Chapter 24
Skully
NERVES SKITTER ACROSS my skin and leave goosebumps in their wake.
I turn to the side one more time taking in my appearance for the night.
Once again, I let Baylee dress me for the occasion, after she spent full hours gushing about how excited she was for me.
While she gushed, I analyzed. I wasn’t expecting Madden to call me or ask me on a date.
After he left the other night, I wasn’t expecting to hear from him again for a week or so, just as things between us had been.
I was thrown off guard when he started texting me daily, keeping me updated with his whereabouts.
I felt terrible, but there was a sinking feeling in my chest that wanted to know what had changed.
Was it the kiss? Was it the conversation?
Was it the fact that I broke a tiny part of me open and shared something important with him, unknowingly showing him that some part of me trusted him a little.
I couldn’t wrap my head around it and I couldn’t deflect the feeling that something was off.
I want to say it was sudden, but then Baylee pointed out that, to him, it isn’t sudden. He remembers.
My fingers fidget with the bottom of the sweater dress, and for the millionth time I second-guess myself.
The cream material is warm with long sleeves.
The dress itself flares at my hips and reaches down to my knees.
I paired it with thick, knee high socks and boots.
There’s only an allusion of bare skin between the hem of the dress and the top of my boots.
I chose to braid my hair and went with a natural look for makeup.
I have no idea what a date in River Falls looks like, especially one with Madden Danvers.
When I think about our possible familial bonds, my heels tinge pink.
Somehow in the past we made it work, but I’m not sure it’s possible this time.
At six on the dot, I can hear the growling engine of Madden’s car as it stops in front of my place. Quickly, I grab my coat and purse and sprint out of my room.
“Have a good time! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Baylee yells, her giggle following behind me as I’m already out the door.
On the front steps, I lock our door and turn, bumping right into a solid chest. Madden’s scent surrounds me as his hands grip my arms, keeping me steady.
“Woah, Angel. What’s the rush? Not that I’m not glad you seem excited to see me.”
A nervous laugh bubbles out of my chest, and my eyes meet his. “You can let go now. I have my feet back under me. Sorry for crashing into you.”
“I like when you crash into me,” he says casually, his hands slowly dropping to his sides. “It always gives me the opportunity to hold you.”
My eyes widen, and I scoff incredulously. “Wow, who knew you could say such sweet things, Madden Danvers.”
He leans down, a playful smirk on his lips. “There’s nothing sweet about the way I think about you, Skully Morgan. Any chance I can get to have my hands on you, I plan to take it.”
I open my mouth to argue, only to find that I have absolutely nothing to say.
A part of me is thrilled by his word; the other is cautiously approaching it like a deep body of water, one you stick your toes in first to see how cold it is.
At my silence, Madden takes the opportunity to lower his head and presses his lips against my cheek.
“You’re beautiful, Skully,” he whispers against my skin.
“Madden,” I whisper, breathless.
He smiles, leaning back, and taking my empty hand in his. “Later, Angel. There’s someplace I want to take you first.”
My eyes search his, the silvery color of his gleam with warmth, not the cool reception I am used to. “Okay.”
He helps me into my coat and walks me over to the passenger door of his car. I can feel the heat of his hand at my lower back, protectively ushering me inside. Once my feet are in, he closes the door before rounding the hood and climbing into the driver’s side.
“How come you drive everywhere? Why don’t you use your power?”
He glances at me while starting the engine. A small laugh leaves his chest. “I guess I always liked driving. We went on a lot of drives, Skully, and I guess it just stuck with me. Sometimes it’s just nice to slow down, take in the scenery.”
His words strike something inside me. A distant memory?
Or just the same understanding. I preferred to take the bus and later on drive in California for the same reasons.
Just like I prefer to walk everywhere since being back here.
I could teleport with magic, but sometimes it was nice to take my time getting there.
We both fall silent as he drives us part way out of town before turning onto a narrow road that winds close to the cliffs.
The sun has already set, and the ocean water looks black with gray caps.
It has snowed in the past week, and there’s evidence of it along the sides of the road.
Madden seems to know where he’s taking us, but I’m struggling to find familiarity in my surroundings.
It isn’t until we reach a four-way stop, with a single red light hanging above us, that the memories start to come to me. “Are we in North Shore?”
Madden nods, taking my hand in his and pressing a kiss to the inside of my wrist. “The backstreet side where it connects to River Falls,” he confirms.
We turn, and soon, I’m back on the streets of the town I grew up in.
So close to River Falls yet we’re considered outsiders.
Madden takes another immediate turn and I feel tears spring to my eyes.
I recognize the little retro diner. I can’t believe I haven’t even thought about it in years, not when it was a staple for many birthday dinners growing up.
“I love it here,” I whisper. My words earn me a hand squeeze from Madden. He parks and gets out, moving to my side to open my door. Somehow, I just know now to wait for him. Holding hands we walk into the diner and are automatically seated.
“This place hasn’t changed,” I tell him, my eyes eating up the vibrant pink walls, the colorful neon signs, and the jukebox. A lone, white guitar hangs over the register as well.
“You said that’s what you liked the most about this place was that it didn’t change, no matter how old you got. I thought since you’re back, it would be good to visit someplace you know didn’t move on,” Madden answers, his voice gruff with his admission.
“I can’t believe you remember that,” I tell him honestly, wondering, once again, how to compute this man with me here to the one who started the year ready to get me kicked off campus.
Madden ducks his head, his eyes roaming the menu. “Are you getting a shake?” he asks right as our server arrives.
“Do you need some more time to look at the menu?”
Madden grins at me. “I’m ready if you are.” I nod in return.
“I’m ready. I’ll have the BLT with fries and a chocolate shake please,” I order and feel my cheeks sting from smiling so much.
“I’ll take the Cali burger, fries as well and a S’Mores shake,” he says and hands her our menus. Our server takes them and wraps her knuckles on the table before walking away.
I cannot stop staring, taking in every inch of the place and marveling at how much of a relic it is. Not one thing is different. The entire building is like it’s encased in a protective bubble.
“This really means a lot to me,” I tell Madden, my gaze focusing on his. “Thanks for bringing me.”
He reaches across the table and takes my hand in his again. “I would do anything for you, Skully. Making you happy tonight is all I need.”
A blush rises on my cheeks. “So far tonight is perfect,” I tell him, loving the smile that curves his lips. “I didn’t get to say it yet, but I watched your meets over the weekend. I ended up working both days at the Deck. Good job!”
Madden’s eyes widen in surprise, from the fact that I watched or that I was giving him praise I don’t know. “Thanks, Angel. I’m sorry I couldn’t get to see you until today,” he says, his jaw clenching slightly.
I shrug and twine my fingers between his. “It’s okay. You texted me still. You called and asked me to dinner once you were back.”
“I plan to ask you a lot more.” He laughs, and there’s a flicker of something in the depth of his eyes. Something that looks a lot like a promise.
My eyes flick away from the emotions in his.
My chest squeezes in response to his words with hope.
“Did we do this a lot? Before, I mean,” I ask.
I have to know. A part of me wants to hear what happened, the whole truth, while another part is still afraid.
I’m scared to hear about how horrible I was.
Madden drops his eyes to the table. “It was a little different being in high school. We rarely had time alone.” His brow pushes together like he’s unsure about the memory.
“It’s okay,” I tell him, wincing slightly. “I don’t think I’m ready to relive it yet anyway.”
His gaze shoots to mine; his eyes filled with concern. “I’ll talk about it anytime with you.” His throat bobs as he swallows back his emotions.
“Can I tell you something?” I peek at him and run my thumb over his knuckles. He opens his mouth right as our food is placed in front of us. Madden thanks our server and hands me napkins before sliding the ketchup my way.
“Why are you saying it like that? You sound scared. Did something happen?”
Panic squeezes my vocal cords for a second.
I haven’t told him about my nightmares or what happened the other day in the bathroom.
Partly because this new phase feels fragile.
I’m not ready to do anything that could potentially ruin this truce.
“It’s about something Killian said to me.
I didn’t want you to be upset if I bring him up. ”
Madden’s shoulders tense, but then he blows out a breath and brings his steely eyes to mine. “What did he say to you?”