Maddy
MADDY
I t’s after 8PM and I’m sitting on my bed back in my suite, waiting for Mihai to come back after he had to leave a few hours ago. I didn’t want to stay in his bedroom and wanted the familiarity of mine while I waited for him to return.
My heart leaps into my throat when the door opens, but it’s Connor who strides in with a casual grin plastered on his face. I’m already smiling, but it falters a bit when I remember that he doesn’t know about me… well, talking again.
Mihai said not to mention anything until after his father had been here, so it should be fine…right?
“Darlin’,” he says with a broad smile, and his Irish lilt makes the word sound softer. “I heard a little rumor that you’ve found your voice again. Please tell me it’s true.”
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “It’s true, Connor.”
“Hell,” he mutters, shaking his head in disbelief, “I thought I’d have to spend my days tryin’ to drag a single word out of you,” he pauses, giving me an exaggerated look. “Now don’t go shuttin’ up on me again, alright?”
I roll my eyes, unable to keep the smile off my face. “I make no promises.”
Connor lets out a chuckle, settling down across from me on an armchair, his gaze warm and playful. “So, how are you, really? I mean, all jokes aside.”
I shrug, thinking over his question. “It’s… I’m good. But it feels a little odd, like I’m still trying to catch up with myself.”
He nods, his expression softening. “That makes sense. You’ve been through a lot, lass. It’s gonna take time, but you’ve got us. I mean, I’ll annoy you just enough to keep you on your toes, if that helps.”
“Oh, I have no doubt,” I say, smirking. “You’d never let me get too comfortable.”
“Absolutely not.” He grins, then his eyes light up and he winks. “Well, if your written notes were so cheeky, I can’t wait to hear speaking giving me sass.”
I laugh. “I’m happy to oblige, then. I owe you a good bit of sass, anyway.”
We both laugh, and it feels natural, easy. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, that teasing grin still in place. “So, since you used to be quite the singer…”
I groan, knowing exactly where this is going. “Please don’t start, Connor. Mihai’s already given me enough grief about it.”
He wouldn’t stop asking me to sing while showing me around the Main Crown Suite, and only shut up when I kissed him. Yeah, that’s still new.
Connor raises his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. But you’ve got to sing for us one day, . I’ve got a reputation as your friend, and I need to be able to brag about knowin’ your hidden talents.”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself. “I think I’m a bit too rusty for that.”
“Oh, come on, lass,” he teases, his eyes twinkling. “One little note? Just a small one?”
I sigh, crossing my arms. “Not happening, you prat.”
He sighs dramatically, clutching his chest as if wounded. “Breakin’ my heart, ya know that? But alright, I won’t push. Just sayin’, though, I’d pay good money to hear that voice.”
I give him a playful glare. “And that’s well good, but I’m not still not singing for you.”
Connor laughs, his whole face lighting up. “Either way, I’m just happy you’re talking. That’s enough for now.”
Just then, the door opens, and Mihai walks in, carrying a paper bag and I can smell the yummy food already. The sight of him makes my heart skip, though I try not to let it show. His gaze lands on Connor, and he rolls his eyes.
“Ah, so you’re still here terrorizing her,” he mutters, setting the food down on the table.
“Hey, don’t be jealous because I’m her favorite,” Connor retorts, leaning back with a smirk.
“Oh, please,” Mihai scoffs, though there’s a hint of amusement in his tone. “Keep telling yourself that.”
Then he plops down next to me on the bed, giving Connor a look. “And you—lay off her, yeah?”
“Pfft, lay off her? I’m the gentlest one here,” Connor says, smirking. “It’s you she has to worry about.”
Mihai scoffs. “Right. I’m an angel, didn’t you know?”
Connor laughs, pointing at Mihai. “Aye, an angel who carries concealed weapons.”
I can’t help but laugh as they go back and forth, feeling lighter than I have in a while. It’s this easy banter, the friendship between them that draws me in and makes me feel… normal, somehow.
Like maybe I could be a part of this.
Connor’s about to shoot another comeback when the door bursts open and Cat storms in, her face red and streaked with tears. She freezes when she sees Connor and Mihai there, her expression crumbling further and she takes a step back.
“Cat?” Connor’s voice drops, and his whole demeanor shifts. He straightens, his playful grin vanishing as he stands, moving toward her.
It’s like a switch flipped; gone is the playful, teasing Connor, replaced by someone who’s fiercely protective, all his attention zeroed in on his little sister.
Cat looks down, twisting her fingers together with an anxious expression, and Connor doesn’t wait for her to speak. He pulls her into his arms, murmuring quietly, “Hey, hey, what’s wrong? What happened?”
She’s quiet for a moment, then she pulls back, glancing at Mihai and then me with wide eyes. She looks hesitant, almost like she doesn’t want to speak in front of us, but the concern on Connor’s face seems to break through her hesitation.
“It’s nothing,” she whispers, but her voice shakes, betraying her.
Connor frowns, his hands still on her shoulders. “Don’t lie to me, Catriona. What happened?”
Mihai and I exchange a glance, sensing the gravity of the moment. I can feel the worry settling over me, seeing Cat like this, and the change in Connor—it’s like a completely different side of him I haven’t seen yet, one that doesn’t joke and doesn’t brush things off.
Cat takes a deep breath, looking down at her feet. “I… it’s just… something stupid. Really, CC, I’ll be fine.”
CC?
Connor’s gaze hardens slightly, his grip on her shoulders steady. “Doesn’t matter if it’s stupid or not. If it’s got you this upset, it matters to me. Now tell me who the hell am I killin’?”
Mihai, who’s been quiet this whole time, speaks up gently, his tone a little softer than usual. “Cat, if you want, we can give you guys some space.”
She hesitates, but then she shakes her head. “No, it’s okay! I just… I didn’t expect to see everyone here.” She glances back at Connor. “I didn’t mean to make a scene and interrupt you guys.”
Connor squeezes her shoulder gently. “You know I’d move mountains if it meant you’d feel better. Don’t apologize, alright?” Connor shakes his head, pulling her into a gentle hug. “You didn’t interrupt anything. Whatever it is, we’re here. Right, ?”
He glances at me, and I nod, giving her a reassuring smile. “Absolutely. Whatever you need, Cat,” I say softly.
She looks between us, her expression crumbling as she lets out a small sob. “Thank you… I just… it’s been a rough day.”
Connor brushes her hair back, his voice gentle. “Alright, but you need to tell me what happened, Cat. I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me, okay?”
She bites her bottom lip and shakes her head, but her brother doesn’t let up, his gaze intense as he looks at her, the concern etched deep in his face.
“Catriona,” he says softly, brushing another strand of hair from her face and cups her cheeks. “I can’t just sit here guessin’. You need to tell me. I’m here. We all are. But you have to let me in.”
Cat’s shoulders shake, and she presses her lips together, her hands twisting anxiously in front of her. I can tell Connor is just about ready to kill whoever hurt his little sister by the way his hand is twitching.
“Hey—”
“I’m pregnant!” she screams, her voice raw, breaking as the tears finally spill over. “I’m pregnant, okay!”