“What?”
“Yeah, the other day because they want me to stay. Jaxwantedme to stay.”
She bit her lip like she was trying to hold back a torrent of tears.
“That is unbelievably sweet.”
“But now stupid Abby is back.” She grabbed a tissue from her pocket and dabbed her eyes. “He proposed to her like a few weeks ago, and I know he still loves her.”
I pushed her hair off her cheek. “He’s out there right now, searching the property for you.”
And the tear gate opened. “That’s because this was a rebound like you said and he probably wants to make sure I didn’t end it all over him. I have to go. I can’t mess with the universe’s plan.”
“Plans change, Madison.”
More tears and blubbering. “But she’s better than me. She’s prettier than me, right?”
I looked at the little bit of snot on her nose. “At this moment?”
That was it, the rest of the damn broke, and I watched my sister fall apart as I pulled her close to hug her. “Did you sleep here?”
“Yes, but I snuck back to the house before the sun came up to brush my teeth and grab my shit.” She sniffled. “Let’s go before he finds us here.”
Sigh. “Madison, I have to say something, and you won’t hear this again, so listen closely.” I sat up, and she followed. “I think I was wrong about the whole rebound thing.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t think so. You know everything about men.”
“Correct, I know everything about men.” I took her hand. “But I don’t know shit about relationships. I choose to cut a man loose whenever there’s a theretherebecause that’s just how I’m made. But that’s not you.”
“What?”
“I hate to say it, but there are times when my greatest accomplishment should be keeping my trap shut.”
“Nope, you were right about this. I gave my heart away, and now I’ll never be the same.” More sobbing.
“Madison, stop it.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. There was only one thing to do, and before I knew it, the crack of me slapping her across the face rang through the little she-shed. Her mouth fell open in shock, and suddenly I got slapped back. A second later, we were both rolling on the mattress, laughing uncontrollably. Our stomachs were in stitches.
“You are such a bitch.” She laugh-snorted.
“Love you too, Madison.” I sat up. “I’m texting Austin that we’ll be at Jax’s house in an hour. Hopefully, the hand mark on your face will disappear by then.”
“But I’m afraid?—"
“Don’t be afraid. He’s crazy about you, Madison. Trust me on this.” My stomach growled. “But before anything, my hangover is demanding food.”
A grin slid across her lips. “I have the perfect she-shed breakfast for you right here.” She threw her arm over my shoulder. “Are you familiar with SpaghettiOs?”
* * *
We climbed up the porch steps to Jax’s front door, by which time Madison had bitten her bottom lip raw. “Zoey?—”
“Madison, breathe. Are you crazy about him?”
Her eyes smiled. “Yes.”
“So, relax, see what he has to say, okay?”
