Chapter Fourteen
MADDIE
I’ve been playing the same song on repeat since the moment Liam brought his wife to meet everyone. Every time she ogles him, I want to claw out her eyes. Victoria touches him like she’s claiming him for all to see, and what sickens me the most is how he allows it.
The Liam I know isn’t the man I’ve watched be touchy-feely with a woman he couldn’t have known for that long. I’m surprised my eyes aren’t permanently stuck in the back of my head, considering how many times I’ve rolled them since she got here, but luckily, she left yesterday morning.
Seven months ago, I would’ve never pictured Liam married to a woman who looks like she could have her own reality TV show, but here we are.
Apparently, every time Liam shot down my advances and said he didn’t do relationships, he meant he wouldn’t do them for me.
Because now he’s a fucking pro at being the perfect husband.
Knowing I can’t really depend on him anymore, and not wanting to keep asking my sister for rides, I decide it’s time to buy my own car.
Before all this happened, Liam had said he’d test drive and look over any vehicle I wanted, but I refuse to ask him for anything now.
While he’s tried to make small talk with me, I pretend he’s invisible.
He knows he holds the number one spot on my shit list. I can’t stand to look at him, be around him, or even live with him anymore.
If I hadn’t given up my apartment on campus and could afford to move out, I would, but I can’t, so finding a car to gain a sliver of freedom is my next best option.
Since school ended, I’ve been teaching more baby dance classes at the studio. While I’m not making enough to buy anything expensive, I have a couple thousand dollars saved. At this point, I don’t care what it looks like. I just need something dependable.
Not wanting to be around anyone, I stay in my room and scroll through the Facebook marketplace for used cars.
Most are incredibly overpriced while others aren’t so bad.
Before I click out, I see a fairly new Honda Accord for sale within my budget, which surprises the shit out of me for how nice it is.
I read the description and see the guy is getting rid of it because he’s volunteering with his church overseas.
It seems like a solid reason, considering my dad has helped plan mission trips for members, and most of them end up selling most of their possessions before they go.
Looking at all the pictures, I find the interior looks nice, and it doesn’t have super high mileage.
I understand wanting to get rid of something before leaving.
I sold my car for super cheap before moving here so I’d have some cash in savings.
Honestly, I should’ve kept it but didn’t need transportation when I was living on campus.
Plus the money helped me splurge on food during my first year of college.
Knowing this car is going to go fast, I message the guy to see if he still has it.
Within five minutes, Nico replies back. I ask him about his trip and where he’s going and what he’ll do there.
I find it absolutely amazing how selfless he is.
I tell him I’d like to test drive the car and make plans to meet at the grocery store down the street in an hour.
I’m beyond giddy thinking about finally having some freedom.
I only wish I would’ve taken matters into my own hands a month ago.
After I get dressed, I schedule an Uber to take me to the bank so I can get the cash, then to our meeting spot. Nico arrives right on time in the Honda and parks.
With a smile, I wait for him to get out and officially introduce himself.
“Maddie, right?” He grins and hands me the keys.
“Yep.” I look down at them in my palm. “I can drive it around the block?”
“Yeah, go for it.”
I climb into the car, and he gets into the passenger side.
Searching around, I look for the lever to adjust the seat, and he tells me where it is.
I move closer to the steering wheel and adjust the rearview mirror.
Carefully, I give it some gas and pull onto the main road.
After driving it down the road a mile or so, I turn around because the engine sounds great.
It doesn’t make any rattling noises or anything, but I don’t know much about cars to even know what to look or listen for.
When I turn into the parking lot, I made up my mind. “Okay, I like it a lot. I want to buy it! What do I have to do?”
“Awesome! Let me schedule an Uber to pick me up, and you can take it now.” Nico digs in the glove compartment and starts going through the paperwork.
“Here are all the maintenance records, and I have a bill of sale for you right here.” He holds it up for me to see and fills it out, putting my name as the buyer.
I nod, beaming as he schedules a ride.
“Oh, do you have the title?” I remember that being a thing when I sold my car.
Nico searches in the middle console and back through all the papers in his lap. “I don’t seem to have it with me. I’ll have to check at home. I can drop it in the mail or get a replacement title before I leave.”
I shrug. “Okay, that’s not a big deal.”
“Let me get your address so I can get it to you. I think I know where it is.”
“I’ll message it over,” I tell him, so it doesn’t get lost.
“Even better.”
Grabbing my purse, I pull out the exact amount in cash. I’ve worked hard for this money, and for a split second, I’m hesitant, but then I hand it over to him and watch as he counts it.
“Thank you so much,” he says as his ride pulls up.
“No, thank you. Good luck on your mission trip.” I grin before he gets out of the car, setting the bill of sale on the seat.
“I’ll be in touch about the title.” Nico gives me a wave before climbing into the other car.
As soon as I’m alone, I let out a squeal. This is what adulthood feels like. Finally, I have my own transportation and won’t need anyone to drive me anywhere.
Turning on the radio, I find my favorite stations and program them in before taking off. There’s only a quarter of a tank of gas, so I fill up before going home.
Instead of rushing around, I take the scenic route, wanting to get a feel for my new ride. Just as I enter the service road to take her up on the highway, I see red and blue lights flashing behind me.
I wasn’t speeding.
I used my blinker.
I made a complete stop.
What the fuck?
I’m confused as hell but pull onto the shoulder, hoping he’s going to pass.
But when the officer parks behind me, I know I was his target.
He comes up to the window, and I lower it.
If this were any other time, I’d smile at him because he’s drop-dead gorgeous with dark brown hair and light blue eyes.
His face looks as if it were chiseled from rock, and my nerves get the best of me that I speak before he does.
“Do you need my ID?” I ask, stuttering.
“License and registration,” he states clearly. I hand my license over as my stomach knots. “Registration?” He lifts a brow.
“I don’t have it right now but—”
“Ms. Corrigan, I need you to get out of the car,” he orders, his voice smooth like velvet. I do what he says but feel as if I’m being punked when he turns me around and places handcuffs on my wrists. This has got to be some sick joke.
“I’m being arrested?” I panic, not able to fully comprehend what’s happening or why. “For what? Did I do something wrong?”
He walks me over to his car, and I hear him say something on his radio about the suspect being detained.
“Are you gonna tell me what’s going on?” I finally ask, and he narrows his eyes at me, then reads me my rights. I can’t believe this is happening.
“Tell me about this car, Ms. Corrigan.”
“I bought it from a guy about thirty minutes ago and paid cash.”
He nods his head, taking notes on a small pad. “How much did you buy it for?”
“Two grand,” I tell him, looking at the name badge on his uniform. Officer Ferguson. “I emptied my savings.”
Tilting his head, he looks at me as if I’m an idiot. “And you didn’t see anything wrong with meeting a stranger all alone?”
“Well, no. His name is Nico Gerrad, and I saw it for sale on the Facebook marketplace. We chatted for a bit before deciding to meet in a public parking lot.”
“But this car is worth way more than what you paid,” he says, and at this point, I don’t know if he believes me or not.
“He was going on a mission trip and was selling it before he left, so it sounded legit. ”
He lets out a breath and slowly nods. “Listen, it seems like you got mixed up in something you shouldn’t have. This car was reported stolen yesterday.”
That’s when the tears start to fall. “What? Stolen?”
“Unfortunately, since you were the one driving it, I have to take you in. The car will be towed and given back to its owner.”
“But I have a bill of sale on the seat that he gave me. Are you absolutely sure? This has to be a mistake.” I swallow hard, hating the way these cuffs feel on my wrists. Nico seemed so nice and honest. This has to be wrong.
“I’m really sorry,” he tells me. “Sounds like you were scammed, and he used that piece of paper to seem legitimate. Once you get released from jail, you’ll be assigned a court date and can meet with a judge to plead your case.
If you can show proof that this is what really transpired, then I’m sure you’ll be fine.
” The truth of his statement hits me like a ton of bricks.
How the hell do I prove I didn’t steal this car?
I’ve been caught off guard and feel like a deer in the headlights right now. “I would never steal from anyone. I can’t believe this happened.” I’ve never gotten into trouble like this in my entire life, and here I am on the side of the road being arrested like some criminal.