37. Chapter 37 - Madison
Like chocolate, I am practically melting into this massage table. My limbs feel ooey gooey and all that tension is finally gone. These Egyptian cotton sheets are extremely soft against my freshly scrubbed skin. Note to self: Ask for the thread count. We need these for our bedroom.
The salty, relaxing scent of the ocean wafts into the cabana that Lexi and I are getting our treatments in. Now this is what I needed.
Conor and the men went golfing. The rest of the guests are spending the day poolside enjoying some sun and mojitos. My sister Mikayla texted me earlier, excited to actually spend time getting to know Diego.
Little does she or my father know, he is currently in Federal custody.
She and my family should be arriving around dinner time tomorrow. The rehearsal dinner starts at 6 PM. Part of me is hoping to avoid that conversation until the wedding the following day.
“I’m thinking we need to schedule massages weekly, Madison. What do you think?” Lexi moans her approval.
I turn my head to look at her. Her blonde hair is cascading off the table and her eyes are closed. “I agree. This is heaven,” I mumble as the masseuse works on a knot in my shoulder blade.
“Are you holding up okay?”
“As best I can be. Antonio and Liam spoke with Lindsay today. She believes things could swing in our favor, but it might be a while before then.”
“Least there is hope. Hang in there, girly.”
My eyes close and I relax back into the bed, freeing myself of the cage my thoughts are being held captive in.
I wake up with a feeling of coming off anesthesia, all disoriented and groggy. The masseuse gently taps me on the shoulder. “Mrs. De La Cruz. We are finished now. We hope you enjoyed your spa day.”
“Loved it. Thank you, Charles,” Lexi beams. She hops off her table and comes over to me, collecting my hand in hers. “Time to go see the boys. Con just texted me saying they are waiting for us by the pool.”
When the Earth stops spinning, I join her, tossing on my bathrobe and sandals. We walk down the beach and back towards the house to discover not only the guys hanging there but my entire family.
Fuck.
“Maddy!” Mel shouts, running towards me.
Mik turns her head and directs her attention to us. Her designer shades mask what she is currently thinking—which could be a problem. Liam shoots me the eyes, letting me know she’s onto us. When Mel reaches me, she pulls me in close for a hug.
“Hey, you! I thought you guys weren’t coming until tomorrow night?” I ask anxiously.
“We were, but then Mik got a text from Liam who offered for our whole family to fly down on his private jet. Holy crap, Maddy. I felt like a Kardashian,” she gushes.
Irrational, ugly anger hits me like a ton of bricks. Why would Liam do that, knowing we are dealing with so much around here?
Liam joins us at the same time Mik does. “Does this guy fly everyone around on his private jet or just us?” She juts her thumb out at him.
“Hey now, lass. I just wanted to make Madison smile, so I thought bringing her family in a day early would help her.”
“Why would she be upset? Her best friend is getting married…” She starts to tick off each point on her fingers. “They have been drinking and partying all week… She’s clearly gotten some sun…And her boyfriend is here with her,” she presses, moving that hand to her hip.
Liam scrubs a hand down his face as if he is at a loss. Mik can be a lot, but we love her. I raise an eyebrow at him, indicating he should answer her—because I sure as hell am not.
“We had a little argument this week that is now resolved, but it stirred up some old emotions.” He smirks, seemingly satisfied with his proper response.
“Mhm,” is all Mik responds with.
“Hey, Mel. Can you get us a drink? If you ask for two mojitos for your sister and the bride-to-be, I’ll give you mine.” Lexi winks at her. Mel is quick to oblige, jogging up the patio stairs towards the bar.
Teens. I roll my eyes and silently thank her.
“Let’s just have a nice evening, please? Diego isn’t here and I’m not sure when he’ll be back. I really would rather not get into it right now. Hey, maybe you’ll even find yourself a man while you’re here.” As I say that, Kieran and Colin look our way. Either of those two would get a kick out of my sister.
“Did you break up?” Her hand reaches out to clasp the sleeve of my bathrobe .
“No. If anything we are better than ever. Things just kinda, sorta, hit the fan and now we are dealing with the consequences of that. That’s all I can say. I really don’t want Dad finding out.”
“Fuck, Mad. Okay, is there anything I can do to help?”
“No. Not really. Maybe if you can try and keep Dad from questioning where Diego is, that would help. Mom doesn’t even know about Diego. I think she still believes I’m single after breaking up with Killian. Dad—well, you heard him that night. He’s given us his blessing, but he told Diego that he’d end him if I got caught up with the law.”
“So are you saying he’s been arrested?” she asks cheekily.
“We are working on it.” That will have to placate her for now.
The night of the rehearsal dinner is here. Diego’s yacht has been transformed into a candle-lit, intimate space that radiates the love the pair share. Lexi and Conor’s family have arrived. Most are gallivanting around and chatting at the bar. Others are dancing on the plexiglass dance floor we had installed over the pool.
It reminds me of my wedding night, which triggers a wave of anxiety within me.
I haven’t spoken to Diego since the night he was taken in. Liam has offered to ask Lindsay to arrange another call, but I know what that means for him. Whether he is willing to or not, I can’t put him in that position for my own selfish needs.
A waitress comes by with a tray of champagne. I claim one, guzzling it down to soothe my nerves before collecting another one. The waitress’ eyes widen, but she doesn’t acknowledge my off-hinge behavior.
Lexi joins Conor front and center for a dance. The crowd surrounds them, admiring their love for one another. Liam comes up behind me and presses both of his palms to my shoulders.
“I’m happy for them. Those two are the perfect couple.”
“They really are,” I sigh.
“Sorry about earlier. I wasn’t aware you hadn’t told your family about Diego. I should have asked you first if it was okay to have them here a day early.”
I angle my body to face his direction while still watching my bestie dance with her man. “It’s fine. I was upset at first, but honestly, having my sisters here is exactly what I needed. So, thank you. I was a bitch earlier and shouldn’t have reacted the way I did.”
He presses a kiss to the top of my hair. “Anything for you, Mad. I just want this all to go away so you can be happy like them.” He nods his head to the swaying couple.
“Any updates?” I clear my throat.
“Nothing other than your father asking me where Diego has been.”
“Shit. Please tell me you avoided that as best you could?”
“Actually, your sister did. She interrupted us and pulled your father away for a family picture.” He laughs, knowing how persistent my sister can be.
“Thank God. Okay, let’s try and keep him off our radar,” I sigh with relief.
He nods his agreement before extending a hand. “Dance with me?” I look around at the rest of the couples who have now joined our future, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes.
“Okay,” I agree, accepting his hand and letting him lead me through the crowd. He finds a spot next to Lex and Con, bumping into them to grab their attention.
“How’s it going? You guys enjoying your rehearsal dinner?” Liam asks.
“It’s everything and more. We can’t thank you both enough for all the work you’ve put into this,” Lexi gushes .
“Seriously, thank you,” Conor adds, slapping Liam’s shoulder.
“It was our pleasure,” Liam and I say in unison before laughing. Always in sync—that hasn’t changed.
An hour later, dinner is served. Everyone is raving about it. Luckily, Diego’s chef was able to rally her good friends—who are also experienced chefs—to help with the catering. Lainey fucked us over in so many ways.
So many ways that’s had my blood boiling all night. Liam notices my shift in drunkenness and irritability and pulls up a chair next to me. When Diego isn’t around to stir up old feelings and jealousy, Liam can be the sweetest man. I wish he was always like this. I hope that after the dust settles a bit, we can go back to being the way we were—minus the romance.
His tattooed arm lands on the back of my chair. He leans on the other one which he has propped up onto the wooden dining table. The white sleeves of his dress shirt are rolled up and the top two buttons of his shirt are popped open. I smile knowing he couldn’t help himself. He brings his glass of water to his lips to take a sip. That’s another thing I noticed since our argument. He’s been drinking far less, sticking mainly to soda, water, or beer. I can’t recall him having whiskey or any mixed drinks these last few days.
“I don’t want to get your hopes up, but there is a chance you may get to speak to Diego tomorrow after the wedding. Lindsay asked when our next,” he air quotes, “ get together ” would be. I told her after the wedding would be easier. Fewer prying eyes, more people drunk and not paying attention to who is coming back to my room with me.”
I place my hand over his forearm and shift my body, leaning in closer to whisper. “You don’t have to let her use you like that to help me out. I can’t ask that of you.” My eyes search his for the truth. But what I get in return isn’t what I expected.
His smile grows as he takes another sip of his drink. “She’s not using me. I’ve always enjoyed our time together. We are the no bullshit type. No emotions, no bullshit. Just straight up dirty sex. You wouldn’t be asking this of me, I’m completely willing.”
“Ahh. I see. Well, I hope she feels the same cut-and-dry way.”
“Sweetheart, there isn’t much dry when it comes to me…you should know that.” He winks.
I roll my eyes dramatically. Seems things never really change, do they?