9. Emma

Chapter 9

Emma

I t seems like I had barely closed my eyes before the sun started drifting through the curtains. I roll over onto my back and throw my arm over my face with a groan. I've only been home for less than 24 hours and I'm ready to get out of here. I don't know what is going on with Maddox, but I know that I'm weak when it comes to him.

A text on my phone interrupts my thoughts and I grab it off the nightstand. One look tells me that it's my roommate and she has texted me a few times already this morning while I was sleeping. Instead of texting her back, I dial her number and call her. As soon as she answers, she starts. "I didn't know that you and Carson were together."

I sit up in the bed quickly and stare at the phone before putting it back to my ear.

"There's nothing between Carson and I. His plans fell through and I invited him as a friend."

She doesn't say anything and so, I continue. "Wait, I thought you were dating Michael." She groans in frustration. "No, I broke up with him. I was thinking I should give Carson a chance."

It's nice to hear and I was hoping that they would get together, but I can't help but worry about Carson. He really, really, really likes her and I know that she could easily hurt him. Is she doing this just because she thinks he likes me or something. "Why? Why now, Candace?"

I swear I can almost hear her roll her eyes at me. "Why? How about because every guy I go out with cheats on me or would rather spend their time drinking and hanging out with their buddies instead of me. Carson is the exact opposite of that."

I nod in agreement. "I know and I think that you guys would be great together, but Candace, he really, really, really likes you."

I let my voice trail off. I don't want to offend her and I don't think I have when she answers, "I know you're friends with him, Emma. I won't hurt him."

"I guess that's all that I can ask. I have an idea." I tell her. "Why don't you come over here for a few days? You're only a few hours away. You can come and stay and hang out with us."

By the time I hang up the phone, Candace is giddy and excited.

I shower quickly and get myself put together before going downstairs stairs. Everyone is in the dining room eating breakfast, including Maddox. I had seen the covers on the couch, but I didn't even think that it could be him that spent the night here. He's wearing the same clothes as last night. I ignore him and walk around the table to the opposite direction and sit down across from Carson. It's obvious that he's hung over, but at least he's smiling. I smile back at him, but instead of talking to him, I say to my mom, "You care if another friend comes to visit for a few days?"

I can see Maddox tense out of the corner of my eye, but I still avoid him. "Sure, honey. Whoever you want to invite is fine by me."

I smile and look over at Carson. "That's good. My roommate Candace is going to come and stay for a few days."

Carson's mouth drops in surprise. "Really?"

I nod and shrug my shoulders. "Yep. I guess when she found out you were here, she was hoping that you guys could spend some time together."

Carson stands up and takes his empty plate over towards the kitchen. "I want to go for a run and shower before she gets here. Thanks for everything, Emma."

I nod to him as he walks out of the room. He hollers at my mom and thanks her for breakfast before walking out. I put some eggs and bacon and some toast onto my plate and Maddox leans across the table, trying to get into my view. "Good morning, Emma."

"Morning." I grumble to him.

He doesn't seem phased by my attitude. "You want to go for a ride with me today?"

I don't answer him. I figure Bull will have something to say to that, but whenever he just sits there quietly and looks between Maddox and I, I decide that I better answer. "No, thanks. I'm going to spend time with mom and pops today."

I eat breakfast and talk to mom and Bull. Mom suggests that since we have to wait on Candace to get here anyway, we should hang out in the pool today.

I clean up after myself and help her put away everything, while Bull and Maddox talk at the table. I tried to act as disinterested in him as I possibly can. I just have a week to get through this. I don’t even know what he’s doing here anyway.

"I'm going to go get dressed." I tell mom as I walk out of the room. I put on my bathing suit. I'm only gone 15 minutes tops, but by the time I get downstairs, Maddox is gone. A part of me, sighs in relief. Another part of me is wondering where he went. Did he have plans with someone else?

I try not to let my thoughts go that direction as I go out to the pool with mom and Bull. As I'm laying in the lawn chair, mom opens the conversation. She rolls to her side in the lawn chair and looks me. "So do you want to talk about what's going on with you and Maddox?"

I put my glasses back down on my face to hide my eyes. I lean my head back. "Nothing's going on with Maddox and I.

"Even though I don't want you to, you can lie to me, Emma, but don't lie to yourself. You've liked that boy forever."

Frustrated, I lift my sunglasses and put them back on the top of my head and turn to my mom. She's searching my face, trying to figure out what I'm thinking. "You're right, mom. I have liked Maddox for a very long time, but he doesn't want me. He told me that himself, three, almost four years ago. So whatever you think might be going on, it's not."

It's her turn to lay on her back and lean her head onto the chair, but of course, she's going to get the last word in. "So basically, four years ago, when you were leaving for college, he didn't want to start anything with you. Now, when he knows you're about to come home, he's shown some interest. I wonder what you can make of that, Emma."

I open my mouth to argue with her, but then close it again. I lean back in my chair and cross my arms over my waist. Could my mom be right? Would he have lied to me all those years ago? Does he like me?