Page 55 of Deserving Maddie

Oh yeah, that's right. She forgot she told Kat that. In her defense, it was only because she was trying to avoid Ray and her best friend was calling her out on it. It ended up being pointless anyway since she was now actively speaking to Ray daily.

Ray: I could always make something up if that would help.

Maddie: And what is it we would do if she came back to town?

Kat: Have you heard anything more about asshat's death benefit or are they still holding it hostage?

She stopped thinking with her libido and started thinking with her head to answer her best friend. The company that paid out Anthony's death benefit was still giving her a hard time. She couldn't for the life of her figure out why they were suddenly investigating after nearly a year. She would've thought all of that would be done immediately after his death.

Maddie: Unfortunately, no. I considered calling Captain Matthews, but I don't want to bring attention to it. He and I didn't exactly part on good terms.

Understatement. Anthony's captain wanted her far away and to stop asking questions about the death. She was more than happy enough to leave.

Ray: I could be the one touching your pussy instead of you doing it yourself.

Maddie nearly choked on her spit when she read his response. She had to look around to make sure neither of her children was looking over her shoulder. Ray had talked dirty to her while they were on the phone together, but never through text messages. Maddie didn't know if she thought it was exciting or highly inappropriate. Probably a little of both. Especially with her kids just feet away from her.

Maddie: I'm going to be severely dehydrated with all these orgasms.

Kat: You didn't part ways at all. He was an asshole, and you moved away because dealing with this town's bullshit was becoming too much.

Ray: Then I guess you better start drinking some more water or I'll have to hold them back.

Maddie: I will have to if I don't want you denying me those orgasms.

She hit send and then realized too late that she was still, in fact, in her text message thread with Kat. Not Ray.

Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit.

Where was the damn delete button? There's a delete button in text messages, right? Why can't I find it?

She knew it was hopeless when the three little bubbles appeared on her screen, indicating her best friend was already responding to her message.

Kat: I didn't know I was giving you orgasms with my words. Glad to know I have that power.

Her friend added a winking emoji for good measure.

That was it. She was going to die of embarrassment. There were so many things they talked about but never had Kat been the recipient of what was supposed to be a private conversation.

Kat: By the way. Can I just say how proud I am that my girl is getting her sexting on? I didn't think you had it in you. Such a dirty bitch.

Oh, God. Maddie could feel the heat on her cheeks. It was a good thing they were outside. She could blame her bright red face on the fact that it was hot and the sun was beating down on her.

Maddie: OMG stop! I'm outside with the kids and was already feeling a little embarrassed. Now I'm mortified.

Then she switched over to her conversation with Ray and typed out a quick response to him.

Maddie: You are never going to believe what I did. I saw your message pop up and accidentally responded to Kat instead. So now she knows what we were talking about.

If she expected some sort of pity or sorry from Ray, she was sadly mistaken. The man had the nerve to send her back a bunch of laughing emojis.

Kat: Why are you mortified? It's completely healthy in a relationship to be sexting. It keeps the chemistry up.

Maddie: How would you know? You refuse to be in a relationship. And I'm mortified because I was doing it while sitting outside with my two children hanging around.

She looked around just to make sure Gabe and Charley weren't paying any attention to her. Her daughter was so engrossed in her book, she was sure not even a bomb going off would distract her. And her son was on the other side of the pool, his own phone in his hand.

Kat: So? You read sex scenes when you are outside and they are out there with you. It's basically the same damn thing.

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