Chapter Twenty-Eight
Madison
Jayson has been gone for several hours and I’m getting antsy about giving him the address to where Chloe is staying. Connor and I are curled up on the couch watching reruns of The Big Bang Theory. I have loved this show since the first episode, a sentiment that Connor does not share. Although he has sat and watched it with me, it hasn’t been without him bitching every few minutes. Of course, I act like I’m pissed, but his commentary is secretly funny…especially about Sheldon’s Coitus Interruptus!
I look up at Connor and ask, “Do you think everything is ok? I don’t understand why we haven’t heard from either one of them.”
Connor squeezes me and says, “Babe, they’re fine. They are probably busy and don’t want Coitus Interruptus from either one of us.”
How he makes me laugh! “You are such a moron,” I tell him. He looks at me seriously and says, “But a gorgeous moron, don’t you think?”
As I’m about to reply, I hear a lot of noise coming from the kitchen. “See” Connor says, “There they are; I know J, He’s making it known he’s home in case we need to “cover up the good stuff.”
I roll my eyes at him and tell him, “You wish we needed to cover something up.”
He smiles wickedly and says, “Tonight, you won’t be acting so tough.”
Inwardly, I jump up and down clapping, but ok, back to the problem at hand; Jayson is alone.
He has the same sick look on his face since I first got here and he has a drink of that stinking Jack in his hand. Great! More cleanup for me.
Connor looks over at him and asks, “You alone, man?”
Jayson doesn’t look at either one of us and just shakes his head, yes, one time. I have a really bad feeling about this.
I walk over to Jayson so he has to look at me, I narrow my eyes at him and ask, “Is she coming back in her own car? Did y’all get things worked out?”
He looks at me at me, takes a drink, and says, “It’s over.” With an explanation, he walks out to where the swimming pool is and lays on one of the loungers.
My poor Chloe! I can already feel the tears coming and as they run down my cheeks, Connor wraps me up in a hug. He says, “Don’t worry, baby…it will work out.”
I look at Connor and say, “You don’t understand! He left her…that’s what she has always feared…being left because of her past. I know your brother is hurting, but he is being an ass right now! He didn’t have to leave her down there. I’m going to go and get her. I can only imagine what she is doing to herself.”
Fear hits me and almost knocks me over. “Connor, you don’t think she will hurt herself, do you” I ask?
He looks slightly alarmed and says quickly, “No, Maddie, I don’t think so. But I need to talk to J and find out what happened. Just stay in here; this needs to be between him and I. Please.”
I shake my head yes and ask, “Do you mind if I go lie down in your bed? I don’t think I can sit on the couch and watch, while wondering what is being said.” He kisses me quickly and says, “Go ahead…I’ll be there soon.”
Making sure I have my cell phone, I lay down on Connor’s bed and just like the “Twinkie ESP” we joke about, the phone rings; it’s Chloe. I answer immediately and ask, “Chloe, are you alright?”
She sobs into the phone, “No, Maddie, I’m not alright. I will never be alright again. He left; he just left me and he didn’t look back!” I try to comfort her, but she says, “No! I did this to myself, Maddie; Jayson is reacting because I hurt him in the worst way possible. I took the most important thing to him and shoved it in his face like it meant nothing and then told him he meant nothing.”
I suck in a breath because I don’t know what to say. I love my best friend, but she’s right, she brought this on herself.
“What are you going to do,” I ask? Without waiting for an answer, I say, “Chloe, if you would just tell him what happened to you, he will understand. You have got to trust him. I know he left you, but he’s hurting, plus his male pride took a beating. You know how men are, that’s a deal breaker for them.”
She tells me that she is going to stay in Galveston for a couple of more days to think and make a plan. The next thing she says makes me want to scream with happiness.
“I’m going to get some help, Madison; I know its way past time. I should have listened to you a long time ago.”
At this statement, I start crying, and Connor comes in the room. He comes over to me and whispers, “Are you ok?”
“Yes, I’m good,” I tell him. “I’m talking to Chloe and we’re discussing about her getting some help.”
He motions for the phone and warily I hand it over. “Hey little bit, it’s me. Are you doing ok?”
I hear Chloe begin crying all over again through the phone. She finally says, “No, I’m not. You sound just like him, Connor. I miss him so badly. I can’t stand it. It physically hurts me. He said he hated me and then he left.”
By this time, I’m crying like there’s no tomorrow.
Connor says, “Listen honey, J will come around. He’s hurting and he’s angry. But, no matter what he says or did, he doesn’t hate you. A man that hates a woman doesn’t sit outside drinking and staring off into space. He would just move on. I’m going to give him a day or so and then I will talk to him again. I know I was hard on you when we saw each other last, but we all make mistakes. I know you love him and that’s enough for me. I’m going to give the phone back to Maddie; I’ll talk to you soon.”
After handing me the phone, Connor goes into the restroom, so I quickly tell Chloe, “See, things are going to be ok. You just need to concentrate on making a plan to get yourself better and making up with Jayson. Promise me, you aren’t going to sit over there and do the self-hate thing; you know I can’t stand that. You need to remember one thing, Chloe, you are a victim in this whole thing. Yes, you indirectly caused the accident, but it would have never happened without Daniel Latham’s help. Tell me that you finally believe this.”
Chloe is quiet for a moment and she says, “I’m getting there, Madison, but I have three years of this to conquer; it isn’t going to disappear in a few days.” I know she’s right; she is going to require some intensive therapy to fix the damage caused by that asshole and the pond scum known as her parents.
We agree to talk again the next day and I hang up feeling a lot better. Connor comes out and sits on the bed. Without looking at me, he says, “Maddie, I need to know what happened with Chloe. Jayson is in a really bad place and I need to know what I’m dealing with here. I know she has sworn you to secrecy…”
I reach for his hand and say, “You don’t have to convince me, Connor. I will tell you. I know I’m breaking the “girl code” but this is important. It’s going to take a while so let’s get comfortable.” We lie down next to each other and I begin, “Three years ago…”