Chapter Thirty-Five
MADDIE
When I was stuck in the middle of nowhere, I dreamed about my monotonous life of going to school every day.
I’m thankful to have my old life back and don’t have much to complain about these days.
In my regular classes, it seems like no one noticed I was gone for over three weeks other than my professors, but that all changed as soon as I went to dance.
I’m bombarded with questions regarding where I’ve been and what happened.
Thankfully Joel walks up, wraps his arms around me, and shoos everyone away.
We’ve got ten minutes before we start, so I take the opportunity to stretch.
“Thanks for saving me,” I finally tell him, dropping to the floor and reaching for my toes.
Joel lowers his voice. “You’re not getting out of it that easy.” He gives me a boyish grin and continues, “I was worried. You ever gonna tell me where you were? I spoke to your sister, remember. I know something’s up.”
I give him a small smile, hating that I’m still lying to people I care about because of Victoria. They say the more you lie, the easier it gets, but I call bullshit. Each time I do it, I die a little inside, but I can’t tell him the truth. Most people wouldn’t believe me anyway.
I dodged the question as soon as I came back, but it’s now the third time he’s asked so I can’t keep putting it off. “There was a family emergency so I flew home to Utah.”
His face contorts, full of worry, and it seems like he’s going to push me on the issue.
Sophie called him and asked him if he’d seen me, which kinda puts a hole in my story, but I’m going to roll with it.
Before he can continue with more questions, I add wanting to talk about anything else, “Everything’s okay now. ”
The day after we returned home, I went and got a new phone and called my parents.
I had to confess I missed the first three weeks of class, and yet again, I had to lie.
I made up a story about needing space because I wasn’t sure that this was the right career path for me, and after some deep soul searching, I decided to keep pursuing it and returned to school.
I’m not sure if they’ve been calling or not, but my mother sounded panicked, so I’m guessing Sophie and Lennon were hearing the wrath of her worrying as well.
Joel smiles, almost as if he’s relieved, then drops it. That’s one thing I like about him, he knows when to pry and when to leave things alone. He’s my favorite dance partner for a reason.
Annie walks into the room wearing dance flats and leggings.
She glances at me with a small smile as if she’s surprised and relieved I returned, then starts the class.
I’m not sure what my teachers were told once I explained I had an “emergency” to my advisor and the dean of the college, but I’m happy I wasn’t kicked out.
Thankfully, they gave me another chance.
Joel and I get into place after we warm up and work on choreography.
I didn’t realize how behind I was until now.
The whole routine is complete, and I’m frustrated as hell that I’m twirling around mindlessly, not knowing my next step.
Feeling like a newbie doesn’t happen often for me, but right now, I’m out of place.
When we’re given a ten-minute water break, Joel comes over to calm me down.
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” he tells me sincerely, noticing my aggravation. He doesn’t realize it stems from being frustrated with myself, the situation, and even Victoria. Her name is like poison on my tongue, but I swallow down the venom I have for her and force a smile.
“I’m just annoyed. I don’t like not knowing what’s going on and feeling like a transfer student.
” I chug half my bottle of water, determined to recount every step, dip, and jump.
Joel tried to lead me as best he could, but I should've watched from the side, like the kid who didn’t get picked for a school sport.
“Mads. You’ve been gone for over three weeks. You can’t expect to hop into the middle of a routine and predict the next move. That’s insanity.”
Releasing a frustrated breath, I try to calm my nerves. “You’re right.”
“We can stay after class and go over it a few times if you want. You’ll have it by next time.
I know how meticulous you are.” He places a hand on my shoulder and squeezes before we’re called back to the floor.
I didn’t realize how stressed I still am from being gone, although we’ve been home for a little while.
Is it possible that the whole experience changed me?
That thought alone has me cursing under my breath.
The next time we go through the routine, I’m not as lost. Joel grabs my waist and gives me a supported cartwheel before I land into a perfect split.
The toe work will take some time, but for the most part, I think I have the basics.
Thankfully I’m a quick learner because I might walk out of here in tears otherwise.
I want to be the best at everything I do. The best dancer, sister, and girlfriend. It’s why I try to give my whole heart to Liam every chance I get and why I agreed to leave in the first place.
After everyone leaves, Joel and I stay behind, and I’m grateful for the extra thirty minutes he gives me of his time.
We start slow at the beginning, then go faster, and I recorded us on my phone so I could watch it again at home.
It’s something I learned in high school so I wouldn’t forget the details my teacher gave.
Once we change out of our practice clothes, relief washes over me that I made it through another day.
Things aren’t back to normal yet, but maybe I’ll find it soon.
“Thanks, Joel,” I tell him as we go our separate ways down the sidewalk.
“For what?” he asks, though I think he knows why.
“For not calling me a sucky ass partner and requesting someone new to dance with while I was gone.”
He shakes his head. “Pfft. You’re the best dancer at this school, even on your worst days, Mads. You’re stuck with me until we graduate.”
A month has passed since Liam and I got back to Sacramento, and so far, the bottom hasn’t fallen out. Not that I expected it to but when Victoria is involved, you never know.
I wrap a towel around my body and towel-dry my hair before getting dressed.
Today, I have a date with my sisters, a much-needed one at that.
Though, I’m not sure how long we’ll be together because we’re doing our last fitting for our dresses for Mason and Sophie’s wedding.
She’s been overly particular about colors and flowers.
It could either be quick or painstakingly long.
The plan is to go with the flow because it's her day, and I don’t care what we wear.
Liam will want to tear it off afterward anyway.
After I’m ready, I go downstairs where Sophie is eagerly waiting for me as she types away on her phone, probably to Lennon.
“That took forever!” she exclaims with a big cheesy grin on her face.
She’s been waiting for this for weeks. Liam left before the sun rose to track a fugitive up north and Mason went to the office to help oversee some big investigation he’s working on at the moment.
It’s going to be us girls only, and I couldn’t be more excited.
When I was cooped up in Montana, I dreamed about being able to speak with Sophie and Lennon.
It nearly killed me not being able to or, even worse, missing something as important as this.
“Lennon’s meeting us there after she drops off the kids with Mrs. Locke. She said something about mimosas and massages.”
“And that’s why she’s my favorite sister,” I quip.
“Come on, turd,” Sophie says, grabbing her purse and swinging it over her shoulder.
Laughter tumbles out of my mouth. “Turd? We’re going G-rated with the name-calling these days?”
“Would you prefer shithead?” Sophie giggles and unlocks the car once we’re outside.
“You’ve been hanging around Hunter too long. I think you’ve got Dad jokes now,” I tell her as we climb inside.
“You know I can drive us,” I tell her, looking at my car.
I’m so damn happy I got it back and don’t have to bum rides, though I enjoyed getting to spend more time with Liam.
I glance over and see the G-Wagon on the street and look back toward Sophie, wishing every piece of Victoria would disappear from our lives.
If Sophie notices my change in mood, she doesn’t mention it, which I’m grateful for because I don’t want to keep talking about it.
“Are you getting more excited about the wedding now that it’s only a couple of months away?
” I ask her, knowing she loves to chat about it.
Mason and she are getting married the first week of December, and it’s almost go-time.
Sophie’s meticulous about everything, nearly as much as Lennon and me—a Corrigan trait— so she hasn’t left a stone unturned when it comes to planning.
Hell, the two of them have been thumbing through wedding magazines every weekend at breakfast for months.
She sucks in a deep breath and lets out a dreamy sigh. “Yes. I seriously can’t wait to marry the man of my dreams. I’m gonna be Mrs. Sophie Holt. Mason and Sophie Holt. Mr. and Mrs. Mason Holt.” I crack up at the way she’s trying her soon-to-be last name. “Do you think it sounds weird?”
“Not any weirder than Lennon Manning,” I snicker, and Sophie swats at me. “Be nice.”
“It’s just all the n’s. Makes me want to sing the Batman tune.”
“I’m telling her you said that.”
“I already have! She thought it was adorable in the way Lennon thinks everything is adorable these days. I think it’s the mom in her,” I suggest.
Sophie parks the car and we see Lennon waiting in the front. Even after all these years, she’s still punctual as hell. As soon as we make it to her she gives us hugs. “You’re five minutes late.”
“Blame that one.” Sophie points at me.
“I had to shower! Unless you want me sweaty and dirty,” I exclaim.