twenty-three
N ate found it impossible to sleep that night, his thoughts circling back to Madison and the day they’d had.
When he’d stepped into his house a few hours ago and seen the dozens of twinkling lights littering the living room, bathing it in their soft light, he’d never felt more content.
Watching Madison trying to reach the highest places of the Christmas tree and failing, huffing and puffing while struggling with the tangled mess of the string of lights, Nate had kept wondering how it could be possible for someone to be so cute and ridiculous at the same time.
He hadn’t been able to keep his eyes off her.
And seeing his mom truly enjoying herself, had made something squeeze and release inside Nate.
In the end, on the way back from the movies, he’d told Madison about his father. Probably because he felt like there was nothing painful that he couldn’t confide in her and feel better, lighter, afterwards.
He’d told her how his father had left them when Nate had been really young. His brother, being three years younger than Nate, barely remembered it.
But Nate did.
How it had been Christmas morning. The shouts.
The screaming. The breaking glass. How he’d run from his room only to run to stand in front of his mom who was cowering, trying her best to protect herself from his father.
His father, who hadn’t always been like that.
Who had once been kinder, not violent and harsh.
That morning, seeing Nate run to hug his mom tight around her waist, attempting to shield her with his little body, must have given his father pause. He had remained there, staring at them and fuming, before turning around and bursting out of the house. He’d got in his car and driven away.
They’d never seen him again.
From that day forward, Nate had tried to keep his family safe, to take care of them in his own little way, so he’d never have to see his mom stricken like that again.
Madison had listened to everything he had had to say, never interrupting, her gaze steely and unwavering, and when he’d finished, her only response had come in a firm, no nonsense voice.
“Well, his fucking loss, Nate.”
And her words had loosened something within him that had always felt gnarled and ugly.
She’d looked almost angry on his behalf until he’d threaded their fingers together, a small, genuine smile tugging at his lips.
Equally angrily, Madison had then proceeded to invite him to her house for board games with her grandma and food. Her earlier mood had bled into her invitation which had made her look like a disgruntled kitten. But at Nate’s chuckle, her expression had eased and she’d relaxed into her usual self.
The movie had been surprisingly fun, even though Nate’s attention had frequently strayed towards the girl in his arms, unable to not notice her cute reactions and absolute delight at certain scenes.
And that small, soft kiss on his jaw had almost destroyed every self-control he possessed, goosebumps breaking out all over his skin.
Nate sighed and rubbed his hands over his face.
This was definitely not the right way to try and get some sleep.
***
A few days later, Nate was ringing the doorbell at Madison’s house.
He’d been here once before to pick her up but he’d never seen what the interior was like. He couldn’t deny that he was mildly curious for a peek in her everyday life.
Thumping feet were Nate’s only warning before the door sprang open and Madison’s flushed face filled his vision.
“I want to apologize in advance for whatever happens here tonight.”
“Should I turn around and run for the car?”
Madison seemed to hesitate briefly before she laughed a bit shrilly. “No, don’t be ridiculous, no need for that.”
“Why do I not feel reassured then?”
Maddy sighed and smiled at him. “I’m sorry. I’m being silly. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Should I come in, then?”
“Oh God, yes, of course come in,” she said, ushering him in.
After taking his jacket and hanging it by the door, she turned a shy look at him that made his blood boil, and pushed herself on her toes to softly kiss his cheek, right at the corner of his lips. Her shy look turned mischievous as she said, “hi” in a private tone.
His arm shot out to keep her close as she started to pull away, unable to keep himself from breathing her in, her floral scent making him almost drunk.
“You’re a menace,” Nate said hoarsely, his eyes devouring every inch of her face.
Her quiet laugh did nothing to calm the rush of blood in his veins.
“I should hope so.”
“Did you get lost on the way to the door, Maddy?” a slightly amused voice called from somewhere further inside the house.
They both looked at each other before a snicker bubbled up. They were behaving like teenagers more and more every day.
Nate let Maddy lead the way while he took in his surroundings.
Everywhere his eyes landed on told him that it looked like a house well-loved, lived-in by people who took care of it but at the same time weren’t afraid to let little imperfections be visible.
It looked like a house that really suited her.
They reached the kitchen where a short, old lady with a puff of grayish hair was tinkering with different pots and pans, preparing something that had no right smelling so mouth-watering.
A kind, wrinkly face turned towards them as they entered the kitchen, smiling in that all-knowing way grandmas usually did.
“You must be Nate,” she said, waving a sauce-covered spatula at him.
Was it Nate’s idea or did the spatula look slightly menacing?
“Yes, it’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
She laughed. “No need for that, my dear boy. You can call me nonna or Angela, if you prefer.”
“Yes, of course,” Nate nodded. “Is there something I can help with?”
Maddy’s grandma pierced him with a scrutinizing look. “Do you actually know what you’re doing or is that your way of trying to get into my good graces?”
Nate was suddenly feeling fidgety. “Both?”
Angela chuckled at his words and Nate felt his shoulders relaxing.
“At least you’re honest,” she said.
Madison had been suspiciously silent throughout the whole exchange. A brief glance at her confirmed she had been following their interaction with an expression akin to open curiosity, fascination and trepidation.
Nate subtly pinched her side, to which she squealed before covering it with a cough.
“You know how to cook?” Madison asked him, rubbing her side.
“Well, I’m not going to be the next Top Chef, but I think I fend well for myself. It’s come in handy throughout the years,” he said, his eyes tracking Madison’s look of barely contained astonishment.
He really liked being the recipient of such a look from her.
“Over the years?” Angela asked, frowning. “Aren’t you only 17?”
Nate hoped he’d done a good job of covering his sudden panic effectively. He cleared his throat.
“Yes, it’s just that sometimes it feels like I’ve lived for much longer.”
Angela pinned him with her stormy eyes before nodding in what appeared like understanding.
“What are you waiting for, then? Grab a knife from that drawer and start chopping those cherry tomatoes over there.”
Nate went over to the sink to wash his hands and got to work, happy to be of help to this tiny drill sergeant.
Angela was making pasta, an authentic Italian recipe, and the aromas were getting stronger by the minute.
Their easy back and forth gave them the chance to chat over the preparation of several ingredients, of the setting of the table, and the exchanging of cooking tips.
She made talking to her comfortable and Nate could see why Madison adored her. She was a sharp woman who looked to be fiercely protective of the people she loved. And she looked at Madison with the kind of love that moved worlds not just mountains.
A quick glance over his shoulder found Madison stacking up several boxes of board games with a serious frown of concentration more appropriate for disarming a bomb. He couldn’t help the soft chuckle that escaped him. Which of course wasn’t lost on nonna Angela.
“She’s a piece of work, my Maddy.” Angela’s gentle voice drifted over to him over the simmering sounds of the food.
Nate nodded, feeling his lips tilting upwards. “That she is.”
“I hope for your sake that you can handle it.”
Nate turned to look at Angela and held her gaze steady and unflinchingly.
Angela seemed satisfied with what she saw there because she nodded and simply said, “Okay.”
The afternoon went on just as well as it had started.
The pasta had tasted as delicious as it had smelled, Nate helping himself to seconds embarrassingly fast. After cleaning everything up, they settled for several turns of Monopoly, Cluedo, and Scrabble, to which he had first class seat to the family’s competitive spirit.
Italian television game shows were next, of which Nate unfortunately did not understand a word but seemed to entertain both grandma and granddaughter immensely.
At some point, he excused himself for a few minutes to use the bathroom, only to find Madison in the corridor afterwards.
“Hey,” she said, smiling up at him. “I hope we didn’t bore you too much tonight. Nonna might not tell you, but I think she had a great time.”
Stepping closer to her, he reached out and threaded their fingers lightly, rubbing his thumb on her pulse. “I’m glad she did, and I did, too. Plus, she promised me the recipe before I go and that is a huge win in my book.”
Madison grinned, her eyes sparkling.
“Anyway, I’m here because she gave me permission to show you my room, pointing out that she’d stay right where we left her but that her hearing was excellent despite her age.”
Nate’s heart skipped a beat as his voice turned low and raspy. “Now, what could she possibly be insinuating, Mads?”
Madison’s cheeks turned rosy just as her smile promised trouble.
“I don’t know… Something about not leaving teenagers unattended.”
“Good thing we’re not teenagers then.”
“You read my mind, Nathaniel,” she said as she pulled him towards her room.
A quick glance around the room was enough to identify it as Madison’s personal space.
It somehow showed details of her soft and quiet nature in its mild tones, but also of bursts of her particular personality and interests.
The scent she carried everywhere she went was so much stronger here.
He could tell she loved flowers both by the intoxicating aroma but also by the wallpaper that held tiny stems and blooms everywhere.
Nate could also see books and comics covering almost every available surface, some anime figurines, and stars on her ceiling.
He couldn’t help the rush of affection he felt at the sight of all that.
He also couldn’t help teasing her a bit for that.
“So. Sailor Moon, huh?” he asked, secretly delighted in the way she shuffled her feet awkwardly.
“I was kinda hoping you wouldn’t notice that.”
“Why not?” he shrugged. “It’s cute.”
Madison looked at him with wide eyes. “It is cute. It’s a great show with awesome characters.” She then threw him a sly look. “And of course, there’s Tuxedo Mask.”
“Huh, what does he do exactly?”
“Basically, he wears a mask, a tuxedo, a cape, a top hat and he produces an alarming number of red roses from somewhere on his person, which is also his calling card. Plus, he is hot.”
“Mm” was all Nate seemed to say as he watched Madison trying to avoid looking at him directly, suddenly looking a bit embarrassed again.
“Yes, he’s nice, and he always helps the heroine when she’s in trouble.” Her eyes widened when she saw Nate starting to prowl towards her. “And he’s tall, and has dark hair…” she trailed off, her breath a bit shallower, as she took a few steps backwards, her back brushing the wall next to her door.
Nate had no idea how he had found himself towering over her, bracketing her against the wall with his hands on either side of her head, almost hypnotized.
His next words were whispered against her lips.
“Is that so?” he said, nuzzling her cheek, his heart pounding in his ears. He had to ball his hands into fists where he held them against the wall to stop himself from touching her.
“Mhm.” Her sweet, silky murmur seemed to curl almost languidly around his limbs.
She tipped up her head, closing the short distance. Her lips brushed his in a caress that snapped his restraint, his hand moving to tangle in her thick strands.
This was nothing like their previous kisses. Their soft pecks and tentative touch of lips. This kiss bled desperation and a want that threatened to devour him whole. His body screamed at him to get closer, and he sagged against the wall, caging her completely, only a whisper of space between them.
He felt her arch against him like a flower seeking the sun, the contact setting him on fire.
All he could hear was the rush of blood in his ears, their frantic breaths and even more frantic heartbeats as the kiss turned deep, deep, deeper, and his sweet Madison’s hands grasping his sweater to keep him rooted where he was.
As if he could ever part from her willingly.
The lack of air forced them to separate reluctantly. Nate’s eyes were still closed in an attempt to get himself under control, the powerful need still holding him in its clutches.
He couldn’t resist opening his eyes to drink in the image of her, still flushed, breathless, beautiful. Her eyelids fluttered open and there she was. His girl.
He must have said that last part out loud, because Madison looked at him with eyes that burned him from the inside out.
“Is that what I am?” she asked, her lips tipping in a side smile. “Your girl?”
Nate grinned just as his hands cradled her face.
“Damn right.”