Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75734 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“Trev was glad to hear you were coming. He’s been worried about you,” he said, cutting his eyes to me. “You know how he feels about Blaise.”
I nodded. “Yeah, they aren’t real close, but there is more to Blaise.” I knew I sounded defensive, but I felt like they didn’t really know him.
“You mean, he’s not always a controlling asshole?” Saxon asked me, but the humor in his tone made it clear he was teasing me.
I rolled my eyes at him and laughed. “No, he’s not. Surprised me too, trust me,” I replied.
“I’ve seen him with Angel,” Saxon said. “I know he’s not.”
I was surprised he’d mentioned Angel. “You know Angel?” I asked him.
He nodded. “Yeah, of course. She moved in at the Hughes Farm when I was seven. I knew her before the accident too. She and Blaise were always together.” He paused then and cleared his throat. “Anyway, yeah …”
When he didn’t say more, I was disappointed. Blaise had told me about everything. I just wanted to hear more from someone else’s point of view.
“How is she doing with, you know, you being there?” Saxon asked me.
“Uh, better,” I replied.
Saxon grinned. “Been rough, huh?”
I shrugged. It wasn’t that it had been rough exactly. It had just been difficult when she was around. It was clear that my presence upset her. It didn’t matter how nice I tried to be to her.
“Anyway, enough about that. How do you feel about Mexican food?” he asked me.
“I like it,” I replied.
“Good. That’s what we’re eating. Everyone is meeting for dinner. It’s a taco truck really, but hands down, they make the best tacos on earth.”
I laughed. “Earth? Really?”
He shrugged. “Well, the Southeast at least,” he replied. “There might be better in the Southwest,” he added.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out. I’d sent Blaise a text earlier, telling him about my plans with Melanie. He hadn’t replied, so I never explained my evening plans.
Where are you?
I typed back.
In the car with Saxon. We are meeting Declan and a group of friends to have dinner, then see a movie.
I didn’t think this would be an issue, but then it was Blaise. He could possibly not like the idea of me being with Saxon. I’d purposely left out Trev’s name.
While I waited for his response, my phone rang, startling me.
“Hey,” I said, already nervous that he was calling instead of texting his response.
“Give the phone to Saxon,” he ordered.
“Why?” I asked, not liking his tone of voice.
“Madeline.” He clipped out my name.
“Fine!” I snapped at him, then handed the phone to Saxon.
His face made it clear he knew who it was and why. He took the phone.
“Blaise,” he said simply.
I couldn’t hear what was being said, and I watched Saxon’s face.
“Yes. Of course. I understand.”
He sat there, listening to something more, and then he handed the phone back to me. I wanted to end the call, but I knew I’d regret that. As mad as I was at him for this reaction, I still missed him.
“Yes?” was my short reply.
“The next time you want to leave Moses Mile, I need to know beforehand. I’m not there, Madeline. I can’t make sure you’re okay unless I know in advance.” He sounded irritated.
“Blaise, I am going to get tacos and watch a movie with friends. I am not headed to the inner city to hunt down drug dealers and ask them if they want to play ball,” I pointed out.
He didn’t say anything at first, and then he chuckled. “What the fuck kind of example is that?”
I shrugged, although he couldn’t see me. “I don’t know. I’m mad.”
He sighed. “Just … trust me. Please.”
I did trust him. I just didn’t understand what that had to do with my eating tacos and watching a stupid movie.
“That isn’t the problem,” I told him.
He was quiet for a moment. “It is. You’ve got to trust me. Keep your phone on you all night. Don’t go anywhere alone.”
“I won’t,” I told him.
The concern in his voice tugged at me. Had anyone ever cared about my safety this much? No. My dad and brother hadn’t. Sure, they loved me. In their way. They just hadn’t been worried if I was out late. No one had warned me to be safe. I was new to this.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I was waiting on you to reply to my first text. I didn’t want to keep texting and bother you.”
“Text me, call me, whenever,” he said.
“Okay,” I replied.
“Enjoy your movie,” he told me.
“I will.”
Then, he ended the call.
I tucked the phone back into my pocket.
“Ready for the world’s—or the Southeast’s—best tacos?” Saxon asked me as he parked in a gravel parking lot.
“Yes,” I replied. “Let’s do this.”
We got out of the car, and he didn’t mention the text or phone call. I wanted to ask him what Blaise had said to him, but it wasn’t the time. An SUV full of girls pulled up, and Declan was driving. I mentally prepared myself for Declan’s less than cheery personality while we waited for her to get out.