Ch.11

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I wake up with the sun heating my face and then I remembered I have a date tonight! Jumping out of bed, I run to my closet and start looking through my clothes. I have no clue where Maddox is taking me and I don't have his number so I can't ask him where we're going.

I hear people and look at the clock by my bed. Shit! It's already 4:00 p.m.! My stomach growls so I decide to go eat and pick out an outfit later. I walk into the kitchen to see my grandma is cooking something on the stove and Aunt Mary is sitting at the table going through the mail. I don't see J.J. or Uncle John and I notice there is a woman seated at the island talking to grandma as she cooks. Looking out the kitchen sliding glass doors, I see a boy, about six, and another boy, about four, playing on a swing set.

Aunt Mary is the first to notice me when she looks up from her mail. "Good afternoon, honey. Did you sleep okay? I told J.J. not to keep you out too late."

"Good afternoon, sorry I slept in. It must have been the plane ride and staying out so late. Don't blame J.J. I had a lot of fun. Is he still sleeping?" I ask.

"No. John makes the boys practice throughout summer at least four times a week. They're all up at the school until five today." Mary explains.

"J.J. told us Maddox asked you out last night." Mary says, smiling. "I had my money on Logan. Most of the girls seem to like him best but it's only because Maddox can be intense and pretty intimidating. J.J. said you handled him like a pro and that Maddox was different with you. He said he was smiling all night and trust me, that boy never smiles."

"That boy needs happiness in his life, if you ask me. He's far too serious all the time, that's what comes from making your kids grow up faster than most." Grandma says pointedly, looking over at me while she continued to stir the contents of the huge pot. "Keep making that poor boy smile, he's a bit rough around the edges but he's worth the trouble."

I smile at her. "Yeah, I think you're right, grandma." This makes her smile even wider.

I look back at the woman at the counter. "Hi, I'm Hadley." I introduce myself crossing the kitchen to shake her hand.

"Hi, Hadley. I'm John's sister, Dina, we live across the street. If you ever need anything, that's where we are. When I'm not here, I am always at home with one of the boys." She says, pointing to the kids outside.

"They're adorable. If you ever need a baby-sitter, don't hesitate to ask, I love kids." I offer.

"Thank you, I'll have to take you up on that sometime and give Mary a break." She replies, smiling at Mary.

"Are you hungry?" Grandma asks.

"Yes, starving." I reply, quickly earning a few chuckles.

"Do you like chili and cornbread?" Grandma asks.

"Yeah, smells great." I comment.

"Go sit down and I'll bring you a bowl." Grandma orders.

I sit down and grandma brings me a bowlful of chili with a plate of cornbread. "Thank you, it looks delicious."

I just start to eat and I hear the front door open and the sound of talking and heavy footsteps.

"The boys are here, looks like they got out a little early today." Mary says. Just by the sound alone, I can tell its more people than J.J. and Uncle John coming into the kitchen.

My only thought is, 'SHIT! I have the same clothes on from last night, I haven't brushed my teeth or my hair and Maddox is going to see me like this.'

Mary must of noticed my panicked face and says quietly, "Don't worry, you look fine." She smiles at me reassuringly. I smile and mouth back 'thank you,' just as the boys come into the kitchen.

My eyes find Maddox, but he's already looking at me smiling. God, he is beautiful. I look away blushing and listen as the boys talk about their practice and get chili from the stove.

I look up to see J.J. pulling out the chair to my right after sitting down he asks, "When did you get up?"

"About a half hour ago." I answer, slightly embarrassed.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have kept you out so late but it seemed like you were having a good time." He says, winking at me. I hit his shoulder with mine laughing.

"I had a great time, thanks for letting me tag along."

The chair on my left slides back and Luke, who is about to sit down, is pushed out of the way by Maddox. As Maddox takes a seat, Luke and the others start laughing.

"Jesus, Maddox! If you wanted to sit here you could have said something. Just use your words next time." Luke jokes laughing at Maddox.

"I recall saying something back at school. You should have paid better attention." Maddox replied.

I smile at Maddox and continue to eat. Conversations start around the table so I ask, "Where are we going tonight?"

"To dinner." He replies, cryptically.

Such a guy answer. Laughing I ask, "Well, how should I dress?"

Smirking at me he says quietly, "Just use your hands but if you can't do that, I can lend you mine."

Raising an eyebrow and trying to repress a smile I reply. "Let me clarify. What should I wear?"

"Oh!" He says, innocently. "A nice dress and heels. I want to see you in heels, strappy ones if you have some."

"It seems like you've been thinking about my footwear a lot." I state, taking another bite to hide my smile.

He gives me a grin and looks into my eyes he answering. "You have no idea."

"Is Maddox flirting? And I swear I've seen him smile a couple of times," a guy sitting a few chairs down comments. I remember meeting him yesterday but don't recall his name.

"Oh, yeah, Spencer wasn't at the house last night. Well, it seems our boy has taken a liking to sweet little Hadley." Luke replies.

"Well I think every guy here has taken a liking to Hadley." He replies, eating a spoonful of chili.

"They have a date tonight." Luke says, watching for Spencer's reaction.

Spencer starts choking on his food so Chase beats him on the back.

"Well, I guess none of us stands a chance then. That sucks." Spencer comments, disappointed.

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