Beneath

25 WELCOME TO THE MADDIE SHOW!

NOAH

It's cold these days.

In the gleam of our apartment kitchen, I'm plating dinner. Mac and cheese. It's comfort food as November rolls in, frosting the glass of the balcony doors.

Jed hasn't stopped talking about Mick. "Celestially hot," he says, using those words as if they're everyday vocabulary. I can't help but crack a smile at the infatuation, even as I focus on arranging the plates.

Fox is on a stool beside him, gaze fixed on his hands resting open on the island. His hoodie dark grey like the skin under his eyes.

I transfer warm plates full of orange cheesy goodness to the kitchen island for them. Jed grabs the plate like a gremlin, spooning a heaping bite into his mouth. Fox takes his fork, but won't eat.

The buzz slices through the air.

Jed pushes to his feet, padding over to the intercom, pressing the button. "Yes?"

"Hey. It's...It's me."

Fox's whole body tightens, a coil ready to snap.

Jed glances back at us. Fox clears his throat, a slight nod barely visible.

"I do not want to see you but Fox has granted your visit," Jed says into the intercom, stepping back.

Jed sits back down, eating another forkful of mac and cheese.

Every muscle in my body is on alert. I'm trying, really trying, to tamp down the resentment for Fox's sake.

The knock comes softly. Fox stands, a deep breath in, and walks toward it, rolling his shoulders.

I'm not good at pleasantries, so best I keep my mouth shut.

Maddie steps in wearing a pink sweater, long blonde hair falling over her shoulders. The first thing she does is pull Fox into a kiss.

Jed grimaces but doesn't stop shoveling mac and cheese into his mouth.

Fox pulls back, a soft, "Maddie, no," escaping him.

Maddie's eyes flick to mine, then she looks away. Yeah, I bet I'm not too happy looking right now.

"Can we talk?" she whispers to Fox.

He nods, gesturing to the hall, around the corner where his room is. She takes his arm as they disappear.

Jed, scraping his plate, looks at me. "The universe does not align with this."

No fucking shit.

Jed makes it through two more plates of food before a door slams down the hall. Maddie stalks out with a red face, aiming for the door. She turns to flip us off before swinging the door open and leaving in a huff.

Fox doesn't come out the rest of the evening.

.....

That night, I lay down with damp hair, the glowing stars on my ceiling a small comfort only because Cam likes them. If only because they've shone on her smile.

When the clock hits 10:00 PM, I know her shift at Fire Base is over. At 10:45 PM, I imagine she's home, probably hopping up on the kitchen counter after her shower, maybe with a protein bar. I wish I had her here so I could cook for her.

My nightstand phone softly beeps at 10:51 PM. I pluck it from the receiver and press the speaker button, resting it on my chest.

"Hey," Cam's voice whispers through. "I have to be quiet, Maddie's sleeping on the couch." She pauses. "She went to your place, didn't she."