unaware of her mom’s presence.

Several minutes later, I hear the Ice Queen’s voice filtering from Maddie’s open bedroom window. Maddie sighs, crawling toward her window, then slipping inside. Before she shuts it, I hear her yell, “I’ll be right down.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I stand there for a few minutes before stepping away from my hiding spot, moving around the house. I spot Maddie and her mom talking as I stand near the living room window. The Ice Queen says something that has Maddie frowning, but she reluctantly nods. Her mom leaves the room and Maddie pulls out her cell phone, pressing it against her ear.

She places an order for a pizza to be delivered, then plops on the couch. Turning the television on, she idly surfs through some channels before stopping on the movie Halloween. Stretching her legs out, she relaxes against the cushions, involved in the movie.

Good choice, baby girl. I like horror movies, too.

Time passes before the Ice Queen enters the room, wearing different clothing. She says a few words to Maddie, but I can’t hear what they are, before she turns, heading for the door that separates the kitchen from the garage.

Is she fucking leaving?

Sure enough, I see her car backing out. Pinching the bridge of my nose, anger courses through me. It changes to hurt when I lift my head, my gaze moving back to Maddie. Her face is lined with sadness, eyes vacantly staring ahead.

My hands clench into fists as a pizza delivery guy strolls up the sidewalk and presses the doorbell. Maddie swings her legs to the floor, heading to the front door. She signs a slip of paper, then takes the pizza, smiling her thanks.

My heart fucking breaks inside my chest as I watch her open the box, grab a slice of pizza, and lean back, her feet propped on the coffee table, eating her dinner.Alone.

Watching a movie.Alone.

Disgust fills me. I’d like to fucking choke her boyfriend, her best friend, and her mom to death.

Maddie’s cell phone rings and I watch as she looks at the screen, her face lighting up. Moving closer to the window, I listen intently as she answers, the first words from her lips saying, “Hi, Uncle Ryan.”

They chat for a while, and then his wife’s voice comes through the line. They chat amicably for a few minutes before Ryan cuts in, asking Maddie if she’s okay and wants them to come to her or she can come visit them.

Maddie assures them she’s fine, which is a lie. I can tell from Ryan’s tone he’s unconvinced, but he doesn’t push her.

She finishes her dinner and the movie before climbing the stairs. I move to the tree, standing beneath it, watching as Maddie appears in her bedroom. Putting her phone on the nightstand, she plugs it into the charger, then slides under her covers, shutting her light off.

I stand there, watching and waiting until I deem that enough time has passed. Climbing up the tree, I peer into her bedroom, watching her prone form beneath the covers.

Opening her window, I slip inside, holding my breath while I focus on the deep sound of her breathing. Cautiously, I move forward, heading to the phone on her nightstand. As I lift it, my eyes dart back and forth between it and her, going through her texts, pictures, and social media. I set her phone back down, disappointed in her after reading her text messages to and from Ben.

Why the fuck does she put up with that asshole? Something is off with that guy. I’m fairly certain he’s fucking Chloe, although I don’t have proof and am solely basing that on what I saw before and after her father’s funeral.

Why in the fuck would any man in his right mind cheat on Maddie?

My gaze slides to the peaceful expression on her face, the moonlight shining through her window, illuminating her face with a silvery light. Her full lips are parted slightly, long lashes resting against her high cheekbones. I’ve done nothing but obsessively watch this gorgeous woman for months, and she’s ruined me from wanting anyone else except her.

My breath hitches as I stare at her. Leaning over her, my fingers stroke the contours of her face, the thrill of her waking up and seeing me warring with my need to ensure she remains sleeping. “We can’t keep meeting like this, baby girl,” I murmur softly, bending down and inhaling the scent of her hair.

I still as she rolls onto her back, my heart in my throat as I wait for her eyes to open. She remains asleep but shocks the fuck out of me when her arms reach up, wrapping around my neck. Her lips curve into a dreamy smile and I’m equally surprised and turned the hell on when she whispers, “You promised you’d never leave me.”

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