Cuff Me

“I can’t believe she missed this meeting. Didn’t she know how important it was?” I paced around the room.

“Yeah, she did. I’m sure something could have come up.” Logan defended. My temper is a lot shorter than his, and so is my rational.

“Like what?” I tried not to shout, but I was pissed.

I don’t like when people miss meetings, or don’t call when or if in fact, something does come up. This was the second time she ran off and disappeared.

“It’s finals week. Students get really stressed at this time.”

I rolled my eyes as I scoffed. “Bullshit. I’m sick of that. Lots of students have jobs and balance school.”

I groaned and sat on the couch, wringing my hands out. Logan sat down as well.

“Well, they may not be sleeping with both their bosses, too.” He said.

I sighed as it all shifted into place. Madeline had a lot on her plate, and we definitely added to that.

“Shit.” I breathed.

“Yeah…and we haven’t exactly been up and coming gentlemen.” Logan added. I nodded in agreement. “And we want to be, right?”

I scratched my jaw as I thought. Madeline is special, and she does mean something to me. To us.

“Right.”

“Okay then. I should call her.” He took his phone out and dialed her.

She answered near the end, and he put her on speaker.

“Madeline.” We said at the same time, and it was a little weird. I could hear her breathing on the other end.

“Yes?” I could hear old tears in her voice. Maybe something did happen.

“You know you missed the meeting today, right?”

She feigned a gasp. “I…I’m so sorry I was studying. I had so much to catch up on. I’m—really sorry.” She inhaled sharply. Why is she trying to hold back tears so hard?

“It’s…it’s fine.” I said.

“Yeah, don’t worry about it. But you need to come in tomorrow morning, is that okay?”

“I can be there around noon, I have two exams before.”

I shrugged. Maybe she was really stressed out. And I had no idea, neither did I ever ask.

“Of course. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Bye Madeline.” I said. And she hung up.

“We should do something for her. Her finals are tomorrow and then she is graduating soon.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “and find a new PR director.”

Eighteen: Madeline

I let their voice ring through my ears over and over. It soothed and comforted me in so many ways. As I cried my eyes out I let rationality find me again. I had no real proof they wanted to buy me out, as plausible as it sounded I didn’t know for sure. And I was still hung up on not knowing how they felt around me.

When Logan called I was relieved, and hearing both their voices wrapped me in a vice. I fell hard for them and I didn’t know how to tell them. But I knew I had to. Eventually.