54. Madison
Beau Edward Taylorand The Gravel Hill Boys—minus one Ian Donohue—were on tour but since they had a few days off and were in Ashwood, Ian invited them over for dinner, which he’d ordered from Roosters.
I’d fallen in love with their sliders and cheese fries, and now that I kept reminding myself that I was eating for two, I had no problem eating all those carbs whenever the opportunity arose.
It was a beautiful night to be in the country—something I’d been getting used to over the past few weeks. There was no moon, and as a result, the stars shimmered in the inky night sky. The only light was the one burning in the living room and the flickering flames of the fire pit where we’d gathered after dinner.
Afraid I’d catch cold, Ian had tucked a blanket around me until I looked like a burrito, even though it was mild for early November. He’d also brought out a couple of his guitars, and he and Barrett had been playing while the boys harmonized. All except Zac, who sat and stared into the fire. Every now and then he’d get up, grab a few logs and toss them onto the flames, then sit back down and continue staring into the blaze like he’d find something he’d lost in there.
I didn’t know his story, but sometimes just looking at him hurt my heart.
Ian poked at the fire with a metal rod, sending a spray of sparks into the sky. “You guys back for Thanksgiving,” he asked, “or will you be on the road over the holiday?”
“We have two days off, but we have to be in Kansas City on Friday,” Beau answered. “Brooklynn and I will be home to celebrate with her dad and probably Aunt Dortie and Gabe.”
Ian snorted. “Don’t forget your bulletproof vest.”
“Hey!” Brooklynn cried. “She’s gotten much better since she’s been dating Gabe.”
I’d recently learned that her aunt’s new boyfriend was a special agent with the FBI.
“That’s only because he threatened to arrest her when she whipped Bertie out after someone stole her parking space at the Morgantown Mall,” Beau added.
“Y’all are gonna give Madison the idea that my family’s crazy.”
“Yeah, and?” Ian asked, always the troublemaker.
“Don’t worry, Brooklynn. I met your aunt once when Ian took me to her diner, and she was lovely.”
Ian looked at me, appalled. “She called me a fool and said my mama was a saint because of me.”
Beau snorted. “Yeah, and?”
Ian glared at his friends, all laughing at his expense, until I reached over the arm of my chair and took his hand. “It’s okay. I like you, even if Miss Dortie doesn’t.”
Ian lifted my hand to his mouth and placed a sweet kiss on my knuckles. Brooklynn beamed at the display of affection, while Barrett and Beau traded smiles. For all their teasing, I think they liked this version of Ian. I knew I did.
“What about you Barrett?” Ian asked. “Where will you be for Thanksgiving?”
“I’m heading to my folks’ in South Carolina.”
“Zac?” Brooklynn asked. “You’re still coming, right?”
“Maybe. Not sure.”
Beau frowned. “What do you mean you’re not sure?”
“What do you think it means? Is English your second language?”
“Chill, dude.” Beau raised his hands. “Come. Don’t come. It’s all good.”
“What are you guys doing?” Brooklynn asked, looking between me and Ian, who was still clinging to my hand. He turned to me.
“My mom invited us for Thanksgiving,” he said. “I told her I had to ask you. I wasn’t sure what you usually did for the holiday.”
What I usually did? I wanted to laugh, but it would’ve been too snarky. My mother was French. Thanksgiving meant nothing to her, so it wasn’t a reason for her to come home. My father had taken up primary residence in France. Gibby was usually somewhere warm during the winter months. Christmas played out the same, but also came with expensive gifts which I’d open alone on Christmas morning. They were all busy people living busy lives. I was used to it by now.
“Maddy?” Ian squeezed my hand. “Where’d you go?”
I looked up into his smiling, hopeful face. “I would love to spend the holiday with your family.” I noticed the others watching me, and it felt like they could read my mind. I hated being thought of as the poor little rich girl, and I despised anyone’s pity.
Tipping forward in the Adirondack chair I’d been foolish enough to sit in, I tried to get up, but to no avail. Between the watermelon in my lap and the deeply slanted seat, I wasn’t going anywhere. Before I could ask for help, Ian was out of his chair and reaching for me.
“Thanks,” I laughed. “Phew,” I said, standing on my own. “Remind me not to sit there again.”
“You okay?” Ian asked.
“I am, but I’m tired. If you’ll excuse me, I think I’m going to head to bed.”
Everyone rose from their seats. Zac stood as well, unfolding himself like a panther. “Please, don’t anybody go on my account,” I begged.
“They don’t mind,” Ian said. “They were leaving anyway.”
“Were we?” Beau asked.
Brooklynn grabbed his empty beer bottle and rolled her eyes. “Yes, babe, we were. Madison needs to rest, and Ian can’t be more than twenty feet away from her at all times.”
Despite the face Ian made, I laughed. “You’re not wrong.” I slipped my arm around his waist. “But I don’t mind. It’s nice.” And it was nice. It was something I hadn’t felt in a long time.
After we said our goodbyes and wished everyone a happy Thanksgiving, Ian led me inside and kissed me at the front door. “I’m going to make sure the fire’s out and that Finn takes care of business before I come in. You need anything first?”
Ian waited, looking down at me in the dim light from the living room window. Kind, affectionate eyes. Tender smile. My heart flipped. “No, I’m good.” I smiled up at him. “But maybe when you finish out here, you might want to help a girl burn a few calories from all the sliders and cheese fries she ate.”
A sexy, half-smile had me weak in the knees. “I think I can do that.”
“Good. I’ll be waiting.”