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“I know what I saw. Maddie is here.”
“Fine. yes. She’s here. We’ll fill you in soon.” I sweep an arm under her head and lift it up slowly. “Can you sit?”
“I can.” She slaps my arm away. “But I don’t need your help. Get your dirty hands off me.”
This isn’t going to be as easy as I thought. Then again, I didn’t think at all.
“About that,” I begin with a whisper, hoping to get this out quickly before Maddie returns. “Maddie is still in love with Crew and she doesn’t know he’s here at BCA.”
“Oh my god, Neo.” She rubs her forehead aggressively. “You haven’t told her?”
“Haven't exactly had time,Scar,” I put an emphasis on her name. “She’s only been here for a couple weeks and for half of it, she was in and out of consciousness.”
“How?” Her forehead creases more and more with each one-word question. “Why? When? What the hell is going on?”
“I told you I'll fill you in, but right now, you need to know something else. That secret I told you I’d keep. It’s not safe until you pretend we’re dating. You need to dump Crew and Jagger. It’s the only way it'll appear real.”
I’ve seen Scar’s eyes go wide. Seen her surprised. Shocked. You name it. But none of that touches the look on her face right now. “Not. A. Chance. In. Hell.”
“Then I guess I have no choice—”
Maddie returns with a gleeful smile and a wet washcloth. “There you are, Sleeping Beauty.”
Scar shakes her head. “I…I don’t need that.” She pushes herself up, moving slowly. Tears expel from her eyes as she throws herself into Maddie's arms. “I can’t believe you’re awake. And here.”
While they’re reuniting and crying like fucking babies, I read my missed text messages from the guys.
Crew: Have you heard from Scar?
Jagger: No. I’m heading to lunch. She’s probably at the table already.
Crew: All right. Lemme know.
I decide to chime in and tell them she’s here before they send out a search party.
Me: She’s here at the house. She’s fine. No need to play knight in shining armor.
The next thing I know, Jagger’s calling. Of fucking course.
“She’s fine,” is the first thing I say.
“Having a hard time believing that. Put her on the phone or Crew and I are coming home.”
I’m not sure how much longer I can pull this shit off. Maybe I need to just come clean with everyone. Maddie’s bound to get her heart broken eventually. Prolonging it is only going to make the heartbreak that much more painful.
I join Scar and Maddie, interrupting their hug-fest. “Hey, Jagger wants to talk to you.” I cover the phone with my free hand. “They can’t know, Scar. I’m dead serious. Do not tell a soul she’s here.” I hand Scar the phone and push Maddie’s chair a few feet to the left.
“Why’s Jagger calling Scar?” she asks.
“We’re…all good friends now. It’s a weird situation.”
“No kidding. I’m still reeling from you and Scar being together. I was asleep for over a year, but I thought even a friendship between you two would have required a lifetime.” She looks back at me, at where I’m holding the handles of her wheelchair, a wide smile on her face.“I’m proud of you, Neo. Finally opening up your heart and letting someone in.”
I scratch the back of my head, hating the shit out of myself right now. I don’t like lying to Maddie. It’s not something I’ve done often, but I would do it time and time again to protect her.
“About that. I’ve been sort of thinking about breaking up with her. She’s sort of a leech.” It’s true. I’ve seen the way she is with Crew and Jagger. All clingy and shit. I sure as fuck don’t want that.
“Neo!” Maddie reaches back, trying to slap me, but misses. I chuckle a little, only pissing her off further. “I swear to God if you are leading Scar on or playing some stupid game, I will cut you.”
