Chapter 7 Friends Shouldn’t…

What kind of a despicable person was he? Oh, she wanted nothing more than to squeeze and rearrange his insides.

Such a crooked bastard, not handsome in the least.

Grace's thoughts were her only comfort as her eyes had blurred with tears, she was crouched at the back of the club in an alleyway, crying.

She was sure that she was an ugly crier but she didn’t care as there was nobody here to look at her, she felt so vile as she remembered their hands on her skin and his mouth on her neck. She knew that this wouldn’t even be the least of her problems when she did get married to him.

He was right in a way, she was a debt. It’s not like she could call off the wedding, what would she do if he demanded her family pay back everything he spent? Their backs would be bent trying to pay, chemo alone wasn’t cheap. 

She wouldn’t dream of letting her family down that way, she couldn’t put them through that. She had no choice but to go through with the marriage as that thought alone made her cry even harder.

Grace didn’t know how long she had cried for but she had tired herself out, she was glad that Vance hadn’t come out after her as that would only make her look more pathetic but of course, he wasn’t the type of person to acknowledge his wrong or even run after someone.

She wiped her eyes, she was sure she looked like a zombie as she saw the black on her fingers and she knew she had mascara running down her cheeks, she clutched Maddox’s jacket close around herself, if only he were here with her.

Grace finally raised her head to look around her surroundings. It was a dark and lonely alley, save for two people humping each other many feet away from her.

She then realised how reckless she was, staying in such a shady place, “I should probably leave now.”

“You’re only just realising that now?”

Grace’s head immediately snapped to the side as she saw Maddox leaning against the stone wall of the alleyway with his hands in his jeans as he watched her. Had she somehow summoned him with her thoughts?

She stood up, sniffing, “How long have you been there?”

“Just moments ago...”

Grace gave an almost sarcastic scoff, “And you didn’t say anything? Couldn’t even offer comfort?!”

He just stared at her, she looked around then down at her boots before saying in a soft voice, “Can I hug you?”

He just opened his arms, “Come on.”

Grace didn’t hesitate as she walked into his arms, finally, she felt safe.

“How are you even here?” She tried to smile. “Stalker much?”

“I followed. I didn’t trust him.”

Grace laughed and choked back a sob, “You don’t trust anybody.”

Maddox just held her and said nothing. What he didn’t say was how pissed he was which was why he said little and took deep breaths to control himself. He wanted nothing more than to walk in there and smash Vance’s skull for whatever had happened. Because he was sure Grace hadn’t been at fault.

Just like he said, he had followed Grace when she left, made up an excuse to her parents of needing to work on his truck.

He was surprised and annoyed when they pulled up to a club, the bouncer was a guy he knew, he had fixed his car for him so he was allowed to enter the club.

Maddox followed Grace closely, but stopped when they got to the vip room, he stayed close by as he knew he couldn’t go in. But when he saw her bolting out of there, he immediately followed and when he saw her break down in tears he could immediately guess what had happened and it took everything in him not to barge in there and beat up Vance. 

So yes, he was something of a stalker. He just wanted her to be safe.

Maddox decided to just stand there and allow her to let it all out, because he didn’t have the solution or answer for her problems. It hurt. Seeing her break down and knowing he was too powerless to even do anything.

He walked her to his truck and helped her get in.

They both said nothing throughout the car ride. He pulled into the driveway and also helped her get out. The Ainsleys lived in a nice 2-bedroom home, it was a nice neighbourhood with simple people, who minded their business and also organised little activities here and there.

He knew her parents wouldn’t be coming back as Grant loved his wife so much that he always spent his time with her at the hospital whenever she was admitted. Most times he usually stayed with her during this period.

“Want something to eat?” He asked as he was hanging up the keys.

“No, I’m alright,” Grace said climbing up the stairs to her room.

“When have you ever refused food?” He asked looking up at her but she just smiled and went up saying she was going to shower.

Maddox made a sandwich and sat at the kitchen table, eating and scrolling through his phone, scrolling through picture after picture of Vance’s social media, noting the people he was close to.

He finished eating and put the plate in the sink and decided to go up to Grace as it had been quite a while and he hadn’t heard from her.

He got to her room, knocked once and entered, she was still in the shower as he could hear the water running. He walked to her bookshelf and slowly let his eyes roam over the atrocities that she had read.

He picked up one and let his eyes skim through its pages. “Weird.” He muttered, the creak of the door drawing his attention.

Steam was coming off her in waves and her skin had reddened from the heat.

He walked to the bed and opened the covers for her, she walked towards it and got into the bed, he took off his shoes and got into the bed too pulling the covers over them. She lay there with her back facing him and he in turn lay quiet and just stared at the ceiling.

Then he heard her crying softly, he finally moved and spun her around as he pulled her into his arms he felt her relax against him as he stroked her hair.

She sniffed, “You know, I don’t like it when we fight…” She wrapped her arms around his waist, “…you’re my best friend and I hate us arguing.”

“Me too. I’m sorry.” He said still stroking her hair.

A moment passed before he felt her stir against him. She lifted her head, and when her eyes met his, he froze. They were red-rimmed, swollen from crying—so much pain packed into one look that something inside him hurt.

He barely had time to react before she leaned up and pressed her mouth to his.

Grace was kissing him.

And God help him, he kissed her back.

He didn’t know how long it lasted, only that the world dropped away for a moment. But then reality and realisation came rushing back. Maddox broke the kiss and pulled away, scooting away from her warmth as guilt came with overwhelming speed.

“You shouldn’t” His voice came out rough. “We shouldn’t—“