One Temptation

First and Last (Chapter 41)

Madison's POV

The sun peaked behind the curtains, I sat up feeling the warmth of Gran Lizzy's house for one last time. 

The past week here had been amazing, so much had changed, but now it was time to leave, and I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it.

I threw on a hoodie, stuffing the last few pieces of clothing into my bag as Lia popped her head into the room.

"We're almost packed. Gran's making breakfast," she said with a soft smile.

I smiled back. "I'll be down in a minute."

My mind was racing, though. Things had shifted so much during this week—especially with West.

We'd gotten closer, really close. Then he'd pushed me away. Hated him for four days straight, telling myself it was better that way. But now, things had settled. Maybe too much. I wasn't sure where that left us.

With a sigh, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs, to the rest of the group gathered around the kitchen. Gran Lizzy waved me over as soon as she saw me, her smile as warm as ever.

"Madison, you better eat," she said, handing me a plate stacked with food.

I couldn't help but grin as I sat at the table, West's eyes catching mine from across the room. He had that familiar smirk.

My heart skipped, but I pushed the thought aside, focusing on breakfast.

Once everyone had eaten and the car was packed, it was time to say goodbye. 

Gran Lizzy stood at the door, hugging each of us tightly as we prepared to leave. When she got to me, she gave me an extra-long squeeze.

"Madison," she said softly, "you've grown a lot these past few days. Don't forget to follow your heart, sweetheart. It'll take you where you need to go."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words settle in my chest. It's almost like she knew everything that happened between me and West.

"Thank you, Gran," I whispered, giving her one last hug before turning toward the cars.

The others were already sorting out the car situation, packing up their things. 

Lia was about to hop into Cole's car when I saw West, standing by his car, leaning against it casually.

"You ready?" he asked, his voice low, eyes fixed on me.

I blinked. "I thought it was you me and Em?"

West shrugged, his lips tugging into a small smirk. "Jake doesn't want to get trapped in the sexual tension of the couple." he narrowed his eyes at Jake, who was in fact arguing with the three of them.

Em shot me a apologetic look, but it was more of a smirk, "Jake's dragging me with him, looks like its you and Kaleb taking his car back."

"I can go with Lia and Cole if you want." I volunteered, though my heart leaned more towards going with West.

Lia, catching on, raised her brows and shot me a quick glance. "No, no, you go with Kaleb." she smirked at me.

I hesitated, looking from her to West. His gaze was steady, almost challenging me to say no. But I didn't. I couldn't.

"Okay I'll go with West. You guys have fun in that now crazy car," I teased.

Lia gave me a knowing smirk, and within minutes, everyone else had piled into Cole's car, leaving West and me alone.