Page 45 of Make You Beg

And the day is finally here. Maddy’s first day of college.

Can’t say it’s been easy to keep this a secret.

I can’t wait to see the look on her face.

My little sister’s gonna flip.

She did ask me if I’m heading somewhere too, because of the backpack I had resting on the backseat.

I said yes, but she didn’t ask me anything else, and I’m glad.

It would have ruined the surprise I’d worked so hard for.

The past year has been torture, and I can’t wait to have some fun.

Ever since that fateful day on her birthday, Madelyn’s been ignoring me, pretending nothing happened. I was fine with it. Didn’t want her to make a big deal out of a kiss. It wasn’t a love confession or anything. It was a simple moment of weakness. A taste of what should be mine. Greed for something I don’t deserve.

Convincing our parents to keep quiet wasn’t hard. They liked me hanging around Madelyn, playing the role of overprotective brother. Miranda was delighted I’d chosen this path.

Plus, the convenience of it all, the documents prepared, yadda yadda, it would all be so convenient if we went through with my plan. I asked to keep it quiet in front of Maddy for her own good. Knowing the plan may have made her doubt or change her mind.

The whole ride is quiet. Maddy stares out the window, arms pressed into the backpack she’s been holding hostage over her chest, eyes avoiding me.

She changed her hair a bit. The rose streaks turned dark, and her whole hair is coated in a simple shade of brown now. Her clothes became neutral, too. A pair of black jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt, not wanting to stand out.

But she does to me.

Maybe I should have prepared myself better, too, instead of sticking with my usual T-shirt and sweatpants combo. Or at least trim my hair, instead of keeping it wild. It’s a bit longer than it used to be.

I don’t really give a fuck.

Pretty sure Madelyn isn’t delighted with me being her designated driver, but that’s how things are when you don’t have a driver’s license. And specifically, why I thought it’d be a fucking great idea to do this.

When we reach the campus parking lot, I kill the engine and break the silence. “We’re here.”

The tension between us could be cut with a knife.

“Nervous?” I ask.

Madelyn purses her lips. “A little bit.”

“There’s nothing to be nervous about.”

Truly, nothing, little sister, I’m here to keep an eye on you. You’ll be fine.

“I just wish I knew someone,” she confesses, fumbling with her fingers. “I hate starting over.”

It’s true. Her two best friends, Kira and what’s her name, both headed off to different places. One to law school prep, while the other decided to screw college in the face and go to beauty school.

So, Maddy is by herself. Or that’s what she thinks, at least.

“I get that,” I throw out an attempt at sympathy. It’s the first time in forever she’s opening up to me again, and I’m eating it up. Tell me more, princess. Show me your pain. “That’s the worst.”

She scans me. I’m leaning back, one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the edge of my seat.

I don’t look like I know what I’m talking about at all, but I do.

“I’m an expert at starting over. I’d moved around ten times by the time our parents got together,” I tell her.