Page 36 of Maddox
After pulling my hair into a ponytail and applying makeup, I’m satisfied that I look presentable and head toward the door, passing my dad lying on the couch.
Since his eyes are closed, I don’t bother to say goodbye and I know from experience, he doesn’t care if I’m gone or when I return.
The freedom is nice but there’s a small part of me that resents his attitude because it’s clear that he doesn’t care about me…period.
“Hey,” I say as I slide in beside Draven.
Sporting her usual goth girl look, she nods and reverses out of the drive.
I’m expecting her normal surly silence and look up in surprise when she says, “What’s the deal with your dad?”
“My dad? Nothing.”
She glances at me sideways and says, “He special or something?”
Fuck me.
Hiding my grimace, I mumble, “No.”
“Hm,” she hums, and I bite my tongue.
With her, I never know what the angle is, so I’m preparing for the worst when she echoes my thoughts and says, “Whatever. Could be worse.”
“How?”
Her fingers tighten around the wheel, and she mumbles, “Surrounded by a buncha dickhead bikers with too much time on their hands.”
I don’t know exactly what she means but I can imagine. I had Peter policing my world and that was bad enough.
What would it be like to have a whole slew of overprotective men around me?
I don’t comment because she has a frown on her face. Instead, I play with my phone until it buzzes against my ass.
With a grimace, I pull it out, expecting another series of texts from Micah. I’m relieved to find a message from Lana instead.
We’re going to Pizza Haven. Where u at?
“Fuck me,” I mumble, my fingers hovering over the phone.
It’s been tense since I walked in on them gossiping about me the other night. Both hurt and angry by their insinuations, I’ve done my best to avoid further interaction.
Besides, her reaching out is just another reminder of how much my life has changed and although I appreciate it, I now know how they feel and it’s just another cutting blow in a long line of them.
Normally I’d be the one leading the charge with Micah by my side. Now I’m in a car with Draven, heading toward God knows where while my friends continue their lives without me.
To say my life has changed would be a dramatic understatement and when Draven glances at me, I close out my phone before shoving it between my thighs.
I don’t know what to say and it’s the coward's way out but I’m going to pretend I didn’t see this until later and text about being home or something.
I know I’m being an asshole but hearing from Lana reminds me of the catalyst that changed everything forever.
My friends and even Micah were a part of that old life, and the reminder brings back memories I would rather forget, such as Petey’s sweet smile when we took him with us to the beach the year before he died.
He was so excited to hang out with me. Meanwhile, I was grumpy and annoyed because with Petey there, I couldn’t relax and party.
Nope, I had to watch my brother’s every move, especially around the water. The irony isn’t lost on me, but I wish with every fiber of my being that I could go back to that day and soak in all the moments now lost to time.
My soul burns for one more day and I’d give anything to see his lopsided grin or to kiss him goodnight and feel his dainty fingers brush through my hair.
