Chapter 10 – Leo
Christmas is Ruined
Leo
FOR THE SECOND morning in a row, I wake up next to Maddie. It’s fucking wonderful. Everything I could have hoped it would be.
Like yesterday, she’s draped over me, her arms and legs flung across my body, face smashed against my chest as she softly snores.
There’s a drooly wet spot on my T-shirt and her hair’s tickling my nose, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to move her.
She’s obviously not been sleeping the best—understandable and justified—and I want her to be able to catch up on as much of it as she can.
If I’m late, I’m late. Everyone will have to get over it.
All too soon, the woman against me sucks in a deep breath, limbs uncurling as she stretches with a cute little grunt.
I’ve slept with women before. Made breakfast for more than a few. But it was always directly preceded by fucking. That’s not what’s happening with Maddie. And I can’t deny how different it feels when her head tips up, rocking against my pec so she can give me a sleepy smile.
I smooth back her dark hair, working a few of the tangles free. “Merry Christmas.”
Maddie’s smile widens. “Merry Christmas.” She yawns, wiping at one watery eye. “What time is it?”
“Almost eight thirty.” I love being the first one to see her in the morning. The first one she sees. “Did you sleep good?”
“Mm-hmm.” Maddie blinks slowly, her brows coming together to form a little line between them. “Aren’t you supposed to be at your parents’ house at nine?”
I lift one shoulder in a half shrug. “I’m not worried about it. Alexis and Gavin will be there. They’ll probably get started without me.”
My sister might always be the first to sneak out of every party, but she’s also always on time. Gavin isn’t usually more than a few minutes off, so my mom and dad will have plenty to keep them busy until I arrive.
Maddie groans. “You can’t be late.” She rolls away. “Your parents are already not thrilled with us talking. If you’re late, they’ll blame it on me.”
“They won’t blame it on you.” I slide my hand across the sheets, savoring the warmth of her spot on the bed as she stands. “They don’t know you’re here.”
Maddie pauses on her way to my bathroom. “You didn’t tell your parents about what happened?”
Her question is careful. Her voice even enough I can’t tell what sort of feelings she has about me keeping what’s happening between us private.
“No.” I toss the covers off my body and stand. “It’s none of their business.” I turn the question back on her. “What about you? Do your parents know?”
“I haven’t told them.” Maddie’s shoulders slump. “But my dad’s friends with my attorney, so I’m sure he’s heard.”
I narrow my eyes. “Isn’t that illegal?”
Maddie lifts her brows. “Do you seriously think they care about that?”
“Why don’t you get a different attorney?
” I don’t like the idea of her lawyer running to her parents and telling them her business.
Especially knowing how they’ve treated her through this whole thing.
Like she’s the one who’s done something wrong.
Like she should have known her ex was an awful person.
Like she should be facing all of this alone.
“Because I can’t afford a different attorney.” Maddie twists the hem of the oversized T-shirt she slept in. “When I left Drake, I left with nothing. I needed a lawyer, and my dad’s friend offered to help me for cheap.”
“Sounds like you overpaid.” I scrub one hand over my face. “Maybe later we can talk about coming up with a new plan.”
I already know what I want the plan to be. I want to hire her the best fucking attorney on the East Coast. A shark who’ll serve her ex his asshole on a silver platter.
And will keep their fucking mouth shut about Maddie’s business.
Maddie gives me an uncertain smile. “Okay.”
I feel like she’s placating me, and that’s another thing we’ll talk about later. I wish I had time to address it now, but I want to get this thing at my parents’ over with. And the later I am, the longer it’s going to drag out.
I quickly get dressed, pulling on the ridiculous set of pajamas my mother insists on everyone wearing for Christmas morning.
I’ve never minded doing it, because honestly I felt bad that she worked so hard and I knew damn well my dad didn’t do shit to help.
The least I could do was put on a pair of flannel pants.
But this morning, I’m feeling differently.
We didn’t end on the best note the night of their Christmas party, and I haven’t talked to them since.
I’ve been busy spending time with Maddie, and my mom needed time to cool off.
The distance needed to happen, but now I don’t know what I’ll be walking into.
It's got me in a bad mood that’s only exacerbated by knowing I’m not the only one who’ll be facing their parents today.
I don’t like leaving Maddie to deal with her parents alone.
I know that’s the way it has to be—my presence certainly isn’t going to make things less volatile—but I don’t like the idea of anyone trying to tell her what to do.
And the last time her parents told her what to do, they pushed her into a marriage with a dangerous piece of shit.
Once I’m dressed, I go to find Maddie. She’s in the kitchen making herself coffee using my Nespresso.
I’m pretty sure she likes the thing better than she likes me, and I can’t wait until the box of pods I ordered for her arrives.
I think she’ll be almost as excited by those as she will be by the extensive set of high-quality spices I have on the way.
When her beverage is finished, she lifts the cup to her mouth, letting out a soft moan at the first sip, sending a flare of heat coursing through my body.
Fuck my life. I thought it was difficult keeping my hands off her when we were sitting in her apartment watching TV and sharing food.
But that was nothing compared to the difficulty of sleeping next to—and under—her at night.
Especially when I know how easily she melts into me.
How good it will be when we finally do all the things I want.
The night of the fire at Sweet Side Apartments hasn’t left my mind, and not because a crime was committed, even though that is a pretty big problem. I can’t stop thinking about it because I can’t stop thinking about how good Maddie’s mouth tasted. How perfect her body felt against mine.
The way her thighs hooked around my waist.
Fucking hell. I’ve got to stop or I’m going to walk into Christmas breakfast with a raging hard-on.
Raking one hand through my hair, I direct my thoughts to a topic I’m confident will douse any hint of arousal in my body. “Are you going to be okay going to your parents’ by yourself?”
Sure enough, just thinking about the people who set Maddie up for failure, and then judged her for it, has my dick shriveling at a record pace.
Maddie takes a deep breath, offering me a weak smile. “I’ll be okay.” Her brows pinch together. “What about you? Do you think your parents are going to give you more shit?”
I wiggle my brows at her, grinning because I don’t want her to worry about me. “I guess we’ll find out.” Because I can’t stop myself—and don’t want to—I go to where she stands, leaning down to press a kiss to her lips. “If they do, at least we’ll have something to talk about over Christmas dinner.”
Her full lips flatten. “That doesn’t make me feel any better.” Sadness pinches her expression. “I don’t want to cause problems between you and your parents, Leo.”
Bringing one hand to her face, I cradle her cheek. “I’ve had problems with my parents for a long time, Miss Miller. What’s going on between me and them has been coming for a while.” Since I was old enough to see the imbalance. The unfairness. The expectations and the incompetence.
I know if my mom isn’t complaining then I shouldn’t be, but damn it’s hard to take my dad seriously when he pretends he can’t fucking boil water.
Leaning in, I press a kiss to her forehead, savoring our last few seconds together. “Call me if you need me. I’ll come wherever you are.”
I have to hope Drake wouldn’t have the balls to break the protection order again. Especially so soon and with her parents as witnesses, but I’m also not sure I’d put anything past that asshole. It makes leaving Maddie behind hard as hell.
But I can’t go with her, and she can’t go with me.
Yet.
After walking to the door, I take one more glance back, soaking up the sight of her in my home, before heading out into the cool morning air.
The drive to my parents’ house is an easy one since very few people are on the road, and when I pull up, I’m surprised to see I’m the first one there.
It’s odd Gavin hasn’t arrived, and unheard of that my sister isn’t already inside, but I don’t have time to dwell on their absence because my mom has the door open before I’m even out of my car.
And the expression on her face isn’t promising.
I climb out, hauling along the gifts I have for everyone, doing my best to act like nothing’s up.
As I reach the porch, I meet her glare head on, offering a smile that feels tight on my face. “Merry Christmas.”
Babs angles a brow at me before turning away and marching into the house, leaving me to follow behind.
And I do. If this is about to be a shitshow, I’m walking into it with my chin up. Ready to fight for what I want.
For what will keep Maddie safe.
I’ve barely made it into the kitchen before my dad’s booming voice fills the house. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
I set the gifts on the counter and square my shoulders. “You’re going to have to be more specific than that.”
My dad’s face immediately starts to turn red. “I’m talking about you fucking around with Maddie Miller after your mother specifically told you not to.”
“I’m not fucking around with Maddie.” For some reason it’s important that my dad knows that. For him to understand this isn’t about getting my dick wet.
“You know what I goddamn mean, Leo.” A little spit flies from his mouth.
“You were supposed to stay away from that poor girl. She’s supposed to be getting her life together, not starting a new relationship before her divorce is even final.
Instead you’re out starting fights with her ex and causing problems with her parents. ”
Sounds like Maddie’s parents talked to her attorney.
And then called my parents to spread the shit.
The first fucking thing I’m doing when I get home is finding a new attorney for Maddie. As soon as the holiday’s over, I’m going to start making phone calls and scheduling appointments, because this is fucking ridiculous.
For both of us.
Crossing both arms over my chest, I stare my dad down. “I’m not sure why you think you get to have an opinion on this.”
He sputters, seeming shocked that I’m not bowing down to his command. As he opens his mouth to hurl God only knows what sort of bullshit at me, my sister Alexis suddenly appears in the doorway, with Gavin right behind her.
She scans the room, voice sharp as she asks, “What’s going on?”
I just keep staring back at my mom and dad, disgusted they’ve taken Maddie’s parents’ side. That they’re refusing to even consider what’s actually best for her.
Alexis raises one brow, focusing on me. Probably because she knows I’m the one most likely to answer her. And I am.
Because I’m on the right side of things and I know it.
“They’re acting like two consenting adults can’t do what they want.” My jaw is so tight it’s aching, and I have to force my teeth to unclench. Cracking a molar isn’t going to help anything.
“You don’t have any fucking clue what you’re talking about.” My dad points at the living room, like Maddie’s still there. “The last thing that girl needs is you butting your nose into her shit.”
I scoff, stretching my arms wide. “You just wanted me to stand there like nothing was happening?” I shake my head. “No fucking way.”
Alexis takes a step toward me, zeroing in on the slight bit of damage I did to my knuckles when I slammed Drake against the glass. “What happened to your hands?”
My mother’s nostrils flare, her teeth barely separating as she says, “He beat the shit out of Maddie Miller’s husband.”
“Ex-fucking-husband.” I turn to my sister and Gavin. “She filed for divorce three months ago when he beat the shit out of her.” Lifting my chin, I narrow my eyes, daring them to argue with me. “So as far as I’m concerned, he got what he had coming.”
My dad lets out a bitter laugh. “He’s fucking dangerous, Leo. He’s already threatened to kill her, and he did it at the fucking courthouse in front of both their attorneys. You didn’t help her. You kicked the fucking hornet’s nest.”
“Isn’t it a good thing her ex knows what will happen if he tries to fuck with her again?” Gavin asks, giving me hope at least he’ll take my side.
Alexis shakes her head and my stomach sinks. “That’s not how it works with men like that. He’ll be even more dangerous now.” Her eyes meet mine. “Where is she now?”
I seal my lips, refusing to answer.
My mother tosses both hands up in the air. “For fuck’s sake.” She laughs, but it’s not an amused sound so much as an unhinged one. “She’s at your house, isn’t she, Leo?”
“I can’t just leave her at her apartment now that he’s found her.” I don’t see how they aren’t getting this. “You should be fucking happy I was there when he showed up. Otherwise, who knows what would have happened.”
“She would have called the police and let them handle it.” My mother’s voice gets louder as she continues.
“He would have been arrested for violating a protection order and been booked in jail.” She advances on me, like she thinks she can take me on.
“Now he’s plotting how to punish both of you for making him look weak. ”
My dad rakes one hand through his hair. “I need to call Matt Miller back. See if there’s anything we can do since it’s your fault his daughter’s problems just got bigger.
” He shoots me a glare. “If you’re smart, you’ll leave that girl alone before you make things even worse for her.
” He storms off in the direction of his office.
My mother wipes at her eyes, giving me a final, withering glare before turning away. Pausing at where Alexis and Gavin stand, she says, “I’m sorry. I don’t feel much like celebrating this morning.”
I watch her leave the same way my dad went then lift my brows at my best friend and sister. “You two want to take a shot? Everyone else fucking does.”
Alexis shakes her head.
I turn to Gavin. “You?”
He matches my sister’s gesture, staying silent.
“Good.” I stalk past them, storming out the front door.
I was struggling with the way I saw my parents before.
Now, I’m struggling with whether or not I’ll ever be able to look at them the same again.