Page 75 of The Last Special Thing

“Am I taking you to your parents or Max’s?” Amelia asked as they passed the sign for the San Diego county line.

“My parents.” Her voice was small.

Amelia couldn’t remember the last time she had been to Madisson’s house. Madisson remained quiet for the rest of the drive, staring out into the dark of evening. The city lights blurred by. A blanket of exhaustion fell over Amelia; with all of their activities, it had felt like ten days in one.

She pulled into Madisson’s driveway, ten minutes from her own.

“How often have you been staying here?” Amelia eyed her.

“Not often.”

Amelia nodded in sympathy. As much as her parents annoyed her, at least they noticed when she was gone.

Madisson leaned over to hold Amelia’s hands. “I need to tell you something.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Amelia’s hands went limp.

“You're scaring me.” Amelia tried to laugh, but the sound was hollow.

Madisson glanced away, then back again as if searching for the words.

She swallowed. “Honey, Art is a drug dealer.”

Amelia’s brows furrowed. “What?” she asked. It was the strangest joke Madisson had ever told. It didn’t make any sense, and it wasn’t funny.

Madisson hesitated.

Was she serious?

Amelia retracted her hands from Madisson’s as if she had been burned.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Amelia asked, her voice raised.

Madisson folded her hands in her lap. “I wasn’t sure how to tell you. If you already knew?” There were deep creases in her forehead.

“It’s not true,” Amelia defended. With Asher in jail for dealing drugs, Art would never do that.

Madisson shifted and bit the edge of her lip. “It is true. I’ve seen him.”

“You’ve seen him deal drugs?” Amelia asked, incredulous.

Madisson nodded.

“No, you haven’t.” Amelia shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t know what you think you saw, but you didn’t see that.”

Rage boiled in her chest. Sure, Art made lousy choices, but he wasn’t an idiot. He knew the consequences of doing something that dangerous. His brother was the obvious example. No. He wouldn’t risk it.

“Are you calling me a liar?” Madisson’s tone shifted to offense. But if anyone should be offended, it was Art. And now, by proxy, Amelia.

She held her stare.

Madisson let out a breath and tried again. “There is nobody who loves you more than I do. I’m here, protecting you. How long have you known this dude for?”

“You know exactly how long I’ve known him. Regardless of the time, I know him. God, he’s not even here to defend himself.” It was absurd. She knew him. It was Madisson who didn’t.

“I didn’t think he needed to be here. I wanted to make sure that you knew. I care about you.”

The car was too small, the day too long. She had been backed into a corner with wild accusations, and she was done.