I Bet On Losing Dogs ✩ Madison Beer

08. freeway

☆ Jade ☆

"Kind of?" I shrugged and shoved my way through the wall of protective brothers — minus Nick though, he was enjoying the show with a pickle in his hand. Why? I don't even know.

"Kind of?" Matt repeated with his arms crossed, squinting his eyes with Chris by his side as they followed me into the kitchen. I reached for a drink in the fridge and rolled my eyes.

"Maybe, maybe not. Who knows? You don't have to protect me all the time, I know what I'm doing, guys." I responded to them with a stern tone that made Chris falter a little bit Matt remained the same — a stoic look on his face.

"Doesn't matter. Madison of all people?" He questioned and I let out another sigh do frustration.

"Listen, Madison is perfectly fine. This is my choice, my life. If I want your help, I'll ask but I didn't so stay out of it when it doesn't concern you." I snapped as I snatched my drink off the table, leaving to my room with a slam of my door.

I collapsed down on my bed as my phone started ringing. An annoyed groan left my lips as I aggressively reached for it. "What?" I answered harshly.

"Woah, princess. Already hate me, huh?" I relaxed a little when I heard Madison's voice echo through my ears. I let out a visible sigh. "Hey, you okay? Something wrong?"

"Meet at my house in 10 please." I said, it wasn't more of a question but really as a demand. It didn't mean to come out like that but I just needed her to know I wanted her here.

"Yes ma'am, heading over now." She hung up after saying those words. I stood from my bed as I grabbed a backpack. I stuffed a few items of clothes inside, grabbing a few personal things. Normal stuff I would use to stay the night perhaps.

I went into my bathroom and grabbed a toothbrush and a few other things. Carefully yanking my phone charger out from under my loose blankets, I grabbed my bag and left my room.

On my way out, I saw Matt in the kitchen by himself, everyone else scattered throughout the house. "Where you going?" He asked with an apple in his mouth.

"Out." I grabbed a bag of chips from the cabinet, hearing Matt sigh from behind me.

"I'm sorry, Jade. I really am." He whispered. I looked at him, my eyes softening as I walked towards him.

"I know." I mumbled back, wrapping my arms around him to pull him in for a small hug. The doorbell rang and I pulled away from him, ruffling his hair. "I'm just staying at a friend's, okay? Don't worry." I assured him, watching him smile a little and nod.

I opened the door, placing my hand on Madison's chest and pushing her away before she said anything. I closed the door immediately behind me as I walked out. "What's-" Madison's sentence was cut off when I kept pushing her until we approached her car in the driveway. "What's going on, Jade?"

"Can we just go?" I looked into her eyes, they softened and a reluctant nod came from the girl in front of me. "Thank you." She opened the passengers door for me before getting in on her side when I was settled.

We drove in silence for the rest of the time all the way back to her house. She lived a little further away than I expected — we were currently on the highway approaching an empty road with dirt paths on either side of the street.