Page 49 of Joy to Noel
Chapter twenty-two
Liam
May
Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures, the atmosphere of our house has been icy.
Madison’s been giving me the silent treatment ever since our “fight.” Honestly, I know I deserve it. I’ve barely caught a glimpse of her the past few days, as she’s either holed up in her room with the door closed or out of the house when I come home from the office.
It should be fine. I should not care. She’s more of a roommate than anything, and this is acceptable roommate cohabitation.
But it’s not fine, and I do care. Which exponentially increases my frustration about everything in life.
After Hana saw Madison in the background of our family video call, I was forced to explain to my parents why there was a girl in the house. Which then forced me to explain that I am currently working a job in Arkansas, a mere three hours away from them. I was narrowly saved from an imminent visit by the plane tickets they purchased to go visit my grandparents and Hana for a few weeks.
Since both of my parents are college professors, the beginning of summer break here means that they can take an extended trip to London. But once they’re back stateside, I’ll now be forced to plan a trip to visit them in Conway, if only to ensure they stay far away from Noel.
I can’t handle them meeting Madison right now. BecauseIdon’t know how to handle Madison right now.
I make decisions based on my gut instincts, and 95 percent of the time, my gut doesn’t steer me wrong. But Madison seems to fall into that outlying 5 percent, because my gut is telling me that I want more with her. That she’s meant to be more than just an acquaintance or roommate.
More than just a friend.
But that makes absolutely zero sense. Sure, I’ve been in Noel longer than most job locations—I arrived at the beginning of March, and it's now May. Even if I’m here a few more months, though, the job will eventually end. And I’ll move on to pull the next factory back from the brink of catastrophe. Noel is not my long-term destination.
Not to mention who even knows how long Madison will be here? She seems to care about the people of this town, but she’s a self-named city dweller. How long would this small town hold her?
So I’m fighting against my gut rather than going with it. An unusual reversal that’s been throwing off my whole week.
Checking the clock next to my bed, I see that it’s a little past 7:00 a.m. It’s a Saturday, but this is sleeping in for me. Hamlet has been stretched out on my chest dozing for the past twenty minutes, and I absentmindedly stroke his fur as I contemplate what to do. Even if I won’t give in to that instinct to open up my life to Madison, I do want a level of peace between us. Idon’twant her seeing me as a jerk.
Throwing on some running clothes, I quickly brush my teeth and head out to the kitchen to see if Madison is awake. Hamlet trots after me, and I pause to scoop food into his bowl before casually looking across the open living space to see if Madison’s door is open.
Her room is dark. Peeking out the window to the side of the front door, I see that her car is gone. Frustration blooms in my chest, and I run a hand through my hair.
After drinking some water, I lace up my running shoes and head toward the river, intending to take an extra-long route today.
There’s a break in the humid heat this morning, so I push myself harder than usual while running. As I follow a path along the river, I’m surprised when I see Madison sitting at a picnic table on the riverbank.The reMarkable tablet is propped in her hand, but her gaze is fixed on the water.
Well, here’s my chance for an olive branch.
I slow way down, allowing my breath to even out before I approach her. A montage of emotions flashes through her eyes when she sees me, finally landing on glacial indifference.
“Hey,” I say.Wow, super smooth, Liam.
Madison cocks her head to one side. “Hey.”
I’m staring, trying to figure out what to say, when Madison asks, “How’s your grandmother?”
“Oh, yeah, she’s doing fine. The procedure was more of a preventative thing than an emergency. But my parents are flying there next week, so . . .” I trail off.
“That’s good,” Madison states, then turns her attention back to the tablet.
“I’m actually glad I caught you here,” I begin, but I’m interrupted by Madison’s snort.
She gestures out to the river and asks, “Here as opposed to our shared rental house?”
“Well, you haven’t exactly been around the house a lot this week,” I say, bristling.
