Helios Awakened (The Helios Chronicles #1) (37 page)

She nodded and kissed him again. She knew that it had been a great risk for him to be so forthcoming about his mother. Madison couldn’t fathom a mother hurting her child. She didn’t get along with her own mother but she knew inherently that she was loved, albeit somewhat conditionally. Knowing that he had survived such a horrifying life, she had an even greater desire to make sure that she put him first, always. It was time he knew just how special he was.

By the time Thursday came around, Madison and Andrew were back into their normal routine. At the present time, Andrew was outside Madison’s house smoking while Madison was going over instructions for the nurse she had hired. Andrew was a little antsy about the idea of hanging out at a wine festival but Jayden had assured him it would be great. Madison and Andrew were going to meet Jayden, Callie and his parents at their house and carpool to Santa Barbara.

“You ready?” Andrew asked, as Madison exited the house.

She nodded. “Yeah, let’s hit the road.”

He put out his cigarette and they made their way to Jayden’s house. When they arrived, Jayden was tossing his and Callie’s bags inside the trunk of Elias’s Mercedes. Madison grinned as Jayden shouted that they were there and seconds later Callie was bouncing out of the house on her way to Madison’s car.

“Can we ride with you guys?” Callie asked in her typical sing song fashion.

“Of course,” Madison grinned.

“Dad, we’re gonna ride with Andrew and Madison,” Jayden said to his parents as they walked out of the house.

“Sure, son, keep up though,” Elias teased.

Jayden started laughing. “Oh, dad, you have no idea how fast Madison drives. You two should race.”

Elias turned to Madison’s car and grinned. Liam locked the front door and touched Elias lightly on his shoulder, letting his fingers play with the hair at the nape of his neck. Elias glanced at him and smiled. Madison was watching their interaction and realized how unusual it was for her to see either of them in anything but a suit, aside from the time they had arrived just after Liam had returned from a run. Both men were in a pair of Levis; Liam had paired his with a form fitting t-shirt that left little to the imagination while Elias had paired his with a white button down shirt tucked into his pants with the top several buttons undone. Jayden laughed as he walked up to Andrew’s open window and shook his hand.

“My dad doesn’t think you can keep up with him,” Jayden said with a chuckle as he glanced at Madison.

“What, as if,” Madison said, cocking her brow while Andrew shook his head.

“Don’t get her started,” Andrew laughed.

“Hey, Mr. Bennett, Madison said it’s on!” Callie chirped in as she hollered to Elias and Liam.

Liam shook his head as he got in the car while Elias nodded with a big smile on his face. Madison watched as Liam said something and then Elias leaned over and kissed him. She smiled brightly at their interaction. It was the first time she had seen them openly show affection to one another. Jayden followed her eyes and grinned.

“They must feel safe around you two,” Jayden said as he and Callie slid into the back seat. “It doesn’t bother you, does it?”

“Oh hell no,” Madison said as she started to follow them down the street. “Why don’t they do that all the time? I don’t think people would care.”

She saw Jayden’s facial expression change but before she could say anything Andrew touched her thigh. Madison looked over at him, confused, and he shook his head a tiny bit, indicating that this was a subject she should drop.

“Old habits die hard,” Jayden finally said in a casual tone but Madison picked up that there was more to the story.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean anything by it,” Madison said apologetically.

“No, it’s alright. Things are a lot better now but they will always be cautious,” Jayden said with a shrug. “The reality is that there’s still a lot of hate out in the world, just look at the debates on gay marriage. Trust me, not everyone is okay with it.”

“People are stupid sometimes, Jay,” Madison said with anger at how anyone as kind and caring as Jayden’s parents could be looked down upon.

“Very true, but ya know what? I’d take my parents over any straight parents.”

“Hell, I’d take your parent’s over my mom any day,” Madison said with a sigh.

“I think we’d all take your parents over our own,” Andrew said glancing out the window. “Although, Aaron and Olivia would be good parents, I think.”

Everyone nodded and uttered their agreement on that sentiment. Santa Barbara was close to three hours away from Bakersfield, depending on traffic and how fast you could drive. Madison did have to chuckle as she struggled to keep up with Elias. It wasn’t that he drove fast per se but more that he bobbed and weaved through traffic like a mad man. No wonder Jayden and Callie wanted to ride with her and Andrew. Elias was one of those drivers that left a slew of people cursing and flipping him the bird as he cut them off.

Madison glanced at Andrew, wondering if they should bring up the New York issue since they had them alone. Sensing what she wanted, he nodded. She took a deep breath and glanced at their friends through the rearview mirror.

“Since we have you both alone we wanted to talk to you guys about something,” Madison started.

“It’s alright, Madison,” Callie said, touching her shoulder.

Andrew turned almost all the way around. “What do you mean it’s alright? We haven’t even said anything,” Andrew asked confused.

“I had a dream that Madison was in New York a while back and then Sunday morning I had another dream except you were both there,” Callie replied.

Andrew stared at her with his mouth agape.

“We are going to miss you two a lot,” Jayden said as he touched Andrew’s arm. “But I ain’t gonna lie. When Callie told me about her dream on Sunday I had a fit. I mean a full on pacing the floor straight temper tantrum.” He glanced at Callie and smiled shyly, she had been so very understanding of his hurt and fear. He turned back to Andrew. “But I’ve had some time to process it and I understand, man. I mean if it were my Callie that needed to go away I would follow her as well.” He then looked down, a strained expression on his face and mumbled. “It’s probably the only way I’d ever leave my dads anyway.”

“Oh, Jay, stop,” she said kissing him lightly.

“I’ve never had a real friend, Jay, so I don’t know the protocol here but I can’t thank you enough for being there for me and I’m really happy you understand. I’m going to miss you.”

Jayden got a serious look in his eyes as they stared at each other. He had no words to express how much Andrew meant to him. He had always shut people out, not trusting anyone enough, but with Andrew it was instant. He was saddened that his friend was leaving but he knew he couldn’t and wouldn’t try to stop him.

“God, I remember when I arrived, I couldn’t wait to leave and now I want to beat the shit out of the clock so time will stand still,” Madison said, frowning as she broke the silence in the car. “This really sucks.”

“Well, we will just have to keep in touch,” Callie said happily, ever the optimist.

Madison nodded and tapped the wheel excitedly. “Hey, you guys should come up on New Year’s, spend the weekend. It would be great. There’s nothing like New Year’s in Time Square. I mean, its pure madness but so cool.”

Callie and Jayden looked at each other and smiled.

“We could do that, we are going to Dublin for Christmas but we could leave the Friday after Christmas and fly straight to New York, then to LA on the second,” Jayden said, excited at the prospect.

“You’re going to Dublin?” Madison asked.

“Yeah, we go every year. Thanksgiving we go to Texas for the weekend to see my grandma and my family there and then we spend Christmas in Ireland with my other family. We’ve been doing it since I was kid. Of course Callie usually comes with us now.”

“Wow, that’s so cool!” Madison mused.

“I can’t go every year or my mom would have a cow so I alternate and one year I go with them to Ireland and the other year to Texas. It keeps the peace,” Callie said with a giggle.

Andrew was grinning and nodding, fully excited now that he knew that he would still be able to keep his friendship with Jayden once he left for New York. They all continued to laugh as Callie and Jayden told stories about some of their wild adventures in both Texas and Ireland. Then Madison started telling stories about New York and some of the crazy things she had seen over the years. Andrew was enjoying their tall tales but was also a little disheartened that he had nothing to contribute. He had no fun stories to tell about Chicago or Detroit or even Los Angeles. Madison noticed Andrew’s worrisome expression but he quickly smiled and before Madison could inquire further Elias made a quick lane change and Madison shook her head as she followed suit.

“Oh my God, Jay, your dad is NUTS!” Madison exclaimed.

Everyone laughed and before they knew it they were pulling into the valet parking of the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Laguna Nigel. As they drove up, Andrew and Madison looked at each other and sighed, neither comfortable with the posh setting or exorbitant amount of money that the Bennett’s were obviously paying just so that they could attend this function with them. Andrew stepped out of the car and shook his head at the valet who was approaching the door. Andrew remembered how he had acted at Lake Arrowhead and was going to try his best to rein in his jealousy this weekend but he was not having some other man opening her door.

“Thank you, Andrew,” Madison said with a soft kiss as she exited the vehicle.

The bellhops were loading the luggage and Madison took the opportunity to walk over to Elias and Liam. She dramatically bowed in front of Elias, which made Liam step back laughing riotously, and, in an extravagant gesture, Madison raised her hands in the air.

“I bow to the master of insane and crazy driving,” she said in a crisp British accent then added in her straight New York voice, “I am proud to make you an honorary New Yorker.”

Madison couldn’t contain her laughter as she glanced up at Elias who looked like he was trying not to laugh but finally just shook his head, emitting a soft chuckle, before bowing slightly. Madison stood and Andrew grabbed her around the waist, kissing her softly on the cheek as he whispered in her ear.

“I love you, crazy woman.”

She giggled. “I love you too.”

Everyone made their way in, laughing and joking, especially with Elias and his mad driving skills. They walked up to the check in counter where Elias was immediately treated like royalty.

“Mr. Bennett, it’s so good to see you again,” a tall man in an impeccable suit said as he approached them. He first shook Elias’s and then Liam’s hands before he turned to Jayden and Callie. “Mr. Bennett, Ms. Mitchell, it’s always a pleasure.” He then turned to Andrew and Madison, immediately noticing Andrew’s tattooed forearm.

“Mr. Morgan, these are our very dear friends, Mr. Andrew Harrison and Ms. Madison Ellis. They are our special guests this weekend, please treat them accordingly,” Elias said with authority.

“Of course, Mr. Bennett.” He smiled perfectly at Madison and Andrew. “If there is anything I can do for either of you please feel free to contact me directly,” he said as he handed them both one of his business cards.

“Thank you,” Madison said, looking at the card which informed her that Mr. Morgan was the manager of the hotel. 

“Andrew, Madison,” Elias stated firmly and they both looked over at him. “We will have a light meal at 180blũ before heading over to De La Guerra for the Spanish Nights event so feel free to look around or relax in your suite but meet us here at 4:30.”

Madison pulled out her phone and frowned, that gave them less than an hour. Elias and Liam were staying in the suite of all suites, the Ritz-Carlton suite, 1500 square feet of decadence, while Jayden and Callie, and Andrew and Madison were staying in Ocean View Suites conveniently located on the same floor. Andrew was thankful that Aaron had let him keep the money from Lake Arrowhead because he suspected he would need it again. He tipped the bellhop and looked around their room.

“I’ve never had rich friends before,” Madison said with a nervous chuckle.

“We don’t have very much time do we?” Andrew asked as he pulled her closer to him.

“No, I’m afraid not. Elias doesn’t strike me as someone who tolerates tardiness,” Madison said with a giggle. “However...” she said as she pushed him towards one of the comfortable looking chairs.

He smiled as he dropped into it. He grabbed her and they immediately started kissing fervently. His hands worked their way under her blouse, touching her soft skin as Madison deepened their already passionate kiss. When his fingers worked down to her pants she knew she needed to stop him.

“Andrew, we don’t have enough time for sex and the cleanup that goes with it,” Madison said halfheartedly.

“Trust me, baby,” he replied as he pushed her jeans and panties down her legs.

Once she stepped out of them he slouched in the chair and pulled her back up on his lap. She smiled as he flipped her around and chuckled as she let out a squeak when he repositioned her. She immediately knew what would happen next and smiled. Neither could talk as the only sounds possible were grunted and gurgled moans of pleasure until they finally both peaked. Madison first, as was usually the case, and then Andrew. When their bodies settled, he moved her legs down and cradled her onto his lap as they kissed one another.

“Mmm, Helios, I can’t wait until I can have you all to myself.”

“The feeling is mutual,” he said, capturing her mouth once again.

They cuddled against each other for as long as possible before finally changing clothes. Madison had picked Andrew up a couple of button down shirts that were very nice. He wore one with a new pair of Levis while Madison selected a short summer dress that flared at her thighs. Just as they were exiting their suite, Callie and Jayden exited theirs as well. Andrew was happy to see that Jayden was similarly dressed.