The Fallout | ✓

17 - all over again

Q U I N C E Y

"So you work with that asshole?" Maddox asks as he dips his chicken nugget into the nearly clean bowl of ketchup.

I sigh, my hand resting on my cheek as I stare at him from across the table, "You can't be mean to people and call them assholes when the defend themselves. Rollo's nice guy, decent colleague."

"Oh, so now you're into nice guys?" His eyes darken and his voice is mocking.

I scowl at him, "What's that supposed to mean Maddox?"

He leans in closer, wiping the ketchup from the corner of his mouth with his tongue. I never thought I would be so turned on by something so stupid but I am, and I hate it when it's him who's causing it right after taunting me.

"I can be nice," His eyes are laser-focused on me like I'm the only person standing under the spotlight in a dark room packed with people. "I can treat you like a gentleman," His thick fingers barely graze my hand, leaving a path of shivers running all the way down my spine, "And call you a good girl."

I slap his hand and stand up. I am embarrassed, breathless and ridiculously aroused by every little thing Maddox does. Just because we kissed an hour ago in the front yard of his sister's house doesn't mean I've erased the memories of the sorrow he caused in his departure. It doesn't mean we're anything more than friends.

It's not like Maddox is going to stay anyway.

My phone rings in my overalls pocket and I'm grateful for the excuse to leave. "I'll just take this and wait for you outside, "I don't bother looking at his face nor do I wait for him to reply.

I scurry toward the door as my heart rate spikes up. It's like I can't think straight when I'm with this man and the minute I'm no longer under his spell I scold myself for it and promise to do better. Only to go back to the starting point again.

I check my phone once I'm in the safe confidence of my car. Kenzie's voice blooms through the Bluetooth speakers and over my chaotic thoughts.

"ʼWin, you comin' tonight right?"

"I'll try. No promises, mom and dad might kidnap me if I try to leave early though."

She giggles, "Dont mind as long as you sneak over some of your papa's baked goods."

"I'm sure hell make a patch just for you. I don't need to use my sneaking tactics. Anyway—"

I jolt when Maddox appears beside me and his giant arms fill in the open window frame. His very close presence intoxicates me and makes me blank of words and when he cocks his head to the side and smiles, the zoo in my tummy erupts.

"Sneaking tactics? What for?"

"You're with a man!" Kenzie squeals so loud I cringe harder than I feel sorry for her. "Who's that? What's his name? Did you finally have sex?!"

I end the call in mortification, covering my flushed face and groaning through my hands. The back of my head hits the headrest whilst Maddox emits laughter at my humiliation.

I've done so many wrongs in my life, but putting Kenzie on speaker takes the cake by far.

"You still with that chick? Can't believe she hasn't changed a bit."

"Shut up and go sit down before I drive off the nearest cliff."

He snorts and I try to level down on my anxiety in the time it takes him to round the car and sit in the passenger seat.

"Want me to drive?"

I shake my head, getting rid of every thought and start the drive, feeling his eyes on the side of my face for the remainder of the ride to my parents house.

"We're meeting your parents on the first date, too soon don't you think?"

I turn off the car and swipe out the keys as I grumble, "Shut up Maddox."

I steal a glance at him once I hope out and realize he's staring at me with that stupid smile that still has the effect to make my heart go mush. It's like I'm a teenager all over again. Hanging out with the boy who lives on danger and nothing more. I'm hanging by a thread between his fingers and he doesn't even realize it.

Just the way he didn't realize the pain I've endured when he left through the first exsit without as much as a glance back.

Dad is already in the garage, tools thrown on the floor. Maddox eyes are on dad's car, and if this were to be an anime, his eyes would've had sparkles in them by now.

"What's this?" He breathes out, his chest rising and falling.

Dad stands up and nears me, his arms involve me in a hug, "Hi sweetblum."

"Hi dad," I whisper back and let my head fall on his chest. I could feel the smile hidden by his beard when he speaks to Maddox, his tone teasing, "Thought you knew all about those," Dad smirks with mischief.

Maddox is still speechless, his gaze remains planted on the vintage dark blue car dad inherented from his Pa. It's been sitting in the garage since grandpa passed away three years ago, and dad had tried everything he could to fix it and bring it back to life with no avail. Maddox stares at it like it's the furthest thing from some junk that's lived for too many years.

His lips curve at the side and its like he just found where he belongs. It makes goosebumps travel through my body knowing he's happy.

"I sure do," His dark eyes meet mine, more sincere than ever before and I have to stop myself from going over there and kissing him all over again.

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I'm probably jinxing myself by saying this but I'll say it anyway.

Im finally starting to enjoy writing this story again and omg am I so grateful. It probably has something to do with the stress from school that makes my creative juices squeeze out.

Thanks for reading, hope to see you in the next one :)

lots of love and confetti,
—faith

SUN - 6:40 AM
Oc15, 2023