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Obviously, everyone has a right to a moment of stupidity—I’ve had my fair share—but Madison found a way to abuse the privilege of their kindness.
“Keep your hands off my son,” I reiterate, baring my teeth.
She winces, but I mostly think that has to do with my breath, and this subtle dig infuriates me that much more.
Taking him, I set Aiden down in his electric toy car, getting right up in her face again. “You got something you want to say, Montgomery? Want to share secrets? Because I have a few I’d be more than willing to get off my chest involving you.”
I know more than I should, accidentally walking in on Eli and Madison way back in high school. You show up to your friend’s house unannouncedonce, and you learn your lessonrealquick.
The worst part is this wasn’t the only time. I’d also caught them in the weight room back in high school.
Cole was too occupied with my sister once she came back—not that he would’ve cared regardless—but I caught on real quick.
I thought this thing between them ended after graduation though. This…fling, or whatever you want to call it, running its course. Then surprise surprise, she shows up on Eli’s arm tonight.
Madison’s pupils gleam as she sucks on her teeth. Her expression is sinister.
I’m not the least bit intimidated.
“Great speech, Finn, very subtle.”
A growl pushes past my airway. “Shut. Up.”
This bitch.
What did—does—Eli see in her? I mean honestly.
“Why?” she encourages, completely venomous. “What do I have to lose? You’ve already threatened me.”
“Want to make it more than a threat,” I seethe, my nostrils flaring.
“Madison…” Eli sighs, cutting in on our standoff. “Go back inside and grab Finn a bottle of water.”
Her nose rises, tiffed, but she does as he asks, going back through the doors she should’ve never entered to begin with.
The whir of Aiden’s car is the only noise to somewhat cover the added thud of force Madison put into closing the door behind her.
I roll my eyes. The girl’s maintenance for theatrics was extreme in high school, but I guesssomethings never change.
“Seriously, man?Her?”
Of all people.
A winded, dramatic sigh pushes its way out of Eli’s mouth. “Look, just drop it for now. Tonight’s not abouteitherof us,” he reminds me, arching a knowing brow. His tone is both a less-than-subtle hint and a warning.
I flinch, turning my back on him because I know he’s right and I hate it. This evening is supposed to be about Rory and Cole celebrating their love for one another.
Momentarily I watch the happy couple through the windows. Cole’s face is in its standard blankness until Rory starts to shake her head with a laugh. The muscles along his cheeks come alive at the sight and her smile grows wider in reaction to his.
A thick ball of saliva that has the consistency of glue gets caught in my throat. I meant what I said in my speech about them. Those two are soul mates and deserve nothing but happiness.
I deserve the same. Don’t I?
The door to the inside opens another time and a sarcastic comment is ready on my tongue for—Hailey?
“Finn, we need to talk—oh…ohmygod!Aiden!” The determination in Hailey’s voice morphs from boldness into straight-up horror in the same amount of time it takes my ears to register the sound of the splash.
Her screams are numbed by the splattering of water as the deadly noise ricochets into my ears. Whipping around, I see black spots in my vision, but those, too, go ignored because I’m already diving headfirst into the pool.
