Page 51 of Something to Believe In
Maddyn nodded. "Yes. I guess I didn't believe I was in a place to make it work, or be a good wife. And I am ashamed to admit I have seldom felt bad about divorcing Steve. I suppose that says something."
Carlene wrote in her notebook. Axel reached over and took Maddyn's hand in his and squeezed.
Mads squeezed back but didn't look up at him. He thought she made the perfect wife. For him, at least.
Carlene looked to him, and a sense of dread fell over him. "Axel, how about you? What's your name, and how long have you been with the band?"
He swallowed. "My name is Axel Peters, and I've been with the band since the beginning. Like Mads, I was married when I started with the band, to Shauna Gardner. We had been married for five years. I divorced her because she had been cheating on me for a long time."
"And you never cheated on her?"
He took a deep breath and leaned forward. "I didn't, and you didn't ask Mads that same question. Is that a double standard?"
Carlene's head tilted to the side. "I suppose it is. I'm sorry."
He shrugged. "She didn't, for the record."
Mads smiled up at him, and he winked back.
Carlene cleared her throat. "So how long have you two been interested in each other?"
Axel proudly stated, "I've been in love with Maddyn for years. First, as a co-worker and bandmate, but second, I fell in love with the person she is. She's smart, strong, dependable, capable, she sings like an angel, and she's gorgeous."
Maddyn leaned her head on his shoulder. "Thank you."
He chuckled. "It's all true. Every word."
Carlene smiled at them both. "Maddyn, how long have you loved Axel?"
"Forever."
Carlene chuckled. "Fantastic." She took a deep breath. "Jami and Tony have shared your escapades from the past few days with me, and I wanted this information to prepare several counterattacks if Lacey persists in trying to ruin your reputations. I'll be ready. I have a team at my disposal to make things happen quickly and strategically. That little bitch will not derail your progress."
Maddyn laughed, and he chuckled. A weight lifted from his shoulders. They had support and help. This was going to be alright.
Chapter Thirty
Maddyn felt better after speaking with Carlene. And she liked her too. Professional and get-to-the-point would be apt descriptions of her.
They left the studio, and she let Livia know Carlene was waiting for her. Axel took her hand and pulled her to the back of the barn, near the bar. He whispered, for her ears only. "You weren't a bad wife, Mads. You need to believe that."
She swallowed to wet her dry throat. "It's hard. My mom was so disappointed in me when I divorced Steve. She said I hadn't paid proper attention to my marriage because I had only focused on myself. I didn't think I did that."
He kissed her lips softly. "Carlene is right. At any given time in a relationship, one person can require more time, or space, or energy than another. Then it can flip-flop to the other partner at some point. A strong relationship will survive that. A weak one won't. And when you add cheating to the mix, there needs to be powerful love to withstand that. You and I didn't have that with our past partnerships. You and I are so much stronger than that."
Maddyn's hand rested over her belly. "That sounds like you're saying we will withstand that. As in, if it happens."
"I didn't say that at all. Nor will I ever, ever cheat on you. I promise you with everything I am and everything I will ever be."
She took a shaky breath and nodded. "Okay."
She stared at his chest. Looking into his eyes would surely make her burst into tears.
His fingers reached under her chin and pulled her face up to his. "Look into my eyes, Mads. Do you see how much I love you?"
"Yes."
"Love is more than the physical. Do you believe that?"
