MADISON

The sunlight is bright again this morning, but the world feels wonderfully peaceful. Nicholas is wrapped around me, his leg heavy on mine as he lightly snores, face shoved into my pillow. I’m smiling as I gaze at his beautiful face, and somehow today I don’t feel doubtful that he’s mine.

But I do have to use the bathroom.

Slowly I remove myself from his snuggles, managing not to wake him in the process. In his sleep he adjusts and his breathing changes. I wait for him to settle back in, before I slip my comfy robe on and tiptoe into my hallway, quietly closing the door.

After my breath is minty fresh and I’ve taken care of what I needed to, I walk out and pause before returning to bed with a curious glance toward my living room.

I think I’ll check on Matt, see if he’s still here or if he snuck out. I hope he’s okay, and that a path to healing is his choice.

“Morning,” he sheepishly smiles from where he’s lying wrapped in my extra blankets, his hand busy petting a groggy-eyed Bucky. “Thanks for letting me crash here.”

“Of course,” I smile, tightening my belt. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good,” he replies, gazing at my cute dog. “They never called you back about him?”

“No.”

“Guess you lucked out.”

“Sometimes things happen for a reason.”

Matt locks eyes with me, getting my double meaning. “Yeah, funny that.” He sits up and shakes his hair into place. “You think Nicholas really isn’t mad?”

“Honestly,” I sigh, sitting on the arm of my sofa. “You know him better than I do. What do you think?”

He glances to his lap, picking at bitten nails. “I think he’s the best guy I’ve ever known, that’s what I think.” Chewing his lip, Matt shrugs, “I should have told him a long time ago.”

“I can understand why you didn’t.”

“Should have.”

Rubbing the sleepy from my eyes I say, “You’re finding your way just like the rest of us.”

Matthew nods. “His dad scared the shit out of mine when we were kids—he tell you about that?”

“No.”

“It was something else. Came in there like a hero. One of the scariest moments of my life though. When you’re a kid, and you’re getting beaten, you think it’s just how things are. You don’t know any different. Nicholas, Zoe, Wyatt and Nate, they were the ones who showed me it was wrong when they saw my bruises and freaked out. But what was I supposed to do? I wasn’t big enough to fight back. Plus, it’s your dad, you know? Then Mr. Cocker came in and tossed my father around like a rag doll. I was watching it, sure the beatings would get worse, wondering if I should stop him, feeling bad for my father—all those things at once. But inside, underneath all of that, I was cheering. Way deep down there was hope. Like maybe it was over.” Matt wryly chuckles, his eyes on the past. “I even hoped Mr. Cocker would adopt me and I could be raised in their house. Fuck, that would have been the best.”

Frowning, I ask, “How did your dad find out, if Nicholas didn’t even know?”

Locking eyes with me his mouth is tight. “I had a gay porn magazine under my mattress.”

“Oh,” I whisper. “He found it.”

“My mom did.”

Shaking my head I run a hand through my hair. “I’m so sorry. Do you think he believes you’re straight now?”

Matt nods. “Yeah, I know he thinks it was a phase. I told them that in family counseling after Mr. Cocker forced him to get help or go to jail. Said that someone had given it to me—that I was too scared to throw it in the garbage and have it be found.”

“I might have done the same, to save myself.”

Bringing his knee up, Matthew shakes his head. “I didn’t say it to save myself. I was desperate not to move away. I’d have told him anything if it meant we could stay next to Nicholas and his family. They’re like my family. I love those guys more than I love my dad.” He snorts, “Obviously. But it would have crushed me to lose them because…of what I am.”

“You’re perfect the way you are, Matt. You were born that way.”

He stares at me. “I know but…”

We look over as my bedroom door opens with less finesse than I used. Nicholas pads out in his jeans and no shirt, giving my groggy eyes a fresher outlook on life. Even more handsome with bedhead and bare feet, he holds up his phone. “My grandmother called, woke me up. Hey Matt, you still up for kicking ass when the time is right?”

Matthew chuckles, “That hasn’t changed.”

“Good.” Nicholas touches my shoulder and bends down to plant a brief kiss on my lips, but his eyes are troubled and angry. “Morning.”

“Hi. What are you upset about?”

He gives Bucky a pat, and sits on my coffee table, facing us. “Madison, I asked my Grandma Nance to find out who your boss was.” As I react he extends his hand, quickly explains, voice low with restrained fury. “She’s on the board of a women’s club, connected with all the wealthy of Atlanta by one or two degrees of separation. I knew she’d be able to find out who blacklisted you.”

“Nicholas!”

“I didn’t want to get you involved when you were feeling like shit, but I’m telling you now because we’re in this thing together, all of it, right? That’s what it means when I say you’re my girl. Plus, I fucking know the guy.”

My eyes widen. “You do?”

“His name is Dane Schweis, right?”

I gasp, “Yes!”

“That’s the fucking creep I walked out on a lunch meeting with.”

My hand flies to my mouth. “Oh my God!”

Nicholas and Matt lock eyes as he says, “We’re going to go kick his ass.”

“I’m in.”

“No!” I cry out, standing up.

He rises too, towering over me, voice firm. “He needs to be taught a lesson.”

“Let me do something! I’ll call Mrs. Schweis! I should have told her before, anyway!”

Nicholas shakes his head one. “Fuck that. She’s the one spreading the rumor, and my Grandma says she’s a viper.”

“But the kids! Skyler and Kyle are—”

“They’re already affected by losing you, Maddie.” He blinks to the phone, starts walking to my bedroom. “Get dressed. You’re coming to my grandmother’s with me.”

“I am?”

“She wants to meet you so I told her we were coming.” Looking back, he pauses, determined. “Grandma’s going to help you get your reputation back.”

Matthew throws the blankets off and jumps up. “I’m coming, too, right?”

“Fuck yeah you are,” Nicholas mutters as I’m hot on his heels. “I’m going to wear what I wore yesterday.” In my bedroom he dips and grabs his shirt, smelling it. “Yeah, this’ll do.”

Stunned and excited, I turn to my closet, flip through my clothes and find them lacking. “Is your grandmother very posh?”

While texting, head down, he assures me, “She’s a laid back, cool as shit, lady. Wear whatever you want.”

“Well, what I want is to impress her!”

“You already impress me.”

Pausing I go to him and touch his hip. He glances to me, smiles and leans down for a kiss. “Hey, you got an extra toothbrush by any chance?”

“There’s a small travel one I bought a long time ago, never used. I haven’t gone anywhere.”

“Perfect.” He heads out. “Where is it?”

“Bottom drawer.”

I settle on blue pants and a cream blouse that I wear for nanny interviews. It’s fairly loose with a high neck. Looking at myself, I shrug and grab some matching, blue ballet flats, hurrying out to find Matt and Nicholas in the living room talking in hushed voices. “Oh God, what are you going to do?”

“I know where that asshole has lunch on most weekdays. We’ll start there. I’m going to drop you off, say a few words to Grandma Nance and then I’m gonna head out with Matt and my brothers. They’re driving over to her place now. I just texted them.”

Exchanging a look with Matt, I ask, “Why so many people?”

“More fun that way!”

Nicholas smacks Matthew’s shoulder, “Damn straight,” and bends to pet Bucky. “Oh shit, does he need a walk?”

“Yes.”

“Fuck it, we’ll bring him.” Snatching the leash from a hook on my wall, he attaches it to my dog’s collar and looks at where I’m frozen, watching. “Ready?”

Springing into action, I grab my keys and follow the guys out.