Nobody responds at first.Madison finally says, “No, it isn’t too soon.But what would that look like?I love my home.Not as much as I love the two of you, but I really love living here…when nobody’s creeping on me.What do you guys think of living with me here, instead of at Nove?”
A loud bang sounds from the basement.I sit up in alarm, but Madison pats my shoulder.
“It happens all the time,” she says.“It’s just the house settling.”
It sounded way too loud to be a random house-settling sound.But she knows this place better than I do.When no other noise is forthcoming, I relax and lie down again.
“I would love living with you anywhere,” Damiano says.“The actual location is unimportant.”
I add, “It doesn’t matter where, as long as we’re together.”
“It is rather soon in our relationship, though,” Madison says.“It isn’t that I don’t trust you both, but more that I…well, I don’t trust my own feelings as much as I should.”
That’s my mother’s fault, no doubt.“Why don’t we think about it for a few days?”I ask.“We can mull over the pros and cons separately, ask each other questions, figure out whatever we need to figure out.You could get in touch with Danica Montrose and talk to her about what it’s like living with two men.If at the end of the week, you’re still not sure, we can wait.I want to be with you all the time, Madison, but there’s no rush to make big decisions.”
“Well, I’m in a rush.”Damiano rolls over on top of Madison, tickling her.
She squeals with laughter.
I think we’re going to be okay.
MADISON
The following Tuesday, both of the guys are working at Nove.
My phone buzzes again.I know without looking that it’s Ford.He posted bail and has been trying to get in touch with me since.Yet somehow, despite him trespassing on my property, and the constant calls and texts, I don’t have enough to file a temporary restraining order.
“What do they need?”I mutter.“An attempt on my life?”
It sure seems that way.
At any rate, I go into my phone settings and mute Ford.I don’t block him, because I might need to show the calls as harassment in order to get a restraining order.
I catch a glimpse of his latest text.It starts with,I’m so sorry, Madison.This is all my fault.
“Psh.”I mute the thread.Of course it’s his fault.Nobody made him sneak into the yard and try to get in my house.Nobody made him lie, over and over again.Nobody made him pretend to be my friend.
I feel like such an idiot for trusting him.
While I have my phone open, I check my text thread with Danica Montrose.She’s coming over today for a chat.See you soon!I text, feeling like a dork.I probably shouldn’t be as excited as I am, but I can’t help it.
I spend the rest of the morning rearranging the living room, dusting things that have already been dusted, and re-organizing my snack cupboard.I don’t know what Danica likes, so I figured we could just raid the kitchen before taking some food into the living room to munch on.I don’t know—I haven’t had a friend over to my place in years.Pathetic, but this is a new era.I won’t dwell on my failures of the past.
A little after noon, a car pulls up the drive and a slight, blond woman climbs out of the driver’s seat.She practically bounces up my front steps.
I open the door before she can knock.“Hi!I’m Madison.”
“Hey, I’m Danica!So nice to meet for real, finally.”She reaches her arms out for a hug.
Surprised, I return her hug.“Come on in.”
“Wow, nice place,” she says as she steps back to take in the entryway.
“Thanks.My great-aunt left it to me.I’ve been doing a few little remodels and face-lifts.Come with me into the kitchen, and we can grab some snacks.”
She follows behind me, craning her neck to admire the art on the walls.“Well, it’s looking great.”
I want nothing more to impress her, so this is reassuring to hear.I’m so nervous, my hands are shaking as I open the fridge.“What do you like?I have a little bit of everything.”
