Page 80 of My Rock Star Neighbor
I really like Maddie.And not just as a friend or as a temporary girlfriend.
That same feeling I had with music back then, that this is right, that this clicks, is what I feel about Maddie.
I put my hand over my heart.I feel like I ran a marathon.We’re both okay, but we can’t stay here.
Chapter twenty-three
Maddie
“Ionlythoughtofyou.”
I splash my face because it feels hot.
Even though I should have been terrified when Nick woke me up, his solid presence was so comforting that I only focused on getting out.
And when he hugged me, it felt right.
I like him so much.I’m done pretending that I don’t.He didn’t even grab his guitar.
“You’re a very good kisser, Maddie.I don’t want to stop.”
“But just kissing?”
Why am I turning him down and taking it slow?For what reason?
Nick and I could date now.If it doesn’t last, I’ll survive.I’ve survived worse.At least I’ll have experienced dating Nick—I like him more than any other guy I’ve ever dated.
If I’m honest with myself, the reason I haven’t been dating much the past few years is that whoever I meet won’t compare to him.Not in my heart.
“Are you okay in there?”Nick asks on the other side of the door.
I’m more than okay.I’m going to go for it with Nick.
I come out of the bathroom, and Nick takes in that I’m now fully covered.
There’s a knock on the door, and the police officer says, “We’re done.We fingerprinted the place, so we will take your fingerprints to confirm.You can go back.”
My apartment looks like it has been hit by a tornado.My desk drawers are strewn on the floor, with papers littered about.
The officer shows us a photo in an evidence bag.“The suspect left this photo of you two, with Maddie crossed out, so it could be a stalker fan, but…”
“But then why go through my desk?”I ask.
“Exactly,” he says.“They were looking for something.Unrelated to Mr.Devlin, is there anything somebody could want from you?Or a reason to target you?You’re a reporter withThe Intelligencer, right?Are you working on a story?”
“I’m always working on a story,” I say.
But does this mean that the suspect thinks I’ve figured something out?What clue do I have that triggered this?Did the suspect recognize us in the library?
I sit down as a wave of exhaustion suddenly overtakes me.I don’t want to stay here tonight, in this apartment invaded by some malevolent force.
Nick pulls up a chair next to me and holds my hand.
“Well, it’s late now, and obviously you can’t stay here with the broken window, but maybe you can come down to the station tomorrow if you want to give us any further information,” the officer says.
“Let’s go to Luca’s apartment.He replied to my text and said we could go over there,” Nick says.“I’m not sure my apartment is even safe enough.”
The officer starts to leave but then turns back around.“This isn’t exactly protocol, but can I have your autograph?”
