is my friend, but she needs to see that you two are serious or she won’t back off. I hate how she hurt Madden in the past and I want more than anything for him to be with someone who won’t hurt him that way. Madden is a good guy. I’d like to see him happy. Ever since Alana decided they’re not over, she makes it hard for him to move on. Maybe this year will be different. With you here, I’d say we’re off to a good start, so please don’t pay any attention to her when she’s rude.” She smiles. “Let’s go join the others, shall we? I’m sure Madden will be back soon.”
“Wait.” I take a sip of my drink, keeping my eyes on Alana’s room. “Which room is ours?”
She offers an apologetic smile and nods toward the door right next to the room I want to be far away from. “Sorry, sweets. Jake refuses to give up the master, so unfortunately, you’ll be right next door to Alana. But don’t worry. Things will be fine. Come on.”
When we walk outside the first thing my eyes land on is Madden carrying the suitcases with his guitar case draped over his shoulder. His face is void of any emotion as he walks past us and into the cabin.
Not knowing what to say or do, I follow Jess back to the fire, feeling uneasy. Even though everyone is trying to make conversation with me, I can’t keep my eyes from looking at the cabin, waiting for Madden to walk out.
It’s only been five minutes, but I’m feeling a little overprotective of him at the moment, worried that Alana is getting to him.
“…here he comes!” His friend Jake throws his arms up as Madden steps outside. “Hurry up, dude! The party doesn’t start without you and you know it.”
A small smile forms on Madden’s lips as he slips his arm around my waist and brushes his lips against my neck. The gesture causes my heart to do a little jump inside my chest. “Hope you’re ready,” he whispers. “It’s going to be a long six days.”
“Awe. Aren’t you just so fucking sweet, rock star. Stop making me look bad, dick.”
He laughs into my ear and grips my waist tighter as Jake teases him. His grip on my waist has me tilting back my drink, needing some liquid courage to get through this night. “I see Jess got you a drink,” he whispers next to my ear. “What is it?”
Before I’m able to answer him, he wraps his hand around mine and pulls the cup to his mouth to take a drink.
The fact that he makes sure to place his lips right where mine just were causes my heart to speed up for some strange reason.
He clearly did that on purpose for his friends, yet it still excites me. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to his brother being a germaphobe and never sharing anything like that with me, which makes no sense.
“Want me to get you one?” I ask, my heart racing as he leans in to take another drink. The way he’s looking at me over the cup has me swallowing to moisten my dry mouth. “We don’t have to share. I’m sure it’s weird for you…”
“It isn’t,” he says immediately. “I don’t have a problem sharing, or placing my lips where yours have been. I’m not my brother, Nat.”
His comment has me clearing my throat and taking a step back. It suddenly feels as if we’re standing too close and I need some space to breathe.
He’s not his brother.
He’s nothing like him.
Being here is going to show me just how different they truly are, which makes me nervous. I don’t know why that is, but it does.
I can feel Madden stiffen beside me at the sight of Alana making her way over to join us by the fire pit. Everyone quietens down as she pulls up a chair, takes a seat, and brings her cup to her lips. “Let’s not all stare at once,” she mumbles. “Someone pass me the marshmallows.”
Seth grabs the large bag and tosses it to Alana. “Roast one for me too, babe, will ya?”
“Yup, might as well.” She’s speaking to Seth, but her gaze is clearly set on Madden. “Anyone else want one? We all know how much you love S’mores and how I make them for you.”
“Nope, but I think I’ll make one for Natalie,” Madden says stiffly. “Jake, toss me the other