I nod, walking out of the room slowly, my shoulders much less tense than before. After about half an hour, we all meet back in the lounge, all of us having taken our showers and having ordered a pizza, which arrived only a few minutes before. I’m wearing my pajamas, not sexy at all, but comfortable. I guess that’s always been me.
The guys helped themselves to some plain t-shirts from my dad’s closet, and some sweatpants. I’m surprised my dad still has some of those in his closet, always preferring to dress to the nines, but I suppose that’s also one of those things left from the time of my mother. She liked things easy and spontaneous, and with her around, that was always so easy. After she was gone, both me and dad found it difficult to be spontaneous. It was simply too hurtful. So, planning ahead became comforting. Planning what to do, where to go, even what to wear. The heart is pacified by the strangest things, it seems.
Returning with the pizza from the kitchen, Anderson places it on the small coffee table, and then rests a Coke six pack next to it.
“Look what I found in the pantry,” he beams proudly.
“Pizza just isn’t pizza without Coke,” I smile. “Well done.”
As soon as I take the first bite, I realize how ravenous I am. I also realize that I can’t remember when was the last time I had something to eat, and neither can the guys. We wolf down the whole thing within minutes, the guys so relaxed that Anderson even burps loudly a few times, which provides him with a frown from Fynn and a chuckle from me.
“Maddie, there is something I’d like to tell you,” Fynn suddenly starts, sitting next to me on the sofa.
Anderson is quiet, resting on the armchair, a little further away from us.
“You interrupted me at the hospital, but I think the right time is as good as any.”
“What is it?” I smile.
“I can be a real hardass,” he nods.
“Boy, don’t we know it!” Anderson interrupts, and we all laugh.
I don’t remember the last time it felt this good to laugh, and I welcome the sensation.
“But, all I did and said was so I could keep you safe.”
“I know that.”
“So, I’d like to apologize.”
“Apologize?” I look over at Anderson, not believing this is happening. “You?”
“Yes,” he nods. “I was harsh at times when it was uncalled for. And, I apologize.”
“Oh, it’s all water under the bridge,” I smile. “Don’t worry about it.”
“See?” Anderson beams. “I told you. She’s amazing.”
“Wow,” I exclaim, my head cocking to one side. “I never thought I’d hear that from either of you.”
“I never doubted that actually,” Fynn adds, in his characteristic way.
“Oh, my God, was that just a compliment from the both of you?” I smirk.
“I think so, yeah,” Anderson nods. “What do you say, Fynn?”
“Absolutely.”
I feel myself blushing with all this attention, and at the same time, I realize how welcome it is. In the beginning of this nightmare, I could sense that there was something between us, between me and Anderson, between me and Fynn, despite his hardass behavior – to use his words.
Suddenly, I feel Fynn’s hand cover mine, gently, gentler than I ever thought his touch could be. Anderson gets up, and sits on the other s
ide of the couch.
“You’re the perfect woman, Madeleine,” he whispers right into my ear, and I don’t know why the use of my full name coming out of his mouth arouses me to such an extent.
But, I love it. Every hair on my body is on its end. My skin is electrified by Fynn’s touch. My ears pricked up to the sound of Anderson’s honey-sweet voice.