Chapter 13
One Year Later
July
Maddie
Pick up the dang phone, Adelaide.
“Hello?” She finally answers on the fifth ring. I was counting because my nerves elevated with each passing second.
“I’m freaking out.”
She chuckles, more to herself, while I scowl over the phone. “I told you I would have flown to Atlanta to leave with you.”
“Well, I’m an idiot. Can you come now?”
Her laughing cuts off. “Seriously?”
“No,” I sigh. “It’s fine. I’m a big girl. I can get on a plane by myself and fly all the way to Spain.”
Saying it out loud makes me feel ridiculous, and it’s a stark reminder of how unworldly I am.
When I flew during college, Mase would come with me, and if he couldn’t, Nate would.
“What time is your flight?”
I look down at my printed confirmation, which flutters in my shaking hands.
“Ten twenty-five tonight. What about you?”
“Ten twenty-five tonight.” I hear her clicking away on a laptop. “Do you land at 8:05 a.m.?”
“Yeah.”
“Perfect. My flight lands in Atlanta at five. Come to the airport early, and we’ll have a pre-flight drink to calm your nerves.”
My heart expands. “I love you. I would have figured it out, but thank you.”
“Love ya too, chick. Have you spoken to Camila today?”
“Yeah. She’ll be at the airport to pick us up. I’ll let her know that we’re coming in together now.”
“Cool. I need to pack, because you know me, I haven’t even started, even though we’re going to Europe for two weeks.”
“That gives me more anxiety than flying. Go pack, and don’t forget to bring me a few dresses.”
“Duh.” She smacks her lips together in a kiss, then hangs up.
I quickly update Camila on the new plans, then silently thank the universe for having Addie as one of my best friends.
Camila: Yes!! CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!!!!!!!!!!
Same, girl. Same.
Camila: There are so many hot guys here. We are breaking your dry spell.
CAMILA!
Camila: FINE…shutting my mouth.
Camila: …until tomorrow. Hope you waxed.
Ugh. You’re lucky I love you.
Camila: Aweeeeee, you loveeeee me?
BYE.
Camila: ?Adiós! Hasta Manana <3<3
A broad smile stretches across my face because tomorrow I get to see my healthy, beautiful friend.
My girls and I are reuniting in Spain to celebrate Camila’s remission.
When her doctor gave the good news, relief spread like wildfire throughout her loved ones. Chemo wasn’t just brutal on her; it was hard on everyone. But we were there, every step of the way.
When she got that call, the first thing she said was, “I want to travel. I want to live.”
So she did.
Camila’s been bouncing around Europe for weeks, finally free. Two weeks ago, Harrison and Seb joined her. They left this morning, and tonight, Addie and I are up next to join in and celebrate the hell out of the beautiful life she fought so hard for.
“What time do you need me to drive you to the airport?”
My hand flies to my chest. “Jeez. You scared me half to death, Mason.”
“I knocked. Loudly.” He walks in, heavy-footed as ever. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”
“Just thinking how thankful I am that Camila’s alive and healthy. Living her best life.”
His whole demeanor softens. He sits beside me on the bed. “She’s lucky to have you.”
“I’m lucky to have her,” I counter, thinking of both her and Addie…my constants through everything.
Two people who have been by my side through thick and thin, opening my eyes up to a whole new world.
I’m going to freaking Spain, for God’s sake.
With an excited exaggeration, I flop back on the bed, my arms spread out, my head sinking into my pillow, which I still need to pack despite the ridicule the girls will give me.
It’s Nate’s pillow.
I haven’t washed it. I swear it still smells faintly like his cologne, and every time I lay my head down, I hate myself a little more than the last for still letting him have this kind of hold over me.
It’s been two years since we broke up.
Mase pulls an envelope out of his back pocket and passes it to me. “Don’t fight me on this. Please take this and use the credit card I gave you. I’ve already called the company to let them know there will be international use on it. There is no limit.”
I open the envelope, shake my head, and pass it back with force. “No way.”
He pushes it back to me. “Yes way.”
“Mason,” I warn.
He stands up with his hands in the air. “I’m not taking it back, Madeline. What the hell would I do with ten thousand euros?”
“Ten thousand? Have you lost your mind?” I jump out of bed, attempting to give him back the money, but he’s too swift on his feet and dodges every move I make. Then he pushes me onto my bed and runs out the door. “What are you, five years old?” I scream loud enough to get Mama’s attention.
“What’s all the dang racket up here?”
I point an accusatory finger at my brother, who now uses Mama as a shield. “He’s gone mad.”
“What good is it to make all this money if I can’t share it with the people I love?” he spits, annoyed that I won’t take it from him.
Mama connects the dots, and I know from experience she will be on my side. She was more than annoyed when he went behind her back to pay the mortgage off on the house when Daddy said he wouldn’t accept it.
The consequences of that move are something I never told Mase, knowing he would blame himself for the verbal beating Mama got from Daddy when he found out.
Except when the words come out of her mouth, they shock me. “Take the money with you, baby girl. I already don’t love the idea of you going there with the girls, but I can’t stop you.”
My eyes raise to my brows. Can’t stop me?
It still shocks me when she doesn’t push back on my life choices.
“Watch it, Maddie Grace.”
I laugh and step back. “I didn’t say a word.”
“Listen.” Mason stops being a chicken and steps around Mama.
“I was on the phone with Leo, and he mentioned Camila was renting a boat and has grand plans while you and Addie are there. I know you hate it even more when she pays, so I wanted you to feel comfortable offering something, even if it’s paying for dinner one night.
We both know that with that crew, dinner will be hundreds, if not thousands.
Bottle service will be exorbitant there, and on your starting salary, you would be wasting your whole paycheck.
Not that I think Camila will let you pay, but now you’ll feel secure if you want to offer. ”
I hear nothing except boat. “I’m going to drown.”
“Thousands on dinner. That’s a disgrace.” And Mama only hears the spending.
Mase doesn’t comment because I’ve gone out with him and his friends and see the money they burn. Last time he played Atlanta, we went out with half his team, and one bottle of vodka cost eight hundred dollars.
They ordered at least ten bottles, including champagne.
“You’re not going to drown. It will be a yacht, you won’t even need a life vest.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
He rolls his eyes, ignoring my panic. “If you don’t spend the money by the end, buy yourself something nice.
All the brands you borrow from Addie are cheaper in Europe, and you pay no tax.
Think of it as a bonus for putting up with my shit, I mean, stuff.
” He side-eyes Mama. “I’ve been asking too much of you lately. ”
“Truth. I need to check the labor laws of the NFL,” I joke.
Mase has hired me part-time as his assistant, in addition to my day job at the architecture firm.
He has fired every single person he has hired so far because none of them were interested in the job; they only cared about Mason and his status.
The alarm rings, reminding me I need to get my butt in gear.
“I need to shower. I’ll be ready in two hours to leave,” I call as I run down the hall. “Because I’m going to Spain!”
Mason’s grip tightens around me as we stand outside the terminal. “Be careful. Call me if you need anything. I’ll drop everything and come get you if need be.”
“I will, luckily, you still pay my phone bill,” I tease. “You call me too, and let me know how training camp goes next week.”
“Excuse me,” a little boy’s voice cuts us off. “Ca-ca-can I have your autograph, please?”
I smile as Mase bends down, still towering over the little boy. “Sure can. What’s your name, buddy?”
He opens his mouth, and no words come out. His mom laughs at his star-struck son. “His name is Bradley.”
Mase signs his cap and takes a few pictures before waving them off.
“It still freaks me out that you’re this famous. To me, you’re just a giant annoying pain in my behind.” I get interrupted again by a teenage girl who is losing her mind that Mason Cunningham is standing in front of her. “You should go before you get bombarded.”
“Okay, call me the second you land, and don’t say one thing about roaming charges. I don’t care if your bill is five hundred dollars. You call me.”
“Yes, sir.” I hug him once more and then go to check in before meeting Addie.
Of course, Mase upgraded me to first class, and once I’m on the plane, I couldn’t be happier.
It’s the first time I’m not complaining about him splurging on me, because with these lie-down beds, I’ll now be perfectly refreshed when we land.
Luckily, Addie had already bought the same seat for herself.
“Let the party begin!” Camila screams as she steps out of an oversized villa.
When I lived in LA, I drove around Beverly Hills in awe of the architecture, so this naive Southern girl is no stranger to mansions. But this villa is what dreams are made of—or at least for me, someone who appreciates the art of design.
Camila barrels down the stairs and throws her arms around me.
“Hi. I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you more. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to come to the airport. I hope the car I sent was okay.”
“No, the brand-new Mercedes was terrible,” I deadpan.
She pushes me aside, wraps her arms around Addie, and kisses her cheek.
Addie and Camila have gotten closer over the years, and I can’t wait for the day I finally move to New York to be with them.
While they catch up, my eyes roam over the beautiful facade of the house.
It’s truly an incredible place.