Page 84 of Ravaged For You

“He’s an old flame of mine.”

Just as I suspected.

“So you’re going to keep quiet about this?” I ask.

“It’s a story for another day,” Astrid replies. “Shall we still have lunch?”

36

AXEL

At the end of our meal, Maddie excuses herself.

“I know this sounds silly, but I need to go to the bathroom again,” she says cutely.

I just smile and nod. “Go.”

She needs to compose herself after what the hell just happened with her mother. Holy shit, I did not expect that at all. To be honest, I’m still in shock at what that woman said. What she was like. No wonder Maddie’s always so cautious and her defenses are so high when she’s grown up with a mother like that.

Once she leaves, I glance at my own mom sitting across from me.

“I think I did something wrong,” I say.

I’ve been thinking that ever since Maddie’s mom stormed out. Because of words that I’ve said. I shouldn’t have gotten involved with all that. I shouldn’t have stood up to the woman.

That was not part of my fake boyfriend contract with Maddie.

But I had to say something; there was an overwhelming urge in that moment to stand up for the girl I’ve really gotten to know over the last few days and tell her mother the truth. I hated how Mary spoke to her. How can a mother say things like that to her daughter?

Maddie has been through some shit, that’s for sure.

“You did nothing wrong,” Mom assures me. “You did something right.”

“How could you know? She ran to the bathroom in tears afterwards. Was that me? My fault?”

I don’t know why I’m caring so much. I never would normally.

But I care about my fake girlfriend.

“I saw Maddie’s face,” Mom explains. “I know these things. For a man who’s made millions of girls around the world fall in love with you, Axel, you’re pretty ignorant of how the female mind works, aren’t you?”

I just blink at my mother.

“I just hope she isn’t insulted or hurt,” I reply dumbly.

Mom takes a long pause to study my face intently. It’s uncomfortable. I try to look everywhere but at her.

“You really love Maddie, don’t you?” Mom asks.

Right. That’s enough for me.

I can’t deal with these kinds of questions from Mom.

I flag down a passing server.

“I’ll have a beer, please.”

“You don’t want to talk about it?” Mom asks me.