Page 11 of Between Secrets and Obsession
“I’m fine, but a little shaken up. The apartment next to mine caught on fire, and I had just enough time to pack a bag before I was evacuated. We don’t know when we’ll be allowed back in. I dunno what to do. Soph’s out of town, and I don’t want to bug Lennon because she doesn’t have the extra room for me.”
Fuck.“Where are you now?”
“Standing outside my building with a hundred other students. Fire trucks are everywhere and the roads are blocked off.”
“I’ll be there as fast as I can.” I end the call and drive toward the university.
People are everywhere as well as paramedics and the fire department. Forced to park five blocks away, I make my way through the crowd until I finally find her chatting with someone. Maddie’s wearing her dance tights with her hair in a tight bun on top of her head. She has her backpack on and a duffel bag beside her. Though she sounded worried as hell on the phone, she wears a smile as she talks. When she spots me, her eyes light up, but she continues with her conversation.
“Yeah, I just finished rehearsing in the studio and was in my room when the fire alarms went off. I grabbed clothes, my laptop, and books before rushing out.” She loops her arm through mine. “There you are, Hulk. Shelby, this is my future husband.”
Groaning, I pull my arm away, then look at Shelby, who’s giving me heart eyes. “No, I’m not. I’m her sister’s roommate.”
Maddie continues, “He’s playing hard to get. We’ll see. Keep an eye out for our Save the Date card in the mail.”
Shelby giggles and they say their goodbyes.
I scowl at her suggestive mischievous grin spread over her tempting red lips.
“Oh loosen up and take the stick outta your ass.”
“Let’s go,” I say harshly, grabbing her bag and leading us toward my truck. She follows, staying in step with my fast pace.
We climb inside and she meets my eyes as I crank the engine. “What’s your problem?”
“I was worried about you,” I snap. “And you’re busy making jokes and laughing.”
“Oh, I wasn’t joking,” she quips. “The quicker you jump on board, the better. So tired of this pesky V-card and?—”
“Maddie! Knock it off,” I growl, needing her to stop talking before she goes any further.
“Fine. Then tell me what’s really going on with my sister and Mason this weekend?”
“Nothing’s going on.” I press on the gas, merging onto the interstate.
“Oh my God. You are so lying right now.”
“Just let it go,” I demand, but she holds up her phone, showing off Sophie’s contact.
“All it’ll take is one press of a button. I’ll call her and ask her what’s going on and find out why you’re being so damn weird.” Her finger inches toward the call icon, but right before she touches it, I reach for it, then she yanks it away.
“Should I ask Mason, instead?” She goes to his contact and presses the button.
“Holy fuck. He’s gonna propose. There. Are you happy?”
She locks her phone and squeals. “Are you serious? Finally?”
Her phone rings a minute later with Mason calling. She answers it nonchalantly, saying a friend picked her up, and ends the call with anI love you.
“What the hell?”
“It was my mom. I changed her contact to say Mason’s name, you big ass sucker.”
My jaw nearly falls to the floorboard, and I shake my head. “You played me, you little shit.”
She snickers. “Like a fiddle.”
“That’s it. You’re fucking grounded when we get home.”.
