The Fallout | ✓

38 - end goal

M A D D O X

I was afraid I was going to make it disappear from the way I was staring at it.

I looked up at Hazel's face as she reached to wipe the tear that had escaped her eyes, "It's—"

"Moms." My voice sounded dead to my own ears, a whisper of words that felt hard to let out.

Hazel nodded, her face filling with a soft smile, "Yes, she'd want you to have it, to give it to your special someone, which, just saying better be Quincey."

"It is Quincey," I felt the way my throat dried as I stared down at the golden ring that belonged to Mom and before that my Nana.

"I gave Ian Dad's on our sixth anniversary before he proposed. And no, this isn't my pressuring you to propose to Quincey this is me reminding you that you have to get your shit together before putting a ring on that girl. Quinn deserves the world and if you don't give it to her, any man with a brain would, understand?"

I pursed my lips, nodding despite the lump that was lodged in my throat, "Whenever I do, do you... do you think she'll say yes?"

"Stop being an insecure bitch, she's a smart girl, she wouldn't waste all that time being with you if she didn't know that you're her end goal."

I stared at my sister, "You think so?"

"I know so little bro— ew you never heard me say that. Anyway, shoo off, this cutsie conversation comes to an end."

I looked over my shoulder once I made it to the door, "Thanks Haze, for giving me the push I needed."

"It's my pleasure to throw you off the cliff Max, and don't think I forgot about your little runaway stunt, send those deets via email, I don't have the will to hold my pee in any longer."

*   *   *

We sat at the picnic table in the backyard. November air danced by as we ate our fills of cheesecake after dinner.

Ian had already finished and was attempting to read the instructions book about how to assemble the little swing they bought for their yet-to-be-born child. It was totally unnecessary to put it up when it was suitable for at least a two year old not a newborn that's yet to enter the world.

Hazel's back was to us as she watched him, her back leaning on the wooden picnic table and the plate of cheesecake sitting on the surface of her belly that acted as a multipurpose table.

Quincey's head was inclined on my bicep as she watched with quiet interest, her arm wrapped around mine as she licked her spoon clean.

"I can't wait to meet your niece," She whispered, "You're going to be an uncle Mads, how does that feel?"

"Normal," I replied slicing a bite of her cheesecake before swallowing. She slapped my thigh playfully and I replied with an amused smile that she mushed her lips against.

"I love you," She muttered and I pecked her nose, staring into the forest green of her eyes that I found heaven inside.

"Love you too Q."

The doorbell rang and Ian looked over his shoulder, leaving the instruction book on the ground on his way to the front yard, "I'll get it, it's probably just Gael."

"You invited your brother over?" Hazel's face pinched in annoyance.

"No, he invited himself over. I'm sorry—do you—"

She shook her head taking his hand and squeezing it in assurance, "Nah, it's fine, I'm just not in the mood for his attitude."

Ian brushed the back of his neck, "I'll ask him to behave."

Once Ian was away I leaned over the table and looked at my sister, "What's up with his brother?"

She sighed, "Nothing really other than sometimes he can't keep his mouth shut. He's a pompous ass if I'm being honest too but don't let Ian know I said that, he'll be ups— Shit, I need the bathroom," We watched her as she lifted herself before disappearing inside.

I met Quinn's eyes, "Do women seriously need to pee this much?"

"Yes Mads, now please help me with the dis—"

Q U I N C E Y

"Hey," We both turned to face the door.

I've never met Ian's brother even though I kind of knew him since he was almost a celebrity due to his career and he worked in the same industry as my brother so he wasn't a stranger to my family but if the total opposite could apply to anyone, it definitely does to him and Ian.

Gael Madden had double the weight of his brother, darker eyes and features, and if Ian was anything Gael looked to be the exact opposite of it. Except for their height.

A woman walked by his side with medium-length brown hair and amber eyes. Esther Diaz, I think it is, was his girlfriend of two years. I once liked a picture of hers on Instagram and ever since the algorithm kept her on my Explore page.

"Hi," She smiled at me and I stood up forcing Maddox up with me.

"Hey, I'm Quincey, this is—"

"Her soon-to-be husband. I'm Maddox."

I looked him in the eyes and couldn't help the grin that contoured itself on my face.

*   *   *

Somehow, ten minutes after meeting the new guests we ended up sitting on the porch drinking and chatting as the tension slowly dissipated and Hazel guarded us and caged Gael with her glares almost every time he opened his mouth.

It was getting late by the time we decided to head out, I could barely even read the time on my phone from how much my head spun in place and my vision blurred, and since Gael was the one who drank the least, Hazel forced him to drop us home on his way to the hotel he and his girlfriend were staying at.

Surprisingly he didn't argue with Haze over it and the four of us ended up sitting in his SUV, me and Esther yelling to the music she'd blasted on.

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Guys ik the meeting with Gael was short but I'm going to end it there cause I can't for the love of God not make that scene awkward or write normal introductions that aren't boring.

Anyway, the rest of this chapter after Maddox and haze'd interaction isn't my fav but I can't find it in me to rewrite it.

Thank you for going through this rough one, hopefully, the one after it will be better

Lots of love and confetti,
—faith

12:22 PM THU
Dec7th, 2023