Rome & Julie

Chapter 28

HEY GUYS! Another chapter up!  This one's shorter than most, but definitely not the most boring.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me know what you think! Hearing from my readers is the hightlight of my day!  Also, it's rated R because an F bomb was dropped in this one.  You'll understand why after reading.  Trust me.

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My hands were shaking visibly on the steering wheel.  My heart beat wildly in my chest, and my stomach was performing Olympic-worthy backflips.  I tried to focus on the classical music flowing gently from the expensive speakers inside Rome’s Lexus, but my thoughts were spinning hectically.

Had Elizabeth Madden called up a group of men to beat up her own son?

I couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea.  I’d grown up with the Maddens my entire life.  Rome’s mother hadn’t always been so vindictive, controlling, and downright insane.  The Elizabeth Madden I knew five years ago was still bent on getting her way, but not to go as far as hurting her own son.  She loved Rome, that much I knew.  He was an only child, and although she did hold him high on a pedestal and expect perfection out of him, she still loved him like a mother should.

So what explanation could be made from this?

Before I knew what was happening, tears were streaming down my face, and sobs were erupting from my chest.  I was glad no one else was in the car to witness my embarrassing break down.  Flashes of Rome’s battered skin would materialize in my mind, which made controlling my tears considerably more difficult.

Maggie had been extremely confused when I’d torn out of my room the minute Rome was asleep.  I had grabbed some boots and my jacket, and ignored the endless questions Maggie was firing at me.  I told her to keep an eye on Rome, and that I’d be back before they went to bed.  Then I was gone.  Into Rome’s car, driving away, blinded by my confusion and fury.

By the time I’d pulled up to the Maddens’ estate, I was a bit more controlled with my emotions.  I took a few steadying breaths, decided I couldn’t wait any longer, and ripped myself from Rome’s car.  I ran up to the front door, and beat on it a few hundred times before the butler greeted me with a smile.  The smile faded quickly upon taking in my expression.

He opened his mouth to speak, but I tore past him, going to the living room area where I was sure Mrs. Madden would be, working on her laptop while her husband watched basketball on their pristine 70 inch flat screen.  And sure enough, when I swept in through the grand archway, there Rome’s parents were, exactly as I’d predicted.

“Julie?” Mrs. Madden was the first to notice me, and I’m pretty sure it was my labored breathing that had given it away.  Seeing her only made it worse.  “What in God’s name are you doing here?” She asked, standing up from the couch.  Mr. Madden had paused the television, and turned to stare at me.  I’m sure I was quite a site.

“You…,” I started, my heavy breaths getting the better of me.  “Are such a bitch.”  Watching Elizabeth Madden’s mouth drop open in shock was a bit satisfying, for it was something she’d always labeled as ‘rude’ and ‘quite disgusting.’

“Pardon?” She asked incredulously after she’d gathered herself together and shut her gaping mouth.

“I didn’t stutter.  Bitch,” I growled, moving further into the room.  I must’ve looked pretty damn intimidating because she backed up a step.  My gaze twitched towards Mr. Madden, who was watching with wide eyes.  Immediately I wondered if he knew what his witch of a wife had done.  “I’m sorry, Rome couldn’t make it.  It seemed that he was beat up tonight as he was leaving work.”  I swallowed roughly, fighting down the tears.  Mr. Madden stood up swiftly and made his way over to me, concern written all over his features.  So he didn’t know.