Masquerade

by Nyrae Dawn

  We’ve slept together twice, and yet it’s always been as if nothing happened right afterward. Not this time.

  There’s nothing more intimate than a kiss . . .

  I shake my head at that, not willing to let myself think of it or what it would mean for Maddox and I.

  I’ve spent way too much time thinking about him—I mean it—already.

  A client left a few minutes ago and there’s not much going on here. I play around online, looking up some of my favorite font sites, always looking for something new and different that I can use.

  When the shop phone rings, I revert from stressing about Maddox to being a horrible daughter and checking the number to make sure it’s not my mom before I pick it up. It’s a number I don’t recognize, so I grab the phone. “Masquerade.”

  “Bee? This is Laney. Maddox’s sister.” Her words are dragged out, her speech a little slow. My heart rate makes up for it, though, suddenly speeding.

  “Yeah. What’s up? Is Maddox okay?”

  She giggles at that, relieving some of the stress and making me think she’s really drunk or something. “Worried about Maddox are you?” She giggles again before adding, “I’m sorry. I don’t handle pain meds very well.”

  There goes my rapid beating heart again, though I’m not sure why.

  “It’s cool. Is everything okay?” I ask her.

  “Yeah, I think so. They said I could go home, so I’m assuming.”

  “Who said you could go home?”

  “The hospital, silly.”

  Oh yeah. This girl is on something good. “Are you looking for your brother, Laney?”

  She sighs. “Yeah. We got into a fight today and he’s going to feel guilty now. Not that he wouldn’t have felt guilty before, but ’specially since I got into a car accident. I’m fine, though. Just a little neck pain and a hurt wrist.”

  Worry takes me over, though for some reason it’s not about Laney. She said she’s fine and I believe her, but I hear what she’s saying too. I’ve seen how Maddox is with her and if they got in a fight and then she got into an accident, he’s going to be pissed at himself.

  “Maddox isn’t here,” I tell her.

  “Shit . . . Adrian’s phone is broken. We haven’t gotten him a new one yet. He’s going to feel guilty too. What’s with these boys we love feeling like everything’s their fault? The world isn’t their responsibility.”

  I don’t call her on the fact that I don’t love Maddox. I’m not even sure how much I like him, but what I do know is what we have doesn’t belong in the same sentence with her and Adrian. I’ve seen them together once and I know that.

  “I was hoping Maddox was at the shop. He’s going to freak if I don’t tell him. I tried his phone, but I think he turned it off.”

  “He texted earlier that he wasn’t coming in today. I know he works this evening, though I’m not sure if he’s in already or not.” He almost lost it when she got a tattoo; this is going to make him go through the roof. Why? I can’t help but wonder. I mean, I get it—she’s his sister and he loves her—but why is he so protective of her?

  “Well, thanks anyway. I need to try and get a hold of Cheyenne or maybe Colt. Even if my car was running, not like I can drive right now.” She giggles again.

  “I could . . . I could come and get you if you want?” I feel strangely nervous as I ask, but the girl doesn’t deserve to sit around in the hospital trying to get a hold of her friends. Not when I’m sitting right here doing nothing. Something also tells me it will be easier on Maddox to see her at home rather than at the hospital. Ugh. This should have nothing to do with him.

  “Really? You don’t mind? I hate hospitals. Maddy and I, we’ve spent a lot of time in them with our mom.”

  Why? What’s wrong with her? “Yeah, sure. No problem. I’ll be there in a few minutes, okay?”

  “Thanks, Bee. I appreciate it.” She pauses. “He looks at you different, you know? The fact that he looks at you at all says something.”

  Everything inside me begins shutting down. Don’t do that. Don’t tell me that. Instead I laugh it off. “You tell them to lay off those pain meds, okay? You’re not making any sense.” After hanging up the phone, I shut everything down in Masquerade, lock the door, and head straight to the hospital.

  The whole way there, I consider stopping by Lunar to tell Maddox what happened. Unsure if it’s the right thing to do or not, I steer clear. I don’t think busting into his work to tell him the only person in the world he cares about is in the hospital is smart. It would be different if she wasn’t okay, but they’re sending her home, so she has to be.

  When I get to the emergency room, I realize something very important. I don’t know her last name. Which means I don’t know Maddox’s last name either. That’s strange, right? I’ve slept with this guy twice and I work with him almost every day, but I don’t even know his last name?

  “I’m looking for Laney,” I tell the ER registration clerk.

  “Laney . . .?”

  “Actually it’s Delaney. She goes by Laney.”

  She waits for more.

  “Dark hair, gray eyes, and she got into a car accident. Does her last name really matter? She called me to pick her up. How would I know she’s here if she didn’t call?”

  Her lips purse and I can tell she doesn’t like my attitude. Not that I blame her.

  “What’s your name?”

  “Bee.” Ha. I don’t have a last name either. At least not one I’m giving her.

  “I’ll be right back.”

  She leaves, I’m assuming to go ask Laney if the tatted up bitch outside is really here for her. A minute later, the sliding doors open and she leads me to one of the curtained rooms.

  When I slip inside, Laney’s sitting in a wheelchair with a neck brace on, a wrap around her wrist, and a big bruise on the side of her head. My heart does this tumble-and-drop thing before trying to work its way back up from my feet. Oh yeah, Maddox is going to flip.

  “It’s fine. They want me to wear this for whiplash. I’m seriously okay.”

  “Your brother’s not going to think so.”

  “Neither is my boyfriend. I’m surrounded by brokenly noble men. You get used to it after a while.”

  I let out a little laugh. “I’m not really the kind of girl who gets used to something like that.”

  There’s a small smirk on her face that says she doesn’t believe me.

  The nurse comes in then and goes over Laney’s discharge instructions with her. Pain meds, appointment with her doc the next day, and rest. The nurse looks at me. “So she’s okay? Just wear that stuff and check in with her doctor? There’s nothing else we need to know?”

  She shakes her head. “If the pain increases, come back, but she’s fine. Just a little banged up. I doubt she’ll even have to keep wearing the neck brace. Her X-rays looked good.”

  I nod and the nurse leads us out. She helps Laney get into my car and then we’re on our way. Laney begins giving me directions to her apartment; then she gets quiet.

  “He’s a good guy, ya know,” she says after a few minutes. There’s no question about who she’s talking about.

  “I know.”

  “He cares too much sometimes, but he doesn’t know how to show it. He keeps it locked in.”

  I can see that too . . . “Why are you telling me this?”

  She’s stiff in the passenger seat and I can’t tell if it’s because of my question or her injuries.

  “I’m not sure. I thought you should know, I guess. He’s not the easiest person to get to know. He’s my brother and he’s been my best friend my whole life and he still won’t really let me know him.”

  The sadness in her voice, her words, works its way inside me, making me feel heavy. And maybe slightly alone. “He’s lucky to have someone like you who cares about him so much.”

  The same way I have people who love me? People I lock out the same way Maddox does with his sister? Then again, love doesn’t always make sen
se. Look at Rex and Melody. It made them steal me.

  “I’d do anything for him and I think it’s pretty obvious he would do anything for me too.”

  “You don’t need him in the same way you used to.” I’m not sure where the words came from but as soon as they leave my mouth, I know they’re true.

  “I leaned on him more than I should have. I asked a lot of him where our mom is concerned and that was hard on him. But . . . meeting Adrian? I grew up a bit after that. I know how to be strong on my own and if I need help, I have Adrian there. He supports me instead of taking over the way Maddox does. We’re stronger together than either of us ever were alone. I want that for Maddy one day.” She pauses for a second. “He’s my brother. I’ll always need him. Still, things aren’t the same now.”

  I nod but don’t reply. This isn’t a conversation I am going to get into with her. When she opens her mouth to say something, her cell phone rings. “I’m okay, Maddy,” she says instead of hello. She pauses while he says something. “I only have a few bumps and bruises. I’m already on my way home. Bee is taking me.”

  I can’t help but wonder what he has to say about that.

  “You don’t have to come . . . chill out, okay? I’m not in the mood.”

  He says something else and then she replies with, “See you in a few minutes.” Laney groans. “That went well.”

  I can’t help but laugh and think she’s pretty cool.

  “You had to have an upstairs apartment?” I tease as I help Laney up the stairs.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know why my body feels so stiff. I’m going to kick Adrian’s ass for his phone. I feel bad you have to help.”

  “Nah, no worries. I’m only giving you a hard time.”

  As we turn the corner, I hear muffled voices ahead of us. Down the hall, Adrian stands next to an open door, laughing with Colt. As if he senses her, he turns around, his eyes landing right on Laney. Even from thirty feet away, I see the fear flash in his face and then he’s here, wrapping his arms around her.

  “Christ, Laney. What the fuck happened, baby? Are you okay?”

  “Shhh. I’m fine. I accidentally rear-ended someone, but everything’s good.”

  He doesn’t seem convinced. His dark eyes are wide, lost. He runs a hand through her hair, down her back, her arms, as though he’s trying to make sure she’s really there.

  “It’s okay, Adrian. I’m good. I promise.” Still, there are tears in her eyes. Not from pain, I can tell.

  Adrian wipes them with his thumbs. “Come here, Little Ghost,” he whispers in her ear, and then lifts her into his arms. Colt and Cheyenne have come out of their apartment or maybe Adrian and Laney’s. I’m not sure, but my question is answered when Adrian doesn’t go to the same door. He’s carrying her away, Colt and Cheyenne right next to him, all of them asking her what happened.

  I turn, realizing my job is done. I’m not going to interfere with the four friends. The only thing I needed to do was get her home, which I did.

  “Bee. Don’t go. Come with us.” Laney’s looking over Adrian’s shoulder and then he turns.

  “Shit. I’m sorry. Yeah, come on.”

  The need to walk away tugs at my feet; then Laney adds, “Please?”

  “Yeah, come on. Someone has to help us calm these knuckleheads down. They’ll be freaking out over her all night,” Cheyenne laughs.

  A ball of awkward energy forms in my stomach as I step toward them. I follow the foursome to Adrian and Laney’s apartment. As soon as we get in, Adrian carries her right back to her room.

  “I’m thinking he’s going to want to strip her bare and make sure she’s okay all over.” Colt grins and Cheyenne smacks his arm. “What? It’s what I’d do to you, Tiny Dancer.”

  And there goes that feeling to run again.

  He gets closer to her and lowers his voice, but I still hear him when he says, “In fact, I think I’ll do it anyway. You know, just to be fucking safe and all.”

  “Oh my God—”

  “Where is she?” Maddox cuts Cheyenne off as he pushes into the apartment.

  “She’s in her room with Adrian. She’s okay, Scratch.”

  He ignores me and heads for the hallway. The bedroom door is open so I know they’re not really doing what Colt said. Automatically, I follow him. Colt and Cheyenne must be just as worried because they’re coming too.

  “I’m fine,” Laney stresses as Maddox turns into the room. She’s sitting up on the bed, Adrian kneeling in front of her with a hand on her hip.

  “What happened?”

  “I accidentally hit someone.”

  “Shit,” Adrian mumbles at the same time Maddox asks, “Is it your brakes? Christ, Laney. I told you to get those checked.”

  At that, Adrian pushes to his feet. “You need to back the fuck off right now. She’s not a kid. The last thing she needs is you making her feel like shit about it.”

  Colt steps closer as I do the same, my breathing fast.

  “Fuck you,” Maddox tells him before moving closer to his sister. “Are you okay? What did the hospital say?”

  Adrian doesn’t stop there. He grabs Maddox’s arm. “You’re in my house, man, with my girl. I know she’s your sister, but I’m tired of dealing with this shit. You need to have a little bit of respect.”

  “The same respect you have for her by not making sure she’s driving around in a car with brakes that work?”

  Adrian’s face goes cold and hard at that. “I’ve dealt with a lot of shit from you, but don’t ever make it sound like I wouldn’t do any-fucking-thing to take care of her.”

  Colt gets closer, taking Adrian’s arm. “Both of you need to calm the fuck down.”

  Laney pushes to her feet and wobbles slightly. “I am so tired of dealing with this from both of you guys. I got into a fender bender! It’s not the end of the world.” She turns to Maddox. “I love you, Maddy, but Adrian’s right. You need to have more respect for him. I love him too. He’ll always be a part of my life. And he loves me. It’s not his job to take care of me . . . We take care of each other.”

  I’m surprised when Adrian looks Maddox in the face, his anger gone. “I get it. You know I fucking get what you’ve been through together. If anyone knows how much I love her, it’s you. She brought me back. She makes me become someone Ash would be proud of. I would take on the whole fucking world for her and you need to open your eyes and see that.”

  It’s as though all the air has been sucked out of the room. Everyone is deadly quiet. Even though I’m obviously the only person in the room who doesn’t know the history of that, even my own pulse pounds in my ears. What have they been through together? Who is Ash?

  I’m surprised when Maddox steps back and gives Adrian a small nod.

  “You’re okay?” he asks his sister.

  “Yeah, I’m fine. There’s nothing to worry about and Bee was great too. She came down, picked me up, and helped me get home.”

  Maddox turns and acknowledges me with the briefest glance before he gives her another nod.

  “Thanks for that. I owe you one,” Adrian tells me. I shake my head, all my attention on Maddox.

  “I’m gonna go. I’m supposed to go back to work. I’m glad you’re okay.” And then he looks at Adrian. In typical male fashion, they don’t speak, only nod at each other again.

  Instinct makes me follow Maddox out. He doesn’t say a word to me as he takes the stairs quickly. It’s not until we get to the parking lot that I speak. “Hey. Good to see you too.”

  “I gotta go,” is all he says. Then he gets onto his motorcycle and he’s gone, leaving me alone.

  No. He’s not leaving me; he has no responsibility to stay. I don’t want him to either. I need to start remembering that.

  I get into my car and head back to Masquerade. It’s more a home than my house is. It’s where I always go when I need to be reminded of who I am. Of Bee.

  I don’t turn on the OPEN sign and I lock the door behind me. There are new blinds I just
put on the glass door, so I close those too.

  Hours later, I’m still sitting in Masquerade, thinking about what went down at Laney’s house today and wondering all sorts of things that I usually don’t let myself get close enough to anyone to think about. I jump when a clap of thunder sounds. It’s dark outside, nothing but the sound of the sudden rain slapping against Masquerade and the ground and me.

  That’s when I hear it. That familiar rumble. And then I see the lights. Without looking through the blinds, I unlock and open the door. My breath catches in my throat when I see Maddox standing on the other side. His midnight hair flat against his head and rainwater pouring down him.

  In this moment, he’s sexier than he’s ever been. He’s beautiful.

  Chapter Fourteen

  ~Maddox~

  I rode around for hours, trying not to let myself think about much of anything, except thinking ended up to be all I did.

  Christ, Adrian is right. Who the fuck do I think I am? She’s my little sister and she has her shit together more than I do. She doesn’t need me. And him? If the fact that he’s with her at all doesn’t prove how much he loves her, nothing else will.

  I swore when it started raining that I was going home, yet here I am, standing in front of Masquerade—in front of Bee, the girl who took care of my sister.

  “Are you going to let me in?”

  Without a word, she steps aside and I walk in. I hear the door close and the lock click into place behind me. I’m soaking wet, a pool of water beneath me on the floor.

  “I think I have some towels in the back,” she tells me. When she walks by, I reach out and grab her wrist. It surprises me when she stops so easily.

  “You took care of my sister twice. The first time it was your job. The second time, you didn’t have to but you did. You closed your shop and you picked her up when I was being an asshole and ignoring her calls.”