Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75142 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
10
SCAD
AUGUST 1, 2010
When I woke, there was a body pressed against my back with a strong arm around my waist. My eyes fluttered open as I returned to consciousness with alarm. I rolled over in bed and found Maddox still fast asleep.
My body relaxed back into the bed as the night before returned to me. I’d momentarily forgotten that I’d fallen asleep in his room. The fact that he was still asleep was a good thing. I could probably slip out before he ever found out that I’d spent the night.
Except when I tried to move out of the bed, his arm tightened around my waist and dragged me back into place. I laughed softly. So much for that plan. Even hungover and asleep, Maddox didn’t want me to go.
I nudged his shoulder lightly, and his eyes blinked lazily open. Then, he saw me lying in bed with him.
“Oh fuck,” he ground out, jerking backward. He clearly regretted that decision because he groaned and leaned forward, hands to his head. “Fuck. How much did I drink?”
“Three-quarters of a bottle of tequila and at least a half-dozen beers. Before that, I’m not sure.”
“You’re … in my bed,” he said slowly.
“Yeah. When you missed our meeting, I came over to check on you, and you told me about Amanda.”
“I missed our meeting? Shit. Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“Did we, uh …” He gestured to the bed.
“Sleep together?” I shook my head. “No. You were obliterated before I even got here. I stayed to make sure you didn’t die in your sleep.”
“Uh … thanks.”
“Tequila Maddox was a good time though,” I said with a teasing grin. “You’ve been holding out on me.”
He groaned again. His cheeks flamed. “What did I do?”
“You insisted that we were having a party, we danced to ridiculous music, and, well … you confessed that you still loved me.”
Maddox winced. “I did?”
“Yeah, but it’s no big deal,” I said quickly for his benefit. “I know you were just drunk.”
“Yeah. I was … really drunk.”
“We all say and do stupid shit when we’re drunk.”
“This is why I never drink at parties. Fuck.”
“Well, I stayed to make sure you were okay. I’ve never seen you like that before.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever been that drunk before.”
I laughed. “I have. And I know how you must be feeling. Go take a shower, drink some water, and grab a few Tylenol. I’m going to make breakfast.”
“You’re going to make breakfast?” he asked in confusion.
“I don’t think you can stomach more than eggs and toast, right?”
His hand went to his stomach as it gurgled. “Oh God, the thought of food makes me sick.”
I tried to hide my laugh. “As I thought. I know how to take care of drunk people. Take your time.”
I scurried out of bed as quickly as I could and padded out to the kitchen. I hadn’t been able to take the look of discomfort on his face. As if admitting how he’d felt about me had broken some code. I’d pretend that it had all been a stupid, drunk joke if he wanted. That was fine. Easier even.
A half hour later, Maddox walked into the kitchen, his curls still wet. There were thumbprint bruises under his eyes, but he looked better than when he’d first woken up. He dropped into a seat at the kitchen table, and I set a plate of eggs in front of him.
“Thanks for this.”
“No problem.”
He took one bite and groaned. “These taste like Gran’s.”
“Well, that’s a compliment if I’ve ever heard one.” Gran was the best cook I’d ever met.
He shoveled more eggs into his mouth, and I shook my head.
“Take it easy. You don’t want to get sick.”
He slowed, but the eggs were decimated in a matter of minutes regardless. “Did you say that you had a date? Or did I make that up?”
“Oh,” I said softly. “Uh, yeah. I canceled.”
“Fuck, Jos, I’m sorry. You didn’t have to do that.”
“The guy was an asshole after I did it and called me a bitch.”
“What?” he asked in shock. “For canceling?”
“Rescheduling even.”
“What a dick.”
I shrugged and pushed my eggs around my plate. “I blocked his number. It was for the best, I guess.”
Maddox took a long sip of his water before responding again. “I really appreciate you taking care of me last night.”
“Of course. Anytime.”
“But, uh …” He looked down at his plate and then up at me tentatively. “I didn’t lie when I was drunk.”
I met his gaze. Those dark eyes trying to say everything he couldn’t now that he was sober.
“I know,” I whispered.
“You do?”
“Yeah. I mean, I assumed at least.”
“And you …” he began. “How do you feel?”
“I canceled my date and stayed the night to make sure you didn’t die,” I told him bluntly.
“Go out with me.”
I blinked in surprise. “What? You broke up with Amanda yesterday and then got so fucking wasted.”