“I understand that, baby, really, I do,” he tucked a loose hair behind her ear, “but if I can’t contribute anything, then I feel less than a man and it has nothing to do with those assholes in New York. It felt good working at Sonny’s, knowing I would have a little check every two weeks, that I could buy you flowers or pick up dinner sometimes. But there isn’t anything out here. I’ve tried,” he said flustered.
“Then we make our own way. We figure something out,” she paused and then smiled. “Ya know, you and Jay should do something together. Didn’t you say he worked on bikes for fun? You like doing that. Maybe you two should start your own business. I’m sure his dads would loan you guys the startup capital,” Madison suggested.
Andrew grinned widely. He had been so lost in his despair that he never thought of anything else. He also never thought of having his own business, but working with Jayden was a promising prospect. They always had a blast when they messed with the bikes, and having worked at an auto body shop he now had a bit of an idea about what worked and didn’t work.
“See, baby, we can always figure something out, when we do it together,” she said with a smile as she could see the wheels of possibility spinning in his head.
“I love you, Madison. I’m sorry I left the way that I did,” he whispered as he pulled her up to kiss her once more.
“Don’t ever leave me again. I mean it, Andrew. The next time, I won’t stay away no matter what Olivia says. I will come find you and probably kick your ass,” she said the last part with a slight smile.
He looked at her curiously. “Olivia told you to stay away from me.”
She nodded. “She said to quit calling and to give you space to figure stuff out.”
He sighed. “I was pretty messed up when they got to the shelter. In her defense, she did try to reason with me about you but I was set on my course. I think they were afraid I might use again if I got too depressed, so they were doing whatever I asked. I put everyone in a bad position, especially Jayden.” He closed his eyes. “I know he and Callie were fighting a lot because of me.”
“Yeah, I know, Callie called me every day, she felt that he was putting his friendship with you above their love for each other.” Her eyes saddened as she remembered Callie crying on numerous occasions. “But they love each other and I am sure they are okay.”
“Yeah,” Andrew agreed.
“Were you really thinking about using?” she choked out, remembering him telling her he would never do that again.
“The first few days after I left were really difficult. To be honest, if Aaron and Olivia hadn’t come for me, I don’t know how long I would have been able to hold on. I had already given up. I didn’t care anymore,” he said sadly.
“That must have been hard. I’m so proud of you,” she said as she kissed his chest lightly.
“Aaron and Olivia probably saved my life,” he said with a heavy sigh.
They were quiet for a bit, absorbing everything and thinking about what life was like for the other. Andrew had accepted that his leaving was not the smartest thing he had ever done, but he functioned on the thought that she was better off without him. Knowing that she was worse broke his heart even more. He truly had been selfish. Madison looked up at him with a smile, tracing her fingers over his furrowed brows, causing him to smile. She shifted off of him and he immediately missed her absence.
“Where are you going?” he asked, reaching to pull her back to him.
Madison grinned as she reached down to her shoes, quickly untying them. She kicked her pants off and brought her shirt up and over her head, discarding her bra as well. His lips parted as a gentle breath escaped, enraptured with her always stunning beauty. Coming between his legs she spread his knees and smirked down at him, running her hands along his thighs before pulling his jeans and boxers off. His tongue darted out across his lips as he positioned his hands behind his head, watching her with rapt fascination.
“We belong together, Andrew,” Madison said as she straddled his hips.
“Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever did,” he sat up, just as she came down on him.
“I couldn’t take it if you left again.” Tears began to fall down her face.
“I’m so sorry.” He swiped his thumb under her eyes to catch her tears. “I’ll never leave you again, I promise.” He kissed her lightly on the lips.
She nodded, unable to express the emotions she was feeling. “I love you so much,” she said in a gasp.
“More than my own life, Madison. You’re everything to me,” he said right before their lips crashed against each other.
Andrew shifted them so that his back was against the seat and he could hold her easily as she started to move slowly against him. Their mouths and bodies danced in a synchrony that only two in love could do, they were together, and they were home. They were no longer making love but cherishing and honoring each other, knowing that they would never part, knowing that the pain they felt away from each other would never take hold of them again.
23 Moving Forward
Olivia got to the house and could hear the album Madison had sent playing in Andrew’s room. Madison had kept true to her word and didn’t call or write him, the one exception being the CD she sent almost two months ago. Olivia had been tempted on many occasions to call Madison and tell her she was sorry for what she had said in New York, that Andrew needed her and to get to California as quick as she possibly could, but she didn’t do that. Instead, she sat back, helpless as Andrew drifted further and further away from everyone. She walked to her room and changed out of her scrubs before stopping at Andrew’s door.
“Andrew, how was your day...” Her voice trailed off when she realized he wasn’t there.
She frowned, she was sure she had seen his bike outside. He usually left a note if he was with Jayden as he knew she had a tendency to worry about him. Wanting something to drink, she went in the kitchen only to stop in her tracks when she saw a sandwich sitting on the countertop. Finding that somewhat odd, she looked out her kitchen window to see if maybe he had stepped outside to smoke. Not seeing him, she walked into the living room, looking around to see if anything was out of place, but it wasn’t. With a frown, Olivia sat down and began to panic a little, deciding to check with Jayden, who had become a regular fixture at their home.
“Hey, Mrs. Montgomery, how’s it going?” Jayden greeted cheerily.
“Jayden, is Andrew there? I have a question for him,” Olivia asked, trying to mask her concern.
“Oh, umm, well, he isn’t here. I was actually getting ready to swing by. He didn’t say he was going anywhere,” Jayden mused more to himself than her.
“Oh, I’m sure he’s fine, his motorcycle is here so he probably went for a walk around the block,” Olivia said with a laugh. She didn’t want to worry him unnecessarily.
“Alright, I will pick him up on my way over there,” Jayden said, with a chuckle, that he hoped came off as fun versus nervous, which was what he was.
Jayden hung up and looked around the room for a moment before heading outside and jumping into his truck. He knew something was up and he had an idea who might know what. He and Callie had gone head to head over the past several months. She had not been happy with his decision to follow Andrew’s wishes related to Madison. In fact, things had actually blown up six weeks ago after Madison had sent the album to Andrew.
“You knew about that, didn’t you?” Jayden said louder than he should have.
“Yes, I told her to do it,” Callie answered nonchalantly.
“Why on earth would you do that? Do you have any idea what that did to him?”
“I don’t care,” she said, flipping to the next page of her magazine.
“You don’t care? How could you say that? I...I don’t know what to say right now,” Jayden stuttered.
Jayden was flabbergasted by her attitude. He couldn’t believe that she didn’t care about their friend and how he was hurting right now. Andrew had been a mess when he g
ot that CD. Callie suddenly slapped the magazine on the table and looked up at him with fire in her eyes. She was angry and Callie never ever got angry. She rose and poked him in the chest. Jayden stepped back, startled.
“How about you say, ‘I’m sorry I abandoned one friend for another’, how about you say, ‘I’m sorry I gave up on love to cater to the needs of one at the expense of the other’,” she pushed him back hard and made him stumble a little, “What about Madison? She’s out there, alone, with no one, no support, no love, NOTHING, while Andrew has everyone surrounding him. And don’t get me wrong, I love Andrew as well but I’m fighting here, Jayden. I’m fighting for him, for her, for love, and well, I’m sorry if you don’t think that’s worth fighting for,” she finished pushing him completely out of the way as she walked out the door.
Jayden sighed as he pulled up to the mall. They didn’t talk for a few days after that incident, and when they did, Callie vehemently stated that she would not give up on Andrew and Madison. She firmly believed that they belonged together, and she wouldn’t turn her back on that endeavor, or on Madison. Jayden understood where she was coming from and they reached an understanding about things, and as a result, he started sharing more information with her. She had been right and he felt horrible that he couldn’t offer more support for Madison, but he needed to focus on Andrew. He knew, however, that Callie spoke with Madison every day and that their relationship was growing stronger. He really hoped that she was helping her because he didn’t feel as if he was helping Andrew at all. He took a deep breath before turning the ignition off.
Jayden despised the mall, but unfortunately he loved a woman who loved the mall so he spent more time there than any man should. Jayden walked to Sephora and could hear Callie talking with someone about the perfect shade of blue to bring out her eyes. He smiled as he leaned against the counter. Callie worked as a beauty consultant and was damn good at it. She had an innate ability to know what colors would work the best for anyone. While she still enjoyed dressing in exaggerated fashion, her hair and makeup were always perfect. When Callie was done, the woman she was helping gave her a tight hug before exiting the store. Callie turned and saw Jayden standing there, smiling at her.
“I thought you were hanging with Andrew today?” she said, walking up to him and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
Jayden arched his brow at her. “He isn’t home.”
Callie paused as recognition set in, to which she squealed and bounced up and down.
“I knew it. She’s here, isn’t she?” Jayden asked with a small smile.
She nodded excitedly as she wrapped her arms around his neck, unable to mask her obvious excitement about this new development.
“How long have you kept this from me?” Jayden asked, leaning his head back slightly so he could look at her.
“A while, she quit her job three weeks ago. We have been planning this for a month now. She couldn’t stay away. She needs to be here. This is where she belongs!” Callie said with purpose.
“I see,” he replied, running his thumb over her lips.
“Are you angry at me?” she asked cautiously. “I really don’t want to fight about this.”
“I’m not angry. I just hope Andrew is willing to listen to her.”
She smiled. “He will, I know it!” She kissed him lightly on the lips. “He loves her, and when you are with the one you love, there isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for them. He will see reason, how can he not?”
“I love you, Callie Mitchell,” Jayden whispered to her.
“I love you too, Jayden Bennett,” she said, nuzzling against him.
Jayden hoped for the best with Andrew and Madison because he did believe, as Callie did, that they belonged together. As much as he belonged with Callie, and it was then that he truly realized just how important Callie was in his life and how little she asked of him. She had always been understanding, always patient with him and at that moment he knew that he needed to stop being selfish and focus on her and what she wanted and needed, not superficially, but innately. It was time for him to man up. She was his everything, as much as Madison was Andrew’s. The situation with their friends emphasized just how quickly things could change; how life could make things complicated and that sometimes love couldn’t always stop the onslaught. He would no longer be complacent or allow his past to interfere with his future. This was his moment; their moment and he would seize it.
“Can you leave early?” Jayden asked, kissing her softly.
“I don’t know, probably, why?”
“Because my parents are still at work and I want to start something,” he nuzzled against her cheek, kissing along her ear.
Callie laughed. “And what do you want to start?” she teased, knowing just what he wanted to do while his parents were at work.
He kissed her again before whispering, “A family.”
~*~
Olivia sat on her couch, nervously waiting for Andrew or Jayden to come over. When she heard a car pull up, she was a little surprised. But what surprised her even more was seeing Andrew walk inside the house, Madison’s hand in his, and a huge smile plastered on his face. Both were caught up in each other and hadn’t noticed her until she stood.
“Madison,” Olivia said with a smile.
“I’m sorry, Olivia. I tried...” Madison started to explain but Olivia shook her head.
“No, Madison, I’m the one who’s sorry. I thought I was helping, but...” Her eyes searched the floor for a way to make it right with Madison.
Madison watched the pain on Olivia’s face. She had long forgiven her for what happened in New York. Madison couldn’t hold a grudge against someone who loved Andrew so much. And after what Andrew said earlier, she loved her even more. That must have been extremely difficult to do. Madison had inherently known that there had to be a reason for her telling her to back off, now she knew it had been out of fear.
“I understand,” Madison hugged her, “and it’s okay.”
Olivia sighed and nodded as tears streaked her cheeks. “Thank you, Madison. So I take it you two have talked?” Olivia asked, looking between the two of them.
“Madison’s staying in California. I’m going to stay with her at her grans, if that’s okay?” Andrew asked, not wanting to upset her by leaving.
“You are an adult, son. I want you happy,” she reached up and touched his face, “and this smile is the best thing I have seen in months.”
Andrew let go of Madison’s hand and hugged his aunt. “Thank you.”
“Well, go pack your things. We can discuss the details later.” She glanced at Madison. “I am sure your grans will be excited to have you back.”
“I can’t wait to see her,” Madison exclaimed, full of excitement. She had come to see Andrew before going to see her grans.
Andrew looked at Madison and smiled before kissing her lightly on the forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
Madison nodded and watched him walk back to his bedroom. As Andrew entered his room, he flipped the CD off and packed it neatly. As he had done last September, he packed all his valuables in his duffle bag and backpack. He would be starting a new life with Madison. He had to trust that her plan would work because the alternative was not a viable option for him. He couldn’t be away from her. He learned that very quickly. He knew that a small part of him died a little bit each day that they were apart. He wouldn’t go through that again.
“You ready?” he asked, walking back into the living room.
“Yep, is that everything?”
He nodded and kissed his aunt on the cheek and took Madison’s hand in his. They walked outside and drove the short distance to her grandmother’s trailer.
“Are you sure your grans is okay with me staying here?” Andrew asked as they pulled into the driveway.
“Of course, I asked her a few weeks ago.”
“I will get our things together while you see her,” he said with a smile.
Madison was only half listeni
ng as she nodded her head, her eyes fixed on the front door. She bit her lip and exited her vehicle, running to the door as she had often done as a young child. She knocked quickly and then swung the door open, finding her grans in her chair. She looked up at Madison with a smile that rivaled the sun. Madison immediately felt tears stream down her cheeks as she ran to her, hugging her tightly.
“I love you so much, Grans.”
“I love you, too, sweet child,” Grans said, her hands on each of Madison’s cheeks. “Is this for good?”
Madison smiled and nodded. “This is home.” She glanced towards the door where Andrew was carrying their bags inside. “I belong here.” She turned back to her grans. “Everyone I love is here. I’ll never leave again.”
“Well, that’s good to hear,” she said with a smile before turning to Andrew. “Andrew, I know that in the past I asked you to leave early but that won’t be necessary.”
“Are you sure? I can...”
“No, Andrew, I want you here with my granddaughter. I think you two have spent enough time apart, don’t you?” she asked with an eyebrow arch.
He smiled. “Yes, ma’am, way too much time.”
He couldn’t stop smiling as he walked to Madison’s room, their room, and set the bags down. Madison came in mere minutes after. She sat on the bed and patted the mattress next to her. He smirked as he sat down beside her. She leaned against him as his arm went around her shoulders, pulling her close.
“I’ll always be here for you, Andrew.”
They turned to each other. Both were feeling the intensity of the moment. Neither felt that they coped well without the other by their side. They were intricately connected, now and forever. He brought his hand to cup her cheek and she leaned into it, her eyes closing.
“I’m sorry that I pulled away from us, from you, but know that I’m yours, forever,” he said sincerely.
Helios Exposed (The Helios Chronicles Book 2) Page 23
