Madison

Bryce: I’m taking you out to dinner this evening. Be ready by 7.

Madison: I’m not feeling very well. I’m sorry. Not sure what’s going on. My head’s pounding. I think my period’s coming.

Bryce: Then we’ll order takeout. It’s Friday. I’d like you to stay with me this weekend.

Madison: Maybe next weekend, Bryce. I’m going to go back to sleep. Talk soon, XO.

Sagging against the headboard on my bed, I’m trying to figure out how to slow this down and if I want to. My mind’s racing.

I’m falling.

Falling hard and fast.

Bryce is a successful, sexy, demanding, intelligent, and driven man. He’s everything I want in a man. I can feel myself going in too deep with him. It’s going to backfire on me if I don’t be careful.

Kaylee knocks on the door and walks in. “How are you doing?”

I shrug. “Bryce wanted me to spend the weekend with him. He offered to take care of me. Kent never did that. No guy ever has. Am I doing the right thing?”

She walks over to my bed, sits down, and hands me the cup of tea she made. “I think you need to listen to what you want. Listen to your heart. The only advice I can give you is to be open-minded and trust yourself. If Bryce is who you want, then don’t push him away. If you want to go slow, then just make sure he understands.”

“He’s taken me and made me fall for him, and I gave in. I’m one hundred percent sure I’m ready to be with a man like Bryce. He and Kent are different but similar. They’re both men of power, class, and status. I know Bryce isn’t cheating on me. That’s the difference, and it makes all the difference. I’m a smart girl, Kaylee, so why is this hard?” I pout, not feeling any more resolved than I did before we had this chat.

Patting my knee, she smiles knowingly. “It’s hard because you’re fighting it. It’s hard because you know you want to be with him. You’re scared and being cautious. I get it. The breakup is still fresh. I don’t know if I’d be ready to date either. If you need to take a step back, then tell him.”

Before I can say anything, there’s a knock on the door, and we look at each other, wondering who it can be.

I get out of bed and walk toward the door. Slowly, I open it and on the other side is Bryce Hunter.

“Madison.”

I wince at the sound of my name. “Bryce. What are you doing here?”

He holds up two bags, and my heart slams against my chest. This man is overbearing and extremely sweet.

My hand goes to my hair, and I internally groan. No makeup on. My hair’s in a messy bun, and I’m wearing an old concert tee shirt with boxer shorts. Then there’s the gorgeous man wearing the tailored suit.

Bryce walks past me into the apartment, places the bags on the coffee table, and sits down on the couch. I follow and take one of the bags to see what he’s gotten me.

“Heating pad, medicine, chocolate, and a sleep mask.” Oh goodness, my heart’s soaring. Grabbing the second bag, I peek inside. “Soup, crackers, juice, and water.” I lift my eyes to see him with a smug look on his face. He knows what this gesture’s doing to me.

“I want you to feel better. If you want to stay in your apartment this weekend, please know I’m a phone call away.”

“Thank you so much for all this. It’s very sweet and thoughtful.”

He smiles, looking down, and notices I’m wearing the bracelet he got me. “You’re welcome, Madison.” He leans in and kisses my forehead before getting up and walking toward the door. “Remember, I’m only a phone call away.”

“Okay. And thank you for the bracelet. It’s beautiful, Bryce.”

I watch him walk out my apartment and instantly feel guilty. Here I am, holding these presents he’s gotten for me, and I think I need space from him. Then again, maybe I should talk to him again about how I’m feeling. He said communication and trust are essential to a relationship.

Jumping from the couch, I run out of the apartment and see Bryce getting into the car.

“Bryce!”

He stops and turns to look at me. “Madison?”

Leaping into his arms, I wrap my legs around his waist. “Thank you again.” I kiss his cheek. “Everything you did is really sweet.”

Bryce sets me down and moves his hands to my waist. “I wish you’d come with me this weekend. My bed is lonely without you,” he taunts, hoping to tempt me.

I sigh and find the strength I need. “This is going fast. I really like you, and I meant what I said when I told you I’m yours because I am. Part of me is ready to jump into this life with you and the other part’s screaming for me to be careful.”

“You don’t trust me?”

I shake my head. “It’s not that, Bryce. We said baby steps, and this isn’t baby steps.”

“I don’t do slow, Madison.”

“The intensity of our relationship is way over my head. You’re demanding. You take what you want and are giving me so much. It’s a lot to process.” I place my hands on his chest and press my lips against his chest. “Just give me some time. This is really intense and moving really fast. I want you, and I don’t want you to leave me. I only want time.”

“What do you need time for, Madison? Clarify this for me.”

“To think. To process.”

“Don’t do either of those. Let it be. Let it be,” he demands, and his tone scares me. If I defy him, I’m nervous to see how he’ll react. I know he won’t hurt me. What if he gets fed up and tired of my back and forth?

We’re standing silently, and I’m not sure what he’s thinking or how he’s feeling. Eventually, he shakes his head and lets me go. I want to cry. The look in his eyes seems haunted and distant.

Did I lose him?

“Bryce.”

“It’s okay, Madison. I’ll give you the space you want.” He leans in and kisses my cheek before opening the car door and climbing inside without saying anything else. I look down at the ground, hoping the answer I need will jump out and wave itself in my face.

Wishful thinking.

I look up, and I can’t tell if Bryce is looking at me since his windows are tinted. Instead of standing here, I turn back and go inside.

The silence when I walk in is cold and awkward. I’m not sure what I did, and I don’t think I’m going to be okay with this decision.

“You okay?” Kaylee asks.

“I’m not so sure.”

Kaylee walks over to me and brings me into her arms for a hug. “Let’s watch something to get your mind off him.”

“Okay. I think I’m going to eat the soup he bought me.”

I’m holding the bowl of soup, staring at it, yet I have zero appetite. My mind is all over the place. I think about texting him to see if he wants to meet and talk. I’m an idiot. I shouldn’t have pushed him away.

“You love him.”

“Of course, I do. I’m terrified to jump into this with him. What if he hurts me?”

“And what if he’s the best thing for you?”

I let her question sink in and take out my phone to text Bryce.

Madison: Hi. Do you think you can come pick me up, so we can talk? I’d like to see you.

I set my phone down and try to pay attention to the movie we’re watching. A few minutes pass, and there’s no response.

“Should I text him again?” I ask, willing Bryce to text me back.

“Give it a few more minutes.”

“Okay.” The patience I have is nearly nonexistent. I’m kicking myself. This silent treatment isn’t fair, nor should I allow it to happen. But then the idea of my life without him, I don’t know, makes me feel empty. Maybe I’ll endure it this time, and when I see him, I’ll clear the air.

* * *

The weekend flies by, and my period comes and goes. By Wednesday, I still haven’t heard from Bryce. I should call him and see what’s going on.

But I don’t.

My fears take over, and I ignore the feeling of missing him and wanting him.

Wednesday and Thursday end much the same. Nothing from Bryce. Not even an appointment to get outfits.

It’s Friday, and I’m getting ready for a night out with Kaylee for our friend Rick’s birthday. I’m not in a party mood. I hate knowing I pushed Bryce away. I try to get his attention again and take a selfie in my new outfit—a deep red dress with black heels. Once I’m happy with the picture, I send it to him, accompanied by a text message.Madison: I haven’t heard from you. I miss you…

Kaylee walks in and hands me a shot glass. “Take it and let’s go. You need a night out.”

I take the shot and let the alcohol burn down my throat. “Okay. Let’s go.”

The limo Rick rented picks us up, and we head toward downtown. The alcohol’s flowing, and the music is loud. I’m sitting next to Kaylee, and we’re being us—taking selfies, taking shots, and being wild and crazy.

“Madison!” Rick shouts, and I look his way. “You fucking look sexy, girl. How’ve you been?”

“Good! You?”

“You know, busy living it up. Thanks for coming out tonight. I know it’s been a while since we talked, but maybe we can hang out more.”

“Ah, yeah. Sure ...” And you can meet my possessive boyfriend. He’ll most likely scare you off.

We get to the club, and since Rick’s a VIP, we’re let in without having to wait. A hostess wearing a revealing short and tight dress leads us to a private room. All sixteen of us filter in, and Kaylee grabs a bottle and opens it, lifting it in the air.

“Happy Birthday, Rick!”

Everyone in the room cheers and says happy birthday. The room goes crazy, and the alcohol keeps coming. Discreetly, I check my phone and there’s nothing from Bryce, so I take another shot to numb the sting from being ignored.

Our friend Hilary grabs us, and the girls head out of the VIP room and to the dance floor. It’s crowded, and the music gets my body moving. As the beat gets my ass shaking, I’m not butt hurt anymore. Everything troubling me flies away. We’re laughing and having a great time. If Bryce wants to be like this, then I’ll let him have this moment and go to him. I’m not letting him go.