Memphis moves closer to them, his body like stone, his eyes hard. “That’s exactly what you’re going to have if I ever see you near Birdie or Maddox again.”
Brad nods and looks like he can’t get out of here fast enough. Jay is a little slower; he seems to think he could take Memphis on. However, Brad grips his arm and says, “Don’t be a fucking idiot. You don’t wanna mess with Storm.”
As we watch them leave, I say to Memphis, “Thanks. Although I’m pretty sure I could have taken them both on and come out the winner.”
He grins and shakes his head at me. “Yeah, Birdie, no fucking doubt you could have, but do us both a favour and stay out of fights while Winter’s away. I like my balls where they are.”
I roll my eyes. “You guys are all so fucking attached to your balls. You need to live a little.” As he continues to shake his head at me, I say, “You want a burger?”
“Nah, I’m juicing at the moment. I’ll wait outside for you.”
“I’ll try not to tangle with anyone else,” I call as he walks out.
He doesn’t turn back, just shakes his head some more.
“You’re a fucking crazy woman,” Maddox says as I laugh at Memphis. “Those guys are—”
I look at him. “Those guys are boys who need to learn about the big wide world, Maddox. And part of that is knowing they can’t mess with you, because if they do, they’re messing with Storm.”
“What the fuck have I got to do with Storm? Just because my sperm donor was a member, doesn’t make me affiliated with the club.”
“Right, we do need to talk about that, but first, you’re with me now, which means you’re with Storm whether you like it or not.”
He stares at me for a long few moments before saying, “I’m ready to order.”
Talking with Maddox reminds me a little of talking with Winter. They’re happy to do it until the conversation gets too close to their heart. Maybe that’s why God introduced Maddox and me. I’m still undecided on this, but maybe God really is a woman, and thinks Maddox could do with some of my kind of love.
“Yes, let’s get food,” I agree as we get back in line. The manager is watching us like she’s not really sure what to make of us after the incident with Jay and Brad, so I smile at her, hoping to let her know all is good now. She returns my smile and walks away from the register.
We order and once we’re sitting in a booth, eating, I say to Maddox, “Where’d you get that bruise from?”
He finishes chewing the food in his mouth before saying, “I was wondering how long it’d take you to ask that.”
“Well?” I’m not sure what I’ll do if he says it was Eloise.
He slurps some of his Coke. “I got in a fight.”
“At school?” Please don’t say at home.
He nods. “Yeah.”
Relief washes over me and I exhale the breath I was holding. I want to ask him about the fight, but I can tell he doesn’t want to talk about it, so I don’t push. Instead, I focus on eating.
We eat in silence for a while, until Maddox surprises me when he says, “You’re a girl. Tell me what girls like to do on dates.”
I smile so big on the inside. Not so much on the outside, though, because I’m trying to appear cool and calm. Like it’s no big deal that he just asked me for advice.
This must be what it’s like to be a mother.
The thought whooshes through me, unexpected and overwhelming. In a good way. Boy, in a good way.
“I used to love going to the movies with boys,” I say.
He leans forward a little, like he’s hanging off every word I say. “What kind of movies, though? Do I have to sit through love crap?”
I laugh. “No. Girls like action movies, too.”
A text comes through on my phone.
* * *
Winter: I may not get a chance to call you today.
Me: That’s okay. I know you’re busy.
Winter: Sorry, angel. I’ll try.
Me: Don’t even think about me, baby. Just do what you have to.
Winter: Fuck I love you.
Me: I love you, too xx
* * *
“How long have you two been married?” Maddox asks as I place my phone down.
“How do you know that was Winter?”
“You get this look in your eye when you’re with him. You just got the same look.”
Maddox is an observant kid. One of the things I like about him.
“We’ve been married for eight years. Okay, so tell me, has this girl said yes to a date?”
He leans back in his seat. “I haven’t asked her yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because shit is complicated.”
I sit quietly, watching him like I’m expecting him to elaborate.
He points at his face. “This bruise came from her boyfriend. Well, her ex now.”
“Wait. Did you get in the middle of their relationship?”
“Fuck, no. That’s not the shady kind of shit I do. I didn’t know she liked me until he came at me with his fists. And now I can’t fucking stop thinking about her.”
Oh, man, I remember what it was like to have a crush in high school. And that first love. “My first boyfriend took me to the beach for our first date. We swam for hours and then ate fish and chips on the beach.” I point a finger at him. “Do not take any girl to the beach for your first date.”
He frowns. “Why not?”
“Because sand, water, and sun. Sand is messy, water ruins our hair, and sun can turn us into a lobster if we screw up with the sunscreen, which we probably will if we’re drooling over the boy we’re with. The beach is good for other dates, but not that first one. You want to take her somewhere she can feel as pretty as she looks because her hair and face stay exactly the way she spent hours making them look.”
His mouth curls up in amusement. “You should write a manual. The Queen’s Guide To First Dates.”
I finish the last of my chips and push the tray away. “Do you talk to Eloise about this stuff?” I broach the subject gently, not sure how he’ll take it. I expect to be shot down in flames.
Maddox takes a few moments, but he does answer me. “No. She’s not around much for shit like this. And she’d give crappy advice.”
“Why?”
His eyes bore into me, hardening with each passing second. “You hear what Brad said about the nasty shit Eloise does to score?” At my nod, he continues, “She fucks guys so she can get high with them. She’s not really the kind of mother to hand out dating tips.”
My heart hurts for Maddox. Like, physically aches for him. I want to say I’m sorry he got dealt a shitty hand in life, that I’m sorry he doesn’t have a mother to protect him, that I’m sorry he also doesn’t have a father to teach him, but I say none of that, because he’s not looking for any apologies. I actually don’t know what he’s looking for, but I do know what he needs. Maddox needs some unconditional love in his life.
“Okay, well I’m here anytime you have a question. I mean, I don’t have a manual, yet”—I smile—“but I do know some things about girls that might be helpful to you.”