Madison

 

“This makes three calls, and it’s only eleven o’clock,” Eden said by way of greeting. Her genuine, warm giggle and good mood were infectious.

“I know, I know, but it’s final.”

I was bursting to share my big news. Although New York was known as the fashion mecca for hopeful, young, up and-coming designers and the place to be discovered, in reality it was a city that would eat you up and spit you out. I knew I had paid my dues, and it was time to move on.

“California, here I come. Eden, I’ll be so close to you!”

“And Theo.”

“Yes, of course, and Theo.”

It was high time I stopped hiding from my life and bravely pursued my dreams. The next phase would hopefully begin when I burst onto the scene professionally. My designs had been described as cutting edge, relevant, and completely original.

“This calls for a welcome home party!”

I’d often wondered what it would be like to have a sister to tell my secrets to. Now, with my brother Theo and Eden, it looked as if I was about to get a package deal.

“A party?” I hesitated. “I don’t know.”

What I wanted to ask was, will he be there?

Of course, he would. Alex was Theo’s best friend. As distant memories flashed before me, I accepted that the wound that would never heal had a name—Alexander Kincaid Storm III.

“I’ll share my friends with you, Madison. What do you say a week from today? Pack a bag, and you can stay in the pool house and leave in the morning. It’ll cut the long drive in half.”

In a fucked-up way, I wanted to see him again. What did that say about me?

“Okay, I give.”

 

***

 

“Sacramento, California?” Graham asked, sounding extremely irritated.

“I’ll only be two hours away by car. By plane? Even faster.”

I wasn’t actually asking for permission here; I was just being a team player, letting my new fiancé in on my latest career move.

Slowly, I inched away from his touch.

“I’m only asking to postpone it a little.”

Unfazed, he put his arms around me.

“Our engagement party is in ten days. My parents have sent invitations to every influential person in New York.”

“I won’t be in New York then, Graham. I start Monday.”

He circled my waist from behind, and his warm breath on my neck sent unwelcome shivers down my spine.

“Then I’ll come with you, and we can fly back to New York together.”

The plan sounded reasonable, but a feeling of dread washed over me.

“You’re not hearing me, Graham.” I took several steps back, putting distance between us. “Postpone the engagement party indefinitely.”

He was about to pounce when I held up my hand.

“Let me get settled, and you can commute as often as possible.”

“I won’t get in the way of your future endeavors, Madison.”

Our eyes met, but I didn’t feel a smidgen of genuine attraction for the man I’d promised to marry and share my life with.

“It’s the wisest course of action,” he said as he cradled my face. “I only ask one thing.”

“Yes?”

“Wear my ring.”

My stomach fluttered for a brief moment. At first, I thought I’d refuse, but the word yes escaped my lips without a thought.

The question was, did I want it with Graham Carrington?

 

***

 

I boarded the plane to Sacramento in first class, a new book under my arm. After refusing Graham’s private jet, this was our compromise. A complimentary glass of champagne was placed on my table, but it sat untouched.

I opened my book, a fast-paced thriller, but I found myself reading the same paragraph over and over, never absorbing a word of it. My mind was riddled with thoughts of Alex, despite the fact that I had just been wrapped in Graham’s arms.

When had I become this terrible person? What was it about Alex that made me feel so unnerved? Could it possibly be that he’d managed to change the complete trajectory of my entire life in just one night?

I found myself disgusted with how easily I’d fallen into another man’s arms, another man’s bed, especially when I was promised to someone else.

I had been foolish to believe that I could step back into my boring, predictable life. How could I have been so stupid to think that I would be content to live with just the memory of Alex tucked away safely in a small corner of my heart?

My first week in Sacramento was tied up with meetings and unpacking the bare necessities I had shipped from New York. I didn’t need much. The small, furnished apartment I’d found had tons of character, and it was all mine. The hipster-city vibe fit well with my new edgy line of business.

But I couldn’t escape the queasy feeling buried deep within me that continued to intensify as Friday slowly approached. I was a jittery mess, drowning in guilt, shame, and to my dismay…eagerness.

 

***

 

With thirty minutes on the clock until the driver arrived, I simply could not decide what to wear. Finally, I tried on a blush-pink dress, which was sleeveless with a slight flare. The uniqueness lay in the square neckline, which exposed just the right amount of cleavage. It was subtle but distinctive, and one of my very first designs to be manufactured.

Pleased with my reflection in the mirror, I knew the Jimmy Choo’s crystal straps were admittedly over the top, but then again, so was I.

I was running fashionably late, but before I could even knock on the door, it opened and I was met by Eden’s bright smile.

“Madison.” She spread her arms wide, welcoming me. “How was the drive?”

“It was good. Having a driver for the ninety minutes meant my time was spent productively, working.”

Theo had approached as I entered. His warm smile and blue eyes matched mine, and they hid a moment of sadness as he leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.

“Congratulations on the new job!” He pulled me into an embrace I wasn’t expecting, but easily accepted. “Sacramento is a far cry from the New York city atmosphere.”

“A welcome one, though,” I replied.

I searched the room for Alex, but I was only met by a few friendly faces.

“A drink?”

“Please.”

I followed him to the bar where an intense-looking man was leaning. His stare left me feeling a little anxious.

“Madison, meet Benjamin. Ben, this is my little sister.”

The unfamiliar introduction took me by surprise, and I felt a lump form in my throat, but I quickly recovered and smiled back.

“Maddie…” He froze as if catching himself in a familiar habit, and our eyes met. “Sorry, Madison, this is Alex’s Brother.”

“Don’t be.”

Then Theo handed me a vodka-seven.

My drink.

“Ready to take on the world?” Ben asked.

“I am.”

I heard Eden from across the room, laughing with two young men. She waved me over and I excused myself.

“Well, well, look who’s here.”

The gorgeous man spoke casually, with his arm draping over an equally striking man who just rolled his eyes.

“Madison!” She tugged him closer, but he just swatted Eden’s hand away. “This is my very best friend, Gage, and his plus-one, Christopher.”

“You’re right, she is a beauty.”

Gage approached me in a sweeping hug that lasted a moment longer than necessary. Christopher, on the other hand, greeted me with a simple handshake.

“Gage, stop. You’ll embarrass Madison.”

“You’re just saying that because you’re jealous.”

“Am not! You’ve got some nerve!” She huffed out, one hand finding her hip.

“Whatever you have to tell yourself, little dove.”

I envied the easy manner in which they playfully bantered, and it provided some insight as to why Eden was so loved.

A giggle escaped my lips involuntarily, and all eyes were suddenly on me.

“Count me in.”

Attempting to stifle another burst, my hand flew to my mouth.

“I was saving Gage just for you, Madison, he’s a handful.”

Eden wrapped her arm around my waist and half-hugged me.

“That’s not very nice.”

Gage’s rebuttal was one of feigned sadness as he pouted.

 

***

 

A rapid knock on the door brought me back to reality. As Theo answered the door and pulled Alex into a man-hug, my throat suddenly went dry. Alex’s white T-shirt stretched over his muscled chest, and his dark fitted jeans molded to his every muscle. His black moto leather jacket finished off the look. He knew exactly what he was doing.

And then a beautiful woman came through behind him.

My stomach dropped. I didn’t want to let that bother me, but it did. The dynamics had shifted the moment he’d walked in. He knew it, and I knew it.

“So, who’s the dreamy asshole?” Gage asked loudly as Christopher jabbed an elbow into his side.

Alex responded with a smile worthy of a warrior-god, although it wasn’t aimed at me. He’d maintained his composure after his grand entrance, introduced his “beautiful woman,” and eventually released her. She’d walked over to Ben and sat at the bar. He seemed ultra-confident, but I saw the challenge in his eyes as he scanned my body up and down as he passed me. When he reached the bar, he slammed down his shot, that was waiting for him.

Eden reached for my hand, and I reluctantly accepted it as she pulled me to the bar, followed by Gage and Christopher. When I sat my empty glass on the bar, Theo refilled it without so much as a word. His silent understanding was evident.

“You must be Jordon.”

Eden’s perfectly arched brow was raised in question as she addressed the other woman.

“Yes, it’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for the invite. I don’t get out socially very much, as my job can be quite demanding.”

Her long, cinnamon-colored waves moved as she spoke. She was pretty without even trying. I should have hated her, but curiously, I didn’t.

“Yes, Jordon.” Alex angled his muscular body toward her. “Thank you for all your hard work, and especially for putting up with my brother.”

Ben smiled, and she shook her head. Once again, I was hypnotized by her magic hair.

“It’s my pleasure, on both accounts.”

“So, Alex,” Gage said, and both Eden and I tensed for what was coming next. “Are you and Jordon a thing?”

I willed Alex not to answer as a wave of nausea suddenly came over me.

“No, Ben called dibs first.”

He sounded so blasé.

“Fuck, Alex.”

Ben’s face had turned a bright shade of pink, but Jordon’s smile told a different story. My lungs burned for air as a tidal wave of conflicting emotions hit me hard. Relief surged through my body, a feeling I had no right to feel.

The fresh-faced guy I had known was gone, and in its place, was an angry and hurt man. There were all things I had to take responsibility for. My careless choices had put him in the middle of a firestorm I couldn’t stop, even if I wanted to.

But did I?

“Theo,” Alex said, sliding his shot glass over, knowing his friend would fill it. Once he did, Alex shot it back and fiercely slammed it down on the mahogany bar.

Ben cleared his throat, apparently having recovered from Alex’s little faux pas.

“It’s mother’s birthday next week.”

“And we’re celebrating her birth because…?”

Alex’s intentional I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude caused the room to quiet. Everyone wanted to see how this would play out.

“She’s become more and more distant,” Ben continued.

“You mean more overmedicated, don’t you?” Alex’s eyes challenged Ben’s. “Include me out.”

Ben’s frustration was obvious.

“Theo, cut him off. He’s driving.”

“He can stay here tonight,” Theo offered.

“I’m right here.”

The slur in his voice was just starting to appear. I took this opportunity to go find the ladies’ room. When I looked in the mirror, I found I didn’t like who was looking back. I had to force myself to stop imagining the what-ifs of the situation.

Alex was waiting outside the door when I came out, leaning against the frame.

“I missed the sign,” he said, my confused expression urging him on. “You know, the one that read: You can look, but don’t touch.”

I stepped away, but his arm shot up and landed on the opposing wall, caging me in.

“The black hole that once held my heart.” He paused to look me over. “It’s gone forever.”

He was exposed and vulnerable, and I had destroyed everything sacred about that night.

“Can you ever forgive me?”

I knew it would only do more damage if I confessed the countless nights I’d spent weeping into my pillow. Flashes of our time together and how magnetic our attraction was. It wrapped around my mind like a vise and would not let go.

“Forgive you?” His tone was harsh. “I texted and called you constantly!”

He moved behind me then and softly spoke in my ear.

“Why did you let me fuck you?”

I recoiled at this, and his eyes flickered down to my exposed cleavage.

The wetness between my legs betrayed me. Thank God he couldn’t see it.

“Say you’ll come with me.”

His mouth was dangerously close to mine.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“My fallen angel,” he whispered, and ran the back of his hand down my cheek.

I went to move it away, but I hadn’t been strong enough to deny his touch last time, and I certainly wasn’t any stronger tonight.

That’s when he saw the ring. His eyes traveled to mine, then back to the sparkler on my finger.

“You’re only pretending to be happy with him.”

It infuriated me to hear those words, because they were true. It took everything I had not to push him away in that moment. Fighting back the tears, I finally stepped out of his reach.

“I can prove it, too.”

“Prove what?”

“I can provide you with some much-needed insight into your relationship.”

I didn’t understand and was about to chalk the whole conversation up to alcohol.

“Where’s your phone?” he demanded.

“My phone?”

He seemed hell-bent on proving his case, whatever it was.

“In my bag, on the couch.”

He took off and I watched him rummage through it. I gave him a peeved look as he did it. What woman lets a man go through their purse?

As he pulled out my phone, my first instinct was to rip it from his grip.

“Just as I thought.”

He waved it in the air, catching everyone’s attention.

“You’ve got iLocate on your phone.”

Eden stepped closer and studied it.

“Madison, this is a tracking app. Why would someone secretly want to keep tabs on you?”

Alex’s pleased expression spoke volumes. How did he know?

I, on the other hand, was clearly shocked. I ground my teeth in frustration, knowing there was only one man capable of this.