But that doesn’t excuse what he did. I was blindsided by Victoria’s news. Their news.
“Hurry,” Eric demands.
I glare at him, keeping my angry thoughts to myself. I look at my sisters’ messages and see they started a group text.
Sophie: Where the hell are you?
Lennon: You can stay here if you need space. We’ll make room.
Sophie: Are you safe?
Sophie: Who are you staying with?
Lennon: Please answer so Sophie can stop freaking out.
I scan the rest of their messages with the most recent one being from Sophie ten minutes ago.
Sophie: I’m about to call the fucking National Guard if you don’t answer me. You know Mason’s job has connections, and I won’t stop at anything to find you. So you either respond with a selfie so I know you’re alive or I’m having Mason’s friend track your phone.
Shit.
“She wants a selfie,” I say.
“I know,” Eric replies. “The location has been disabled on your phone, but do what she wants so she stops freaking out.” Sophie won’t stop until I’m back at home, but I don’t tell him that.
Swallowing hard, I nod and walk around to find a good spot for a picture. I’m sweaty from yoga and look like a hot mess, but maybe that’d actually convince her I’m alive and well. I find a blank wall and then position myself. I stick out my tongue, hold up a peace sign, and give her my best Miley Cyrus impression before snapping a pic. Then I attach it to the group message.
Maddie: I’m fine, was just doing yoga actually. See?
I show Eric and wait for his nod of approval before hitting send.
Sophie: Madelyn Grace! Where the hell have you been?
Lennon: You look sweaty like you’ve been having lots of hot sex. If you ran away with a sexy billionaire, just tell us.
Maddie: Yes. His name is BOB. He’s the grandson of a dildo inventor, and he swept me away to the Alaskan mountains where we’re hot-tubbing naked and drinking five-thousand-dollar bottles of wine.
I type out my response, then show Eric who looks less than amused.
“Trust me, if I’m not my normal sarcastic self, they’ll know something’s up,” I explain.
“Fine, but you have a minute, and then I’m taking your phone back.”
I hit send and wait for their responses.
Lennon: Told ya she was out getting dicked. You owe me 20 bucks, Soph.
Sophie: You two are the most annoying sisters ever! I hate you both.
Maddie: I’m fine! I’m not a child and can take care of myself for a week or two, okay? I just needed some space, and I can’t have that being in the same house as him.
I hit send before showing Eric, needing to wrap up this conversation.
Sophie: You really sure you’re okay?
Maddie: I promise. I’ll reach out when I’m ready.
Lennon: We’re here if you need anything, Mads.
Sophie: Please don’t stay gone too long. I miss you.
Maddie: I know. I miss and love you both.
Then I show Eric and give him back the phone.
“Well done.” He tucks it into his pocket.
Lying to them when they’re so damn worried makes me feel sick to my stomach. I have to do what’s necessary, but it doesn’t make it any easier to swallow.
“I’m going to shower and take a nap,” I say. Walking past him to the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge. Before heading to my room, I turn and watch as Ty shoots daggers at Eric and wonder why the hell Victoria would send two people who obviously have a beef with each other to an isolated location.
Maybe that’s a bonus punishment for me. Stick me with two macho men who want to kill each other and probably me in the process.
Once I’m in my room, I strip out of my sweaty clothes and get into the shower. For the past two days, I’ve stayed strong, and perhaps in a state of shock, but reading Sophie and Lennon’s text messages and seeing how worried they’ve been has me breaking down. My tears mix with the water stream, and the reality of my situation hits hard.
I have no idea how long I’ll be here, if I’ll see Liam again, or if I’ll get to go back to my old, boring life.
Oh how I’d kill for hectic class schedules and rehearsing until my toes bleed.
After I’m clean and cried out, I change into something comfortable and lie in bed. I end up falling asleep and wake up to the smell of food. Making my way down the hallway, I spot Ty in front of the stovetop in the kitchen.
“You cook?” I ask him. He doesn’t even startle as if he’d somehow heard my soft footsteps.
“Of course.”
“Interesting. Another thing to add to the ‘things I know about Ty’ notebook,” I tease, walking over and looking inside the skillet. I wrinkle my nose at the weird dish. “What is it?”
“Cajun sausage skillet pasta.”
“Sausage what? I’ve never heard of it.” I watch as he stirs it, the scent of garlic hitting my nose.
“It’s a Southern dish,” he responds as I take a seat at the breakfast bar.
“Wait.” I smile when he looks at me over his shoulder. “Are you Southern? Where’s your accent? Say y’all…”
He turns back around. “Yes. I don’t have one. And no.”
“Who taught you to cook then?”
“My grandmother.”
“And where is she?”
“You ask too many questions.” I watch as he turns the burner down and covers the skillet.
“What else am I supposed to do?” I cross my arms when he faces me.
“Eat, behave, sleep,” he repeats robotically though that same half-smirk from earlier surfaces.
“I’m bored as hell. The least you could do is entertain me.” I pout.
Something glimmers in his eyes, and then as fast as I recognize it, it’s gone. His throat moves, and he stiffens as if he remembers I’m his mission to keep safe and quiet. He’s not supposed to be friendly, and we’re not supposed to be friends.
“I’m from Utah,” I blurt out. “My father’s a pastor actually. My mother was a stay-at-home mom and helped him with church duties.”
“Oh.” He busies himself, digging through the drawers and cabinets for plates and forks.
“I have two older sisters, one niece, one nephew, and where did you say you grew up?”
“Alabama,” he says, then immediately stops and faces me with narrowed eyes. “How’d you do that?”
Looking sheepishly at him, I smile and fake innocence. “What?”
“You’re sneaky.”
“Not the first time I’ve been called that,” I say proudly.
Ty serves up his dish on two plates, and I notice Eric isn’t around tonight.