Seconds turned into long minutes, but we sat there in comfortable silence.
“Maddox?”
“Yeah?”
I took a deep breath and made my first promise to Maddox. “You won't lose me. Ever.”
He was quiet for a moment, and I thought I messed up, until his hand came into the line of my vision, and he showed me his pinky.
“Promise?” he asked softly.
I hooked my finger around his. Maddox was warm and familiar. He felt solid and safe. I wanted to cling to him and never, ever let go. “Promise.”
He flexed his pinky around me and then he smiled.
For the first time today, I smiled, too.
Pinky swear, me and you... forever.
24
Lila
“So, is it like…a date?” I asked. “A real date?”
I couldn’t see Riley’s face through the phone, but her giddiness was apparent as she let out a small squeal. “Well, yeah. I mean… he called, and he asked if we could grab dinner, and he told me to dress warm since it tends to get a bit colder at night,” she breathed, each word laced with excitement. “And Lila, his voice… over the phone… I think I almost orgasmed. Holy shit.”
I fell back on my bed, a wide grin spreading over my lips. “Honestly, I didn’t think Grayson was going to do it,” I said. “I mean, ask you out.”
He was so reserved, so quiet and didn’t mingle with the rest of the Berkshire students.
In fact, he was a loner.
Riley didn’t give up though.
She giggled, and I heard some rustling in the background. “It’s been three months. It’s about time he breaks down and ask me out. I can’t decide what to wear. Jeans or a dress? He said to put on something warm, but maybe a dress is fitting? Something cute or something sexy?” She paused, thoughtfully. “I don’t want to come across as easy or trying to fuck on our first date. But I also want to feel pretty and sexy.”
After Jasper, Riley had sworn off any Berkshire boys. She said they were all the same, and the pain of what Jasper did was still too fresh, even though it had been over a year since their breakup. It was the first time I’d seen her this excited; I just hoped Grayson didn’t end up breaking her heart.
Although, I liked to believe that he was into her as much as she liked him. He was always subtle about his feelings but I had seen him sneaking glances at Riley and trying to hide his smile. There was a look in his eyes when he watched her – something akin to adoration.
The same look I had seen in Colton’s eyes, too.
I wasn’t sure if I should’ve talked to Riley about Colton, but she was happy with Grayson and that was all I wanted. He was a good guy, and Riley liked him. The end.
She made her decision. Colton would just have to accept it.
“Remember the black dress you wore last Christmas? The mini one, V cut? You looked cute but smoking hot,” I offered.
Riley made a sound of agreement. “Oh, that one! My boobs look nice in that dress. I can wear those new high heels boots I got!”
“Atta girl. There you go. What time is he picking you up at?” I looked at the clock and saw that it was almost six pm.
“Umm… an hour. Shit, I gotta get ready. Talk later?”
Her happiness was contagious. “Yeah, babe. Text me when you get home. I want to hear all about it.”
Riley let out a small giggle before she mumbled. “He better kiss me, or I’m going to be reaaally disappointed.”
Oh yeah, he better.
Because I wanted to know all about that kiss.
We said our goodbyes and hung up.
Riley was happy…
The ringing of my phone jostled me out of my thoughts, and I stared down at the screen. Maddox. His name flashing on my phone screen reminded me that I was supposed to be angry.
I answered the phone, and Maddox cut me off before I could say anything. “Come outside. Now,” he demanded. The low rumble of his voice had my stomach fluttering before I remembered to hang onto the anger.
Ugh, asshole.
“What do you want?” I shot back, rather rudely. What he did was… unforgiveable.
“Lila.” There was a warning in his voice.
“Maddox,” I hissed.
“I’m outside. Come out. Now.”
“Maybe if you say please.” The sarcasm dripped from my mouth easily. Watch out, I got my sassy pants on today.
There was a frustrated growl before I heard him sigh. “Please.”
Huh. That was shocking.
My lips flattened in a straight line. “No.”
“Are you still pissed because I ate your muffin?”
“You stole my muffin!” And it was the last one.
“I thought you didn’t want it. You left it on the table.”
I growled in response. He was silent for a second before he laughed. The jerk actually laughed. “Are you on your period?”
“Fuck you.” I ended the call with a growl.
Yes, I was on my period.
Yes, I was cranky. Because this asshole, aka my best friend, ate my mint chocolate muffin.
A second later, my pinged with a message. Come out, please. I’m sorry about the muffin.
I typed a quick text back. Why?
My screen flashed with another message. Just trust me.
I rolled my eyes and bounced off the bed. Maddox wasn’t going to give up. For all I knew, if I didn’t come out of the house, he was going to come in and get me.
I stepped out of the house to find Maddox leaning against his car, arms crossed. At the sight of me, he licked his lips and winked. My breath caught in my throat because he was so sinfully handsome. Then I remembered he was my best friend… and I was supposed to be mad, right?
I crossed my arms over my chest and glared. “What do you want?”
Maddox crooked his index finger at me, beckoning me to come closer. I did.
“Come closer. I’m not going to bite, Garcia.”
“You’re annoying me, Coulter,” I snapped.
He tsked before he looped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. I stumbled against him, and our bodies clashed together.
A cocky grin spread over his lips. “I can’t decide if I like you feisty or I like you quiet.”
I huffed and blew my hair out of my face, before squinting up at him. He sobered, the mischievous glint in his eyes gone. My heart dropped to my stomach, and my palms started sweating.
“Lila, do you trust me?”
My eyes flared in surprise. “Why are you asking?”
“Answer the question.” His gaze didn’t waver from mine, absorbing me and holding me captive.
I shook my head and tried to move away from him. “What’s going on?”
I didn’t like the look on his face. Something was up, and I wasn’t going to like it.
“I want to try something with you,” he slowly explained.
“Jump off an airplane? Scuba diving? Bungee Jumping? Rafting? Something stupid and thrill seeking?”
Maddox loved the adrenaline rush, loved any outdoor activity that would have my heart spilling out through my mouth. We went mountain biking a few weeks ago. Well, he did, and I watched from the sideline, convincing myself not to pass out.