Page 36 of Trouble
“Not really. You two have been dancing around each other for years, too scared to act on your emotions so you didn’t upset Dre.”
“Was it really that obvious?”
Scarlett cast a glance over her shoulder at the group I’d been studying. “You can see it over there, right? I watched you two do exactly the same.”
A couple of years older than me, Scarlett had been the older sister I’d never had. I looked up to her, appreciated all her advice. I’d talked to her about things when I couldn’t speak to Ianthe. Like I was right now. She was also close to Maddox and I was grateful for her insight.
“Andre’s not exactly pleased about the developments, is he? I heard he gave Maddox a real beating.”
That was a pretty big understatement. When I’d seen Maddox earlier, I’d been shocked by the state of the bruises on his face. I couldn’t believe my brother had done that to his best friend.
And all because of me.
My stomach knotted and suddenly I couldn’t even swallow the milkshake. I’d caused Maddox that physical pain, even if I hadn’t administered it myself.
“Wes and I were talking about the two of you last night. He’d seen Maddox on Thursday night and thought there was something he wasn’t telling him.”
At least I knew Maddox wasn’t the kiss and tell kind of guy. Looked like I’d have to be the kiss and tell kind of girl though.
“There was. Maddox and I slept together that night.”
Adriana arrived with Scarlett’s food and our drinks. Before saying anything else, Scarlett grabbed her fork and shoveled a heap of waffle, banana and cream into her mouth.
“I knew it!” she crowed, triumphantly. “Thank God!”
“You know nothing can come of it though. Because Andre doesn’t approve.”
“Screw your brother.” Scarlett licked cream off the tip of her finger. “God, this is good. I’m serious, Lyla. What’s between you and Maddox is none of Andre’s business, despite what he says or what he does. You two are perfect for each other and you shouldn’t give up on him.”
If I could have reached across the table without getting covered in Scarlett’s dessert to hug her, I would have done. To hear I’d have the support of Wes and Scarlett if Maddox would have me meant the world. Andre would have to suck it up then.
“You’re right, Scarlett. I won’t.”
Now I had to hope Maddox felt the same.
Monday Madness at CC’s was busy as always. I’d asked Scarlett if she wanted to join Ianthe and I, but she refused saying she was going to have an early night. She told me to call her if I needed to talk and I definitely would, whatever happened. Scarlett was such a good friend.
Ianthe, on the other hand, was being the total opposite.
“Come on,” she encouraged. “You need this.” She thrust a tequila shot into my hand.
She was right. I needed this outing like grass needed the sun.
We’d snagged a booth close to the mini platform which doubled as the stage for karaoke. Both of us liked to sing when we’d had a couple of drinks, and even when we hadn’t.
“Who else is coming tonight?” Ianthe asked as she watched me look at the door for about the hundredth time in the past five minutes. “Jodie said she’d be here later.”
“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully. It wasn’t unheard of for Maddox and Wes to come down to Monday Madness—hence my door watching.
“We need to get your mind off a certain garage owner,” said Ianthe, as I swigged the tequila down in one. She surveyed the bar, her gaze lingering on a group of guys who didn’t look like they were from Cali Cross. It looked like they were from Cali Heights and were slumming it. “We should go over there.”
“Nope, not happening.” I slid out of the booth, went over to the guy running the karaoke and asked him for the song book.
It didn’t take me long to choose the perfect one for how I was feeling. ‘So What’, by Pink. I stepped onto the stage, not really needing the lyric prompts as I knew the song inside out and backwards. Ianthe came to the edge of the stage, jumping around and singing along with me. As I hit the chorus, the door to the bar opened and in walked Andre and Wes, closely followed by Maddox. I faltered momentarily, then got back into my stride.
Andre shook his head as the three of them made their way to the bar. Maddox couldn’t take his eyes off me. I wanted him to know the song choice wasn’t a fluke. I knew exactly what I was singing. I was showing him I could be better off without him. I didn’t need him. I could have all kinds of fun.What I wanted was the exact opposite.
His gaze never left me, watching my every move as I got to the end of the song. I played up to him, my moves becoming more and more outrageous. The group from Cali Heights also seemed to be enjoying my performance. Maybe Ianthe had been right. We should go and talk to them.
