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Chapter thirty-one

Maddox

L ast night, Colt’s sudden willingness to meet HexXdoll felt like a blow to my heart. Why does he want to meet her after he hooked up with me, Maddox, in real life? It doesn’t seem like he finds anything wrong with me when I am myself, so I don’t understand why he’s seeking another woman. Unless… I gasp.

What if he’s meeting HexXdoll to break things off with her in person? Or worse, what if he’s second-guessing his connection with Maddox and plans to test things out with HexXdoll? My mind spirals, and I can’t stop myself from panicking.

I check the group chat, but it’s silent. A groan slips past my lips as I thrash onto my other side, trying to get comfortable in bed. I need my friends to wake up so they see the SOS message I sent them.

Callie: What’s the SOS?

Sam: Checking in. What’s up, babe?

Maddox: Level-Up-Dom wants to meet HexXdoll.

Sam: Isn’t this a good thing so you can tell him the truth?

Maddox: But why does he suddenly want to meet HexXdoll after last night?

Callie: What happened last night?

Maddox: Colt showed up at my house, and we hooked up again.

Sam: What?!? Excuse me, and you waited until morning to tell us why?

Callie: How was it? Details, please.

Maddox: It was fucking amazing, but get this. How did he know where I live?

Sam: The fucking mafia, bitch, duh.

Maddox: That’s what I thought too, but no. This motherfucker… followed me home from the bar every Thursday night to wait for it…

Callie: Waiting on the edge of my seat.

Sam: Is it too early for popcorn?

Maddox: “Make sure I got home safe.”

Callie: Awww. That’s so romantic.

Sam: It’s pretty cute. You’re both a couple of stalkers.

Maddox: Not aww.

Maddox: Not cute.

Maddox: WTF is wrong with you guys. He was following me home.

Callie: But to keep you safe, boo.

Sam: Technically, what we did is probably worse than what he did.

Maddox: I do not want to talk about that. I know what WE did was worse.

Sam: Was it a ‘WE’ thing, babe?

Callie: Oh, WE definitely didn’t hook up with him twice.

Maddox: I hate you both.

Maddox: What am I supposed to do?

Maddox: How am I supposed to confess?

Sam: At this point, you show up and you probably don’t even have to say anything. He’s going to recognize you.

Callie: What she said.

Maddox: So let’s say we meet somewhere. What if he hates me?

Callie: Bitch, we have been over this. You’re capturing yourself a man. Full-on body—napping, if it comes to it.

Sam: He’s not going to hate you. Besides, you’re both kinky little stalkers.

Callie: If he can’t appreciate your love language matching his, then he’s not the man for you.

Maddox: You’re right. If he can stalk me and it’s socially acceptable, then he can deal with me doing it, too.

Sam: Yesss! Except, I don’t think it’s socially acceptable.

Callie: Ohhh bummer hummer, but he did it first, so all is fair, right?

Maddox: Hell yeah!

Sam: I’m agreeing for the sake of avoiding a menty-b.

Callie: It’s settled. You’re going to meet him and fall in love, then live happily ever after.

Sam: Do you want us to wait in a parking lot somewhere just in case it doesn’t go well?

Maddox: Would you?

Callie: For you, of course!

Sam: Just tell me when and where. I’ll bring a bat, so if he rejects you, we have something to beat his ass with.

Callie: Great idea.

Maddox: You guys are fucking terrifying.

Sam: Message him right now so you don’t chicken out.

Callie: Look at you calling our girl on her bullshit.

Maddox: Fine.

I stare at my ceiling for a solid five minutes, working up the courage to reply to his message. His words replay in my mind over and over. He wants me to pick where to meet, but nothing is coming to mind. I squeeze my eyes shut, imagining all the places I’ve been.

My phone dings, interrupting my thoughts. It’s the group chat.

Sam: Accountability check—it’s been fifteen minutes, you chicken.

Callie: What did he say?

Maddox: I can’t think of anywhere good to take him. He said to pick somewhere because he doesn’t get out much.

Sam: Why does he have to be such a hopeless romantic?

Callie: Swoon.

Maddox: Not helpful, you guys.

Sam: Sorry, not sorry.

Callie: Hmmm. Are you going to meet him tonight?

Maddox: I don’t know.

Sam: You should, so you don’t chicken out.

Callie: That’s a good call.

Maddox: It’ll be impossible to get dinner reservations anywhere. It’s a Saturday afternoon.

Callie: Don’t go to dinner.

Maddox: Why not?

Callie: Go for dessert.

Maddox: Dessert?

Sam: I love that idea.

Callie: But where?

Maddox: OMG!

Maddox: I know where to go. There’s a small local ice cream shop. Do you guys remember the one? It might hint at how we met twofold.

Sam: Yes! I love the double meaning. It’s perfect.

Callie: It’s definitely perfect.

Sam: Go message him. Tell him to meet you at 8:30.

Maddox: I need to look up reservations.

Callie: I’m already on it. They have an 8:30. I’ll just book it for you.

Maddox: No, you didn’t.

Sam: I guarantee you she did.

Callie: I definitely did. Confirmation screen shot incoming.

Maddox: I hate you.

Sam: No way out, chicken.

Callie: Trap your man, babe. We’ll be parked across the street if you need us.

Sam: Good luck.

Maddox: I’m going to need all the luck I can get.

I guess I have no choice. My friends have set another crazy plan into motion.