Chapter 6 – Leo
We Didn’t Start the Fire
Leo
THE TREADMILL IN the home gym occupying my two car garage hums along, steady and unbothered, taunting me while I pant, sweat dripping down my face as I force myself to keep going. My lungs burn and my muscles ache, but I don’t stop.
I can’t.
It might be the off-season, but I need to keep my shit up or I’ll die once training starts.
Especially since I’ve been eating like a teenager over the past couple of days, making sure Maddie’s well-fed instead of snacking on pretzels and cottage cheese like she admitted was her norm.
The sacrifice is worth it, but I need to remember I’m not eighteen anymore.
It takes a hell of a lot more to burn through all those calories than it used to.
Glancing down at the timer, I decide an hour is enough misery for today.
I slow to a jog, then a walk, hands on my hips as I pull in air and start to cool down.
After a few minutes, I hop off and grab my towel, swiping it across my face as I go straight to where my phone sits on the weight bench, waking it up to check the time.
After being able to spend pretty much the whole weekend with Maddie—going over in the morning and heading home at night—having to wait until she gets off work is making me antsy.
Four fifty-nine. Close enough.
I unlock the screen and type out the text I’ve been waiting all day to send.
Hey. What are you up to?
I hit send without hesitation. Normally I’d try to play it at least a little cool, but what Maddie and I are building isn’t normal.
In a lot of ways.
We have a shared past, but there’s still a lot we don’t know about each other.
We were friends all through school, but there was a gap of significant years where our lives went different directions.
It’s like we’re catching up and laying a new foundation at the same time.
Discovering who we are now, while also reminiscing about who we used to be.
And I’ve loved every second of it. Did my best to learn as much about Maddie as I could during our long—and chaste—conversations this weekend.
I know she hates ketchup but loves tomato sauce. That her best friend is her grandma—Abuela—and they talk every day. I’ve learned how much she genuinely enjoys her job. Her unexplainable appreciation for some show called Match Me Abroad.
What happened between her and her prick of an ex-husband.
I’ve never struggled to contain my emotions as much as I did while Maddie recounted just a little of what occurred during the course of their marriage. The physical and mental abuse she suffered. The control he exerted over nearly every aspect of her life.
The way he wants that to continue.
If I ever have the opportunity to get my hands on that son of a bitch, I won’t waste it. And I won’t feel bad for whatever happens. He deserves an ass kicking for making Maddie feel like she isn’t good enough. For making her afraid. Untrusting of herself and everyone else.
A fact I’m determined to change. At least where I’m involved.
Instead of staring at my phone waiting for her to reply like I want to, I head to the bathroom, stripping down before stepping under the spray.
The water’s a cool relief for my heated skin, so I take just a second to let it run over me.
Let the chill sink deep enough I can remember it in a few hours when I’m desperate for a cold shower.
Because keeping my hands off Maddie isn’t easy.
I know I’ve already touched her. But now that I know more about what she’s been through, I need to make it clear I like her for more than just her body.
Perfect as it is.
After lingering in the shower as long as I can stand, I towel off, throw on jeans and a T-shirt, and check my phone again. A smile spreads across my face when I see she’s responded.
Just finishing up at work and headed home. What about you?
I’m already making plans in my head. Deciding what I should feed her. If she’ll like the treat I picked up for her to take to work tomorrow.
Whether or not it’s too soon to kiss her.
But none of that matters if I can’t secure an invitation to her apartment, so I send a reply that’s most definitely fishing.
Just finished showering after a workout. Now I’m deciding what to eat for dinner.
I stare down at the screen, waiting for the response I want. It’s coming—at least I hope it is. I just have to wait for it. Let her decide if we spend the evening together or alone.
Otherwise, I’ll be the one driving the car I’m determined to let Maddie steer.
And steer it she does.
Want company?
That’s all I need to hear.
On my way.
I grab my keys, a hoodie, and the bag of chewy, sour candy she said is her favorite, lock up and head out into the cooling evening air. It never gets cold in this part of Florida, but the evenings can get cool. Especially this time of year.
Cool enough I’m picturing an evening curled up on Maddie’s couch under the fuzzy blanket I brought over Saturday after noticing she seemed chilly while we did our frosting taste testing. We can eat our dinner and she can recount any funny stories that happened over the course of her day.
Because it sounds like something funny happens every day.
When I found out the community she manages caters to an older demographic, I assumed it was a pretty boring place. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Based on a few of the stories Maddie told me over the weekend, the people who occupy the units at Sweet Side Apartments are rowdier than my teammates.
And apparently just as horny.
They also seem to be fiercely protective of Maddie. Someone has stopped me every time I’ve gone to her place. Grilled me about who I am and what I’m doing visiting her.
I’m pretty sure one of the old guys was even sizing me up. Like he was trying to figure out if he could take me in a fight. Thankfully, it didn’t come to that. But only because I offered up my driver’s license for inspection.
And my phone number.
I climb into my car and back out of the driveway, aiming for the exit of my little neighborhood.
While my best friend Gavin decided on a condo with a view, I opted to purchase a house with a yard and a pool.
The ocean’s nice, but I like the idea of having something that’s just mine.
A place I don’t have to pass anyone to enter.
I also like having the ability to swim naked, and I can’t imagine the other building residents would love the sight of my dick floating in the community pool.
I’d like to bring Maddie to my home at some point, but I’ve got to be patient. She’s been through so much, and I never want her to feel like I’m trying to fit her into my world. That’s not what I’m looking for. At all.
I want someone I can build a world with.
That’s part of why I haven't done a single renovation to my house. Because I’ve been hoping to find my person. If we decide to make my house our home, I want them to have just as much say in it as I do.
And I’ve already been imagining how Maddie might change things. Wondering what we could create together.
Giving myself a mental shake, I turn out onto the main road. I’m getting way ahead of myself. First, we’ve got to get Maddie through her divorce. Get her legally free and clear of Drake.
After making a stop to pick up dinner at a local hot dog place I love, I head for her apartment, parking next to my unknown friend PAPI69 like I usually do, before striding up to her door.
I don’t even have to knock. Maddie opens the door before I reach her welcome mat, greeting me with a warm and welcoming smile. “Hey.”
I love that there’s already a difference in how she acts around me. The first time I came over, she was shy. Maybe even a little withdrawn. Uncertain.
Those aren’t totally gone, but she seems less reserved. More comfortable. More content.
“Hey.” I lift the bag containing our dinner. “I hope you like hot dogs and tater tots.”
Maddie rocks up onto her bare toes, expression eager as it lands on the food. “Is that from Dave’s?”
“It is.” I give the bag a little jostle. “Does it earn me entry into your kingdom, Princess?”
Maddie laughs, the sound light and easy. “Absolutely it does.” She steps back, holding the door as I pass by. Without really thinking, I lean down to press a kiss to her lips. I didn’t mean to do it. It just felt so natural. Normal.
And I’m not taking it back.
Especially not when Maddie beams up at me, looking even happier over the kiss than she did over the dinner selection.
So I decide to push things a little further. See what happens if I nudge her into the sort of space I’d like us to be.
I make a show of taking her in, looking over the sweatpants and T-shirt she’s changed into since getting off work. “You look beautiful.”
Maddie rolls her eyes. “I look comfortable.”
“Two things can be true.” Closing the door and flipping the deadbolt, I lock us in.
I reach up to rest the tip of a finger against the underside of her chin, making sure her eyes stay on me for the next part.
“You could be covered in mud and smell like the inside of a sewer, and you would still be beautiful.”
Maddie’s eyes widen, moving over my face as she stares up at me. “You really mean that.”
I smile. “I do.” I remove my finger from her chin so I can tap her on the end of her cute little nose. “I’m not saying I wouldn’t hose you off before letting you in my house, but you would still look beautiful.”
Maddie laughs, the lightness of the sound settling deep inside me. Taking up residence.
Going to the kitchen counter, I start to unpack the food I brought, lining up the options. I got four different kinds of hotdogs and three servings of tater tots. I thought about bringing enough Maddie could have the leftovers for lunch tomorrow, but hotdogs don’t keep well.
So maybe I’ll have to bring her lunch at work.