Chapter Sixteen
MADDIE
As I step out of the shower and wrap a towel around my body, butterflies flutter in my stomach.
Officer Ferguson—or rather, Blake—messaged me after I gave him my number, and we’ve been texting ever since.
I don’t know what it is about a man who has a dangerous job, but I find it sexy as hell. The uniform makes him even hotter.
I told Sophie about him after I explained what went down.
Thankfully, I have proof that I didn’t steal the car.
The bill of sale, while it was fake as hell, verifies I gave him cash, and although Nico deleted his profile, I still have the messages.
Blake said that, along with my clean record, will be enough to appease the judge.
However, it still doesn’t make me feel any less stupid that I got myself into that situation.
Lennon and Sophie both scolded me but not nearly as bad as Liam did. Apparently, I’m too na?ve, but some lessons have to be learned the hard way.
After I finish drying and styling my hair, I slip into a dress that accentuates my waist and legs. It shows enough cleavage to be suggestive but still covers enough. My heels add another four inches of height, which is good because Blake’s tall. He’s also muscular, which I love, and very handsome.
Once I finish my makeup, I head downstairs and find Liam sitting on the couch. He glares at me with his jaw locked tight, but I ignore him.
Sophie walks in carrying her violin and sees me. “Oh my gosh, Mads. You look absolutely beautiful!” She’s all smiles as I twirl in my dress.
“Are you excited about your date?”
Liam’s listening to our conversation, so I make sure to rub his face in it the same way he rubbed Victoria—and the numerous other chicks he’s been with over the years—in mine.
“Yep! Blake will be here in an hour to pick me up.”
Sophie squeals. “Great. That means I get to meet him. Do you know where you’re going?”
“He said it was a surprise and to wear something comfortable.”
She snorts as her gaze lowers down my dress. “That outfit is comfortable, huh?”
“Soph. I dance in fewer clothes than this in front of hundreds of people. It’s comfortable-ish, almost like wearing a nightie. Plus, it’s sexy and shows off my nipple rings,” I explain, and she nods, chuckling. As I grow more giddy about tonight, Liam forces me back to reality.
“You don’t need to be showing off anything or going anywhere with him.” He stands, grumbling as he scowls.
Sophie gives him a what the fuck look and so do I.
“Excuse me? Don’t you have a wife to worry about instead?” I ask with my hands on my hips, but he doesn’t take the bait to argue. Instead, he shakes his head and walks out. Moments later, cabinet doors slam in the kitchen.
Sophie lowers her voice. “Screw him. I’m happy for you. Don’t leave before I meet Mr. Hot Cop. I need a shower. I’m sweaty from playing in the concert hall all day. After lunch, the A/C broke, so it was like practicing in the pits of hell for four hours.”
“Sounds horrible.” I cringe, knowing how miserable it’s been outside lately. She’s been practicing on the weekends because they have a special fundraiser gala in a few weekends for all the rich people who donate ridiculous amounts of money to the symphony.
“It was.”
Sophie climbs the stairs, then I go to the kitchen where Liam’s loudly making a sandwich. He slams down everything he touches, and it’s painfully obvious he’s trying to get my attention. I go to the entryway and burn a hole in the back of his head.
“What’s your fucking problem?” I finally ask between gritted teeth.
“My problem?” He glares. “You want to know what my goddamn problem is?”
I’m already tired of his dramatics. “Yeah, I do. That’s why I asked.”
“I told you I don’t like the guy. You’re na?ve enough, Maddie.
That’s why you were scammed into buying a stolen car and now you’re going on a date with a womanizer.
He hooks up with them, then ghosts ‘em. Blake’s the kind of bastard who’ll take your virginity, then leave you high and dry with promises he won’t keep. ”
Glancing down at my fingernails, I pretend to be bored with this conversation.
I lick my lips, then watch the vein pulse in his neck.
He’s pissed, but I don’t care, because I am too.
I move across the kitchen until I’m close enough to smack him because he more than deserves it right now, but I play nice and keep my hands to myself.
“Maybe I want a real man who can take my damn V-card and give me what I need for once,” I tell him.
Liam’s scowl intensifies.
“Plus, it’s not like he’d be the first man who’s left me with some sort of expectation, now will it?” I stare at him.
He opens his mouth, but I interrupt before he can speak.
“You. Are. Married,” I remind him. “You kissed me, then came home two days later with a wife. So the moment you slipped a ring on that woman’s finger was the moment you had zero say or opinions about anything I do, especially when it comes to who I go out with.
You should be worrying about her, not me, so stop fucking caring so much about what I’m doing. Got it?”
Fuck, that felt good to get off my chest.
“Mads,” he chokes out.
“Don’t call me that like we’re friends. We’re not.
Not anymore. We’re roommates, that’s it.
So starting now, I need you to stop acting like a protective older brother and back off.
I’m not a child. I don’t need you butting into my business or telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing.
Do you understand? Do you hear me loud and fucking clear?
” I’m seething, my chest rising and falling as I glare at him.
“I’m sorry,” he finally says, but I can’t tell if he truly means it.
“You should be.”
“But I’m not sorry for wanting what’s best for you and keeping you safe.”
“What’s that mean?” I cross my arms. You don’t think I’m capable of taking care of myself?”
Liam shakes his head, frowning. “You don’t get it, do you?”
I’m ready to rip his head off his shoulders. “Get what?”
“Nothing. Never mind.” Then he walks away.
I’m so frustrated, but I close my eyes and try to take in a deep breath.
The man is so confusing that I can’t even begin to understand him.
He’s an enigma. Releasing a huff, I walk to my room to grab my heels, purse, and phone.
Taking a quick glance in the mirror, I smooth down my flyaways, then watch TV while I wait.
I’m finally calm when Sophie comes in, fresh and showered.
“I thought you fell in,” I tease.
She laughs. “I wanted to.”
Before Sophie sits, the doorbell rings.
“Ooh, I’ll get it!” she says eagerly, rushing to answer it. I follow her, and a big cheesy grin fills my face when I hear Blake ask for me. I stand and meet him at the door.
“Wow, Maddie. You look gorgeous,” he says, eyeing me with a smile. He stands tall with a fresh bouquet in his hand.
“Thank you. So do you.” I scan down his body, appreciating every inch.
“These are for you.” He steps inside and hands them to me. “The color reminded me of your eyes.”
“Aww…” Sophie singsongs.
Chuckling, I almost forgot she was standing beside me. “Thank you, they’re beautiful.” I hold out my hand, gesturing between them. “Blake, this is my oldest sister, Sophie.”
He shakes her hand and gives her a polite smirk. “Nice to meet you, Sophie.” Tilting his head, he studies our features. “Yeah, you two are totally sisters.”
I think I see Sophie blush. “Wait until you meet Lennon.” She snickers.
“They’re blue.” Liam stalks over, interrupting our conversation as he crosses his arms.
“What?” Blake asks, furrowing his brows and straightening his stance.
“Her eyes are blue. Like the sky on a cloudless sunny day or the ocean just before the sun sets.” My heart hammers in my chest while Liam talks about my eyes as if he’s studied them for years. “Those flowers are purple.” Liam jerks his head toward them in my hand.
“Soph…” I direct my gaze toward her, nearly pleading for help. I already scolded Liam earlier, which obviously did nothing, but I refuse to fight with him in front of Blake.
“Yep, time for you two lovebirds to go.” She steps around me and pushes Liam away.
“Can you put these in a vase for me?” I ask.
Sophie grins and takes them. “Of course!”
I grab Blake by the arm with an apologetic expression.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn't do,” Sophie calls out, which makes me snort, considering she hooked up with Mason in a bar bathroom the first night they met.
Blake walks me to the car where he opens my door. “You really do look absolutely stunning, Maddie.”
I smile wide and thank him. “You do too,” I say, appreciating how defined his arms are under his shirt. As he backs out of the driveway, Blake tells me to pick the music station, which has me chuckling. He’s about to get an earful of Selena Gomez.
“So how comfortable are you in a dress?” he asks with an eyebrow popped.
“I’m a dancer, remember? I could run a marathon in heels and a dress. But please don’t make me.” I giggle and realize how nervous I really am. I haven’t been on a date since I moved into the house, hoping Liam would eventually see what was right in front of him. Too bad he never did.
He laughs too. “I knew that. We chatted about it.”
“That’s right.” I grin, remembering our text message convos as he enters the freeway. “So where are we going?”
He glances over at me. “Well, you said you loved adventures, so I thought we’d do something different.”
“Hmm.” I try reading his mind but all he does is smirk.
“You’ll never guess, so don’t even try,” he quips.
I raise an eyebrow. “That sounds like a challenge.”
A soft chuckle escapes him. “So you like challenges?”
“I live for them,” I admit proudly. “I’m not considered the rebellious preacher’s daughter for nothing.”
Blake’s head falls back as he cracks up, and I love the deep, throaty sound he makes. “Then, darling, you’re going to be living your best life tonight,” he says and winks at me.