Chapter Nineteen
LIAM
The shift in Maddie’s and my relationship happened so fast, I’m still trying to grasp it.
From confessing my marriage to Victoria was arranged to finding Maddie in my room with the picture that changed everything, I refused to let her slip through my fingers again.
As much as I should keep her at arm’s length, I can’t stay away anymore.
Protecting her from the O’Learys is my top priority, so we’ll have to keep up the facade of just being friends and roommates.
Although Maddie is five years younger than me, she holds more compassion and maturity than people much older.
Her kindness toward people knows no bounds, and it’s something I’ve always loved about her.
It’s why even when she probably wanted to punch Victoria in the face, she held herself together and congratulated us.
It’s why I wasn’t worried about Maddie making a big scene when I showed up with another woman.
She’d wait until we were behind closed doors or use the passive-aggressive approach and pretend it didn’t bother her.
Maddie stepped aside for five days, proving she knows when and how to react. I hadn’t factored in Sophie chewing me a new one before Maddie did, but I should have. Everything she said was warranted, and I still feel awful that I can’t tell my closest friends the truth.
My intention was to keep Maddie out of my web of lies and keep her as safe as possible, but the moment I saw her face and how terrified she looked holding that photo, I knew I couldn’t keep the truth from her any longer.
When I followed Maddie into her room the night before, I was ticked off she went on a date with Officer Douchebag, but the last thing I anticipated was Maddie saying she wanted us to be selfish.
Selfish because she wanted it as much as I did.
My control snapped, three years in the making, but I can’t keep denying what’s been right in front of me this whole time. I’m scared shitless, worried I’m putting her in more danger than before, but I want to do right by her.
As soon as I head to work Monday morning, I notice the black Suburban behind me.
I’m agitated as hell Victoria hasn’t gotten her dad off my ass, but as long as I keep up the act, they’ll have nothing bad to report to Johnny.
Though I’m curious as to what he’s expecting to find.
I suspect it’s because he thinks I’m not “good enough” for his precious princess.
Whatever the reason, it’s annoying as fuck to have them watching.
I text Maddie as I wait for my coffee order at the cafe.
Liam
Good morning, my beautiful pain in the ass. I’m gonna be working till seven or so, if these dickheads don’t give me a hard time. I hope you have a great day talking shit about me to your sister, but if you decide you want company later, leave your bedroom door unlocked.
Maddie
Morning, my annoying roommate. Every day talking smack about you is great. It’s the only reason I wake up. Also, I just might deadbolt my door since you didn’t say please.
I smirk as I read her message, hearing her sarcastic tone in my head. Maddie’s never been afraid to give it as good as she gets, which is hot as hell.
Liam
What if I get on my knees and beg?
Maddie
Don’t put those dirty images in my mind.
Liam
Like they weren’t already?
Maddie
Never mind, I don’t talk to arrogant assholes.
Liam
So, you miss me yet?
Maddie
No.
Liam
Liar. I bet you’re fantasizing about me right now.
Maddie
Who is this again?
Laughing, I grab my drink when the barista calls my name.
I’m a little relieved that nothing’s changed between Maddie and me.
After giving in to what we both wanted and telling her how I felt, I knew there was no going back.
But I wasn’t sure if it would change the dynamic of our relationship.
Considering I’ve never had more than a weekend with a woman before, I had no idea what to expect once we finally crossed that line again.
But I’ve always seen Maddie as more than a friend, which is why I avoided her.
I jump into my truck and send her one last message before I get on the road. If all goes as planned, I’ll hunt down two fugitives today and have them back in jail by dinnertime.
Liam
I’m off to do a stakeout. Think you can behave and stay out of my room?
Maddie
But I masturbate in your bed every time you’re gone
Liam
Fuuuck. That is not funny, Maddie.
Maddie
Who’s laughing?
Liam
I’m gonna sit here with a hard-on and not be able to do anything about it. Thanks a lot.
Maddie
You’re very welcome. That’s payback for three years of lady blue balls.
Liam
I’d be careful, baby. I don’t think you know who you’re dealing with.
I nearly choke on my hot coffee when Maddie sends me a picture.
She’s lying on her side in a teeny tank top and no bra.
The angle of the photo shows off her glorious tits and the outline of her nipple rings.
The very nipples I’ve dreamed about licking and sucking, especially since she got them fucking pierced.
Her walking around in skimpy tops has only taunted me more—on purpose, I’m sure.
Liam
That’s not fucking fair.
Maddie
Who said we were playing fair? You’re the one who thought he could talk smack and get away with it.
Liam
You should punish me and send another pic. Preferably lower.
Maddie
Oh yeah? How low?
Liam
I think you’re creative enough to figure it out.
Maddie
I need to know exactly. So tell me what you wanna see.
Liam
A wet pussy.
A moment passes before my phone dings with another text, and when I open it, I see an image of a cat taking a bath in a sink that looks miserable as hell.
Maddie
One wet pussy!
Liam
And you’ve ruined it. You’re awful at sexting.
Maddie
I am not! You’re the one who requested *A* wet pussy. You didn’t specify it had to be mine.
Liam
You really are a pain in my ass.
I adjust my cock as it hardens in my jeans, which is really uncomfortable and inconvenient. She knows how to drive me insane. Maddie sends another photo, but this time it’s of a donkey wearing a lei.
Maddie
Have a great day!
I laugh and put my phone away, wishing I could drive home and spend the day with her. But I refocus, start my truck, and head out.
After a long-ass day, I’m spent and don’t get home until seven thirty. When I walk in, I find all three of my roommates in the kitchen eating dinner and laughing, but the moment they see me, the laughter dies.
“What?” I ask, confused as I go to the fridge.
“Nothing. How was work?” Sophie asks, looking down at her plate.
“Shitty as usual. But I got to taser one guy, so that was a highlight of my day.” Chuckling, I grab a beer and twist off the cap then chug half of it before taking a breath.
“I put your mail on the counter over there,” Mason says, jerking his head toward it. “Something from the State of Nevada arrived for you.”
“Ooookay.” I narrow my eyes, curiosity building inside me at how weird they’re acting.
“It’s your marriage license,” Sophie blurts out, and Mason scolds her with wide eyes. “What? You know we all looked.”
Maddie keeps her eyes down, and I hate the position I’ve put her in.
“Alright, so?” I shrug, then finish off my drink.
“Are you moving there, or is she moving here?” Sophie asks.
“Neither. We both have responsibilities and jobs. We’ll do long distance,” I explain.
“That makes no sense.” Sophie scoffs. “Why even get married then?”
“Why are you interrogating me?” I slam the bottle down harder than I mean to. “Why do you care so much?”
“You know damn well why…” she hisses, shooting murderous glares at me.
Before I can respond, Maddie stands, and the sound of her chair scraping across the floor has us staring at her.
“Can you both just shut the fuck up?” She walks around the island and sets her plate in the sink.
“Sophie, worry about your own relationship. Liam, go live with your wife so we can stop this bullshit fighting.”
Her words sting, and the hurt expression on her face is so convincing, I don’t know if she’s being serious or if it’s a part of the act to keep them from finding out about us. I wish I could reach out to her when she walks out of the kitchen, but I keep my feet planted.
“Are you happy now?” Sophie shakes her head and stands.
“Leave him alone,” Mason tells her. “It’s his business and life. Maddie’s a big girl. She’ll be okay.”
“I know she will,” Sophie states. “But I was the one who picked her up off the bathroom floor when Liam barged in with the news. You hurt my sister with your stupid little games, and that’s unforgivable.”
Sophie walks out, but Mason stays behind. I already feel like absolute shit and don’t need to hear it from him too. When he grabs two beers and hands me one, we sit at the table in silence.
“She’ll come around,” he finally says. “They both will.”
I shrug, not wanting to discuss this anymore. “I risked my life to save Sophie. She should know me better than the monster she’s painting me to be.”
When Sophie’s ex-boyfriend’s brother kidnapped her, I barged in and shot him before he could shoot her. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for the people I care about. While she thinks I’ve betrayed them, it’s better than the truth getting out.
“You didn’t just hurt Maddie. You hurt Soph too,” he tells me before tossing his empty bottle.
“She thought you two were close friends, and hell, sometimes I thought you were closer than we were, but you never told us you met someone. Or that you were even dating Victoria. So, you blindsided all of us.”
“I’m sorry about that. I had my reasons for doing what I did, but it’s no excuse. I’m sincerely sorry I hurt any of you. It wasn’t deliberate.”
“I know you well enough to know you’d never intentionally do anything to betray your friends. Give Soph time. The added stress of the wedding is fucking with her emotions, and taking it out on you is her way of coping with her feelings.”
“I understand,” I say, nodding. “Thanks, man.”