Page 126 of Mad Love

“Malcolm Whittier.” He shook Chase’s hand and then backed away. “Ready to go, sweet pea?”

Bex nodded and laced her fingers with mine. She leaned against my shoulder as we walked out of the waiting room.

* * *

RYAN: We’re an hour out. Going radio silent. I love you.

My heart squeezed as I stared at the message. I was sitting cross-legged on Bex’s bed wearing one of Ryan’s old shirts while Bex finished in the bathroom.

MADDIE: I love you. Be safe.

There was no reply, and I set aside my phone with a heavy heart only to hear it chirp with another incoming message. Hope surged in my chest as I scrambled to look.

COURT: Is she ok?

A sad smile touched the corners of my mouth as I tapped out a reply.

MADDIE: She’s doing all right. I’ll take care of her.

Text bubbles appeared and then disappeared before he finally answered.

COURT: Thanks

“Ryan?” Bex guessed as she towel-dried her hair in the doorway.

“And Court,” I admitted.

There was no missing the mix of emotions playing on her face. “What did he want?”

“To make sure you’re okay,” I replied. “He’s worried, B.”

“Whatever,” she muttered, tossing the towel across a chair near the desk and coming over to sit by me on the king-size bed we’d be sharing. Malcolm had reserved a two-bedroom suite at an upscale hotel near the hospital, and Chase and Tyler, along with the security guards, were a few doors down from us on the same floor.

“I really think you should hear him out,” I told her as gently as possible.

She looked away, her features pulled tight. “No. He’s had years to come clean, Maddie. I’m done spending time with a guy who obviously doesn’t give a shit about me.”

“Okay, we both know that’s a lie.” I shot her a knowing look. “If you knew the whole truth—”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” She got off the bed and stalked to the dresser for her brush before ripping it through her dark strands. “Once your dad is out of the picture, I’m done with them.”

Hurt panged against my heart. “You realize I’m part of them, right?”

She sighed. “Maddie, you’re my best friend, and that won’t change. I just mean, I’m done holding out for something that can never happen. I wasn’t lying—Court might’ve been my first kiss when we were kids, but only because Linc was an asshole and dared him to kiss me.”

I smothered a smile. Somehow I doubted a dare from Linc was what made Court kiss Bex, but sure. She could delude herself all she wanted.

“But Court Woods wasn’t the first or second guy I slept with. Maybe it’s time I start dating again. Or at least hook up with someone before my vagina dries up for good,” she muttered.

I snorted. “I think you’re a few decades away from that, babe.”

“I mean it,” she insisted with a smile. “When we get back to PC, I’m going to be Bex two-point-oh. I’m going to date and flirt and have fun. Horizontal fun.”

I made a face as I shrugged. “I don’t recommend limiting yourself to just horizontal.” A wicked grin spread across my face as she laughed and hurled a pillow at me.

I caught the pillow and hugged it to my chest. “Just make sure that whatever you do, you do it for you, and not to prove something to him.”

Sighing, she tossed the brush aside and sat down. “I don’t want to think about him.”

---