Page 90 of Finding Fate

Maddox pulls the rental into his parents’ driveway behind three other vehicles, two of which I’m not familiar with, but based on one truck—the newest and most decked out of them all—having a Louisiana collegiate tag representing LSU, I’m going to assume it’s his brother, which only makes me more nervous. Maddox said way back then that Micah wanted out of this town as soon as he graduated. If I remember correctly, he’s like seven years older than Maddox. I only met him that one weekend, which was before all the shit hit the fan and my dad embarrassed me. Who knows what he thinks of me now. If I wasn’t so hopelessly in love with Maddox, my pride alone would keep me away.

It suddenly seems crowded. When I was here in October, we had the house to ourselves. We sort of always did. His parents were conservative, not strict, and I always thought the two went hand in hand until I met Maddox. Maddox was also the ‘baby’ of the two, which means they were a lot more relaxed with him than his brother. They raised him to make the right decision without breathing down his neck to watch him do it. They lived their own life instead of living through their kids like some parents.

The vehicle I recognize is his dad’s truck because it’s the same one he had when we were dating during Maddox’s senior year. The one they showed up in when we had the meeting from Hell between us and our parents. I think it was still pretty new when everything went bad, and Maddox said he keeps the same vehicle for like ten years.

My nerves are frayed. I feel like I’m going to puke. I have no idea whether it’s anxiety or the pregnancy; maybe a little of both. But I can’t seem to calm down no matter how hard I try. Between the time we spent at my grandparents’ house where we were both drilled with a million questions, and the plane ride back as new parents, I’m trying to adjust still. My dad has been a good middleman between us and Madden while we get used to each other, but I’m terrified to fail once he’s no longer around. I want to do this on my own. Just me and Maddox.

Most people have months to adjust to parenthood with a crying infant, while we’re coming into it with a child that has a routine, can speak and do for himself, and is also having to adjust to an entirely different life in a matter of days. We’re all just winging it.

Tired of messing with my hands in my lap, I pull down the visor and open the mirror, inspecting myself. My long sleeve shirt is such a dark brown it appears black when you’re not in the right light, much like my eyes. It’s a stark contrast against my light hair. I tuck one side of my blonde hair behind my ear and then decide to pull it back out. Maybe I should have curled my hair versus straightening it with a flat iron. I feel like I’m missing something. Lipstick!

I grab my purse and dig through it, unable to find it. I think I put it back in my makeup bag, which is with my luggage at my dad’s house. Great. The one time I act organized is the worst possible time. I usually never put my crap back where it goes.

Maddox grabs my wrist and slides his hand into mine, swaying my attention. I’ve always thought he’s handsome. When he’s dressed in a button-down and nice jeans and his better shoes, he takes my breath away. I love that color on him—Irish green. It’s bright without appearing summery. Makes his tan stand out. His dirty-blond hair is flipping up a little in the front because that’s how the coarse texture air dries. His jaw is working back and forth, but he’s not smiling, putting me on alert. “What’s wrong? Am I underdressed? I knew my destroyed skinny jeans were too casual.”

“Gab.”

“I may have a better top in my carry-on. I’m notorious for carrying backups. I think it’s still in the trunk. Just give me a second to check.”

I reach for the door handle, but he squeezes the hand he’s holding. “Gabby.” I look back at him. “Stop. You look beautiful. There is nothing wrong with your outfit. You’re acting like my parents have never met you.”

“I think you look beautiful too, Mommy,” Madden pipes in, making me even more emotional.

“Thank you, baby,” I tell him. That wall I’ve been working so hard to build the entire way here is quickly crumbling. My eyes fall back on Maddox’s. “What if they hate me?” I whisper. “Or think I did it on purpose?”

He glances at Madden in the rearview mirror, who’s sitting buckled in his booster seat dressed out like a miniature version of his daddy. Maddox thought it was weird for him to sit in one at six, saying he didn’t sit in a booster seat that old, but times have changed and Madden is small. I’m not sure what the law is. I’m not taking any chances on getting him taken. I’ll probably end up being one of those bubble moms.

Madden is dressed in a button-down and jeans just like Maddox. We took him to get a new outfit for the occasion. His hair is even gelled because he wanted Maddox to fix it when he was putting some product in his own after his shower, melting my heart. The way Maddox is looking at him confirms he knows what I’m talking about, before locking his eyes on me. “Are you serious? I could have gone to jail and it didn’t stop me from hittin’ that!” he whisper-shouts, trying to keep his voice low. “I knew you weren’t on birth control and didn’t pull out.”

“They don’t know that! It’s not like it’s that big of a stretch. I’ve always been madly in love with you. My dad was making us break up. Now, all these years later, I’m just supposed to introduce him and expect them to like me?”

His smile finally breaks. “As flattering as that is, beautiful, if they are going to blame anyone for doing this on purpose, it’s going to be me, along with number two.”

My eyes bug out of my head. “I forgot they knew! Maddox,” I whine.

He laughs. “I can’t help I keep getting a hole in one.”

“Will you teach me how to get a hole in one, Daddy?” Madden asks. He’s become Maddox’s shadow in a short amount of time, and I don’t know whether to pick my heart up off the floor that is in a puddle or be jealous. Seeing how much Maddox loves it, though, keeps the jealousy at bay. I think he’s more relieved than anything.

His smile grows. “When you’re older, buddy.”

My jaw drops and I point at him. “Not until he can buy the clubs! This is where your good morals better have stuck!”

Maddox pulls me in for a kiss, our lips so close I can smell the mint on his breath. “I can’t blame him if he brings one home like mama. The sweet talkin’ pretty ones get you in a heap of trouble.”

I sigh and melt into him, my heart already fluttering. His good looks and easygoing personality could get him out of anything. He’s had my heart since the moment he opened his mouth to talk to me. “Even if they didn’t like me, I’m selfish enough to keep you for myself.”

“You and me—we’ll always find a way, baby. I’ll love you ‘til the end of time, Gab.”

I brush my lips against his. “You better. If I can’t have you no one will. Remember that when those leggy girls start smiling at you.”

“You know your crazy has always turned me on,” he says low and deep. “We’re going to ruin our son. I used to get grossed out thinking of my parents having this side of a relationship.”

I smile at him. “I can think of far worse ways to ruin him than loving each other unconditionally.”

He finally plants a kiss on my lips. “Play that angle for my parents and they’ll love you as much as I do.”

If only it were that easy . . . History always has an effect on the future.

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