As Fate Would Have It | ✓

chapter twenty

Song for the chapter: Birthday, by Selena Gomez

"Joey?" I say in shock.

"Happy birthday!" She squeals as she throws her arms around me and spins us around.

"Joey," I chuckle. "What are you doing here?"

"Mads, you smell like a dude." Joey pulls back and wrinkles her nose at me. "But did you really think I'd miss my big sisters birthday?"

She bends down and picks up a container before she shuts the door. I follow her to the kitchen as she puts it on the counter and reveals the cake on the inside that read happy birthday, m!

"How on earth did you get away with any of this?" I smile, looking at her.

"I told my dad I was going to a friends to study. They're gonna call and ask if I can spend the night, and because my dad is so passive, he'll agree and I'll get to stay here."

I was happy, I really was. But Ryker was also upstairs, and that wasn't going to end well.

"You're sure this is solid?"

"If he says no, I'll just have Dev come pick me back up and take me home. No worries," she smiles. "Now let's dance! It's your birthday!"

Joey presses on her phone and Birthday by Selena Gomez starts playing. I laugh; Joey is as straight as they come. But put her in a room alone with Selena? That girl would abandon everything she knows for her.

As Joey starts to dance her way towards me, I laugh at her ridiculous moves. Especially when she tries to twerk and fails.

"What was that?" I laugh.

"Don't hate cause you don't got my moves." Joey slaps her hip and grabs my hand. "Come on, it's your birthday. What are we doing?"

I shake my head. "I wasn't planning on doing much, really."

Joey's brows raise. "And Ryker? What about him?"

"What about him?"

"Aren't you guys going out for your birthday?"

"It's just a day I turn a year older. Now I'm twenty-four. What's the big deal?"

"Are you out of your mind?" Joey scoffs. "Your birthday is important. And it gives you a reason to party." She winks. "Is he busy or something?"

"Who cares about Ryker when I have my sister around," I poke her shoulder, making her narrow her eyes.

"Does he even know, Maddi?"

"Uh, maybe?"

"You didn't tell him!"

"It never came up." I try to defend.

"Yeah right. That dude is obsessed with you."

I furrow my brows. "How would you know? You only met him the once."

She twists her lips. "You only need to meet the guy once to know he's totally obsessed with you."

I laugh. "Don't be ridiculous."

"Don't be naive." She retorts.

I smile, as does she. Then I extend my arms out and she steps into them, giving me a proper hug.

"I miss you, Mads." She says to me.

"I miss you, too, Jo."

She leans against the counter, crossing her arms. "No sad, depressing court talk tonight. It's your birthday and it deserves to be celebrated to the fullest! Let's cut some cake and watch Sixteen Candles."