Page 54 of Done Waiting

The shrill ringing of my phone startles us and I groan, pulling out of her.

Reaching my hand down, I retrieve it from the pocket of my pants, frowning as I see who it is. “I need to take this,” I say.

Climbing off her, I put my phone to my ear. “Hold on a minute.”

With my phone in the crock of my neck, and my boxers and jeans in my hands, I open the driver’s side door, climbing out. “What is it?”

Listening intently, I frown, not expecting the news I’m hearing. “Are you sure?”

My hand goes through my hair, my back to Maddie. “You know what we need to do, right?” My voice is low, ensuring she can’t hear anything.

“Okay, I’ll be there soon. I just need to make a quick stop.” Hanging up the phone, I tilt my head to the night sky, muttering curses.

Lowering my head, I heave out a breath, then turn, opening the door.

My eyes meet Maddie’s and I nod to her clothing. “Get dressed. We’ve gotta leave. There’s something I need to do.”

As she dresses, she looks over at me, a hurt look on her face. “Am I… Going with you?”

“No.”

Her disappointment swirls around me as I pull my shirt on, and then hop inside the truck. There’s nothing I can say at this point as the fury wells inside me.

Once dressed, she stiffly sits in the passenger seat, eyes averted, staring out the window.

Starting my truck, I quickly back up, then slam my foot on the accelerator. Maddie’s fingers wrap around the door handle as I speed over the bumpy road, heading for the highway.

As we drive down the road, she keeps her face turned toward the window, biting her lip. There’s nothing I can say that will fixthis. My emotions are in turmoil, rage pounding inside my skull as the urge to maim and kill overwhelms me.

Fifteen minutes later, we are pulling up to Ashlynn’s apartment. I’ve barely stopped my truck before Maddie thrusts open the door, sliding out.

She gives me a quick glance, then looks down at her feet. “Um, thanks for… tonight.” Then she slams the door, hurrying toward Ashlynn’s front door.

My mouth is open, but it closes.

I have no words.

I sure as hell can’t tell her what I’m about to do.

She rushes inside, shutting Ashlynn’s door behind her like someone is chasing her.

Smart girl, my monster snarls.She knows to get away from us.

I release a long sigh, my fingers gripping the steering wheel so hard they are white.

Throwing my truck in reverse, I back out of there.

Slamming my foot on the gas, I hurry toward my destination.

“It’s better this way,” I say aloud.

My monster makes a tsking noise.She has no idea who you really are.

22

MADISON

My back is pressed against Ashlynn’s front door. The tears I’d been struggling to keep at bay let loose like a dam breaking, causing me to sink to the floor.

---