Chapter 8 Maddison
MADDISON
The inside of River’s car smells like his cologne. I wasn’t aware of how much I liked his cologne until now. I keep breathing it in, and it makes me feel lighter.
“So … I looked up a few taco places we can go to,” I tell River as he steers the car down the main road that weaves through the heart of the glittering city sparkling against the sky.
Traffic is thick, so we’re at a stop-and-go point.
River has the heat on, and music is softly playing from the stereo.
I feel calm around him, and it’s strange. I rarely feel calm around anyone.
“I have a place picked out.” He has one hand resting on the steering wheel and the other on the shifter. “I searched around and found one at a park not too far away from the lake. It has high ratings.” He flicks me a glance. “If that’s okay with you.”
I sink my teeth into my bottom lip as I nod. Is it weird that I think it’s sweet he did this all beforehand? I’m so used to taking care of myself that it’s nice not having to worry about stuff. For a while, anyway.
River is taking me out tonight because he wants to talk about stuff. What those things are, I don’t have a clue. It makes me mildly nervous, but it’s in my nature to assume the worst.
“You planned out tonight?” I question as I rotate in the seat to face him.
He drums his fingers on top of the steering wheel. “Yeah, I told you I was taking you out, so why wouldn’t I?”
I prop my elbow on the back of the seat and rest my cheek against my hand. “I don’t know … I guess if I were going out with anyone from my old life, we’d have probably ended up wandering around until we got bored and went to a party. It’s sweet you picked out a place.”
He throws me a look. “You’re the only person who’s ever called me sweet.”
I teasingly smile. “Have you ever been sweet to another person?”
“I’m nice to Lily,” he says with a shrug. “And sometimes Finn, when he’s not getting on my nerves. I used to be nice to Noah, but …” He trails off.
I consider my next words carefully. “Have you ever thought about forgiving him?”
His brows crease, and the muscles in his jaw pulsate. “His mother cheating with my father destroyed my mother. She had to check into rehab for a few months afterward, and she’s still not the same.”
“I’m sorry. I know how hard it is to watch your parents break apart.
” I give a short pause. “But even if Noah told you about the affair, it wouldn’t have changed anything.
Plus, he kind of was in a tough spot, too.
I mean, it’s his mom, so he probably felt like he was betraying her if he told you guys.
” When River stares at me perplexedly, I add, “Look, I’m not trying to tell you what to do—your feelings are your feelings.
However, as someone who doesn’t have a lot of people in her life, I think …
I don’t know, I just feel like maybe you should talk to him. Like have a real conversation.”
The lights reflect in his eyes as he studies me. “You’ve talked to him a couple of times … What did you guys talk about?”
I’m not about to tell him what Noah’s been up to—it’s not my story to tell. Plus, I don’t even know the entire story. Noah may have warned me to be honest with River, but I’m not about to tattle on Noah, either. I can be evasive without lying.
“I helped him out with something,” I explain vaguely. “I don’t feel like it’s my place to tell you about what, though. If you talk to him, though maybe he’ll tell you. That is, if you’re nice to him like you are to me.”
He narrows his eyes, and I worry he’s annoyed with me. But then he says, “For as tough as you are, you’re also sweet.”
“Hey,” I protest with a crinkle of my nose. “I am not. Trust me; I’ve gotten into my fair share of fights.”
“Oh, I believe it,” he assures me with a ghost of a grin. Then he grows serious again. “But you have a good heart, Maddison.”
The way he calls me Maddison causes my stomach to flutter like an idiot. I rarely react to guys this way, and it worries me, not just because I’ve vowed not to date anyone, but River is a royal. And he keeps making me feel things I’m uncertain what to do with.
“It’s not an insult.” He reaches over and brushes his fingers across my hand that’s resting on my leg. “I promise.” He smiles then returns his hand back to the shifter.
It was just a soft caress. Nothing more. And yet, I feel like I can’t get oxygen into my lungs, which is saying a lot since my lungs are in top shape.
I let a slow breath ease from my lips before speaking. “All right, no more compliments for now. You’re making me all lightheaded.”
His chuckle is laced with confusion. “You’re also really weird.”
“That is very true,” I agree, pointing my finger at him.
He smiles, and I grin, relieved we’re going back to normalcy. At least, I pretend that everything is normal. The truth is that River has got me all worked up in a confused knot that I have no clue how to untie.
And I’m not even sure that I want to.
Once we leave the city, it takes us about ten minutes to arrive at the park.
I’ll admit, as the city lights dimmed, I grow a bit anxious that Drew could be lurking out in the shadows.
I don’t know why he would be. It’s not like there’s any way he could know I’m in this car unless he was hiding in the bushes when we took off. But why would he wait until now?
Stop being so paranoid, Maddy.
River parks the car fairly close to the taco truck.
Tables and chairs surround the area, and twinkling lights are dangling from the tree branches above.
People are walking around on paths and also sitting at the tables, eating and chatting.
No one’s face looks familiar—thank God—so the ball of tension in my chest slightly unwinds.
River silences the engine, pockets his key fob, and then shoves the door open. I reach for the door handle, but he quickly says, “Let me get the door for you, okay?”
I get this funny little smile on my face as I nod.
He releases a nervous breath before hopping out and shutting his door. Then he rounds the car and opens my door.
I’m trying not to grin, but this whole gentleman thing is amusing to me.
“Thanks,” I tell him as he closes the door.
He chuckles. “You say that with so much humor.”
I offer him an apologetic look. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m still struggling with this gentleman thing. Like I said, I’m not used to it.”
We start toward the taco truck, a light breeze and chatter filtering through the air.
“You should probably get used to it. Well, I mean, if we continue to hang out.” He fumbles over his words.
“Do you want to continue to hang out with me?”
“I do. You’re the realest person I’ve ever met.”
“Same for me about you. Although, I’m super curious what you need to talk to me about tonight.”
His gaze sweeps the area, and anxiety hums off of him. “At the lake. I don’t want to talk about it here.”
“Are you sure it’s not bad?” I ask guardedly while zipping up my jacket.
“It’s … weird,” he replies as we near the truck. “I actually don’t know how to label it.”
I wait for him to give me an idea of what it is, but he remains silent for a beat.
“Maddy,” he finally says in all seriousness, and I think, Oh, he decided to tell me. “I want you to do me a favor. And I know you’re not going to want to do it, but I really want you to do it.”
“You’re rambling,” I point out with my hands shoved in the pockets of my jacket.
“I know. I’m sorry.” The strands of his inky black hair dance in the breeze as he comes to a stop just short of where the tables are. He sucks in a deep breath and stares at the asphalt as he shifts his weight. “Will you please let me pay for dinner?”
That was so not what I was expecting him to say.
“No,” I start to protest.
He glances at me while stepping toward me. “I know you don’t want to take handouts, but this isn’t a handout. I’m taking you out, and it’s like the whole thing with me opening your door. It’s something I want to do because it’s how I was raised.”
“Paying for my food is more of a date thing,” I stress.
“When friends go out, they pay for themselves.” Speaking of which, I need to see if I was right about him paying my bail.
I’ll ask later, once he’s told me other things.
Maybe once he opens up, I can get all the truths he’s been keeping from me out of him.
He swallows audibly. “Then this can be a date … I mean, if you’re okay with that.”
My heart slams against my chest. “You can’t just change the rules so you can pay for my food.”
“I’m not changing the rules. I just …” He sighs, shifting his weight and massaging the back of his neck. “Please just let me pay for you.”
Every one of my instincts is to say no, but then he reaches out and tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.
I’m not even sure he means to do it since he jerkily pulls back, as if he’s surprised himself.
Whatever the reason, I find myself dumbly nodding, confirming that I’m as big of a dumbass as other northside girls.
Because I know better, and yet, here I am, falling into a royal guy’s world.
Shit.
He relaxes. “Thanks.” It almost looks like he’s about to touch my hair again, but then he hastily stuffs his hands into his pockets.
We start toward the taco truck again, quietness wrapping around us.
“So, tryouts are coming soon,” he says—thank God—breaking the awkwardness. “Are you nervous?”
“Truthfully, and I swear to God, if you tell anyone this, I will ruin you, gothic prince,” I pretend to scold, and he grins.
“I kind of am. I’m not sure why, other than this feels like an entirely different league than what I’m used to.
I’ve been looking at some of the PRs for people who were on the team last year, and holy crap, I’m getting worried. ”
“You’ll do great. I know you will. Not just because you’re good, but because you have an amazing coach.” He grins, causing me to giggle.