“I’ve never denied that Ash is hot,” I said, dropping my voice. “But I’m not in love with him.”
“I heard that,” Ash called. “And you not being in love with me is a debatable subject. I have many methods to convince you it’s true.”
Madison laughed, having heard him through the speaker.
“Thanks, Maddie. Now, was there a reason you called me? Besides to talk about Ash.”
“Duh, we have tickets to see Strictly TakeOut tonight!”
I paused. A few months ago, Madison and I had bought tickets to see our favorite indie band Strictly TakeOut at a local club. We tried to see them every time they came to Brooklyn or Manhattan, sometimes even Jersey. It always involved a pull and tug with my dad, getting permission to spend my money on tickets, saving up for the tickets, and then getting permission to go to the show with Madison, without my father tagging along. I had been counting down the days until I’d simply just forgotten about it. “Yeah, Maddie, I don’t think that it’s such a good idea.”
“Oh, come on, Zoey, why not?” she whined. “We’ve been waiting for this show for months, and remember the ordeal that we had to go through? We’ll go, see the band and come straight home. We won’t get sick.”
“I’m not taking chances. People are dying and disappearing. Your boyfriend’s mom just died.” I grabbed the remote from the table and started flipping through the channels.
Madison was quiet for a moment. “I’m just so bored. I know that’s wrong because of Brody’s mom,” she said, quietly. “But I’m cooped up inside all day with my sisters and I’m going insane. I can’t just sit inside and wait for something to happen.”
“I know,” I said, “trust me. I know.” I could hear Ash in the stairwell, ordering the Chinese food for us. I smiled slightly when I heard him order my favorite. “Come over. Ash just ordered Chinese; we’ll watch movies.” I laughed. “I really do need someone to keep me from killing Ash.”
“The thing is,” Madison said slowly, “I’m kind of already here.”
“Madison!” I yelled abruptly. “What is wrong with you? It’s not safe!”
“I’m sorry! I just had to get out. I had to keep living. I haven’t had a real coffee in weeks, and all I eat is takeout and I’m tired of watching TV and movies. I had to get out.” There were some muffled noises in the background. “I have to go.”
“Madison? Maddie!” I held the phone out. Call ended. I shrieked in frustration and flew off the couch and up the stairs, bumping into Ash on the way up.
“Z, what are you doing?”
“Stupid Madison. Ugh,” I said, slamming into my room. “She went out and now I have to go out and get her.” I started pulling clothes out of my closet.
“Wait,” Ash said, grabbing my arm to stop me midstride. He whipped me around to face him. “You can’t go out there. Your dad wants you home; it’s not safe.”
“It’s not safe for Maddie either.” I tried pulling my arm away from his grip but he had a tight hold. “Let go of me.”
“Z, you could get sick!” He looked uncharacteristically serious.
“I’m going, Ash, and I’m bringing my idiotic best friend home.” I yanked my arm harder but it still didn’t budge. I was strong but my strength relied mostly on my legs. His fingers flexed, gripping his arm tighter. His hands were so large that his thumb and fingers met together around my bicep. “Let. Go.”
He released me from his grip but didn’t leave. “Well, you know I’m going with you, right?”
I started shaking my head repeatedly. “No. No way.”
Ash grinned. He grabbed one of the dresses I had tossed on the bed and shoved it into my arms, his fingertips lingering on my skin. “I’m your protector, remember? Now get dressed. We gotta go save Maddie.” He winked and walked out of the room.
Moments later, I came down the stairs dressed in the little black lace dress Ash had pushed it in my arms. He had the uncanny ability to choose the shortest dress in my closet, of course. I had let my hair free of its usual ponytail, and I’d slipped on little boots.
Ash was at the front door, waiting for me. His face lit up. “Well, don’t you look absolutely delicious? I picked a good one, didn’t I?”
“Just stop it, okay?” I said, tired of his antics, tired of his teasing. I called for Bandit and put him in the basement, locking the door behind him. He whimpered slightly. I shook my head.
“Z,” he said while helping me slip my coat on, his fingers light on my hips. “You do. You look gorgeous.”
“Shut up,” I said softly, avoiding his eyes. “Let’s go. “