Beautiful Burn (The Maddox Brothers #4) (6 page)

Tyler held his cigarette between his lips while he lit mine, cupping the lighter as he puffed on his own. We exhaled at the same time, and I felt my body begin to shake.

“Come home with me,” Tyler said.

I shook my head. “I’m taking Paige home. She was into Sugar. Now she’s back there, sitting alone, feeling deficient when she’s really the most beautiful thing to ever grace that shit hole.”

“Not the most beautiful,” he mumbled, looking away. When I didn’t respond, he turned to meet my gaze. “I wanna take you home.”

“I’m in the mood for something soft tonight.”

He leaned down, kissing my lips once. “I can do soft.”

I breathed him in, feeling my thighs tense. “Not like we can.”

He slid his fingers behind my neck, backing me against his door, and then pressed his lips against mine, tasting me like he had the first night, with a yearning that made all reason melt with the rest of me.

He pulled away, brushing his thumb across my bottom lip. “Fuck Paige.”

“I intend to,” I said, walking backward a few steps before turning around.

Tyler puffed, and then I heard his door open and close and the engine fire up. I crossed the street and returned to Turk’s. Paige was standing outside in the snow-lined alley, smoking, looking relieved to see me.

“You came back,” she said.

My phone buzzed, and the display lit up. I recognized Finley’s magazine-worthy selfie and frowned.

On my way. Marco will drive us.

I growled, shoving my phone back into my back pocket.

“Bad news?” Paige asked.

“It’s just … the girl I was with, my sister, Finley. She has an assistant, and she’s with him now. They’re coming to get us.”

“Us?”

My face softened. “Yeah. You have plans for the next three hours? Or until morning?”

Paige swallowed and then smiled, shaking her head. She had such a sweet face. The death of her innocence was still fresh, and I could tell that she still liked to pretend it existed.

Headlights beamed into our eyes, and we both held up our hands. “The fuck, Marco? Turn off the brights!”

“I’m sorry!” he called from the driver seat.

The lights dimmed, and I held out my hand to Paige. “This is not happy ever after. It’s just tonight.”

She hooked my fingers with hers and nodded, following me to Marco’s rental.

“Hi,” Finley said as we settled into the backseat. Her lipstick and mascara were smeared.

I recoiled. “Ew, what happened to you? Please don’t tell me you guilt-sucked Marco.”

Finley’s smile faded, and she turned around. “Take us home.”

“Yes, Miss Edson.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Finley waddled into my room, swathed in a plush white robe, holding a box wrapped in thick white paper and a bright teal bow. She flipped on the light and recoiled. The smeared mascara was gone and she looked like her usual gorgeous self, sans the makeup she didn’t need anyway.

She noted Paige naked and prone in my bed, and then joined me on the bench next to the windowsill.

She handed me the box and leaned against the wall. “Open it.”

I did as she asked, pulling at the fussy ribbon and paper, finally getting to the cardboard lid. Inside was another cardboard box. I lifted it, seeing a picture of a camera on the side. “What’s this?”

“Not the most expensive camera for beginners out there, but it’s the best. Or so Google tells me.”

“This was your idea?”

She shrugged. “Marco’s. He mentioned the time you were bored in Maui until you stole his camera. He was really impressed with some of the shots you took. He thought it would be a nice present for you.”

“I barely remember Maui.”

“So a camera is definitely a good idea for you,” she teased.

I removed the lens cap and pressed the power button, configured the few settings I recognized, and pointed the lens at Finley. She held up her hands in front of her face. “Don’t you dare.”

I turned toward Paige, zoomed in on her hand against the wrinkled sheets, and clicked.

The image immediately popped up on the screen, and I turned the camera just enough so Finley could see.

“Marco was right. You’re a natural.”

“Thanks for the camera,” I said. It did feel natural in my hands—something I could hold on to.

Finley nodded toward Paige. “She’s a sweet girl. And God … crazy beautiful. She must have been burned pretty badly to be waking up in your bed. More like tarred and feathered. Poor kid.”

“I know.”

“So, you probably shouldn’t …”

“I know. I’ve warned her.”

“You know that doesn’t work. We don’t get happy endings with people like her. We ruin them.”

I pinched off the cherry of my cigarette, and then tossed the butt out the window to rest with the hundreds of others in the hidden Marlboro cemetery below.

“I don’t know. I’d consider last night a happy ending.”

“I’m serious, Ellie.”

“I know that, too.”

“And so we’re clear, I don’t do guilt blow jobs. That’s your fucked up talent.”

“I shouldn’t have said that. I was a little messed up. The firefighter kissed me. I was trying to take anyone home but him.”

“The cute one?” When I nodded, her shoulders fell. “Damn it. I wanted him.”

“You did not.”

“I tried to ignore it.”

“Ignore what?” I glanced over at Paige. I could still feel her soft hands all over me, her salty sweetness lingering on my lips.

“That he’s into you. Every time I opened my mouth it was like I was breaking his concentration. He wanted so badly for you to look at him, and you were staring at blueberry muffin over there,” she said, gesturing to Paige.

“I wasn’t her first choice. She’d rather be waking up next to Sugar.”

“Sugar was talking to Zeke about another girl. I got the feeling he’s nursing a broken heart. Paige is better off.” Finley scanned Paige as if she were a dying kitten. “Maybe she’ll be okay.”

“She’ll be okay,” I said, standing. I strolled across the room, lying next to the naked masterpiece in my bed, snuggling up next to her.

Paige reached back, tightening my arms around her without opening her eyes.

Finley waved to me, mouthing,
Brunch in two hours,
before she left.

I rested my cheek against the silky skin of Paige’s back, inhaling the alluring mix of stale smoke and lotion. She stirred, her blue hair dragging against the pillow like a peacock feather. I didn’t fear the awkward goodbye that would inevitably follow, or her feelings. My genuine curiosity for what she would do with her life after me settled in the nonexistent space between us. I hooked my leg over hers, the full, smooth limb sticking out of the expensive wrinkled sheet that only covered her perfectly curved ass—the same one that arched and bucked against my touch until the sun cast pastels across the sky.

“I’m awake,” she whispered. “I’m afraid if I move, it will be over.”

I placed the camera in front of her face and clicked the display button, showing her the picture of her hand. Everything from her arm out was blurry, but her blue hair couldn’t be confused with anyone else. I was prepared for her to ask me to delete it, but she reached back to caress my face.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Can I keep it?”

“Yes. Is it over now?”

“It’s over,” I said. “I’ll have José drive you home.”

“Who’s José?” she asked. She sat up and stretched, not at all upset.

“An employee.”

She smiled, her sleepy, content twin pools disappearing behind her lashes several times before she focused. “I’ll get dressed.”

She hopped out of bed, pulling on her skinny jeans and sweater, and then her boots.

“Breakfast is downstairs. Maricela will get you anything you need.”

Paige nodded, holding her purse to her chest. She really wasn’t going to ask me to join her. She wasn’t going to ask anything.

“Maybe I’ll see you around,” she said.

I propped my head with my hand. “I won’t get that lucky twice.”

She didn’t try to hide that she was flattered. Her cheeks pinked, and she carried her coat out the door, disappearing down the hall. Her footsteps were barely audible as she descended the stairs, but my father’s voice carried when he greeted her.

I settled against the headboard, waiting patiently and without fear of his inquisition. He would be angry about the cleaning bill, but more so about his wrecked Peter Max painting than the money. He didn’t love anything more than he loved me, and that was fortunate because my mood swings and acting out had cost him millions. The Ferrari, the fire in his partner’s Italian villa, and the legal bills—also known as bribes—to keep me out of jail.

He stopped abruptly in my doorway, as if he were a vampire who had to be invited to enter.

“Hi, Daddy. How was your trip?”

“Ellison,” he began, his voice thick with contrived disappointment. “We’ve come home early to chat with you. It’s not that we don’t love you, bunny…”

“I know you love me,” I said. I kept my face smooth, but I was wondering where he was headed with the conversation. He usually began with the
We’re so disappointed in you, but we love you and expect you to do better
speech, but this seemed different.

He sighed, already exhausted from parenting me. Two sets of heels clicked down the hall. I sat up taller when my mother entered the room, followed by her life coach, Sally.

“Philip,” Mother began, “I told you to wait.” She spoke under her breath, smiling at me as she always did, as if her unnatural smile made her words magically imperceptible.

“I just—”

“Mr. Edson,” Sally said. “It’s important we keep a united front, remember?”

“What is this?” I asked, amused. “An intervention?”

“We love you,” Daddy said.

Mother held the back of her hand against her husband’s chest and took a step forward, clasping her fingers together at her waist. “Ellison, when your father and I learned about the party and damage, we were already at our limit. We’ve warned you countless times. You’re an adult now. There really is no excuse.”

“Why is Sally here?” I asked.

Mother continued, “We’re at the point where we’re concerned about your safety and the safety of others. How old was the young girl who just left?”

“Old enough,” I said, settling back against my pillow.

I stretched to hide how unsettled I felt. This kind of confrontation was a first for them. My parents usually had a heated argument, in my presence, about how to deal with me, and then my father would send me on a lavish vacation—like the one I was about to take with Finley.

Mother smoothed the lines of regret that cut across her forehead. “Your father and I have decided to…” She cleared her throat. Despite her exasperation, she was unsure.

“Meredith … go on,” Sally said.

“You’re grounded,” Mother forced out.

“I’m … what?” I giggled the last word, in total disbelief. I’d never been grounded in my life, not even when I was young enough to actually be grounded.

Mother shook her head, and then retreated to my father. He held her as if they were identifying my body.

Sally took over. “Your trip to the South China Sea with Finley has been canceled, as have your credit cards and access to family homes and employees. You are allowed to stay here for ninety days. You must find employment, and once you reimburse your parents for the amount in damages you’ve cause to the residence, some of your privileges will be reinstated.”

I grit my teeth. “Fuck off, Sally.”

Sally didn’t flinch.

“Ellison, really,” Mother said. “Maricela and José have been instructed to keep food in the pantry and the main quarters clean. Other than that, it’s up to you.”

“Let me get this straight. You’re going to leave me penniless, alone—since I know Fin is going on this trip without me—and without transportation, but you want me to get a job and work off tens of thousands of dollars while also paying for daily necessities and rent? Gas, taxis, toilet paper, food? How am I supposed to do both? Do you have any idea what rent is like in this town? What you’re proposing is asinine.”

“We’re not proposing,” Sally said. “This is your life now.”

I crossed my arms. “I’m sure my shenanigans have cut into your payments, Sally.”

“Bunny,” Father began.

Sally held up her hand. “We talked about this, Mr. Edson. Ellison, this isn’t about me. This is about you.”

“What’s in it for you? What do you get out of this?” I asked, seething.

“Nothing. Healing your family is my job.”

“Not for long,” I warned. “Don’t forget who signs the check, Sally. It isn’t my mother, and Daddy doesn’t subscribe to your bullshit.” I pointed to my father. “Daddy, you can’t let her do this.”

“This is best,” my father said without conviction.

“Best for who? You’ve raised me to be this person. Now you’re going to punish me for it? I didn’t used to be this way. I’ve tried being good to get your attention.
Nothing
works!”

“Guilt,” Sally said.

“This is a
tourist
town! No available job here is going to pay enough to satisfy whatever it is I owe,
and
rent and bills! It will literally take me years!”

“Reasoning,” Sally said.

When my father didn’t show any signs of recanting, I pushed out my bottom lip, sitting crisscross to appear child-like. “I know I messed up. I’ll be better, Daddy, I swear.”

“Bargaining,” Sally said.

A tear fell down my cheek. “I will hate you after this. This is not going to bring us closer. I will never speak to you again.”

Sally cleared her throat. “Manipulation. Those tears are instruments, Philip.”

“Fuck you, you abhorrent cunt!” I clutched the sheets in my fists and bounced once on the mattress as I screamed.

My parents’ eyes grew wide. Sally looked relieved. “There. There is the real Ellison. You aren’t penniless. You still have use of the house. Maricela will make sure there are basic provisions. The rest, as Meredith has said, is up to you.”

My father watched me with pain in his eyes. I knew this was killing him inside. “We do love you. You’re right, bunny, we’ve failed you. This is the only way we know how to fix this.”