Chapter 9 Madison
Madison
Despite being exhausted as I trudge up the stairs to my new home after my last class of the day, I’m loving the ease of my new commute. I’m looking forward to a stress-free night with my newest romance novel and an early bedtime.
Last night wasn’t my best night’s sleep. Being in a new place with the din of traffic, both vehicles, and people, was disconcerting after the silence at Kenji’s place. The incessant clamor lasted for most of the night. I’ll get used to it eventually, but last night, I woke up at every little sound.
I need some spicy chicken Pad Thai in my life, so takeout is the way to go tonight.
Just the thought of cooking has me opening my food delivery app.
Self-care is knowing your limits. I put in my order, then change into my comfy sweats and a worn, soft t-shirt.
It’s one of my brother’s old college shirts.
I always steal them from him, but they’re only good if they’re broken in.
The big yellow University of Michigan ‘M’ on the front is faded, but I don’t care. It’s super comfortable.
I deliberately ignore the flare of resentment I get every time I think about Walker getting to go to the University of Michigan while I was stuck with Metro State, our local community college. I still haven’t finished my business degree.
Our parents’ death was the nail in the coffin of my finishing my degree.
My parents were never good at organization, and they left quite a mess behind.
Someone had to handle everything. All the debt, selling the house, and so much damn paperwork.
It took months for me to work through it all and get the house in shape to be sold.
I ended up quitting school because I couldn’t do both.
Walker was in college at the time and had already been drafted.
I wasn’t about to ruin that for him, so I just took it all on myself.
My inability to finish school is still a nagging thing in the back of my head.
I was angry with Walker, even though it wasn’t his fault.
Terrible things happen sometimes. I’ve tried to accept that, but I have to admit that I’ve always carried around this piece of resentment.
Not just at him, although he gets the brunt of it, like he did with our fight, but towards my parents as well.
Sometimes I’m just so sick of being the responsible one. Why me? Why couldn’t someone else just take the reins for a little while so I could relax?
Because life isn’t fair.. Also, there was literally no one else. You were the oldest.
My food arrives and interrupts my little pity party, so it’s a welcome distraction. Add in an episode of Bridgerton, and my evening is looking up. I sink down on my couch with my delicious noodles and let the TV take me away to Regency England.
Two hours later, satiated and happy, I drag myself to the bathroom to prepare for bed.
While doing my nightly skincare routine, I mentally walk myself through my day tomorrow.
I need to be at the arena at least half an hour before my first team yoga practice.
I can’t deny that I’m looking forward to this opportunity to bring a whole new group of people into yoga.
Sharing all the wonderful things I’ve learned over the years is why I teach.
For so many, it has the chance to be life-changing.
At the very least, it will improve their overall physical health.
For a professional athlete, even a minor change could give them an edge, and I get to play a small part in that transformation. It’s humbling.
I have to admit, it will be nice for Walker and Liam to see what I do for a living. Maybe then my brother won’t be so quick to dismiss it. As far as I know, neither he nor Liam had ever taken a yoga class before. That alone will be worth the entertainment.
Something jolts me awake hours later. Heavy with sleep, I struggle to wrap my head around the noises I’m hearing.
Bang! It sounds as if someone is hitting my front door.
No one I know would be banging on my door in the middle of the night.
I grab my phone off the bedside table, ready to dial 911 if needed.
I shuffle to the door to check the peephole.
Bang! The door shakes from the force of the blow.
What the actual fuck! I’m seriously going to hurt someone. This better not be Walker.
I almost fling the door open, but at the last minute, I decide to check the peephole first.
Oh, God! Shit shit shit!
There’s a random guy outside my door. Head to toe dark clothes, the hood of his sweatshirt covering his face.
I think it’s a man. He looks huge through the tiny lens.
I almost scream when a powerful kick hits the door again and the whole thing shakes, but I can’t seem to make my voice work.
I back away automatically, fumbling with my phone.
Oh, fuck! They’re trying to get in here. What the fuck do I do?? Shit shit shit! My hands are shaking so hard I can barely dial 911. My breath is coming in panicky pants as the phone rings twice.
“Hello, 911. What is your emergency?”
“Someone is trying to break into my apartment! They’re kicking my door. Oh God, what do I do?” My voice is high and breathy. I force my shaky hands to clutch the phone tightly as I hit the speaker button. I can’t seem to hold it against my ear properly.
“What’s your address?” How can she be so calm?
“It’s 330 Sycamore Drive. I live in the apartment on top of the yoga studio, The Bending Willow Yoga Studio. My studio. The entrance is in the back of the building.” I babble, fear gripping me tightly. I’m shaking so hard now, it’s hard to hold the phone.
“We’ve got a unit dispatched to your location. Stay with me and stay calm. I’ll stay on the line with you until they get there.”
“Okay,” my voice is small and scared. “What if he gets in? What do I do?”
What if they don’t get here in time? I fight the urge to look out the peephole again.
Wait! I haven’t heard a bang since I called the police.
Maybe he’s gone? I’m cautious as I edge towards the door to look through the peephole.
The small landing at the top of the stairs to my apartment is empty.
My knees sag as I sink to the floor with relief.
“I think they left.” I say to the dispatcher. “Maybe they heard me call you guys.”
“That’s possible but don’t open that door until the officers get there. I’m going to stay on the line with you, don’t worry.” Her calm voice is a life raft in the chaos of my emotions.
“Okay.” I curl up on my couch, the aftereffects of my severe adrenaline rush leaving me light-headed and breathless. I do my deep meditation breathing, trying to calm myself down as I wait. What is taking so long? Why aren’t they here yet?
The time drags as I wait anxiously, and Patricia, the very nice lady from 911, keeps me occupied with questions. Giving her mundane information helps me to regulate my breathing.
Finally, there’s a loud knock on my door. I startle, even though I know it’s the police.
“Police. Ma’am, are you okay?”
“Oh, Thank God!” I tell Patricia as I head to the door. The relief is so intense that it brings tears to my eyes.
“Check the peephole,” she warns. Good thought, Patricia. To my immense relief, I see two uniformed officers at my door. I pull back the deadbolt and unlock the door.
Two large policemen are standing at my door. I’ve never been so happy to see an officer in my life. My body, recognizing that the danger is past, goes limp, and I slump against the door. I’m dizzy with relief.
“Whoa there, ma’am. Are you safe? Is anyone else here?”
I reassure them it’s just me as I walk unsteadily towards the couch. The older blonde officer heads off to check out the only other room in my place, the bathroom, while the younger one asks me questions about everything that happened tonight.
After we’ve gone through everything several times, they advise me to call a friend or to stay somewhere else for the night.
I call Kenji first, but he’s out of town.
Just my luck. I call Walker next. He answers, voice sleepy and confused, but he’s completely awake by the time I finish telling him what happened.
“Hang tight, Maddie Bear. We’ll be there soon.” He tells me, his voice tight.
I ask, ‘who is we’, but he’s already hung up and I’m disturbingly pleased that Liam is coming too. They’ll be here quickly. Denver isn’t that big of a town no matter where you live, and Liam’s place is only about five minutes away. For once, I don’t even mind that they’re close.
In less than five minutes, they show up at my door.
My idiot brother just barges through the door like he owns the place.
He’s damn lucky the police didn’t shoot him.
As it is, it took a few minutes to convince them he’s my brother.
That is, until they recognize Liam, of course, and for once, I’m grateful that Denver’s a hockey town.
Walker immediately gets into a discussion about security with the policemen while Liam pulls me into the tightest, warmest hug.
It’s everything I need right now, and I cling to him, loving that I finally feel safe.
I lay my head on his chest, breathing in his piney scent, and sinking into his embrace.
“Oh God, Liam. I can’t believe that happened. What if he’d gotten in?” My voice rises again, panicky with fear.
“You’re okay, Mads. He didn’t get in. I got you, Mads. I’m right here.” He tightens his hold, and I don’t mind one bit. Gradually, my breathing slows, and the panic recedes. It takes a long while before I feel able to pull away, and even then, I do it reluctantly.
“Okay now?” he asks quietly, like he knows how much I hate not to stand on my own. Which, to be fair, he probably does. I give him a wan smile.
“Getting there.” I say, my voice finally somewhat steady. I glance at the clock. It’s two in the morning. Wonderful. I hate teaching a class when I’m sleep-deprived.
Walker finishes talking with the officers before walking them to the door. They hand him their cards before heading out. I feel the panic well up again at their departure.
Somehow, Liam notices and immediately pulls me back into his arms.
“I got you, Mads. I got you.” He says in a calm voice. It soothes my nerves, and I recover faster this time. I pull away a bit to regroup, and he moves up behind me, my back against his chest. Its solid warmth grounds me and helps me regain some control over my emotions.
Oh shoot! These guys have practice tomorrow. I know how much Walker hates being tired for practice.
“Walks, you have practice tomorrow!” I say in a panic. He gives me that brother look and rolls his eyes.
“What? No. Don’t worry about that now, Maddie bear.”
“You’re gonna be tired.” He looks at me as if I’ve grown another head before pulling me close. This is the most physical affection I’ve gotten from him in a while. It’s overwhelming, but in the very best way.
“No practice. It’s okay, Maddie bear. Nothing will ever be as important to me as your safety.
Maybe I haven’t told you how much I love you for a minute, but I do.
So much. There’s nothing in my life that’s more important than family and there never will be.
You’re the only blood I’ve got left, Mads.
” That last part brings the tears that I’ve been holding back for a while now, and I fall apart as he holds me tight.
Eventually, I talk them into leaving. Kenji calls just as I shut and lock the door behind them, so I fill him in on the details of my terrifying evening.
“Jesus, Maddie. I had no idea that area wasn’t safe. Maybe you should come back and stay with me again.”
“I’m not doing that Kenz. Thanks for the offer but I’m not letting fear drive my decisions. I’ll be fine.”
“At the very least, we’re going to beef up the security. You need to call your landlord about that tomorrow.”
“Liam and Walker are already on it. They’ve got an entire list of things they’re installing tomorrow. It’ll be like Fort Knox around here after they’re done.” I tell him.
“I just bet it will.” He responds with a laugh. “I’ll be home tomorrow, so I’ll stop by after your classes are finished. I have a friend whose K-9 recently retired, so can I talk to him about getting you a dog? He told me that just the barking can scare people away.”
“I’ve been thinking about getting a dog, since this landlord allows pets. I like it. Let’s talk more about it tomorrow. I’m dead on my feet. Tonight’s been a lot.”
We talk for a bit more before we hang up. I check the clock. Well, a few hours of sleep is better than none. Even though I’m exhausted and fall asleep right away, it’s fitful, and every little noise has me jerking awake.