He fell into step beside me. “You won't accept my roses? I'm hurt.”
My lips twitched. Okay, it was really hard to stay serious when Maddox was in one of his pranking moods.
“You're so fucking silly. I don't know if I should laugh or... be concerned.”
“Anything to see that smile on your face,” he said with a grin.
And it was then I noticed, I was smiling. It had been a frustrating day, one of those days where nothing seemed to go my way. I was feeling moody and a tad bitchy, but here I was…
Instead of being annoyed with Maddox like I would have been before our truce, I was smiling. Damn it, this wasn’t good. He couldn’t have me smiling so easily.
“Are you flirting with me, Coulter?” I still couldn't wipe the grin off my face.
“Are you falling for it, Garcia?” He shot back, his eyes dancing with mischief.
“No,” I deadpanned.
“Good. The harder you play to get, the more fun this game is.”
“I'm not playing hard to get. We're friends,” I stretched out the last word, putting more emphasis on it. Because obviously, Maddox didn't understand the meaning of 'just friends.’
Maddox let out a small chuckle. "Oh, I know. Besties forever. I'll do your nails and you'll do my hair type of shit.” He paused, glancing down at me with a wicked smirk that should have warned me of what was about to come out of his mouth. “That won't stop me from trying to slide into your ass though.”
I missed a step and stumbled forward before quickly regaining my footing. Sputtering, I glared at him. “My... ass...?”
Why did my voice come out like a squeak? Damn you, Maddox. You and your filthy mouth and dirty thoughts.
Maddox put himself in front of my path, so he was walking backward, facing me. “I'm an ass man, baby. You got enough to fill my two hands. And my hands are big enough to handle you.”
Hmm. Oh really? He was almost too easy because I just found the MC’s weakness.
“My ass makes you weak?”
He nodded. “Weak to the fucking knees.”
I paused, lifted my chin up and regarded him with a regal look. If I made him weak in the knees, then...
“Great. Get to your knees and beg for it then. You might change my mind if you ask nicely.”
He blinked, looking bewildered. “Wait, really?”
“Try and we'll see.”
I forced myself not to laugh at the hopeful expression on his face. Poor baby. Maddox quickly got on one knee, in a proposal stance and presented me with the bouquet of dead roses. He gave me his most sincere look and asked, “Can I please fuck your ass?”
He said the words as if he was asking me to marry him, and this was some grand proposal. Don't laugh, Lila. Don't. You. Dare. Laugh.
I brought a hand up, tapping my index finger against my jaw in a thoughtful manner. His eyebrows furrowed, and he started to look suspicious.
I let my own smirk show. “Hmm. Not nice enough for me. Sorry, try again next time.”
“What?” He let out a mock gasp, but I caught the grin on his face before I stepped around him.
Giving him a final glance over my shoulder, I winked.
“What a man would do for a piece of ass,” he grumbled loud enough for me to hear.
I marched away, and maaaybeee, I put an extra sway in my hips – giving him a good look of the ass he wanted so much but couldn't have. What could I say in my defense? It was fun teasing a man like Maddox.
I smiled as the memory faded away, and the bus came to a stop at Maddox’s place. I had been here a few times, even got to know his butler, Mr. Hokinson. I didn’t know people in this day and age had butlers, but apparently, people as rich as the Coulters did, in fact, have butlers.
I waved at the guard and walked through the gate. Mr. Hokinson was already at the door, as I expected. He must have been alerted by the gatekeeper the moment I stepped foot onto the property.
“Good afternoon, Miss Garcia,” he said politely with a slight southern drawl and a little bow. Cute, old Mr. Hokinson.
“Is Maddox home?” I asked, sounding hopeful even to my own ears.
He gave me a tentative nod, as if this was a secret. “He is, Miss Garcia. But he hasn’t left his room since this morning. He didn’t come down for breakfast or lunch, so we know to leave him alone.”
My fists clenched at my sides. “And his parents?”
Mr. Hokinson swallowed, averting his gaze from mine, but didn’t answer. Ever so loyal, what a joke.
“I wish to see him.”
He sidestepped into my path when I tried to walk around him. “I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you.”
I raised an eyebrow and gave him a polite smile, even though I was feeling anything but. “Please tell me, Mr. Hokinson. Did Maddox tell you to keep me outside? Has anyone specifically said I’m not allowed into this house? Because from what I remember… Maddox said I can come and go any time I want. I have free rein, don’t I? Even you’re aware of that.”
The old man blinked and pursed his lips in silence. “Are you going against his words? I’m not sure he’s going to like that.”
“He–”
“I just want to know if he’s okay, and I’ll leave,” I interrupted before he could give me another excuse. Before Mr. Hokinson could stop me, I walked around him and into the house.
I took the stairs two at a time to his room. His door wasn’t locked, but I still knocked. Once, twice… four times, but there was no reply.
With caution, I opened the door and peeked inside. Nothing. Empty. Bare. No Maddox.
I walked inside to find the heavy drapes still down, blocking any sunlight from entering the dark room. There was something gloomy about the atmosphere. His bathroom’s door was open, though, and I could hear the water running.
There he was...
My brain stuttered for a moment and a shocked gasp escaped me. The sight of him had me stumbling and rushing into the bathroom. “Maddox!”
No. No. Please, no.
I fell to my knees beside the overfilled tub. He sat inside, fully clothed with an empty bottle of…
God, no.
Maddox stunk of alcohol and cigarettes. I almost gagged at how heavy the smell was. His eyes were closed, his head barely staying above water. My heart fell to the pit of my stomach, cramped and twisting with nausea at the distraught look on his beautiful face. There were shadows under his eyes, as if he didn’t sleep the night before.
I cupped his cheek. “Hey, Maddox.” I gave him a gentle shake.
His bloodshot eyes fluttered open, and I could see the naked pain in his eyes. Maddox, strong and carefree Maddox, looked… beaten. Not physically. There were no injuries marking his body, but he looked wounded in spirit.
“Oh, baby. What happened?” He didn’t respond, not that I was expecting a reply.
“Go away,” he grumbled under his breath. God, he was pissed drunk. How many drinks did he have?
“And leave you in the tub like this?” I asked gently. “I can’t leave you now, Maddox.”
Maddox closed his eyes, his shoulders slumping further into the water. “Don’t… need a… lecture.”
There was a strain in his voice – a voice that used to be full of warmth – now so cold and… empty.