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"It's nothing bad." I flashed him a genuine smile, and his shoulder sank as he visibly relaxed. "Maddy is flying in tomorrow."
"Maddy?" He drew her name out as he raised his brows. "Why?"
"Because she's my best friend, and I asked her too."
"Of all the people in the world," he muttered, a hint of annoyance in his tone, "you chose Maddy as your best friend?"
"Yeah." I shrugged. "I didn't really choose it; it just kind of happened."
"You bonded over her love of destroying you?" He rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide his sarcasm.
"Maddy isn't the same person she was in high school. Just like you aren't the same person you were in high school. We all grew up."
"So you invited her here?" His throat flexed on a hard swallow. "To visit?"
"Yes, and her flight lands early tomorrow morning, and once we get done with the live tonight, I will find her a place to stay."
"Okay?" His head shook as he attempted to hide the irritation etched on his face.
"I planned to go stay with her for a few days."
"What?" He leaned forward in his chair. "What about the Maddox Parker exclusive?"
"I need some personal days."
"Addy, our relationship isn't a job. You can't just take a day off."
"I'm not taking a day off from us. I'm taking a day off from the job. Plus, I want you and Maddy to make amends. She's my best friend, and you're my boyfriend, so..."
"So you want me to forgive what she did to me...To us?"
"I have. We were kids, Maddox."
He slumped back into his seat. "I don't want you to leave. Maddy can stay here, and we will see how it goes."
"Are you sure?"
"There's plenty of room." He sighed, nodding. "So, yes."
"And you'll try to be nice to her?"
His lip curled into a snarl as his teeth clenched and jaw flexed. "Yes."
I knew he didn't want to do this, but I was happy he was willing to try mending things with Maddy for me. These next few days would be interesting, with Maddy and Maddox under the same roof.
"Then let's let the world know our secret." I smiled. "You ready?"
EIGHTY-TWO
MADDOX
I couldn't hide that I was bitter that Maddy was coming here and that she'd be staying in my house. Hate wasn't a strong enough word for what I felt for Maddy. Everything that happened was because of her, and while she went on to live her charmed life, mine ended when I saw the pain in Addy's eyes the day Maddy sent out those photos, and she did it so that Addy would believe it was me. It might have been different if she'd taken the blame instead of letting me take the fall, but she didn't. Instead, she'd let Addison believe that I betrayed her for years.
"How do you want to do this?" Addison asked, her gaze fixed on the iPad as she fumbled with something.
"I'll do the talking." Her gaze flicked over her shoulder as her eyes narrowed on me.
"Like all the talking?"
