Rescuing Madison (Book 1)

Chapter Fifteen

Madison's POV

I had started to get an obsession with checking my phone for texts. I was so worried that I was going to get another creepy text from that unknown number. I was pretty sure I knew who it was, but I really didn't want to think about that. He had gotten way too close for comfort more than once, & it was freaking me out. I didn't tell Jackson how scared I was. I didn't need him worrying more than he already was. It wasn't fair to him. I mean, I'm sure he already knew that I was scared. But, I wasn't going to outright tell him.

I also started having nightmares more than usual. Jackson was there for every single one of them, though. I hated putting him through that. He made me feel safe, though. Being in his arms always calmed me down. We slept together every night, & I loved knowing he was so close. I didn't think I would be able to sleep alone again after this was over.

I had gotten used to being around Kolten now too. I never felt nervous around him anymore. He was like the brother I never had. I felt safe around him also. He was busy a lot lately. & I knew it had to do with the girl he liked. He was constantly worrying about her. He had told me about her, & how he suspected that she was being abused at home.

I felt so bad for her. I knew, to an extent, how it was to be abused. It wasn't by someone in my family who was supposed to love me, though. It was by a complete creep. But, I didn't want her to be hurt. He had showed me a picture of them that he had taken on their date, & I thought she was really pretty.

I shook off my thoughts as I heard someone coming in the front door. I came out of the bedroom, & I saw Jackson with his arms full of grocery bags. I laughed & ran over to him, grabbing a few bags from him.

"You couldn't have taken more than one trip?"

"No way. That's a waste of time. & That's a lot of stairs to go up & down."

"Of course." I laughed & helped him put all the food away. When we were done, we went & sat in the living room. He kept fidgeting & wringing his hands. After it went on for a few minutes, & started to give me anxiety, I had finally had enough.

"What is wrong with you, Jackson?"

He looked up at me, surprised. "There's nothing wrong. I'm just supposed to ask you something."

"& What is that?"

"Dominic is throwing a big party tonight at his friend's house. Kolt is going & they invited us. I wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable going or not."

I felt anxiety creeping up just from thinking about being around a bunch of people. "I don't know.."

"I think it'd be fun for us to go." He grabbed my hand. "I wouldn't leave your side for one second. I'll be right next to you the whole time."

I looked up at him, & I knew how badly he wanted to go. I felt bad that he was too worried about me to have fun for himself. He deserved to have fun with his brothers. Just suck it up & go. It couldn't be too bad with him by my side the whole time, could it? I just nodded at him & I knew I had the right answer when he grinned.

"Great. Do you want to change? I can take you home if you want."

"That's fine."

Jackson's phone started ringing, & he pulled it out of his pocket to answer it.

"Hello?" There was a pause & then he started laughing. "Yes, Madison's coming. Okay, we'll see you there. Bye."

"Was that Kolten?" I asked.

"Yes. He wanted to make sure you're coming."

"Of course. It won't be a real party unless I'm there." I joked.

"You got that right." he smiled at me.

"Let's get this over with." I said, rolling my eyes.

***

4 hours later, I was dressed in almost the same thing I was wearing before. Jeans & a t-shirt. I wasn't going to dress uncomfortably in a dress or skirt just for some party. I was looking at my phone again when Jackson walked in.

"Madison. You need to stop worrying over your phone. If he's going to text you, it won't matter whether you're looking at your phone or not." he told me, taking my phone from me, & putting it on my bed. "Come see what I got you."

I knew he was right, so I followed him into my kitchen. But, I didn't see anything that wasn't there before. "What did you get me?"

"Close your eyes."

I laughed. "Alright."

I heard him open my fridge or my freezer.
"Okay, you can look now."

I opened my eyes, & saw that my freezer was completely full of different flavors of ice cream. I burst into laughter.

"Oh my gosh, Jackson! This is great!"

"I figured you needed some more." he laughed.

"I'm definitely set for awhile now." We laughed together for a few more minutes before either of us could properly talk.

"Are you ready to go?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."

He put his hands on my cheeks. "If it gets to be too much for you, just let me know, & I promise we'll leave. Okay?"

"Alright."

"I mean it."

"I know, I know." I said, rolling my eyes.

He pulled me in close & gave me an earth shattering kiss. I felt it through-out my whole body. I would never get used to Jackson kissing me. Each one felt as good as the first one had. We pulled apart & smiled at each other. The words 'I love you' almost came out again, but I bit my tongue to stop myself from saying it. Instead I started talking about something else.

"Is there a certain reason Dominic is having a party?"

"Not that I know of. I think he just had some time off of work, & wanted to get together with his friends."

"Well, I guess that's a good enough reason."

We walked outside to his car, & headed to the party. Please let us have fun.