“Things never ended like we wanted them to, that’s why we make do with what we got.”
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Between bullets and lies, Maddy didn’t know which one hurt worse. Moments from her adolescence blurred from her mind, her younger self now a stranger after years that have gone by.
Different phases of her life marked by different men, as much as she hated it, despite each having fundamental contributions to who she was today.
Before, there was Dominic. Her middle school sweetheart who moved away after freshman year, the guy she lost her virginity to, and who was the stereotypical teenage and immature boy. He taught her that she didn’t need someone who needed to be taken care of, she needed someone who had initiative, just like her.
Then, there was Nate. Her vice and first love. They met a year after Dominic had moved away. He instantly caught her eye because of his height and the fact he chased after her. He had initiative, and he wasn’t into the stupid things Dominic would do with her. Nate had taken her seriously and with respect, so she fell. That is until he didn’t. She tried to not remember much about that.
And sure she’s had the stray guy here and there, but they never genuinely catered to her needs. None were worth the mental exhaustion she knew she would experience if she allowed another man into her life— time and stress she did not need on top of her work.
Now, she was here in Bishop’s car. Lingering.
Kitty had already been brought in by Cassie, yet Maddy stayed behind. She didn’t know why, she never was one to remain clingy, even after a traumatizing event.
But Bishop was different. There was something about him that felt magnetic. His presence felt like a tether, a safe anchor from everything surrounding them. And for once, she didn’t feel trapped— she felt seen.
She’d spent time with him for months. Those slight moments when he’s driven her to Alamo’s, when they small talked and eventually had grown comfortable enough to learn about each other.
Of course, it could have been under better circumstances.
Now that Alamo was gone, this tether didn’t come with a duty to a debt. Now, Maddy felt slightly hesitant to cut their tie.
“Are you okay?” He asked lowly, his eyes glancing at her, cutting her thoughts.
Maddy’s gaze looked to him, her eyes studying him, and in a indifferent tone spoke, “I’ll be fine.”
Bishop stared at her for a moment, as if he saw through her act of nonchalance. His brown eyes that she had stole glimpses of stared into her soul, and she didn’t know whether or not she wanted him to.
“Thank you,” she spoke out. “For driving me and Kitty.”
Bishop nods and replies, “Ain’t no problem.”
Maddy nods and looks back at Snowflake, a smile breaking out on her face. “He seems perfect after all the trouble.”
The corner of Bishops mouth lifts slightly, “He’s tough.”
Maddy chuckles as she pets Snowflake and looks over at Bishop to find him already looking at her. The intimacy between them in the car made her slightly nervous, made the car feel hotter, despite her having done worse things in a car with someone than just sitting down beside each other in silence. But this intimacy, it was almost scary.
“Uh, thanks again,” Maddy smile softly and collects her bag and moves to get out the car before she feels a soft brush against the back of her hand.
As she looks down there’s nothing, but then she glances up to Bishop and finds him hesitating, as if he wants to say something.
“Stay safe, Maddy Perez,” he whispers at last and he leans over to open the door for her, his arm crossing in front of her.
Maddy swallowed and nodded. “I’ll see you then.”
He nods as she gets out and closes the door. Maddy heads over to the door, then hesitated. Her hand paused at the door handle for a moment before before she turned and waved at him, he waved back. Once she saw his face, she finally went inside.
Bishop didn’t drive off until he saw the door close behind her.
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