Graham (Scandalous Boys Book 2) (12 page)

Maddy chews on her lower lip. “My stomach is in knots all the time.”

“You’ve been under a lot of pressure though. I mean, think about it, Maddy. You have your big art presentation coming up. You didn’t know what you wanted to present to the gallery for a long time. That’s probably where the nerves are coming from.”

“I don’t know. Maybe you’re right. I just … I’ve never been in a relationship like this. And I really love him, Sarah. I’m scared as hell of losing him.”

There is nothing I can really say to make her feel better. I mean, hell, I’ve never been in a relationship like hers. Not really. Graham and I probably could have had something like this, but I messed that up. And before Graham, there was just a string of flings and one-night romances. Nothing serious. Nothing to make my heart pound or my palms sweat. Graham was the first. The only.

She sniffles. “Oh goodness. Look at me. Being all mopey and stuff. It’s completely rude. How have you been? How’s, you know, the little situation with you and an unnamed someone?”

“It’s fine. I’m just—”

“You just what?” Kyle interrupts me.

“Nothing. All is good. How is school?” I ask as he wraps me up in a hug.

“It’s great. Hey, Maddy, hate to be a Debbie downer and all, but Em needs ya.”

Madison smiles and makes her way up the stairs. Kyle studies me for a moment more. “I still can’t get over this hair. What made you change it to red?”

“Madison suggested it. I said I didn’t want to be recognized.”

Kyle frowns. “Is it bad? I’ll kick someone’s ass if they’re being a dick. Just point me in the direction.”

I shove Kyle and laugh. “You do that, and you’ll be in jail too. Thanks, though. It’s getting better. Not as bad, I’m sure, as it would be if I were home.” Which reminds me of the conversation I had with Mom a few days ago. She wants me to come see her. Spend time visiting a woman who practically abandoned me in jail. How about
no
?

Kyle walks over to the fridge and nods. “Yeah. I imagine it would be a lot worse. Listen though, if you need me to say something, I will. I mean it. I’ll drive up here in a heartbeat and put some jackass in the ground. You’re not your parents, Sarah. You didn’t steal from those people. In fact, I think you’re just as much a victim as they are. You know?”

Am I? If my trust fund wasn’t frozen, would I still be here? Would I have gone back to my spoiled life? I think I might have. Considering that trust fund has well over a million dollars in it. Yeah. Kyle and I probably wouldn’t be having the same conversation if that were the case.

The phone rings and Kyle grabs it, “Hey, Mom. Yeah. Hey, uh, we have an extra guest.”

He groans. “No, Mom. Emily came home. Her parents are still in the Caribbean or something.”

He narrows his eyes. “Hold on.” He passes me the phone.

“Hi, Auntie Heather.”

“Hi, hon. How’s Emily?”

“She seemed really upset when I picked Madison and her up from the airport.”

“I see. Can you do me a huge favor?”

“Sure.”

“Up on top of the fridge is a jar filled with cash. Take three hundred out of it and the grocery list I have tacked up under the bright-green magnet. You see it?”

“Yes.”

“You, Madison, and Emily go run to grocery store. Pick up an extra pint of ice cream. Get everything off that list and also any extra snacks you kids can think of. God knows Kyle will raid the kitchen of all food, if he hasn’t done so already.”

I smile at that. He has been in the kitchen a lot. Twice since I came home from work, and again just now. Gosh knows how many times after I left to go get Madison. My cousin sure can eat. Well, so can Maddy. I mean, she might have the flat, toned stomach, but the girl can out eat most guys I know.

“Okay. Is that it?” I ask.

“You know what? Take another hundred just in case and an extra twenty for your gas tank.”

“You don’t have to give me gas money.”

“Sarah, I know I don’t. But I want to. I’ll be home at seven.”

“Okay.”

I gather up the money and the list then head to the store without Madison and Emily. I figured they could use the time to catch up. And let’s face it, who in the hell wants to catch up or spill any of their thoughts at the grocery store? No one.

I get what my auntie Heather was trying to do. Getting Emily out of the house might get her mind off of things. But sometimes you need to have a meltdown first.

Chapter Nineteen

Graham

Wednesday morning a thunderous pounding on our front door wakes me. I groan and grumble while making my way down the stairs to find out who in the hell is dying to come in. “What?” I yell as I throw open the door.

Madison eyes me up and then snorts. “Good morning to you too, bestie!” She hands me a cup of coffee and heads upstairs to my room.

“Maddy! What the hell?”

She looks back at me and grins. “You and I are going to have a talk. A long one.”

Fuck! I knew I couldn’t simply ignore her. Once we’re in my room I take a seat on my bed. She is on the floor in front of my mom’s Nintendo, which is now mine. “Game, coffee, and thoughts. Every time I beat a level you have to come clean about something. Like why you’re here and not in school. Or how you feel about Sarah. And why you keep playing with her.”

“Madison, it’s eight in the morning!”

She shrugs. “Does it look like I’m leaving? Sit!”

She unravels a controller and hands it to me as I take a seat beside her. “Bryce isn’t gonna kick my ass cause you’re here, is he?”

“No. Bryce knows we’re friends. And I’m pretty sure he won’t care if I’m here.”

I snort. “You really have no clue. Our buddy Bryce has changed a lot, Maddy. He’s always been jealous of anyone around you. But now that you’re his girlfriend, it’s worse. He would go to the ends of the earth to make you happy. You know that, right?”

“I’m not here to talk about Bryce. I’m here to play and talk about you.”

“How was ice skating?”

She starts up
Super
Mario Bros. 3
and then glares at me. “Fine. You want to know?”

“Yes.”

“He didn’t come. I waited for him at the rink for twenty minutes then left. He said he forgot. He’s been doing that a lot lately. In fact, it’s his favorite excuse, and you know what? I’d rather he just get it over with, dump me now.”

What the … ? No. Bryce is madly in love with Madison. Anyone who is around them can see it. Him missing their dates and ignoring her doesn’t sound right. Whatever, I’ll get to the bottom of it Friday.

“Jump.”

“I see it,” I say. I pounce onto the mushroom coming after me.

“Okay, now …”

“Maddy, I got this!” I have Mario jumping and collecting all the coins.

Madison sighs. “Why are you here?”

I pause the game and set my controller down. “You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“You can’t tell anyone. Promise?”

She nods. “I swear I won’t.”

For the next hour I tell her everything about the night, the video, and I even tell her my feelings for Sarah. I also explain why I can’t act on those feelings. And a funny thing happens then. Madison says, “Wow. I get it. I mean, it sucks for both of you, but I get it.”

“She hates me now I bet, huh?”

She laughs. “Nope. Not even a little. Graham, if you think you were punked, why can’t you get someone to testify for you? I mean someone who saw and knows how you normally act with and without alcohol?”

“Because I think the court was right. Sure, I might not act like that, but I think they were right to put me in the group. It took a while, but I really think maybe I did have a problem. I drank a lot. Name one party I was at in high school where I wasn’t hammered.”

“I can’t.”

“Exactly. College was going to be the same. I was constantly looking for my next high. If I wasn’t stoned I was drunk. Or a combination of both. I thought if I went to class, kept my grades up, my party habits would be fine.”

Her green eyes look into mine. “And now?”

My door bursts open. “Hey, dude, wake the hell … What the fuck is this?”

Bryce glares at me as if he’s thinking up a hundred different ways to kill me. “Playing Mario. Wanna play?” I ask.

He glances at Madison, then at me, then back at Madison. “How long have you been here?”

“Since eight,” I answer. “Jesus, the way she was pounding on the door this morning I thought someone’s car was on fire or some shit.”

Madison drops the controller and stands. “I gotta go help my mom with stuff.” She starts to walk past Bryce, but he latches on to her arm.

“Babe, I said I was sorry. Please don’t be mad at me. Please.”

“Bryce, I can’t do this with you now. I’ve been … I’ll talk to you later.”

“Mads. Please.” She’s out the door though, and he turns and faces me. He looks as if he’s about to hurl.

“You all right?”

“No. Yes. I don’t know. Fuck. I keep fucking up. I love her so damn much. I started working two jobs and going to school full-time. I barely get any sleep. But I’m doing it for her. All for her. I want everything with her. Every stupid damn thing you can think of. And I just … she deserves the goddamn world, man.” His eyes become a little watery.

What the hell? He can’t cry. This is not cool; it’s too early in the morning for this shit.

“Man. What the hell is wrong with you? This is Madison we’re talking about. The girl who used to have a stick jammed up her ass. The same girl you tormented for years, I might add. I know you two are dating now and all, but Maddy forgives easily. I mean, fuck, she’d have to if she’s dating you.”

Bryce shakes his head and takes a seat beside me. “You don’t get it, man. I’m so in love with her. I have been forever. I only did that shit so she’d pay attention to me. She’s the only one I want—ever. If she leaves … Fuck.” He swipes a hand under his eyes. “I want to marry her. I’m doing all this to marry her.”

I spray my coffee all over the place. “You wanna what? Are you crazy? People don’t get married at our age! What the fucking hell?”

“I know. I don’t care, though. She’s everything to me. Every morning I get to wake up next to her is the best. I don’t know how to explain it, but it is. And seeing her smile. Knowing I caused it in some way is like being high.”

“Please shut up.” I stand up and pace my room. “You’re really serious?”

“Yes.”

This is a lot to process. My best friend wants to marry my other best friend. “Wait. Why have you been making up excuses and skipping out on dates then?”

“I told you. I was working. I’ve got about five thousand saved up. Its shit, but I also have the money my dad gave me. I don’t want to use that, though. That fucker can take that hundred thousand and stick it up his ass!”

“So let me get this straight. You’d rather work two jobs, be bone-ass tired, and cause your girlfriend—the one you want to marry—to doubt your relationship rather than spend your dad’s guilt money. Seriously, dude. Just use the fucking money. As long as you’re spending it on Madison or securing your future or whatever for her, it won’t matter.”

He shakes his head. “It’d be easier for sure. But I don’t want anything to do with my father.”

“Then don’t invite him to the wedding or your graduation or tell him when you and Maddy have little runts.”

“Hey. Our kids won’t be runts!”

“All right, we need to quit talking about kids. I need some food.”

“Me too.”

***

The waitress at Becky’s Diner keeps flirting with Bryce and me. But Bryce looks as if he’s on planet Mars when she leans over, showing off her cleavage while pouring coffee into his cup. I’m no better, though. I might notice her chest because it’s practically in my face, but I can’t seem to stop thinking about Sarah.

Damn it! “That’s it. We’re all doing something tonight,” I say.

Bryce blinks. “What?”

“We’re all going out tonight.”

“Emily is staying with them. I don’t know if Madison will want to leave her again.”

“We’ll bring her along. Kyle can keep her company. You know he’ll love to tag along in order to glare at you for making moves on his sister.”

Bryce looks like he’s about to punch me in the face. “Don’t be a dick!”

“Let’s go see a movie or something. I mean, Sarah and I can sit in between you and Kyle.”

“Fine. I’ll call her.”

Bryce calls Madison, and I can only hear bits and pieces of the conversation. Once he hangs up he says, “Okay, they’re all in.”

“Good.”

Chapter Twenty

Sarah

I’d rather be anywhere else than at the movies with Graham. Why in the hell did I agree to this? Oh, right, for Madison. She’s looked so sad the last couple of days. She said Bryce is avoiding her, and I want to find out why.

Graham’s hand presses against my lower back. A thrilling zing and a dance of butterflies shoots through my body. My skin heats instantly, and I swear my cheeks are probably burning red. He pays for my way in even though I protest. I tell him I’ll pay for the snacks, but he covers that as well.

“What’s wrong?” he whispers as we enter the theater our movie is playing in.

“I don’t like you paying for everything like we’re on a date.”

“We are on a date. It might not be official for those two”—he points at Kyle and Emily, who are walking ahead of us laughing about something—“but it is for you and me. And it’s also true for Mads and Bryce.”

I glance back at Madison. She seems to be a little happier. Bryce has his hand wrapped around her waist, and she’s resting her head on the crook of his shoulder. He doesn’t seem to notice anyone but her. Same goes for her. She doesn’t seem to notice anyone but him. “It’s not what you think, you know?” Graham says in a low voice.

Drawing my attention from Madison and Bryce I glance at Graham. “What do you mean?”

“He loves her more than anyone can ever know. And I know his behavior has been a little questionable, but I promise it’s not what you think. Madison just needs to have a little faith in him.”