Page 51 of Madden

Chapter Fifteen

Brielle

“So what, you’re gonna sit here all night and mope over a bottle of wine while you try to catch him walking the red carpet with his date? Good grief, woman, pull yourself together.” Serena scowls at me, crossing her arms.

She picked up on my less-than-stellar mood when she called earlier. After coming down from the high of my office orgasm, I faced the reality that Madden would be photographed with his arm candy, which would once again create a fury of rumors.

I hated the thought one of those rumors would be him once again being spotted with a different woman.

I hated even more that it was her going with him and not me.

“No…” I bob my head, rolling my eyes. “I’m actually going to sit here on my couch with my laptop and work up the courage to send him the article I’ve been agonizing over all week.”

She stomps across the room to the other side of my sectional couch and collapses next to me, kicking her feet up with her.

“If that’s what has you in knots, then there’s nothing for me to do. You knocked it out of the park.”

“You haven’t even read it.” I chuckle.

“I don’t need to, and that’s the point. You kill everything you set out to do. You seem to forget I’ve been next to you for most of our lives. I’ve read all of your short stories and most of your creative projects, along with many of the articles you’ve written before your job at Limelight. This one is no different. You’re an excellent writer, and I promise you’ve killed it. Now hit send, and let’s finish off this bottle of wine.”

I lean back against the sofa, practically burying my head between the two cushions, and stare at the screen. The TV plays on low in the background, but I haven’t been paying much attention to it, despite waiting for the mention of A Rebels Havoc.

Madden told me earlier today they will be on stage performing, so unless I happen to catch him in the crowd or they show him walking the red carpet beforehand, I’m only watching for their awards and performance.

I run my finger over my lip, staring beneath my brow up at the TV. They transition to a commercial break but first show more of the celebrities arriving at the event.

“Oh shit, there he is.” Serena shoots to her feet and points at the screen.

I narrow my eyes at his date and scowl when I see his arm around her waist.

She’s beautiful, wearing a dress so tight there’s no way she could wear underwear beneath that thing and get away with not seeing it.

Her cheekbones look chiseled from the gods. She’s sunkissed and fit, and I’m over here green with envy.

“Well, at least we got it over with, right?” She crosses her arms, turning back to me.

I exhale a huff, focusing on my laptop. I furiously type out the email and attach the article, and without thinking, I quickly hit send before slamming my computer shut.

“Where are you going?” Serena scurries behind me when I push myself to stand, taking off for the kitchen.

“Wine. I need more wine.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

I turn toward her, draining all my emotion from my face. She nods enthusiastically.

“On second thought, you’re right. See, you’re the one with the brains. You have all the best ideas.”

Turning back to the wine fridge, I smirk and pull out another bottle, popping the top. Never mind the fact we still have at least a glass left in the other bottle sitting in the living room. I’m certain we already need another.

I don’t remember what time I crawled into bed, but sure enough, the wine did its job on drowning out all my worries and cares.

It’s just after three in the morning when I hear the faint sound of my phone ringing from where it’s buried under my pillow. I blindly pat my hand around, searching for it, and hit the button to answer with a muffled, “Hello.”

“I’m sorry for waking you.” Madden’s deep voice hits me like a shot of adrenaline, forcing my eyes open wide.

“It’s okay,” I mumble. “Congratulations on your awards and your performance. I watched it, and you guys killed it.”

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