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27
Maddox
Cece didn’t show up to Luxe on Sunday night. Or maybe she did, and she made it a point that I never saw her. Unlike the previous nights of trying to avoid her when I had to do what I was ordered, now that it’s done, I’m searching for her. Not that there would be anything I can tell her to make it better or get her to understand.
Adam’s ignoring me, too. After our fight, I saw him the next morning, but he didn’t say a word. I know I crossed the line comparing our situations. I’ll never have any idea what he has to go through being gay and feeling like he has to hide it. His circumstance is completely different than mine.
Plus, after thinking about it for a couple of days, I think he might be right. Maybe I should’ve at least told Cece what kind of man her father is, but she’s his little girl. I know the tabloids have called her Baby Mavin as a reference to the spoiled princess she was, but it’s apropos when talking about her relationship with her father.
Now I’m doing something I probably shouldn’t and showing up to our band meetup. I’m in no mood to play, contribute to songs, or even just hang out with my family. I want to be alone and wallow in my misery. But I force myself to get out of the house because I know the longer I isolate myself and stew on everything that’s happened, the longer I’ll be pissed off. Going to the studio doesn’t stop me from taking a flask filled with whisky with me, though.
I hang out in the mixing room, while Derrik is in the booth, recording some vocal tracks. I keep my phone out and scroll through it, but I’m not really paying attention to it. I’m making it look like it’s just another day. Reaching into the pocket of my leather jacket, I pull out the flask and take another swig.
“Maddox, don’t you think it’d sound better if—” Jade’s words cut off. When I look up from my phone, she stares at the flask in my hand. “Are you drinking?”
I eye the container, then glance back at her, shrugging. “Yeah.”
“It’s barely past noon. What are you doing?”
I let out a chuckle, then go to turn my phone off, but it slips off my knee. Another laugh floats out, and before I realize the truth, EJ says it. “Dude, you’re drunk.”
“I’m not …” I reach down to pick up the phone. Another chuckle slips out, this time turning into a full laugh. “No, I’m not drunk.”
“You’re drunk!” Jade stamps her foot. “What the hell, Maddox? We’re supposed to be working.”
I take another drink from the flask, then point it at the window into the recording studio where Derrik is. “I don’t sing, Jade. What’s the problem?” Even as I ask the rhetorical question, I can hear my words slurring. “Calm down. I’m here, aren’t I?”
She lets out a huff, then looks back at EJ. He stares up at her for a moment, still in his chair, and before either of them can say anything else, Derrik walks into the room. “What’s going on?”
“Ask Maddox,” Jade snaps.
I offer him a salute with the flask, about to take another drink, but stop myself. His eyes never leave the container, so I offer it to him. He scowls, then looks back at my sister. “What the hell is this?”
“Would you guys just get back to work and leave me alone until you want some drums?” I roll my eyes while all of them stare.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know this is disrespectful and not helpful in the least. But it doesn’t stop me from taking another drink, leaning back on the couch, and extending my legs out to cross them.
“What the hell is going on, Maddox?” Derrik asks. I shrug him off. “Don’t give me that. What’s wrong?”
His continual prodding irks me. “I said leave me alone. Get back in there and sing your stupid lyrics about falling in love, or whatever crap you’ve thought up now, and call me when you need some snare.”
He glances back at the others, then takes a step closer. “Did something happen with you and Cece?”
“Ugh!” I jump to my feet, swaying as I do. “I said, shut up already.”
“What happened?” Jade asks.
“Nothing happened, okay?”
“Then why are you slurring your words in the middle of the day?” EJ asks.
“Shut up!” I shout at all of them. “There is no Cece and me, okay? You happy now? It’s over. Now leave me the hell alone.”
Heading toward the door, Jade calls out behind me, “Maddox, you’re not driving like that?”
“I’m fine,” I shout back.
“I got him,” I hear Derrik, but don’t bother responding.
