Page 96 of Forever Home

“Give me a hug,” she sighs, pulling me into her embrace as soft laughter leaves my lips. “Promise me from now on you won’t hide things from me, okay?”

“I won’t,” I mutter softly against her. “I promise.”

With my mother’s blessing to do more with my life, I find myself at a loss. Our conversation comes to an end as the timer for the cookies goes off, and we’re back to our normal routine of prepping and cleaning for the next day.

Thoughts of Jaxson float through my mind as I recall what she said about his conversation with his parents and the fact that, like he said he was going to do, he fixed the Caitlin situation.

Perhaps that means that she did make it up.

That the girl saw me as a threat and tried everything in her power to get rid of me so she could work her way back into his life. Which only pisses me off thinking about it.

Because all she did in the end was drive a wedge between us, while also creating her downfall.

Though it did give me the courage to realize I want to experience more.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: Madison

When Knox called me and told me that Asher had asked him to plan a surprise engagement party for Sam, I was over the moon. Because honestly, how often is it that your best friend gets engaged to her high school sweetheart? I mean, well, except for Kylie and Dante. Their situation is a little more complicated than I even want to consider. But with their wedding next month, I can’t be happier for them.

Especially since I’m absolutely rocking my bridesmaid dress.

“Madison!” Knox calls out from the front door of Mrs. Kendall’s home as I step out of my car, carrying the cake and pies that he requested for the event. Not to mention a large order of my mother’s homemade dinner rolls to go with whatever it is he and Jaxson are cooking.

As far as I know, it’s supposed to be a barbecue, but with Jaxson in charge of food one can never be too sure.

“Hey,” I reply, handing over the rolls and pies as I juggle the cake. “Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re not,” he chuckles. “Sam and Asher will be here any moment, so you made it just in time.”

“That’s good,” I reply with a sigh as I follow him up the driveway.

“Yeah, but before we go in,” he says, stopping short of the front door to turn and look at me. “I know that you and Jaxson haven’t really talked in a few months. Are you sure you’re gonna be okay with everything today?”

He’d already asked me two other times over the past few weeks and every time I told him that it was fine. While I was still incredibly upset by things that had happened, it wasn’t as bad anymore. Part of me forgave him a long time ago. The other part was embarrassed that I’d let something stupid get in the middle of what we had. Regardless of the details behind the situation.

After speaking with my mom just over a week ago, I took the initiative and called Jaxson. It wasn’t a super long conversation, but it was something. And he agreed that we would save our actual conversation for when he came. Though I can’t deny that I’m probably more nervous than I should be.

“Actually… we have talked.” I chuckle, struggling with the cake. And, I’ve already told you it’s okay. Now, come on… this damn cake is heavy.”

With a moment of hesitation, he nods with a smile. His feet turning him once more to move into the house with me following behind him. “Callum, Madi’s here.”

“About time,” he calls out as he meets us in the kitchen doorway with an eager smile on his face. “Let me see this cake, I’m dying to know if my creation was exactly as I imagined it.”

Not that it’s over the top or anything.

Callum indeed was the one who gave all the ideas for the secret engagement cake that wouldn’t be brought out until after the proposal. Laughter escapes me as I place the large box down upon the kitchen island and slowly take off the lid to reveal the simple rectangle cake with sage green icing and white budding flowers scattered amongst it. The words ‘congratulations’ are written in white icing. With a small quote below that says, ‘about fucking time,’ something I added just for fun.

Imean… I’d pictured something a little different. But I let Callum have his moment.

Callum spots the message and slowly glances up at me, his smile widening. “You’re brilliant. I can’t wait to try it.”

“Well,” I quickly say, placing the top back on the cake box. “You’ll have to wait until later.”

I quickly pop the cake in the fridge as Callum and Knox begin arguing over what barbecue sauce is going to be used for the ribs that Knox is supposed to be throwing on the grill. It isn’t until I close the fridge that I come face to face with Jaxson, who's walking in through the back door.

He stops in his tracks, his eyes meeting mine as silence falls over the room.

“Callum, let’s go get that grill lit,” Knox says quickly, before the two of them leave Jaxson and me alone.

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