Page 52 of Masked Darling

Kade groaned. “Fine.”

Madison’s phone buzzed in the pocket of her jeans and she answered it quickly to find Alison calling her.

“Yes?”

“Where are you?” Alison’s shrill voice came through the phone.

Madison smiled at the worry in her voice. “I’m okay. I’m just still at the bar.”

Ever since she’d gotten back from the hospital, Alison was on a mission to take care of her. She took turns taking her to therapy and even hired a chef the first two weeks so that Madison could focus on healing. Madison told her it was ridiculous of her to spend so much money on her for something so simple and Kade had offered to come take care of her as well. Alison wasn’t having that though and stated she needed to heal under a woman’s care right now.

At first Kade was upset that she didn’t want him around, but then she had explained it to him that too much, too fast wasn’t going to work well under the circumstances of Madison being a survivor of rape and assault. He could be the best man in the world–and she knew Madison thought the world of Kade–but he had to give her a little space and let her get into a good habitof rest, exercise, therapy, self-care. Alison had even arranged to allow Madison to take the finals she’d missed so she could walk at graduation. That was the first place she went outside of the house besides therapy that first week and she was glad that no one would allow her to miss it. Green Light had taken a lot from her, but the people in her life refused to let it be any more than what was already gone.

“You know you have to text me if you’re going to be late,” Alison whined.

“I know, I’m sorry. Time got away from me,” Madison apologized and watched as Kade took his phone out of his pocket and began to send a message next to her.

“Are you coming home tonight or staying with Kade?”

Madison looked down as Kade placed his phone in front of her so she could read the screen filled with messages from the last couple of hours.

Ali Cat:

Are you guys still out?

Kade:

Yes. I’m right next to her.

Ali Cat:

She didn’t call me tonight to let me know she’d be late. I start to worry.

Kade:

I know. She wants to stay with me tonight.

Ali Cat:

Idk if that’s a good idea.

Ali Cat:

She might need more time before having sex again.

Ali Cat:

Kade.

Kade:

Sorry, phone was on silent. You know I would never ask her to do anything she wasn’t ready for. She’s been asking for days to stay and I think if I keep refusing her it’s going to make it seem like I don’t want her after what happened.

Kade:

And I’m not going to do that either.

Ali Cat:

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