Tell Me To Stay

“I already know Sophie, mother,” Madox informs Adrienne in a tone that’s far less than pleasant, and instantly I look down to the table, feeling smaller by the second.

“What are you doing?” Madox’s voice is hard. At first I think his question is for me and I’m ready to lay into him and defend myself, but it’s not.

“What do you mean?” His mother’s voice is an octave higher than I’ve heard before. The voice of a liar.

“I don’t have time for this. What. Did. You. Do?” His voice is harder; firmer, with no forgiveness. It’s nearly cruel.

I’ve never seen his mother or seen them together. It’s nauseating to watch. There is absolutely no love between them. In the four years we were together, Madox spent every day avoiding her. I didn’t feel bad for her because she never seemed to want to be with him, but right now, I feel dreadful for all of us.

“Madox, please.” She merely admonishes him with disgust in her voice.

Slowly I find my own backbone, looking between the two of them and still feeling sick to my stomach. Of course the waiter would come over the second I start to speak.

“We’re not interested at the moment,” I bite out, and then feel awful for snapping at the innocent man. “I’m sorry,” I’m quick to add. “We just need a minute.” As soon as the waiter’s back is turned, I look back between the two of them. Madox looks nothing like her, but he’d always told me he was his father’s son.

“I deserve an explanation,” I tell them, and my voice is hard but just. “What the hell is going on?”

“Nothing.” Adrienne is the first to speak, raising both of her hands and feigning innocence. “I had no idea the two of you knew each other. I simply wanted you two to meet.”

Madox considers his mother for all of a second before turning his attention to me.

“I’m sorry,” he tells me. “I had no idea my mother brought you here.”

Brought me here.

Fuck.

Fuck.

I was right. I didn’t earn my position. She knew who I was. She did this for him.

His mother starts to talk, but even I know there’s no way this is a coincidence.

Madox’s patience is nowhere in sight. “Just tell the truth for once in your fucking life.”

“Don’t speak to me like that,” his mother hisses.

The tension at the table is palpable.

“I think he feels betrayed,” I speak up, feeling an ache in my heart, a hole that grows larger with every second. “Just as I do, and I can’t figure out why you would do such a thing. I’m not angry at you for putting me into this very,” I make sure I lean forward and emphasize the next word, “uncomfortable position.” I have to swallow and when I do, both of them try to speak but I cut them off. “I am not finished.”

Silence. The entire room is silent.

“Madox is a good man,” I start to say, looking Adrienne in her eyes, noting how she still holds herself prim and proper as I continue, “to his core. And it’s obvious you’ve set this entire reunion up.” I glance at Madox, gauging his expression. If he knew, I’ll be crushed. Truly crushed that he would set me up to think I landed my dream job on my own.

“I feel used,” I say and hate that the emotion comes through, “and I don’t know why you think it’s okay to lie.” Swallowing thickly, I feel the need to add, “Your son is the best thing that ever happened to me. He is genuine and kind, and he doesn’t deserve to be lied to. And neither do I.”

Putting my hands up in defense I add, “I know there’s a lot between you two, but if you were more sincere, Adrienne, I know things wouldn’t be as bad as they are. And I certainly don’t have to sit here and be a spectator to this.”

I don’t know how they got this way. I don’t know the details. But I do know I don’t deserve to sit here and feel this fucking uncomfortable.

“I have to go,” I announce. Taking a deep breath, I look Adrienne in the eyes and say, “I can’t work for you any longer. I’m sorry.” As soon as the words have left me, it stings.

Goodbye, dream job.

Goodbye, New York.

My gaze shifts to Madox, who still looks nothing but pissed. “Goodbye, Madox,” I whisper.

Chapter 15

Madox

“I don’t understand what the hell you did.” I say the words as calmly as I can manage to my mother, feeling a wave of betrayal but also something else. She brought Sophie here? She knew about her?

“Madox, please.” My mother’s voice is tinged with agony and it makes me pause after I stand up, ready to leave her.

“I promise you, if I did anything-”