Becoming Maddie (The Casterhouse series Book 1) (33 page)

Somehow she knew that if Jean was here she would understand why Maddie was not going to run. All Maddie could do was try and explain that to the woman when she went and saw her at the hospital tonight. Although she didn’t think Jean would make it that hard because she had been sat around that table last night and had seen the family Maddie had helped build and become a part of.

The only thing Maddie hoped is that her friend would truly understand that she had never meant for her to get hurt in anyway. That there was a part of her that felt selfish for wanting it all but Maddie did. She didn’t want to be the person that ran scared all the time. She wanted to be the person that had the fun, which had the life that made her feel happy when she woke up in the morning and happier still when she went to bed every night. She wanted to raise kids in Casterfield with the man she loved, she wanted to watch the man that Ethan would become and the beautiful Angel that Rosie would grow up to be. Maddie didn’t want to miss the last time that John would come and be home to stay, or the meal’s at Eddie and Fiona’s and definitely not the girl’s nights out that she wanted  to start up with Sarah and Claire.

So Maddie really wished that Jean would not hold what happened to her against Maddie and they went on to open the best craft shop in Casterfield (there wasn’t another one but it would still be the best anyway).

For now though Maddie was enjoying being caught up in the mood in park and enjoying every single moment because this was the new person she was, the new Maddie.

* * * * * * * *

When the game was over their little group was huddled round as they waited for Aiden to gather up all the bibs and put they in the bag. It didn’t help that every five seconds a woman would stop him and tell him what a fantastic job he was doing. Somehow they felt they couldn’t say that without flicking their hair or grabbing his arm.

“Does it bother you?” John asked next to her.

Maddie quickly looked away from the current flirting attempt by one of the mums. Her daughter was stood next to her looking like she wanted to go home. That or be anywhere but there.

“I would be a liar if I said it didn’t.” Maddie responded honestly.

John nodded next to her. Sarah was throwing a Frisbee with the kids while they waited. Rosie wasn’t great at it but every time it fell to the ground she would squeal with laughter as Marvin dived for it and brought it back to her. Maddie even started to think that she was throwing it badly on purpose. Ethan seemed to be thinking the same too so he joined in throwing it badly. Sarah laughed with them as she watched over her kids as they threw the Frisbee for Marvin.

Maddie added ‘buy Ethan and Rosie a new Frisbee’ to her to do list. Once they finished throwing that one it was going to be covered in teeth marks. 

“He doesn’t notice them.” John spoke up.

Turing back to watch the woman try harder still to get Aiden to flirt back. She threw her head back as she laughed at something but neither Maddie nor John missed the way she stuck out her chest while she did it. That and she was basically trying to wrap Aiden in her arms.

“How can you not notice her?” Maddie asked softly. “She is in no way bad looking.”

John tilted his head but didn’t look at the woman like Maddie thought he would, instead he looked down at her.

“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror recently?” He asked semi sarcastically.

Maddie blushed a little but didn’t look away from the woman that was still trying to get Aiden to ask for her number. Every time he looked like he was going to break free she would suddenly ask him something else almost desperately. Her hand on Aiden’s arm getting tighter. The daughters face getting more and more embarrassed.

“Okay I know I am not the worst looking woman ever but she is definitely no slouch.” Maddie replied.

John looked back at the scene in front of them too.

“It’s all superficial.” He stated. “Why would he even think twice about superficial when he has sweet and amazing at home? It’s not totally about the wrapping but the inside too. Besides he would never do anything to risk you two going bad.”

Wow. Maddie looked up at the man next to her, John thought that? Did Aiden? She was annoyed that she was even wondering this. Aiden loved her.

“I totally agree.” Sarah said standing on the other side of John, her husband instantly wrapping his arm round her shoulders. “What’s more she’s a skank.”

“Sarah!” Maddie gasped quickly looking at the woman with the way to low cut top to check she hadn’t heard Sarah.

John just chuckled at his wife.

“Well it’s true.” Sarah explained. “Look at her daughter. She is hoping the ground will open up and swallow her whole but what she doesn’t look is surprised. This says to me this is not the first time her mother acted like this. How can you behave like that with your child watching?”

Maddie couldn’t help but agree. Her mother clearly wasn’t thinking about how much this would affect the girl considering she would have to come to football next week and have to look her coach in the eye. That was who Aiden was to the girl after all.

“Besides she saw you arrive with Aiden earlier. Not to mention it has been round the playground that the hotter than hot, badass coach has been tied down by an unknown, beautiful woman.” Sarah added.

Maddie let Sarah calling her beautiful pass her by. She may be making steps to think better about herself but she was really not there yet.

Not being able to watch any more, Maddie turned to look at the children playing with her dog. She wasn’t ready to have to face a woman coming on to her man. There were things that she might want to do about it but wasn’t sure how to go about it yet. Were they even in the place where it would be okay for her to publicly lay claim to him. They did love each other and tell each other often. So was that okay?

“You should go over there and snog his face off right in front of her while I distract the daughter.” Sarah said completely seriously.

A bark of laughter broke past her lips before she could stop it. Aiden and the woman trying to jump him, looked across at her with questioning looks. Maddie just smiled. Aiden returned the smile but the woman tried to kill her with a glare.

“I can’t do that.” Maddie chuckled.

“Why not?” Sarah asked back instantly leaning into her husband and putting an arm round his waist. “I do it all the time.”

Turning to look past John’s body to see Sarah properly, Maddie raised her eyebrows.

“She does.” John said almost shocking Maddie.

She had almost forgotten he was there because she was getting really caught up in the girl chat going on. Moving so that she was facing front and her back was straight she tried not to blush.

Then it hit her. Here was a man that was willing to talk to her about this. Maybe he would be able to say what she should do.

“Do you mind?” Maddie asked John carefully.

For some reason Sarah found this question hilarious. Her head fell and she gripped onto John tighter as she let the laughter flow out of her easily. As much as Maddie was confused it was nice to see her friend laughing. Sarah really was much happier when her husband was home.

“I don’t mind.” John said smiling at his wife with a wicked look.

Sarah winked her eye at Maddie.

“My husband loves it when I do it.” Sarah stated. “He is just being polite.”

John laughed out loud and kissed his wife before saying,

“Damn right I do.”

They seemed to be sharing a ‘moment’ so Maddie turned away. 2 kids, 10 years of marriage and they still had ‘moments’. It warmed Maddie’s heart. Once more, she was very pleased her best friend had that.

What Sarah had said made her blush, again, and it was a little too much information about John than she needed but she thought it would be fun if she got the same results with Aiden. Although there was no way that she was going to stride over there and just kiss him. That was hers and Aiden’s she wasn’t giving that to anyone else.

“Do it.” John said earnestly. “Whatever you are thinking, do it.”

Looking up at him, John gave her a slight nod and before she could over think it anymore Maddie started to walk towards Aiden, the woman and her daughter.

As she got closer Aiden looked up at her and smiled.

The woman turned to see what he was looking at and frowned heavily.

Her eyes took Maddie in from top to toe and seemed to find her wanting. Trying not to let that affect her Maddie kept her eyes on Aiden. He loved her and she knew he loved the way she looked. He told her all the time.

When she was within reach Aiden held his arm up and Maddie walked right under it. Aiden’s arm rested round her shoulders and tucked her in so her front was almost flat to his side. The woman let go of Aiden’s arm straight away.

“Cheryl I would like you to meet Maddie.” Aiden said introducing her to the woman that would not let him leave. “My girlfriend.”

A happy shiver shot though Maddie. Would she ever get used to being called that?

The woman’s mouth formed a perfect ‘o’ as she
again
took Maddie in from head to toe and
again
she seemed to find Maddie wanting.

“It’s nice to meet you Cheryl.” Maddie said super politely as she held out her hand.

The other woman recovered her fake smile and held out her hand to shake Maddie’s. She gave Maddie a weak half-hearted attempt at a shake and pulled her hand back ASAP. Cheryl clearly didn’t think either Maddie or Aiden would notice as she then wiped her hand on her leg.

Aiden’s arm round her shoulders tightened and he looked like he was about to say something but Maddie got there first.

Looking down at the little girl she asked. “What’s your name?”

The girl, who had really short, almost pixie like, blonde hair looked a little worried as her eyes flicked between Maddie, Aiden then her mother.

“Isabelle.” She finally mumbled.

“I saw you play earlier and thought you were amazing.” Maddie said smiling down at her. “That goal was kickass.”

Right in front of all their eyes the girls face lit up and bloomed. Isabelle had the cutest little over bite and the biggest grin.

“Yeah?” Isabelle asked not quite believing it.

“Definitely.” Aiden declared. “By far one of my best players.”

This time the girl looked just at Aiden. Maddie could tell that this beautiful little girl did not often get praise. She decided right then that whenever Maddie could she was going to tell Isabelle how well she played. Get to know her better.

“Really?” Isabelle wanted more confirmation. “Even better than the boys?”

Aiden laughed down at her and Maddie chuckled.

“Even better than the boys.” Aiden assured.

Before anything more could be said to the little girl the mother cut in. Clearly Cheryl was not having fun with the attention not being on her. That or she did not like that he daughter was getting praise or played football. It was probably both though.

“Isabelle close your mouth.” Cheryl snapped. “Everybody can see your teeth.”

Just like that the light left her face and Maddie felt her heart hurt for Isabelle. She wanted to bend down and tell the little girl that it would all be okay and that one day she would be able to escape her mother. That until that day came Maddie would be here to talk to and build her up if she needed it. Looking into Aiden’s face Maddie could see that he was thinking and feeling the same thoughts.

Aiden would be giving poor little Isabelle more attention from now on. Definitely trying to build up her self-confidence.

Great man.

Again before Aiden could say something that he might regret later Maddie cut in and looked at the woman.

“Well I am afraid I have to steal my hunk away.” Maddie said going on toes to kiss Aiden’s jaw. “We have plans sweetie pie.”

The woman’s mouth scrunched up in a way that showed many lines in her face that said she did this often. Aiden looked at the woman then down at Maddie with a smile on his face.

“Yeah, babe we do.” Aiden replied.

Holding his hand up for a high five from Isabelle, which she gave with another smile, Aiden then turned to Cheryl and said in a fake polite voice.

“Thank you for the offer of a meal this week but Maddie here is the best cook and I hate missing a night with her but you are welcome to come round one night?”

At that Maddie had to fight the squeak that was in her throat but smiled as big as she could at the woman and nodded like she agreed with what Aiden was offering.

Cheryl glared daggers at her but put a grateful face on when she looked at Aiden.

“Thank you so much for the kind offer but I think I will have to give it a miss.” She said sweetly. “I just remembered I have plans but I would love to catch up with you next week after the game.”

Aiden nodded and started to walk away from the mother and daughter, taking Maddie with him.

“Of course,” He said over his shoulder. “Maddie and I will look forward to it.”

This time Maddie had to put a hand over her mouth to stop herself laughing. Looking at Sarah, as they approached her and John, she could see her hand over her mouth too.