2. Madelyn #2
When he left seven years ago, it was because his father signed him up to the military after he got us both suspended from college and fucked up our academic careers.
He didn’t want Kayden living with us. Though at the moment, I can’t say he’d mind.
With Lucas’s declining health, he doesn’t have a say in the house anymore.
All the responsibilities fell to Mom and me, but mostly Mom.
I’ve played the good daughter role as much as I could, but I haven’t lived with them for years.
Does Kayden even know his father’s sick?
“Tough luck,” I spit out, testing out the waters.
“It is. Especially, since I’m kind of broke.” He takes a sip of his drink before setting it down.
I remain quiet. If he expects me to show any sympathy for him, he must think the years have made me softer.
But they haven’t. I still remember every single thing he did to me, deep within my bones.
“Anyway, I thought it’d be great if…I moved in with you until I’m back on my feet? You know, since we’re working together now. It’d be convenient. Your mother told me you’ve got a pretty big apartment all for yourself.”
That is true.
My mother’s been married to Lucas A’gosto for enough years that he’s been generous with his money.
He might be nowhere near being a father to me.
Our relationship is nonexistent. But it is the reason that with a little encouragement from Mom, I ended up changing my last name from De Luna to A’gosto, too.
That, and wanting to start over after the sex tape fiasco.
“You talked to my mother?”
“Oh, yes.”
Didn’t she tell him about his father’s situation?
“And she thought the idea was great. She loves the idea of you being independent, but you’re still her little girl. She thought having a man in the house would make you feel safer, and it’d give her peace of mind.”
Oh, God. Kayden’s got my mother convinced.
Now I’m going to feel like shit if I disappoint her.
He did it on purpose, didn’t he?
Of course, I never told her anything that happened between Kayden and me behind closed doors.
“Kayden…” I don’t want to do this, but someone has to tell him. Someone has to stop this from happening. “You do know your father’s sick, don’t you?”
He frowns. “What?”
“He’s been diagnosed with dementia. He’s…not himself. You could very well move into our parents’ house. He’s not going to kick you out.”
His jaw hardens. “That doesn’t change anything.”
“Really? I’m sure my mom would be happy for you to move in with me, but she’d be happy for you to move in with them and help just the same.”
He scoffs. “Fuck no. I’m not going to be my father’s babysitter. If you thought you could gain my sympathy by telling me about this, well, you didn’t, Madelyn. It’s decided. I’m moving in with you.”
“God, you’re heartless.”
“You don’t know my father.”
I don’t push further, trying to focus on the more important things, like having Kayden move in with me against my will.
“So, that’s it? You guys decided for me?”
Kayden nods. “Pretty much. In fact, someone’s moving my things into your apartment as we speak.”
“WHAT?”
“I told you, your mom was very enthusiastic about the idea of us living together,” he says. A dangerous smile spreading across his lips. “She wants the best for you. We all do.”
I am so fucked.
“Hold on a minute.”
I take out my phone and dial my mother. There’s no way—there’s just no way I’m letting this happen.
“Maddy, honey.” My mother’s voice has certain tone of alarm. “Is everything okay? You never call.”
That’s true. I don’t talk to my mother as much as I used to in the past, and when I do, I prefer texts.
“Mom, since when are you conspiring against me?”
“What?”
“Did you know Kayden is back in Clearwater?”
I steal a glance at him and he grins at me.
“Oh. That. Yes.” She pauses. “Is there any problem with him?”
“Is there any problem with him?” I laugh. “Did you invite him to live in my apartment, with me, without my permission?”
“Oh, honey.” My mother sighs. “You know how things are here. There’s no way we can have him stay in the house with us, otherwise I would have suggested it. But Lucas isn’t doing well. And seeing Kayden may trigger him. You know things between them didn’t end well.”
Things between us didn’t end well, either. I want to say it. I really do. But I can’t.
Mom’s trying to be nice, caring about everyone as usual. Even people who don’t deserve to be cared for.
“This isn’t the best environment for him to be in. I wouldn’t have sent him to you if I had other options. Bear with him for a bit, please. He’s your brother, and he needs help.”
I purse my lips and take a deep breath. I can do this. It’s okay.
I hate Kayden, but I love my mom. And I don’t want to do this—but I will.
“It’s temporary,” my mother adds.
“Okay,” I say. “I’ll talk to you later, Mom. Take care.”
I hang up the phone before I heat up even more.
There’s no way Kayden really came back home after all these years, and he’s changed.
He’s trying to get back at me for talking his father into sending him away back then.
I should never have come up with that idea myself, but I did what I had to do to move on with my life.
He messed with the wrong girl. I did it to protect myself. And that’s exactly what I’ll do now.
He thinks he got the upper hand, but I won’t give him the satisfaction.
“Okay, then,” I say, bringing my attention back to him. Pretending that what Kayden said to me now didn’t just flip my whole life upside down. “Cool. That means, I get a free driver, right?”
May as well take advantage of the fact he can drive and I can’t, because I’ve got a car collecting debris in the parking lot. And it’s no other than his red Porsche.
“Anything you want, sis.”
I dig into my handbag and take out the car keys I’ve been keeping with me.
“Think fast.” I toss them toward Kayden.
He catches them in the air, tilting his head. “These are…”
“The keys to my car.”
Kayden cackles. “Motherfucker. He gave you my car?”
“Technically, his car. He paid for it.”
God, did Kayden use to love that car.
“You’re driving me home,” I tell him, a plan already forming in my head.
Nothing has to change. I’m not falling for Kayden again.
I’ll give him the necessities. He’ll leave as soon as he has enough money saved up in the bank.
I can do this. Easy peasy.
“And you’re sleeping on the floor, in the guest room. I wasn’t expecting anyone, so, I didn’t really buy any furniture for it.” I shrug. “Oops?”
“That’s okay. I’ll get a cheap bed. Miranda sent me some cash.”
“Peachy.” Of course, my mom did. “Not enough to move somewhere on your own, huh?”
“Nope.”
I scoff.
“I’m glad we talked about this, Madelyn.
” Kayden leans forward and digs some nachos from the box in my lap, popping them into his mouth and making me squirm from the sudden move.
“It’ll be just like the old times. Now, let’s enjoy the game, Little Demon.
” He places his arm around my shoulder. “Relax.”
Deep breaths, Maddy. Think positive. Time will fly. It’ll be over soon.
You’ve dealt with worse. This too shall pass.