I dreamt I was walking through the desert, the sun beating down on me. I was hot. Too hot. I twisted, aware I was dreaming and trying to wake myself up. But as I turned, I met a hard surface.
My lids flew open, eyes meeting green ones so rich they reminded me of the forest. Nash grinned. “Morning.”
I blinked a few times. “W-what?”
He chuckled, the sound sweeping over my skin in a pleasant shiver. “You got soused on pain meds. That’s probably why things are a little fuzzy.”
I frantically searched my memories, trying to put the pieces together. We’d picked up burgers after the doctor’s office. Then came home and ate. I’d showered and gotten into pajamas, Nash had handed me those potent little pills, and then we’d laid on my bed.
A faint memory scratched at my brain—a tongue-loosened admission. “I missed you.”
I guessed if that was all I’d said, I should consider myself lucky. It could’ve been so much worse.
“You stayed?” I said it like a question, but the answer was obvious.
Nash’s brows pulled together. “Where else would I be?”
My mouth went dry, and my eyes burned. Just that simple question made me want to cry—burst into tears and never stop.
“Thanks for staying,” I said quietly.
He pressed his lips to my forehead. “Of course. I missed your snores. I sleep better with them.”
“I don’t snore.”
Nash chuckled. “They’re cute.”
“Whatever,” I huffed. “At least I don’t talk in my sleep.”
“It was one time,” he shot back.
“One time that you were so loud you woke yourself up. I had to put up with your weird mutterings the rest of the time.”
Nash used to talk about the most bizarre stuff. Like whether zombies might invade or if there was life on Mars.
“You’re a little liar,” he quipped.
“Whatever makes you feel better…”
My phone dinged on my nightstand, and I reached out to snag it. As I scanned the text message, my good mood vanished.
ADAM
I’ve had enough of your little games, Madison. Don’t make me come find you…
I felt the blood drain from my face, and Nash instantly reached for my cell. “What the hell? Has this creep been texting you?”
His gaze roamed over the text history. There were only three other messages. None were outright threats, but I could read between the lines. Nash cut his gaze to me. “Did you text him back?”
“You know I didn’t.”
He could see that right on the screen.
“Why haven’t you blocked him?” Nash demanded.
That was a great question, and one with a difficult answer to explain.
“Mads?” he pushed.
I twisted the sheet between my fingers. “If I let the texts come through, then I at least know where his head is at. How mad he is. If he’s still looking for me. I can be prepared.”
Nash’s expression softened. “It’s a defense.”
I nodded. “It was always better if I knew what was coming. If I could try to defuse it before things got too bad. That didn’t always work, but sometimes, it did.”
A muscle fluttered in Nash’s cheek. “I get that. I hate it, but I get it.” He studied me for a moment. “Are you going back to Atlanta? Back to him?”
I jerked. “No.”
“Good,” he gritted out. “Then you don’t need to know where the asshole’s head is at because he’s out of your life. You don’t have to worry about him at all.”
My ribs tightened as panic grabbed hold. “It’s not that simple. I need to know where he is or what he might be planning. It’s safer if I know.” It was the same reason I religiously checked his social media.
Nash’s expression gentled as he lowered my phone to the mattress. “The first thing we tell victims of abuse is to remove any way for their abuser to contact them. Any reaction will only encourage him. If his emails bounce back, and his calls don’t connect, we could defuse the situation, and you would truly be free.”
Blood pulsed in my ears as my palms dampened. Was it really that easy? One setting change, and he would be gone?
Nash’s hand covered mine. “Please, Maddie. Trust me. I’ve seen this kind of thing before. This is our best option if you don’t want to file a report or get a restraining order.”
I pulled my hand from his and picked up my phone. Tapping on Adam’s contact, I hit the block option and then held it out to Nash.
He took the device and then squeezed my hand. “You did the right thing. You’ll start to feel lighter now that you don’t have to worry about hearing from him.”
I thought about how I was always in a state of bracing—waiting for the phone to ding or Adam to show up around any corner. Sometimes, he’d wait outside my workout class or show up at the coffee shop, saying that he just wanted to surprise me. But it never felt like a happy surprise. It seemed like I was under surveillance.
I shuddered. “Will you erase the text chain and his number from my phone? I don’t want to even see his name again.”
Nash studied me for a moment. “Do you have your texts in a cloud account anywhere? Just in case we ever need a record.”
My hands fisted in the blankets, but I nodded.
“Then I will delete these with pleasure.” Nash’s fingers flew over the screen of my phone and then stilled. “Does he have you on Find My Friends or any tracking apps like that?”
A chill skittered down my spine. I could still hear Adam’s voice in my head. “Don’t even think of fucking around on me. I know exactly where you go.” I shook my head, trying to clear it. “I kicked him off Find My Friends when I left.”
“Good. Do you mind if I look through your apps and settings really quick to make sure there’s nothing else he might’ve used?”
“Sure.” It wasn’t like I had state secrets in there.
Nash scrolled through the device, tapping here and there. After a few minutes, he handed it back to me. “You should be good. I don’t think there’s anything else on there.”
Because Adam had been so sure I’d never defy him. He’d trained me that way. The thought pissed me off. All I wanted was to finally be free of that kind of control. That kind of fear. To stop walking on eggshells every moment, just waiting for the snap.
“Mads?”
I lifted my gaze. “Sorry, I got lost in my thoughts.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah. I do feel…lighter.”
Nash grinned. It wasn’t his typical full-wattage smile, but it was something. “That’s the feeling of losing two hundred pounds of douchebag.”
I chuckled. “A douchebag full of bullshit. That’s extra heavy.”
“I bet.” Nash’s gaze swept over my face. “What do you want to do today?”
I blinked at him. “Don’t you have to work?”
“I’m going to get someone to cover for me.”
I shook my head. “You’re going to work. You’ve already done more than enough for me.”
“Are you trying to kick me out?” Nash asked with mock affront.
“Yes, I am. Because I have to get ready for a job interview.” I’d gotten an email from Sue last night to set up a meeting for today.
Nash’s brows rose. “Already? Where?”
“At The Brew. Everywhere else I looked wasn’t hiring, so I hope like hell they’re willing to take me.”
Concern lit Nash’s features. “You know if you need to borrow some money, you can.”
I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from saying something I shouldn’t. Handouts weren’t something I’d ever be comfortable with. But the Hartleys were all generous to a fault. Nathan, Nash’s dad, had started an outdoor company that had made the family boatloads when he sold it to a larger conglomerate. It had left all the kids in the family with trust funds that would’ve easily been enough to live on, but they all worked jobs like the rest of us.
“I’m good. I have some savings. I’ll just breathe easier when I have a paycheck.”
“Mads, you know I barely touch the trust. I’d be happy to use it to help a friend.”
“Except to buy your toys,” I muttered.
Nash didn’t have some crazy mansion or anything like that, but he did like his machines. Motorcycles, ATVs, bikes, and other ridiculous outdoor gear. He would get the top-of-the-line equipment for whatever crazy hobby he picked up.
“Yeah, yeah, but there’s plenty left over, and there’s no one I’d rather give it to.”
My throat burned. “I’m good. Really, I am. And I appreciate it, but I don’t need it.”
Nash pinned me with that green gaze. “You’ll tell me if that changes?”
“I promise.” I wouldn’t unless I were truly screwed, and maybe not even then. But, hopefully, that wouldn’t be the case.
“You’re such a bad liar,” he muttered.
I gaped at him. “I am not.”
“The worst. Everything shows in your face. Never pick up poker.”
I grabbed a pillow from the bed and smacked him with it.
That little gold bell tinkled as I stepped inside The Brew. Aspen looked up from behind the counter and smiled at me. The woman was seriously gorgeous with her red hair and flawless, fair skin, and the genuine kindness that radiated from her only amplified it.
“Morning, Maddie. How are you?”
I returned the smile the best I could, even though nerves coursed through me. “I’m good. How are you and that little troublemaker of yours?”
Aspen chuckled. “Cady’s always putting me through my paces. But it keeps you young, right?”
“I can only imagine. Is Sue in? I’m supposed to meet her for an interview.”
Aspen nodded and pointed to a small hallway. “She’s in her office. All my fingers and toes are crossed for you. I’ve got a good feeling.”
“I’ll be holding on to that good feeling.” Because with everything that had happened in the past two weeks, I’d basically gone numb.
I moved down the hallway until I came to a stop at a door that read Supreme Ruler of All Caffeinated Things. I couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled out of me. It was just what I needed. I knocked lightly on the door.
“Come in,” a voice called.
I opened the door and stepped inside.
Sue grinned at me, the lines around her eyes crinkling. “Maddie. I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Thanks. I’m glad to be back.” I motioned to the plaque as I shut the door. “I like your new sign. And the new décor. The place looks great.”
“That’s all Aspen. She’s a gem. Upped my business at least two times over with all her ideas.”
“That’s amazing. She seems really nice.”
Sue leaned back in her chair. “She is, but I’m working her to the bone being down a waitress. I don’t want her to quit on me.”
I gave Sue a hopeful smile. “I could help with that…”
Sue chuckled. “Please, you’re already hired. I just made you come in here because I wanted to see you for myself.”
My jaw dropped open. “You could’ve told me that. I’ve been sweating bullets.”
Sue waved me off. “Like you had anything to worry about. Everyone in town knows what a hard worker you are.”
My cheeks heated. My work ethic and crazy family were probably all I’d ever be known for.
Sue studied me. “You doing okay? I heard you broke it off with what’s-his-name.”
I snorted.
“What?” Sue asked with mock innocence. “I don’t like anyone who takes one of my favorite people away from Cedar Ridge.”
I lowered myself into the chair opposite her at the desk. “He wasn’t who I thought he was. It’s over, and I’m moving on.”
Sue clapped her hands together. “Good for you. Can you start tomorrow?”
I grinned. “Just tell me what time to be here.” My ribs might not be happy with me, but my bank account would be.
Sue handed me a couple of pieces of paper. “Ten o’clock would be great. We’ll have you here until we close at four. We’ll figure out the days as we go, but I’d say close to full-time hours. Fill these out and bring them in with you.”
“Sounds good.” I stuffed the papers into my purse. “You need anything else?”
“Nope. Happy to have you on board.”
“Thanks for taking me on.”
Sue snorted. “We both know I’m the lucky one. Between you and Aspen, I could retire, and the place would run itself.”
“Start thinking about that island in the sun.”
“I’m already singing Margaritaville in my head.”
A laugh burst out of me. “Glad to hear it.” I pushed to my feet. “See you tomorrow, Sue.”
She sent me on my way with a wave.
I made my way back into the café, and Aspen’s gaze cut to me instantly as she made some coffee drink behind the case. “So?”
“I’m starting tomorrow.”
Aspen clapped and did a little jump. “Congratulations! I’m so happy you’ll be working here.”
I laughed. “You’re just happy you won’t have to work and chase that cutie pie around the place at the same time.”
“That, too.” Aspen balanced the latte and came around the bakery case. She gave me a one-armed squeeze. “This is going to be great. We’ll have the most fun.”
I didn’t usually equate being on my feet for hours on end as fun, but I had a feeling Aspen could make it that way. “I’m excited to start.”
She deposited the latte on a customer’s table with a beaming smile and then turned back to me. “What about a treat on the house?”
“I’m okay, really.” Freebies weren’t something that ever sat well with me.
Disappointment filled her features, and I quickly changed my tune.
“Why don’t you give me whatever Cady’s favorite is?”
Aspen’s smile was back in full force. “That’s easy. Double chocolate muffin.”
“Why do I have a feeling that could put me in a sugar coma?”
“Have it with some milk. It balances it out.” She wrapped the muffin and dropped it into a bakery bag. “Enjoy. And congratulations again.”
“Thank you. For the muffin and for being so welcoming.”
“We’re gonna be fast friends. I just know it.”
I grinned at Aspen, hoping she was right. I needed friends. I’d let them all slip away over the past few years. Adam hadn’t approved of any. I shook off the thought and stepped out into the sunshine, almost colliding with someone.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you—” My words cut off as I took in my mom.
“Maddie.”
“Hey.”
She toyed with a strand of hair that appeared freshly styled. And her eyes looked crystal-clear as if she hadn’t yet had a drink this morning. Surprise swept through me as I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You look nice.”
Her hand ran over her hair, a slight tremor in the appendage. “I wanted to make sure I was at my best.”
I arched a brow in question.
My mom smiled—the one that always made me wary. “If you hadn’t been such a brat the other day, I would’ve told you. Your father has a parole hearing. They might be letting him out.”
