Page 87 of Forever Home

“Do you think that's a good idea?” I ask him, caving in on the idea.

He's quiet for a moment, but I can hear the tinkering in the background, followed by muffled voices, before he returns to the line. “Yes. I think you should.”

“Callum told you that, didn't he?”

“No,” he answers, but there is a bit of uncertainty in his voice that lets me know he is lying.

“Knox…”

“Okay, fine. He is here and he is up to date with pretty much everything going on. Can you blame me though? He's my partner. Of course I tell him everything.”

Something in what he says hits home with me. I want to have someone with whom I can share everything, someone who is willing to let me vent all my problems, too. It's something that I've wanted for so long, and while Madison was here, she was that person.

She was the person I'd laugh over breakfast with while talking about random bullshit. The woman I'd lay wrapped up in bed with who would help me figure out how to deal with tough situations at work that I didn't want to deal with. Everyone always wanted me to be strong. To be in charge and well put together, but I'm not. Not all the time, at least.

I mean fuck… I'm only human.

“Okay, I'll get on the first flight out,” I finally reply as I make my way to my room, grabbing my suitcase from the closet. “Thanks for always being there, Knox. I really appreciate it.”

“Anytime, man. Make sure you come see me after you take care of business.”

***

The moment I make it to Willowcreek, my heart races with anticipation in seeing Madison. Every part of me is saying that this is a bad idea. That showing up like this is only going to make things worse, and in the end I’m going to regret it. Madison and I have always had a tendency to arguemore than talk things through properly. Most of our high school years were rocked between heated debates and bouts of laughter. Giving her space and time was often the only solution. But if Knox thinks it’s a good idea, then fuck it.

I don’t bother checking into my hotel right away. Instead, pulling off the bandaid seems like a better route to go. So, Madison’s apartment is my first stop.

Pulling up to the bakery, I take a moment to sit in the car and prepare myself for the conversation to come. My eyes scan up towards the lit windows of Madison’s apartment wondering what she’s doing, and if she will be okay seeing me.

It’s almost seven at night and though I know she’s up… she’s probably exhausted and getting ready for bed soon. The early morning hours of the bakery are a responsibility she never ignores.

“Get it together, man.” I mutter to myself as I step out of the car and make my way towards the side door. There isn't a direct way to her apartment without going through the bakery itself, even form the back. So I opt for the only means of getting her attention by pressing the buzzer next to the door waiting for her voice to come through the intercom.

“Hello?” she says after a moment passes.

“Madison…it’s me.”

She pauses again before a sigh comes through. “Jaxson?”

“Yeah… can we talk?”

“About what?” she replies flatly. “There isn’t anything to talk about. What the fuck are you even doing here after three weeks of nothing.”

I groan internally at her reply. There’s a lot to talk about, but it’s clear that she’s still not willing to hear me out. “First of all… I’ve been trying to call you. You’ve been ignoring me. Please, Madison. Just ten minutes… and then if you don’t want to see me again, I won’t bother you.”

The line goes silent, my heart in my throat as I push the button again. “Madison? Are you there?” But, nothing.

“Fuck!” I shout, running my hand through my hair.

All I want is ten minutes to talk to her and she won’t even give me that.

Turning to make my way back to the car, I stop short the moment I hear the lock on the door click before the door slowly opens. Standingthere on the other side is Madison. Dark hair falling loosely over her black robe covered shoulders as she pulls it tighter around her.

“This better be good…” she says softly, her eyes refusing to meet mine. “You have ten minutes.”

“I’ll make it work… thank you.”

Following behind her, she leads me up the stairs to her apartment. Every step feels like I’m getting closer and closer to her again, but at the same time I feel like we’re so far away.

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