Trial And Error

Chapter Twenty-Two

Madison's POV

Madison stormed into the house, angrily tossing her purse onto the kitchen island. She collapsed onto a barstool, arms crossed tightly across her chest as she fumed. The tears she had shed in front of Kian had dried up the moment she got into her car.

"I'm guessing it didn't go well with Kian?" Olivia asked knowingly.

"She's so infuriating! She's having trouble adjusting to being home. But I could tell she wasn't being totally honest with me" Madison fumed 

"Are you sure? That seems reasonable after a deployment."

Madison shook her head adamantly. "I promise you she lied. I'm worried now because whatever the real issue is has to be big if she'd lie straight to my face"

"Maybe you two need more time apart then," Olivia suggested gently.

"We've already been doing that Liv."

"Yeah but it's clear she wants space, and I think it's only fair we do that. Plus, Lucas will be home soon if things get worse."

The brunette rubbed her face tiredly, "I hate fighting with her."

Olivia reached across the patting her hands, "Come on, we'll put on a movie and you can tell me all about it."

Madison and Olivia settled on the couch with a distracting movie, as she divulged into the incident. The distraction helped temper her initial flare of anger, though lingering frustration remained as she mentally replayed the heated arguments with Kian. Madison wondered why she cared so deeply. Of course, Kian was one of the most important people in her life. She'd do the same if it was Olivia struggling. But this situation pained Madison physically and mentally, knowing something was hurting Kian badly enough to push away those trying to help.

The what-ifs started to plagued her mind. What if she had pushed too hard? What if Kian didn't come back this time? They had never fought like this before, before this deployment their friendship was picture-perfect. Sure they had their differences but they had always reconciled a day after. She squeezed her eyes shut, willing those thoughts away.

She understood needing space, but leaving Kian to face her demons alone made her feel helpless and afraid. She couldn't stand the thought of losing Kian to whatever internal battle she was facing. Kian had become more than just a friend - Madison felt a deep desire to comfort and protect her that went beyond simple friendship.

These feelings confused the musician. Part of her felt like these emotions had always been there, simmering under the surface. Sure when they first became friends there was an initial emotional and physical attraction. The thought of romantic feelings had crossed the singer's mind occasionally throughout the years. But Madison never thought anything of it, she chalked it up to how close of friends they were, that it was natural. But it also left her wondering, how much deeper did they go? And was she ready to examine that closely yet?

Whatever these feelings for Kian are, Madison had to do something about her situation with Nathan. That night out had confirmed it - the electric chemistry they'd once shared was gone now. She tried again during their dates after the club. But, his touch hadn't thrilled her anymore. His gaze hadn't stirred that once-familiar flutter deep inside her chest. She realized that it was stupid of her to think that they could still make it work. That those dates had only wasted their time, that things had changed between her and Nathan in a way that couldn't be ignored.

As she sat with her thoughts, Olivia dozed off beside her. Madison watched her friend's chest rise and fall peacefully, and wished she could find the same calm. But her mind raced on, caught between the pain of her fight with Kian and the growing realization that her relationship with Nathan had run its course.