Helios Exposed (The Helios Chronicles #2)

by Tawa M. Witko

  She could hear the hurt in his voice and wasn’t sure how to change that. This was what she had wanted to avoid, him feeling the need to buy something because that’s what couples were supposed to do. She leaned in and kissed him lightly on the lips.

  “I don’t think we should do something big because it just isn’t necessary but if you insist on buying me something then get me some freaking fantastic chocolate, ‘cause I’ll tear that up in a minute,” she finished with a wink.

  He laughed and shook his head simultaneously before finally pecking her lips. “You’re crazy.”

  “What can I say, I do love my chocolate.”

  He sighed and nodded. “Okay, no gifts, only chocolate.”

  She grinned and nodded as she stood up. “Of course, if you really want to hook me up you could just drizzle it all over you,” she said with a wag of her brows.

  He shifted his chair immediately and pulled her onto his lap. “So that’s what you want, huh?” He ground his hips against her. “You want me covered in chocolate?”

  Madison swallowed thickly before her mouth touched his. She’d be lying if she said the thought of Andrew covered in pretty much anything wasn't appealing, so if he did do that she would not object. He then lifted her up and off of him, much to her dismay. She whined, just slightly, not wanting to stop. He tugged her back slightly.

  “Don’t worry, baby. I’ll take care of you. Just need to eat first.”

  Madison grinned and mussed up his hair. “I’m gonna hold you to that cause now you got me all hot and bothered.”

  He laughed and took a mouthful of food, knowing that he would need his strength as he had the sneaking suspicion that he would not be sleeping much tonight.

  12 Friendship Goals

  Jayden and Callie were sitting in first class. It was a six-hour flight from Dublin to JFK but with the five-hour time difference it was going to be a nightmare to adjust. Jayden glanced over at Callie who had her eyes closed, resting peacefully. Jayden smiled as he watched her. He had to hand it to her; she had the most uplifting spirit of anyone he knew. Even when they lost their baby she was optimistic and felt God had needed the little one for something special. Jayden couldn’t feel that way though. He had initially thought they were too young, but once he knew he was going to be a father, he was beyond ecstatic. When they lost her, he had been heartbroken and afraid to try again and risk feeling that level of pain once more. She was always patient and understanding with him and saw the best in everything. Even with Andrew she was carefree and hopeful. Jayden and Andrew talked almost daily and now that he had a mobile phone they texted each other frequently. The incident last month had shattered Jayden. He had dreams and visions of Andrew lost and alone. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Andrew needed him. Maybe it was an overinflated sense of ego but he needed to know that Andrew was alright. That being said, he had talked his fathers into letting him and Callie leave Ireland the day after Christmas versus that Friday. Once he explained why he needed to do it, they were more than willing to pay the extra costs to make it happen. He took a deep breath and turned back to the window, anxious to arrive.

  “The captain is preparing for our final approach into New York...”

  He turned to wake Callie but she was already awake watching him. She knew he was afraid for Andrew. Jayden didn’t allow many people into his heart and once he did, they were there for life. That’s just who he was. It had torn him up when Andrew left and it had taken everything in her power to stop him from boarding a plane last month when Andrew had called. It wasn’t that she wasn’t worried herself, because she had been, but she felt they needed to let Madison handle it. Ultimately she was an optimist and believed everything happened for a reason, even bad things.

  “We’re almost there,” Jayden said with mounting excitement.

  Callie smiled. “I can’t wait to see them again.”

  Jayden grinned and took her hand in his as the plane started its descent. The minute they were told they could use their electronic devices both had their phones out texting Andrew and Madison. Madison screamed when she got Callie's text and Andrew had a smile on his face that lit up the room when his phone buzzed with a text from Jayden. Andrew and Madison waited impatiently at baggage claim and when they saw them approaching, Madison bounced as if she were on springs, looking up at Andrew. Callie squealed and ran towards them, dragging Jayden along with her. The two women embraced enthusiastically and even Andrew and Jayden couldn’t help but hug each other tightly while laughing from the excitement of finally seeing one another again. Callie began talking a mile a minute as the boys waited for the bags.

  “Is everything okay, Madison?” Callie asked taking a breath and grabbing both of Madison’s hands in hers, her penetrating gaze seeing more than Madison could possibly say.

  “Umm, yes and no, but we’ll talk about that later, okay?” Madison pleaded with her friend, not wanting to put a damper on anything. Callie nodded, understanding her friend’s silent request.

  The ride to Madison’s apartment from JFK was only the first of many adventures Jayden imagined would ensue over the next week. He had thought Madison was a crazy driver before, but now that he had seen her in her element, he was certain that the same person who taught his father how to drive had instructed her. Callie, on the other hand, was not bothered by the quick lane changes or sudden stops and starts; she was enthralled with the hustle and bustle of the city. There was so much she wanted to see and do. As Madison pulled into the parking garage, she stopped before parking.

  “So far, no one has said anything but Andrew and I pretty much double-park so everyone will need to get out here before I pull in,” Madison said apologetically. She was actually surprised no one had complained yet.

  Everyone exited the vehicle and watched Madison smoothly position her Nissan as close to Andrew’s Harley as possible. At this point, she had it down to a science. Once parked, the boys quickly unloaded everything. The four friends laughed and teased each other in the elevator and as Madison opened their apartment door, she waved her arms and bowed dramatically for Callie and Jayden to enter. Callie gasped as she walked inside their apartment. It was decorated for the holidays with a pretty Christmas tree with purple and silver ornaments, white twinkling lights and icicles perfectly placed. They had several poinsettia plants scattered around, one on the countertop, one on the dining room table and several on the ledge where there was a huge panoramic window that had been decorated with garland and lights. Callie even noticed that the couple of trees in the living room were decorated festively.

  “Oh you guys, your apartment is beautiful,” Callie cooed.

  “Thanks, we had a lot of fun doing it,” Madison smiled at Andrew.

  Madison felt his breath near her ear. “I know what you’re thinking about,” he whispered before his tongue darted out to trace the shell of her ear.

  Madison felt the heat rush up her neck. Andrew wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body flush to his. He kissed her tenderly on the cheek, unable to contain the giddiness he was feeling at how things were turning out.

  “Where should we put our things?” Jayden asked, walking up to them.

  “The bedroom is down the hall,” Madison replied, lost in Andrew’s embrace.

  When Jayden walked in, it was clear to him that the room was Andrew and Madison’s. He turned and went back in the living room, setting his and Callie’s bags down. Both Andrew and Madison gave him a puzzled look. Andrew stepped back from Madison slightly, confused what could be wrong.

  “We can’t take your bedroom. We can sleep out here.”

  Both Andrew and Madison began speaking at once.

  “No way!”

  “You guys are our guests and we want you too!”

  “Well, we could rent a room,” Jayden offered. “We don’t want to kick you out of your bed.”

  “Firstly, you’ll never find a room at a nice place at this time of the year, and secondly, Andrew and I have already discuss
ed it and want you guys to take the room, so deal with it, Jayden,” Madison said with an eyebrow arch and a challenging attitude.

  “Don’t worry, Jay, the sheets are clean,” Andrew winked.

  Jayden let out a loud boisterous laugh. “Yeah, well, they better be. I know the way you two are. So do we get a mint or a chocolate on our pillow every morning as well?”

  “Well, hmm, I don’t know. I’m not sure I can part with any of the Godiva Andrew gave me. I’m not sure I like you that much,” she said with an exaggerated wink and to peals of laughter from Callie, who was now sitting on the couch.

  “Ahh, Madison, just for that I won’t share my Crunchie’s with you.”

  Madison and Andrew looked at each other and then him. Andrew laughed. “What the hell is a Crunchie?”

  “Oh god, don’t get him started. He brings back cases of those things every year,” Callie said trying to contain her laughter.

  Jayden grinned and dug into his overnight bag, tossing a bar to Andrew and one to Madison.

  “What about me?” Callie pouted.

  He strutted over to her and tapped the bar on her nose before kissing her softly. “You, my beautiful Callie, just dissed the Crunchie, that’s not cool. You, my dear, have lost all Crunchie privileges,” he tried to say seriously but couldn’t hold it and laughed. She rolled her eyes and snatched the candy bar out of his hand, giggling at his silliness.

  The friends spent the next several hours talking and catching up. Although they all spoke regularly, it was different being in each other’s presence. By the time they had finished dinner, both Jayden and Callie were spent, the time difference finally catching up to them. Several hours later, Andrew lay down on the couch and motioned for Madison to lie between his legs. She positioned herself, with her back against him.

  “It’s cool to have them here,” he said a moment later.

  “I think Callie is going to have me running ragged,” Madison giggled as Andrew’s fingers traced along her exposed stomach.

  “I think so too. I’m glad Sonny was cool about me taking time off,” Andrew slowly started moving his hand further under her shirt.

  “Mr. Turner didn’t have a problem either as long as we brought 'Little Jayden' to the office to say hi.” They both chuckled at that.

  “Do you think Mr. Turner, you know, 'knew' Liam?”

  Madison rolled over and looked at him. “Oh, hell, I never thought of that but damn, that would be kind of hot.” Madison smiled as Andrew rolled his eyes, “But nah, Mr. Turner has been married for a long time and I don’t get that vibe from him, but ya never know.”

  Andrew shrugged and then grinned at Madison. She moved up and kissed him softly on the lips before positioning herself so that she was partly on him while the rest of her was on the couch. She laid her head on his chest while his hands started moving up and down her back.

  “I love you, Madison,” he stated sincerely.

  She kissed him gently on the tattoo above his heart. “I love you, too.”

  ~*~

  Andrew and Madison woke to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon sizzling in a pan. Andrew practically leapt up, almost knocking Madison off the couch. She sleepily watched Andrew rub his eyes as he made his way into the kitchen. Callie set the last of the bacon on the plate. Andrew looked at the spread that Callie had already made and frowned.

  “Is it okay that I cooked for you guys?” Callie asked, suddenly worried at the expression on Andrew’s face.

  He ran his hand through his hair, not sure what to say. Madison touched him lightly on the back as she walked over to her friend and kissed her on the cheek.

  “This is very sweet. Of course you can cook anything you’d like. It’s, umm, it’s Thursday so usually Andrew takes his friend Randall out for breakfast before he sees his PO.”

  “OH,” Callie exclaimed as she remembered Jayden saying Andrew had befriended a homeless man named Randall. She turned to Andrew with an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Andrew.”

  “It’s okay, I just hate to see food go to waste.” He sighed and then turned to Jayden who looked like he was finishing a plateful. “I thought maybe you could come with me and then we could sort of hang out, but...”

  “Andrew, I would love to meet Randall. I was just starving, man. My body is five hours ahead of you guys,” he said with a laugh as he shoved the rest of his bacon in his mouth. “But trust me, I can eat more,” he said smiling, “and seriously we didn’t want to wake you guys.”

  “Oh my god! You guys looked so... adorable,” Callie said with her typical exuberance as she grabbed her phone. “Look!”

  “CALLIE! You took our picture?” Madison shrieked in surprise.

  “Oh, shhh, it was too sweet to pass up,” Callie said, showing Madison the picture.

  Madison smiled as she looked down. It was actually a very nice picture of her and Andrew. Madison had her cheek against his bare chest, her one hand was resting on his shoulder while her other was tucked between his ribs and the back of the couch. Andrew had one arm dangling off the couch while the other was completely entwined in her hair, his head was lulled to the right, and his hair was an exquisitely chaotic mess.

  “Send me that,” Madison said as she showed it to Andrew as well.

  Andrew shook his head and grinned, and then glanced at Jayden who just shrugged. Jayden never questioned Callie’s quirkiness just like she never questioned his. They were a perfect match for one another.

  “I’m gonna jump in the shower. We’ll leave in an hour, okay?”

  Jayden nodded and Andrew continued, “Adventure or chill?”

  Jayden laughed. “Adventure, of course.”

  “Then the subway it is,” Andrew chuckled as he headed to grab his things before showering.

  The subway station was almost directly in front of their complex, which was the one that Andrew liked to use. Andrew had quit riding his bike a month or so ago, finding it was generally quicker to walk or take the subway wherever he needed to go. Oddly enough, he felt very comfortable on the subways. He was never afraid or disgusted by the people he saw, because inherently, he knew that he could have easily been one of the homeless men or hustlers that littered the various stations had he chosen to come to New York instead of California. Jayden seemed at ease in the subways as well. If anything, he seemed fascinated with them. As the two reached their destination and came out onto the street, Randall saw Andrew immediately. He started walking towards him until he realized that there was someone else accompanying him. Randall stopped and abruptly turned, heading in another direction. Andrew sighed.

  “Wait here for a sec, okay?” Andrew asked Jayden who nodded.

  Andrew caught up to Randall and tapped his shoulder, effectively stopping him. “Randall, come on, man. He’s cool. He’s my friend from California, the one that I told you about.”

  Randall turned around and Andrew noticed that his lip was busted open and the left side of his face was somewhat swollen. Andrew’s brow furrowed and his expression became hard.

  “What the hell happened? Who did this to you?” Andrew seethed through clenched teeth.

  “Chill, Ass Kicker. Now, look, you got a friend here, you may be weird enough to like hanging with someone like me but normal people wouldn’t. I’ll catch you next week...” He started but Andrew shook his head with a look on his face that said this was happening. Randall sighed. “You’ve got to be the most stubborn white boy I’ve ever known.”

  “I’m the only white boy you know,” Andrew smirked.

  Randall smiled. “True dat, true dat.”

  Andrew chuckled slightly as he walked him over to meet Jayden, who had been leaning against the wall watching the entire exchange. Once introductions were made, the threesome went to the diner to eat. The wait staff smiled as Andrew walked in. They never questioned Randall being there anymore. Andrew was a good customer and always left a substantial tip, enough to compensate for their uneasiness at letting a dirty homeless man eat at their establis
hment without hassle. Breakfast itself was a spectacularly crazy event. Jayden and Randall hit it off immediately. By the time they had finished and they had seen him off, all three had laughed so hard that their sides hurt.

  “I like him, Andrew,” Jayden said as he watched Randall cross the street.

  “Me too.”

  “So how long’s your appointment?”

  Andrew scoffed. “Five, ten minutes tops.”

  “Cool, so what adventure is in store for us?” Jayden asked as he bobbed his head and took in the neighborhood.

  Andrew tapped his shoulder. “Let’s do this thing I gotta do and then we’ll explore this crazy city.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me!”

  ~*~

  By midday, the girls had texted the boys indicating that they would meet them later as they were going to go out shopping. True to her word, Madison took Callie all over the place. She was like a little child in a candy store. Everything was still very festive as the Christmas decorations remained up pretty much everywhere. After hitting some of the ridiculously expensive stores so that Callie could see some of the dresses from the magazines she bought, she wanted to go to a particular place and wouldn’t take no for an answer. Madison had laughed at her but did not deny her friend’s wish. By the time they had exited the subway station at Herald and 34th, Callie screamed, drawing attention their way.

  “Oh my god, Madison, there it is!” Callie said, bouncing in place as she dug her phone out to take pictures of the famous store.

  “Jesus, Callie, what the heck?” Madison whisper shouted to her friend. “There is a Macy's every damn place, even Bakersfield, I might add.”

  Callie turned to her and arched her brow. “This one is special and you know it,” she said placing her hand on her hip.

  Madison snickered and nodded. “Okay, okay, just, ya know, don’t be screaming and drawing attention to us, you’re gonna get us mugged,” Madison moved her bags to one hand and took Callie’s hand in the other.

  Callie giggled and immediately started leading her to the store. It was an odd experience for Madison being with Callie. Callie’s optimism and enthusiasm for life was infectious. It was as if she was in this bubble of light in a sea of darkness, like one of those fantasy movies where the fairy touches something dying and it springs back to life. Madison noticed that anyone they came in contact with was better for it. Callie was just that good.