Chapter 9 Madelina #3
“Yes, you did,” he replies, his voice sharp and biting. “Clearly something, or someone, more important came up.”
“Your sister came over,” I respond quickly, my voice faltering. “I promise, I just…”
“Sure,” he answers, sarcasm lacing his voice, then drops his hands. The loss of his touch leaves me conflicted.
“Eva’s here, at the apartment. She just showed up because…” Again, I falter, shaking my head as I lower my gaze to the pavement, the weight of the secret pressing down on me. “She’s going through something major.”
“And you didn’t think to call? Send a text?”
I meet his gaze, my eyes apologetic as I try to explain. “I’m really sorry. Eva was distraught, and I got caught in the moment.”
Elliot frowns, then presses, “What’s wrong with her?”
“I can’t say.”
“She’s my sister. Of course, you can tell me,” he insists, an edge of urgency in his voice. “Madelina, c’mon. If it’s that important that you had to ghost me, I deserve to know.”
“I’m her best friend. I made a promise,” I answer carefully. “However, if you want to guess…”
His jaw tightens as he studies my face, then he draws a breath before asking, “Is she sick?”
“I wouldn’t really say that.”
“What does that mean?”
“Technically, she’s not sick,” I answer carefully.
“Did she fight with Aston? Wait, did they break up? He cheated on her. The motherfucker!” Elliot’s voice rises in shock, a wave of protectiveness washing over him.
I reach out, clasping his arm tightly. “Would you calm down? My brother would never cheat on her. Get a grip.”
“Well, I’m all out of ideas,” he admits, exasperated. “And you being so elusive is annoying as fuck.”
“Of course, you don’t get it. You’re a guy,” I retort, a small smile tugging at my lips. “Look, I’m sure she’ll head back to the city tomorrow and feel much better about everything. She just needs some time away.”
Elliot crosses his arms, and in that moment, I catch sight of the muscles flexed beneath his fitted shirt. A surge of curiosity beckons, momentarily distracting me from our conversation as I wonder about the inked designs I’ve seen peeking from his sleeves… but now isn’t the right moment to ask.
“If she needs girl time, why aren’t you with her then?” he questions, tilting his head, challenging my reasoning.
“I’m on an ice cream run. Vanilla, to be exact. Though I find it boring and would rather do something more exciting. And I needed some fresh air to clear my head,” I admit with a heaviness. “You know, to process things.”
Elliot’s gaze lingers on my attire with a hint of amusement. “In your little unicorn pajamas?”
“I’ll have you know, it’s My Little Pony. Don’t judge. Besides, who am I trying to impress at eight in the evening in this sleepy town?”
“Not me.” He smirks. After a moment, he lets out a defeated sigh. “You owe me, you know. I went out of my way to cook for you.”
“Snails?” I cringe.
“Don’t knock it till you try it.”
“How about a rain check?” I suggest, hoping my charm will make up for my slip.
“I swear it was an unprecedented emergency. Before Eva arrived, I looked smoking. You know, the kind of girl you’d take home and see stars with.
I mean, after eating the snails, and probably watching me vomit them all out because they’re slimy and just downright gross. ”
He cocks his head playfully, trying to hide the grin creeping across his face. “You think pretty highly of yourself.”
“Well…” I glance down, looking at just how loser-ish I look right now. You gotta fake it until you make it. “See you tomorrow?”
Elliot nods in response, but just as I attempt to sidestep him, he calls my name softly, his tone suddenly serious. “By the way, your little ponies would impress any guy in town,” he says, his tone flirtatious.
“You’re only saying that to be nice,” I reply, my heart racing from the unexpected compliment. “I’m getting to know you pretty well, Elliot Woods.”
He rubs his chin thoughtfully. “Your tank top is see-through. Nice nipples, by the way. Have a good night, Madelina.”
Heat floods my cheeks at his audacity, a mix of embarrassment and thrill coursing through me as I stand in the middle of the sidewalk, glancing down.
“Jerk,” I mutter to myself.
But then a small smile graces my lips. I pivot back to face him, taking in the sight of his silhouette against the dim glow of the moon above us and lampposts illuminating the pavement.
He stops walking and turns to look at me.
My heart flutters wildly, caught off guard as we lock eyes in a silent exchange. I lift my hand and give a tentative wave, a simple gesture weighed down by swirling emotions within me.
In a rush, I turn back around so he can’t see my face, my pulse racing with something I’ve never felt before.
What the hell was that?
“Good night, Elliot,” I murmur, my voice barely a whisper.
Tonight, my best friend needed me.
Eva is more than a best friend. She’s the sister I never had.
And everyone knows family comes first.
So I stop carrying the guilt of my so-called ghosting. Starting tomorrow, I’ll make it up to Elliot somehow.
Whatever it takes.