MADISON
Chapter Seven
I left early while Wolf was still asleep.
I couldn’t bear to ruin the fantasy. One perfect night.
I was his and he was mine. I know enough about rock stars to realize that I’ll just be another in a line of one night stands.
Even if I am his fake fiancée, I’m not deluded enough to believe that gives me special privileges.
Going from the highs of Wolf’s bed to the administrative lows of Barry the realtor was a real wake-up call.
Handing over the documents and the front door key, knowing that people would soon be looking over my childhood home with a critical eye - I just wasn’t ready.
But even the money I was making from this fake fiancée gig wouldn’t cover all the bills, so I had to do it.
The house was ready, and maybe a family would love it as much as Mom and I had.
I run through my catalog, mixing in covers with my own stuff, enjoying the enthusiastic response from the crowd. But there’s one person on my mind right now.
Giving in to temptation, I pick out the chords of Wolf’s song A Love That’s Right. I could play this with my eyes closed, and since they feel tired and heavy, I do.
“It’s been dark here without you,
I’ve been lost waiting for you,
In a nightmare place,
Looking for your face.
But now I’m right here beside you,
Saying that I love you,
Because I’m here to hold you tight,
Show you a love that’s right…”
There’s an ‘ooh’ noise from the assembled crowd so I open my eyes. Wolf is standing in front of the bar. I almost stop playing and then remember where I am.
Shit.
My lie about not knowing who he was is blown wide open.
Obviously I know his stuff well enough to play it with my eyes closed.
He stares at me and I can’t read his expression as I strum the chords.
Then he puts something down on the bar and strides out.
It looks like an envelope. Maybe it’s the contract?
Maybe he’s old-fashioned and it’s a check.
Either way, he must be mad that I’ve pretended not to know who he is this whole time.
I finish the song and despite the applause, I feel incredibly low. He couldn’t even stay until the end of the song. With a nod of thanks, I hop off the stage and head to the bar.
“How great was that! You’re a star, Madison.” Laurence is taking the cap off a beer with one hand and pouring nuts into a bowl with the other.
“Thanks. Is this for me?” There’s a pink envelope lying on the bar.
“Yes, Wolf Tyler left it - did you see him from the stage? While you were playing his song. So romantic! And congratulations on your engagement, by the way.” He looks starstruck.
I pick up the envelope and head outside to get some fresh air. Inside the envelope is a card with a drawing of a balloon on it. Inside, in scrawly black ink it reads:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Follow the balloons
And your dreams will come true…
What is this? There’s a roaring noise and Zuri arrives on her bright red motorcycle. She smiles and tosses me a helmet. Tied to the back seat is a heart-shaped balloon.
“Put the helmet on, Mads. Get on the back of the bike. That’s an order.” She’s loving this.
“What the hell? Can you explain?” I jam the helmet on over my hair and straddle the back of the bike.
“All will be revealed…” She guns the engine and we accelerate away from the bar.
It’s so noisy I can’t hear anything and just cling on for dear life.
Along the way I spot balloons tied in regular intervals, from the town square, outside Silver and Gingerbread, by the library and the school, and then up the mountain road.
She draws up outside the Taggart mansion. “Okay, Mads, you’re on your own now.”
I get off the bike and she roars away. I’m left standing, gawping at the row of balloons which lead up to my Mom’s house.
The wind is making them bob and dance, and I gently stroke the ribbons tying the balloons to the railings outside.
I go up the stairs and there’s another envelope lying at the top, so I pick it up and open it.
Something small and shiny falls to the ground, so I pick it up.
It’s a key with a tag attached which reads Be my Valentine?
Smiling, I open the door and walk inside. Wolf is sitting in the middle of the room, playing A Love That’s Right on his guitar. He stops and stands up.
“Madison, this house is yours. Take it as payment for the whole fake fiancée thing. I’ve been to see the realtor and offered him double the asking price. He thinks you’ll be delighted. Are you?” He walks over to look down at me.
“Aren’t you mad? About me pretending not to know who you were?” I ask.
“Well, my ego is actually delighted you knew who Wolf Tyler was all along. So, no, not really. But maybe you could make it up to me by letting me stay here with you. And, even better, making this whole fake thing into a reality. Would you consider that?” His golden brown eyes are fixed on mine.
“I might consider it. I’ve fallen pretty hard for you, you know. I think this might be a love match.” I smile.
His eyes are shining as he lowers his lips to mine.
“I agree.”