Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Tonight’s the Night
Madison
Tonight’s the night.
I’m ready for him.
Or… I’m as ready as I could ever be, I guess.
My palms are sweaty, and I keep rubbing them against my jeans to no avail. The perspiration is constant; it’s leaking from every pore… which is probably the least attractive thing about me, but there’s nothing I can do about it.
“What’s got you lookin’ so pale?” Brianne, Collin’s girlfriend, asks when I step into the kitchen around eleven in the morning.
I startle at the sound of her voice. “Oh!”
“Sorry.” She holds up her hands. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, you’re okay. Just a bit tired today.”
“You look sick,” she says bluntly, and I almost laugh, but it comes out as more of a choking cough.
“Y-yeah.”
I walk past her at the table to pull the apple juice out of the fridge. I pour myself some, and when I put it back, I notice we’re no longer alone.
“Mornin, Mads,” Collin says.
“Good morning.”
“You all right, buddy? You’re looking a little peaky.”
“That’s what I said!” Brianne adds, and I purse my lips.
What is up with everyone analyzing me today, of all days?
“Yes, I’m fine. Just tired.”
“Okay…”
I want to be irritated with the inquisition, but it’s actually nice to know that people care about me and my well-being, despite it being a bit of an inconvenience at the moment.
I’ve never had that before.
“So, what are you gonna do on this fine Sunday?” Collin asks, and I shift on my feet. I don’t want to lie, but I can’t exactly tell them I’m going back to Mayhem either.
“Just going to go visit a friend.” It’s not a lie, anyway.
Brianne and Collin exchange a look as I lean against the counter sipping my apple juice. I look between them, brows furrowed, before they look back at me with matching grins.
“A friend, huh?” Brianne asks, her voice raising a few octaves, and I flush from head to toe.
I didn’t realize that sounded so suggestive, but now that I think about it…
Shit.
“Oh. Uh, um… It-it’s not like that.”
“Sure, it isn’t,” Collin teases me, and I flush even hotter.
“It’s not. He’s just a friend—”
“He!”
My jaw snaps shut.
Did I just mess up by saying that? Are they… They’re not homophobic, are they?
Oh, God.
Oh, God…
A hand clamps around my shoulder. “Calm down, little dude. It’s okay.”
“I… I’m—I’m sorry,” I choke out, feeling like I’m dying.
I was wrong. So wrong…
“What?” Collin asks, sounding incredulous. “For what? Don’t be, man. I’m stoked you’re gay. I just had no idea!”
I blink rapidly. “Wait… what?”
“Hell yeah! Kane’s the only one of us that swings that way—but he likes…
how’d he put it… every and all? I don’t remember, but anyway, he’d love to know he’s not the only one in the house.
You should tell him.” He rubs my shoulder affectionately, and my heart thuds heavily in my chest. “Maybe you won’t feel so alone. ”
And I don’t know how he knows, but my chest fills with a warmth I’ve never felt in my life as tears burn my eyes.
“Th-thanks,” is all I’m able to choke out, but it seems to be good enough for him because he gives me a soft smile and another squeeze.
“He’s in his room if you wanna talk.”
“Y-yeah. I think… I think I’ll do that.” My heart is thudding wildly in my chest, and the sweat that was pouring from me has increased tenfold, but I want this.
I think I even need it.
To share this part of me with someone.
Without finishing my apple juice, I set the cup in the sink and make my way up the stairs to Kane’s room. His door is open, so I just knock on the frame a bit timidly. He glances up, and when he sees it’s me, he smiles, and my own nervous facade cracks a bit.
“Hey, Mads. What’s up?”
I take a deep, shuddering breath and let my eyes fall closed for a minute. You can do this. It’s just a few words. And he’ll relate.
“I was wondering if you had a minute to talk?”
Kane’s brows draw together with concern, but he nods and pushes back in his computer chair to open his arms up.
“Of course. Come on in. What’s going on?
” he asks when I take a seat on his bed.
I pull my knees up to my chest and rest my chin on them to stare down at the floor as I try to think of a way to say this.
“I’ve never really said this out loud before,” I finally start.
It’s scary… but kind of exhilarating?
“Okay… Mads, are you okay?”
“I’m gay,” I blurt and promptly turn as red as a tomato.
“Oh.” Kane chuckles and runs his fingers through his hair. “Cool, man. Me, too.”
“Uh, y-yeah… Collin kinda already told me and suggested I… maybe tell you? I don’t know.
I didn’t mean to come out to him. I’ve never really come out to anyone before.
My parents were really religious, and that’s a whole thing in and of itself, and I have some trauma there, but I’m not like, in the closet or anything, it’s just not something I thought I would ever do, but now I’m here, and things are good—”
“Madison,” Kane interrupts me, and I take a deep, panting breath.
“Y-yeah?”
“Did you forget I came with you on a date with a man?” he asks, eyebrow quirked and a small smile on his lips, and if my face wasn’t hot before, it sure as hell is now.
“Oh. Uh, y-yeah. I, um, I kinda did, actually…”
Kane chuckles and shakes his head. “It’s all right. I mean, I didn’t assume the way you identified, but when you made out with him, I kinda figured you liked men.”
Holy shit, I made out with Cedrick in front of him.
How could I forget something like that?
“I am so sorry about that,” I rush out. “I don’t know what came over me, but that’s so incredibly rude—”
“Mads, chill. It’s all good, man, really. I’m glad to see you out living your life and having a good time.”
“Oh… thank you.” I blush furiously. “Speaking of… I’m kinda… going out with him again tonight...?”
Kane lifts a dark brow. “Is that a question?”
“No.” I shake my head. “No, I am.”
“Well, good on you then! Do you need back up again or…”
I smile sheepishly. “No, that’s okay. I feel good about being alone with him. I really appreciate you being there last time.”
“Of course. Any time.”
“All right, well, I guess I better go get ready…” I stand from his bed and stretch my legs.
“What time are you leaving?”
“Oh, about six? That’s when I’m heading out.”
“You sure you don’t need a ride?”
I promptly turn white as a ghost. “Oh, no, that’s okay.”
Kane’s eyes narrow slightly, but then, he shrugs. “If you’re sure.”
“I am. Thank you though.”
“Of course. Do let me know if you need a ride home or anything, I’m happy to help.”
I pause right by his open door and turn back around to smile at him. “Thank you, Kane, really. I appreciate you.”
“Of course, Madison. Have fun tonight.”
“If that’s what you wanna call it…” I mutter under my breath as I walk down the hall toward my bedroom, heart racing in my chest as the hours tick down closer to when I finally meet my stalker back where it all began.
My nerves are shot the second the decrepit motel comes into view.
It’s as terrifying as I remember, and for a moment, I think, why the hell am I doing this?
And then, I look down at my phone, see Cedrick’s face staring back at me, and I remember everything we’ve been through these last few months—albeit not all of it was roses and rainbows.
I mean… the man did stalk me, but…
I’m kind of over that, I think? Maybe? I’m not sure.
All I do know is that I don’t really care anymore—if I ever did.
I keep thinking about Cedrick and how he made me feel at that club, on that dance floor. How each text, each phone conversation has been a highlight to every single day. I look forward to speaking to him, to learning about him and his life. Who he is and who he’s been.
I love telling him about myself and my past because I know he won’t care or judge.
And it’s… nice, to know that with certainty—that someone just wants me for me.
Not for the money or the power my parents have.
Not because of my last name or where I came from, but because I’m just Madison Thomas Payne and Cedrick Hades Vinton decided he likes me.
I roll the car to a stop right in front of the doors, and my breath catches in my throat.
I reach up and touch the collar around my neck—Static’s collar—and tug on the frayed edges. Their roughness brings me a sense of calm as I step out of the car and into the darkness of the evening, watching the gravel dust settle back down around my tires.
I pull my phone from my pocket and open my text thread with Cedrick.
Me:
I’m here.
My heart is pounding in my throat. I really can’t believe I’m doing this.
I never wanted to come here to begin with, but now, I’m here voluntarily.
It’s crazy how much can change in just a few months… how much someone can change me.
My phone buzzes, and I glance down, choking on my own heartbeat as I read the words before me.
Cedrick:
Ever play hide n seek darlin
Cause youre about to
A loud bang sounds from somewhere inside the building, and a scream erupts from my throat, eyelids shooting open wide.
Cedrick:
Run
I don’t think twice. I shove my phone back in my pocket and take off across the gravel parking lot—but instead of running away, I run toward the danger. Closer to where I know he’s waiting for me.
My breath is stuck in my lungs, and I pull in deep lungfuls of air with each panting gasp, to no avail.
I’m choking on air as I reach for the doorknob and find it open.
I run into the darkness without thinking about where I’m going—only that I need to try and find a place to hide, but it’s freaking dark, and I can’t see a thing.
Unfortunately, Static knows this place like the back of his hand, so no matter where I go, he’ll be able to find me with ease.
I need to… make this difficult for him. I need him to chase me to know if this is worth it, that maybe…
I shake my head rapidly, making myself temporarily dizzy from the force.
No.
That’s not what this is about.
This is about… Static and Madison’s reunion. Nothing more.
It can’t be.
I can’t be.