Last To Know

24

"Here," Sadie handed me a bowl of soup, "you have to eat something."

I shook my head, burrowing further under the covers of her bed. "I'm not hungry."

"You haven't eaten in two days. Please," she lifted the spoon, "you're worrying me." Her brow wrinkled and her lips turned down in a frown.

"I'll try," I conceded, only because I felt bad for worrying her. I sat up, the blankets pooling at my waist. She tried to feed me, but I glared. "I can do it myself."

"Okay." She handed me the bowl and spoon. "It's homemade chicken noodle soup."

I knew Sadie didn't make it, so that meant—"Did you tell your mom?"

She smiled sheepishly. "I kind of had too. She wanted to know why you were shut up in my room crying all the time."

"Have I really been that bad?" I asked, blowing on the hot soup.

She gave me a look like are you kidding me? "Yeah, it's been bad."

I winced. "I'm sorry."

The past two days had been hell. I missed Maddox more than I could describe. My heart ached for him. I'd never experienced a pain like this before—one that seemed to rip apart your insides leaving them raw.

My feelings were all over the place.

I loved him.

I hated him.

I missed him.

It was all so stupid and I was beyond angry.

I couldn't believe that he'd kept something like this a secret from me. If he really loved me like he said he did, he would've told me, right?

Sadie frowned, looking away. Her posture told me she was about to say something I wasn't going to like. She glanced back at me, her forehead wrinkled. "Can't you forgive him?"

I leveled her with a glare.

"He seems really hurt and sorry for keeping it a secret," she looked at me sadly. "Your mom said he's been stopping by several times a day to see you."

"And that's further proof as to why I should stay here," I frowned. "He lied to me, Sadie. About something big too. This wasn't like he told me he took the trash out and he didn't. This is...I mean, he's famous."

"So?" she shrugged. "He loves you."

I was tempted to throw the hot soup at her. "What happened to you? You were as mad as me," I hissed. "Besides, love doesn't fix everything."

"Well," she smiled sheepishly, "I talked to him. And Ezra too. They were at your house when I went to pick up your clothes. Not that you've changed." She wrinkled her nose and pointed at the dirty pajamas I was wearing.

"I'm wallowing and I'll wear what I want," I huffed. "This room is a no judgment zone."

"I think you're forgetting that this is my room, and therefore I can boss you around. Finish eating," she patted my leg, "then shower and change, please. I'm sick of seeing you so sad and maybe a shower will liven you up a bit."

I hated to tell her, but nothing was ever going to make me feel better.

"Yeah, sure." I agreed.

"I'll be back in fifteen minutes," she warned, eyeing me as she headed towards the door, "and if you're not in the shower I'll drag you there."

"I hear you," I grumbled. I paused, tilting my head. "I think maybe I should just go home."