Chapter Thirty-Four Madison

T wo days after the wedding cake fiasco, I received a random phone call from an unknown number. It was a squealing woman on the other end, ecstatic about the cake I made for her wedding. Vicki couldn't keep the secret and told the bride about the whole cake drama the next day. Hearing that I’d helped make the bride's dreams come true was more than I could ask for. In return, the bride insisted on writing about me in her blog, causing my social media to explode with people inquiring about cake bookings for next year. Despite living in Willowcreek. It’s crazy to me how quickly things were taking off.

On top of that, I never in my wildest dreams thought that Jaxson or anyone could convince my mother to close her bakery for a day, let alone a week. But he did, and because of him, I was able to spend Christmas with both him and my mom. The entire week was filled with laughter and amazing food. Jaxson, unfortunately, had to work some of the time, but instead of feeling lonely, I spent my days making memories with my mom while exploring New York City—something, according to her, she hadn’t done since before I was born.

“Babe!” Jaxson calls from the living room as I finish strapping on the black heels I chose to wear with my red dress tonight. “Are you almost ready? We need to get going.”

“I’ll be there in a minute,” I call back, laughing.

The man has been sulking and asking how much longer I was going to be for the last thirty minutes. But Sam insisted that I go all out tonight. I met up with her a few days ago at a shop in town after Mom left, and honestly, it was nice to have a girls' day out. I just wish she could come out with us tonight. Unfortunately, she had other New Year’s Eve plans with Asher.

A soft ringing on my phone catches my attention, and I glance down to see a notification from Sam that makes me smile.

I need photos! And you better be wearing that dress.

Laughing, I stand to my feet, admiring my reflection in the long mirror on the closet door. The red dress sparkles under the lighting of the room, the low-cut top showing off my cleavage as it hugs my curves, ending right above my knees. I’ve worn a lot of things in my life, but this has to be by far my favorite outfit. And I actually paid full price for it.

Taking a quick photo, I send it to her, waiting for her reply.

Oh my God! You look hot!

She texted back quickly, causing me to smile.

I feel hot.

You’re so lucky. It’s that time of the month for me so the only thing Asher is getting is a blow job if he’s lucky. I hate these corporate events. Especially when I can’t enjoy them the way that I want to. Have fun for me!

I can’t help feeling bad for her knowing how much she was looking forward to tonight but not being able to enjoy it the way she wants. That is until my mind circles back to what Sam said.

She’s on her monthly?

I take a moment, trying to remember when I in fact should have had that. My phone in hand, I flick open my tracking app and my heart sinks when I see what it says. 10 days late .

What the fuck!

“I’m late… holy fuck knuckles. I’m late.”

“What did you say, baby?” Jaxson asks, turning the corner into the bedroom. His eyes go wide the moment he sees me. “Holy shit… you look amazing.”

As much as I want to repeat to him what’s going through my mind, I don’t. There’s no point in ruining the evening or stressing over something that might not be anything. “Thanks.”

“So, hey… I’m going through scheduling with Travis for the new year. I know you talked to your mom about heading back to Willowcreek to handle a few things—did you know when you want to go back?”

I had spoken to my mom about that, but since the conversation, I hadn’t really given it more thought. The idea of leaving Jaxson isn’t something I want to contemplate, but I suppose the trip back to Willowcreek is something I need to think about. Just maybe not tonight.

“Uh—I hadn’t really thought about it? Why, is there something big coming up?”

Stepping towards me, he pushes his phone into his pocket before grasping my waist to pull me towards him. “The next month is going to be hectic… I just want to make sure I have time to spend with you. I don’t want you all alone… especially when you look as gorgeous as you do right now.”

The thought of leaving slips my mind quickly the moment his lips press softly against mine. Every moment with him makes me feel lighter and lighter. But as much as I want to throw away all my concerns, I can’t help but wonder if I am pregnant. And if I am, what does that mean for my future? For our future.

***

Half an hour later, we arrive at the venue, and I’m blown away. The club is located in a massive building in the heart of the city, and at the very top is an exclusive rooftop terrace that has been decorated with a million different fairy lights, as well as multiple bars and a large dance floor. There have to be at least a hundred people around, and all of them seem to know Jaxson, who greets each and every one of them as he leads me by the hand through the masses.

“Jaxson! Madi!” Vicki calls out, clearly already a few drinks in. “You finally made it!”

She hugs me, then Jaxson. A gorgeous blonde standing next to her in a tight pink dress greets me with a smile. “Hi, I’m Amelia.”

“Hey, Madi,” I reply, giving her a small wave.

“Where’s Travis?” Jaxson asks, glancing around the area. “He said he was coming.”

“Oh, you know him,” Vicki sighs, lifting her drink to her lips. “He likes to be fashionably late to everything.”

“Well then,” Jaxson mutters, looking towards the bar before glancing at me. “Let’s get a drink and start celebrating.”

As much as I want to drink and celebrate the way he wants to, I can’t. I fake drinking the entire night and stick with a coke or rum and coke so they think. Not wanting to ruin anything if by chance I am pregnant. The more I keep thinking about it, the more I keep wondering if I am.

Morning sickness on Christmas Eve morning, even though my mom swore it was the chicken salad we ate for lunch the day before. Overemotional, which I thought was just the initial depression of missing my mom… which was cleared the moment she arrived. I mean if I keep thinking back to the way I felt over the past two weeks I can’t help but wonder if I really am. And how much it’s going to change everything.

“You okay?” He asks me after an hour of partying and everyone celebrating. My feet hurt in the heels that Sam insisted I wear, causing me to find a table off to the side to relax at.

“Of course,” I lie, trying to play off the things plaguing my mind. “My feet are just killing me.”

“Oh, that sucks. I’ll never understand how women can wear heels.”

“I wouldn’t suggest trying it,” I laugh. “You go join Travis now that he’s finally here. I’ll join you guys in just a moment.”

Staring at me, he hesitates for a moment. His eyes flicker over to where Vicki and the others are currently talking. “Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you. ”

It’s sweet of him to consider it, but he’d already been hanging out with them for the last twenty minutes or so. So, it really makes no difference to me at this point. “I’m sure. I just need a few more moments.”

He nods, leaning down to kiss me softly before making his way towards his friends. The life he lives is definitely not something I’m equipped for. As much as most girls may find it exciting and desirable. I’m not that kind of girl. I prefer my small-town life, and my peace and quiet. Even if I do love spending time with Jaxson.

“You must be the new girl.” A sickly-sweet voice calls out when I finally stand from the table preparing myself to join Jaxson and the others. Turning, I come face to face with a beautiful blonde woman with piercing blue eyes and a sickly-sweet smile. She’s gorgeous in an upper-class city girl kind of way. Pretty enough honestly to be a model, and in the tight royal blue dress she’s wearing it’s clear that she’s someone important.

“I’m sorry… what?”

She laughs, shaking her head as her perfectly manicured hand lifts the champagne glass to her lips. “You heard me. You’re the new girl that Jaxson is with. It’s obvious. I saw you two talking.”

Instantly the red flags and sirens are going off. The fact that this woman chose to confront me shows that she has a bone to pick. Though she waited until he walked away to greet me.

“Um, okay. I don’t know why you’re calling me the new girl… do you know him or something?”

“You can say I know him,” she replies with mock laughter. “We are always on again and off again. And per usual, he’s brought another new girl to try and make me jealous, just to get back with me.”

The fuck?

“And why are you talking to me like I care who you are?”

The woman's smile falls as her eyes narrow in my direction. “You should care, and watch who you get an attitude with. You’re nothing but small-town trash, and Jaxson will come running back to me soon enough… I mean he practically already has.”

So, this is Caitlin. Vicki wasn’t wrong about this one.

Anger courses through me at her words. Every part of me wants to punch this bitch in her throat, but I can’t. Not here in front of all these people. It would practically give her the attention she’s looking for. Straightening my shoulders, I force a smile to my face. “You are just as pathetic as they said… thank God I’m smart enough to see desperation when it’s standing in front of me.”

“Is that so?” She scoffs, taking a step closer. “Well, you should be the kind of girl that's smart. Because if you really think he, Jaxson Rivers, is actually interested in anything more than simply fucking you, you’re delusional. There’s a reason he keeps ditching every one-night stand or quick fling he’s ever had to come back to me. That’s because I have class and status in this world we live in. You don’t. You’re nothing but a small-town country girl who will never amount to what he needs, and it’s about time you start taking stock of what kind of mockery you want your life to be turned into. He didn’t want you in high school… it’s not gonna happen now.”

Her words cut me deeper than I wish they would. The fact that she is clearly aware of who I am, hurts. How in the world does she know about me wanting him in high school ? I glance over at Jaxson, who is completely clueless of the harassment I’m receiving.

“Look… I don’t know who you think you are,” I reply, turning to face her once more. “But why don’t you fuck off. Mind your own business, and I’ll keep handling Jaxson. Since you clearly never knew how to.”

Her fingers curl tighter around her glass as her lip curls back into a sneer. “Do you really think he is going to give up everything in here for you, to run back to Willowcreek? Get over yourself… and look around you. You don’t fit in here, and the fact that he’s been texting and calling me over the past two weeks, talking about things, only proves how clueless you really are.”

“No, he hasn’t,” I say softly, refusing to believe the admission that escapes her.

“Oh, but he has,” she replies, lifting her phone to show a call log where Jaxson had called her only last night. “I was engaged to him, Madison. As I’m sure you were aware. You don’t exactly just walk away from a girl like me. But it’s pretty messed up that he has led you along this far. I didn’t expect him to be that cruel, especially since he said you were going to be gone by now…”

Every bit of me shatters when my mind slowly trails back to a conversation he had with me earlier today. He asked me how long I planned on staying and wanted to let me know about the schedule he had in the New Year. At the time, I hadn’t thought much of it.

But now…

Glancing at him once more, his eyes meet mine and then shift to the woman beside me who waves at him casually with a smile. “Why don’t you save us both the trouble and just go home. It’ll be less embarrassing.”

“Caitlin?” Jaxson says as he approaches us, glancing between me and the woman as confusion fills his face. “What are you doing here?”

“Aww,” she coos, stepping towards him to wrap her hand around his arm. “Only telling her the truth, of course. She should know.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Before Caitlin can open her mouth, I beat her to it. “Were you two together… and engaged?” I ask, swallowing back the explosion of anger simmering beneath the surface.

“Madison. She and I aren’t together.”

“Stop lying to her…” Caitlin groans. “I’ve already shown her that you have been calling me.”

“Shut up,” he snaps at her, before turning back to me. “Madison, it isn’t like that—”

“Just stop,” I reply quickly, shaking my head. “I—I can’t do this right now. It’s clear you two have things to work out.”

I’ve always been the kind of girl to be strong. To stand up for myself, but this. This situation is too much. Shaking my head, I push past the girl, bumping her shoulder as I make my way towards the exit of the terrace. My mind races with doubt and emotion as I step into the elevator. I swear I hear Jaxson calling my name, begging me to stop.

But I can’t. I can’t focus on anything but the internal sound of my heart breaking.

I’ve been nothing but a fool.

And I won’t let it continue any longer.