Taking a Chance (31 page)

Maddie wanted to send Austin a gift, but she wasn’t sure how he would react. She was afraid to reach out to him, unsure if he would even take her call. She would have to reach out to him after the holidays, but wondered if it would be better to do it before Christmas.

A knock on Maddie’s door interrupted her thoughts.

“Come in.”

Izzy, one of the staff members, peeked her head in the door.

“I’m sorry to interrupt you, Miss Maddie. There’s someone here to see you. She said it’s very important she speak with you. Her name is Tiffany Canyon.”

The name startled Maddie. Maddie had not read any of the latest gossip, but she didn’t think Tiffany and Austin were still together. She had never seen another picture after that day, but then again, she’d tried to avoid all things that could lead her to a picture of Austin. She had not received a text from Austin for a while, and she wondered if something had happened to him. Her stomach dropped at that thought.
What if I’ve tried too hard to avoid all things related to Austin? Relax, Maddie. Someone would have told you about anything bad.

“Tell her I’ll be down in a minute.”

“I’ll have her wait in the sitting room.”

Maddie got up and smoothed out her shirt. She walked over to the bed and put on her shoes. Heart beating fast at the unknown, she made her way downstairs carrying the two gifts she had finished wrapping. She placed them under the tree on her way and took a couple of deep breaths before entering.

When Maddie walked in to the sitting room, Tiffany was sitting on the far side of the room. Her build was even slighter than Maddie remembered. Her skin had a transparent quality and her cheekbones protruded out above her sunken in cheeks. She was a beautiful girl, but she had no soft curves. Her long thin hand reached up and pushed the bangs out of her eyes. Even though Maddie had entered the room soundlessly, Tiffany turned toward the doorway and managed a meek, crooked smile.

She stood up and walked toward Maddie with her hand held out. Maddie shook it briefly. Tiffany’s frail hand was ice cold and Maddie almost began to feel bad for her. She imagined Tiffany was a girl trying too hard to fit in. She probably never ate a full meal and had Botox done every other week, just to keep up with the twenty-one year old girls. Her breasts were unnaturally generous for her frame. She was dressed casually and Maddie assumed it was a relief for her not to have to put on an act right now.

Maddie broke the silence. “What do you want, Tiffany?”

“I was hoping I could talk to you for a few minutes. I need to tell you something and thought it would be best in person. I didn’t think you would take my call.”

Maddie waved her hand toward the sofa.

“I want to apologize. I know I hurt you and what I did was wrong.”

Maddie cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “What did you do to hurt me?”

“Austin is not even aware. I have tried to contact him, but he will not take my calls. He will not even respond to a text message. I have tried to see him in person, but I have not been able to get near him. I haven’t had the courage to tell any of the other guys, and Charlie, well, Charlie was involved, so he won’t tell Austin for me.”

“Involved in what?” Maddie’s tone cooled even further.

“First, I need to tell you I had no idea how in love you two were. I didn’t know how much he cared about you. I just thought you two were dating and he enjoyed your company. You had only been together a little while, so I never assumed your relationship was so strong. I know that doesn’t make what I did okay, but I’m begging you to listen. I had no idea what I was messing with and if I could take it back, I honestly would.”

“Take what back?”

“The night I sent the picture to you from Austin’s phone, we had set him up.”

“We?”

“Charlie was the one behind it. He had introduced me to Austin in the first place. He thought it would be a great relationship to boost both of our careers. Austin never knew that is why we started dating, but I was focused on getting to the top any way I could. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I was using Austin. He was already in the public eye, so I thought if I could just be the girl on his arm, my career would take off. It did work, at least for a while.

“When I sensed him growing distant, I did awful things to try and keep him. Things I’m embarrassed to admit. I poked holes through condom wrappers to try and get pregnant. I told him I had a stalker and then told him I had been attacked, so he would fly to be by my side. I was awful.”

Maddie put up her hand. “Tiffany, why are you telling me all of this?”

“Because I did care about Austin. I really did. I don’t think I ever loved him, but I did care enough to want to see him happy now. He was kind to me when we dated, even though I was difficult. Anyhow, Charlie didn’t think it was good for Austin to be dating you. He didn’t have anything against you personally, but he wanted Austin dating someone famous or at least someone in the public eye. He wanted us to get married or at least engaged. Charlie thought it would help his career even more.”

Tiffany paused and took a deep breath. “Charlie called me and said he had a way for me to get Austin back. He said he would be sure it helped my career, too. Charlie knew you were going to be a challenge because Austin cared about you. He didn’t think Austin would just let you go, which is why I had to make you believe he didn’t want you. We knew that was the only way it would be successful.”

Maddie felt sick but wanted to hear the full story. “How did you get him to take the picture and how did you get his phone?”

“We drugged him.”

“You did
what
?”

“Charlie and I slipped something into the shot he took at the bar. From there, it was easy. He came with us because he had no idea what he was doing. We took the picture before he passed out. We had taken his phone, so he could not pick up any of your calls or texts. We took him back to the hotel and put him in my bed. However, I made a mistake. I forgot to delete the voicemail and outgoing text. When he listened to your voicemail and saw the text I sent, he flipped out. He couldn’t remember anything that had happened the night before, so he had no idea what he had or hadn’t done. I didn’t have a chance to tell him because he ran out of the room and never looked back. I don’t know that I would have had the nerve, but it didn’t matter either way because he was gone.”

Maddie closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them back up, she struggled to maintain her composure. “I will ask you again, Tiffany. Why the hell are you telling me this now?”

“Because when I heard the new single he released, I knew it was about you the second I heard it. I had no idea, Maddie, I swear to you. I had no idea he loved you or how much pain he is in without you. As soon as I heard it, I called Charlie and he said Austin has been a completely different person. He’s so miserable that Charlie thinks he’s going to walk away from his career. He needs you, Maddie. I hope you two can move past this together.”

“Why do you care what I do?”

“Maddie, you’ll never understand how bad I feel. The guilt I have lived with the last few months has made me sick. I know telling you doesn’t fix everything, but it feels better than not having the truth out there. I wish I hadn’t hurt either one of you this much. I regret what I did, and if I could take it back, I would. But since I can’t, I’m hopeful that by telling you I’m at least helping to put it back together.”

Tiffany pulled a package out of her purse.

“I brought a copy of his new single with me. Please listen to it. I hope you forgive Austin. None of this was his fault. One thing I know about Austin is he would never do anything to intentionally hurt you. I would hate to see him lose his career or his true love over something stupid Charlie and I did.”

Tiffany stood up. She had tears in her eyes. Maddie knew she felt regret, but that didn’t excuse what she had done. She had caused Maddie months of misery, and she didn’t think she would ever forget.

“Thank you for listening to me, Maddie. You’re a better person than I ever will be. Austin deserves you and you deserve him. I’m so sorry.” Her statement ended on a whisper and Tiffany walked out the door.

Maddie listened to the footsteps fade away. When the front door closed, she began breathing again. Maddie got up and walked over to the stereo to put the CD in.

Seven years can’t save me now

I’m sick and tired of everything

Can’t believe the love is gone

So long I’ve waited

You’re all I’ve waited for

You were right in front of me

All these broken dreams, baby

I need you for all my years

I never meant to cause these tears

Nothing can save me now

Can you feel somehow?

Can you find your way back home?

’cause it feels like the end

Like an angel who got lost along the way …

Maddie wiped the tears running down her face as the song continued to play. She knew Austin’s pain was as much his concern for her as it was missing her. She could hear the toll it was taking on him. Maddie decided she would leave her gift for him in person. He may not take her back, but she was going to give him all the facts and leave it up to him to decide.

Austin had given Maddie the band’s numbers when they were together, so she could always have a way to get in touch with him. She ran upstairs to find her cell phone.

Maddie knew their plan had been to start recording the new album when the tour ended, and she hoped they were continuing as planned. Tommy’s response came a few minutes later.

Not completely the truth, but Tommy doesn’t need to know that.

Maddie was not aware she was crying again until a tear slid down her cheek. Just reading the words that Austin missed her made her stomach flip flop. It gave her more confidence to go through with her plan.

“Y
ou’re doing the right thing, sweetheart.”

“I know Mom, but then why do I feel so nervous?”

“Because this is a big step. I’m proud of you for having the courage. As we have both said, no matter what happens, it will be okay because you have three families out here already. Although one more family would certainly be welcome. Good luck, sweetheart. Call me when you land.”

“I will, Mom. I love you.”

She gave her mom a hug and kissed her on the cheek. Maddie wanted to be home in time for Christmas Eve dinner. She was flying tonight, so she could go over first thing Christmas Eve morning.

When Maddie landed, she sent her mom a text and told her to give Ashley a kiss goodnight for her. She caught a cab to the hotel where she planned to stay that night. Ordering room service and going to bed early were the only things she intended to do that night. She had been exhausted lately and was looking forward to the extra hours of sleep.

It had been almost three months since she had said goodbye to Austin. She missed him more than she ever thought possible. Sitting at the desk in her room, she finished the letter she had started. Even though she could never express how much she missed Austin in a letter, she attempted to capture some of her pain. Satisfied it was as complete as she could make one letter, she folded the piece of paper in half and put it inside the box.

• • •

M
addie was wearing a black military-style winter coat that fell to her mid-thighs. She was thankful for the warmth of her coat, since it was a frigid day in Boston. The snow on the ground reminded her of Chicago. A white Christmas was one thing they would miss that year.

At nine sharp, she rang the doorbell. She hoped it wasn’t too early, but she had to get back to the airport in time. A petite woman with dark hair answered the door and Maddie saw the resemblance immediately, causing her heart to ache. She was wearing a red and green striped apron with white ruffle trim. Maddie smelled cookies baking and heard Christmas music playing in the background. Even though Maddie was nervous she had to go through with it now that she was standing there.

“Hello, Ms. Hunter, I’m Maddie. I’m hoping you know who I am.”

She opened the door wider for Maddie and motioned for her to come in.

“Please call me Martha. I definitely know who you are and it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Thank you. I don’t have a lot of time, but I was hoping to stay for a few minutes.”

“Of course, dear, but Austin isn’t here. He’s not scheduled to be out of the studio until later this afternoon.”

“I actually came to see you.”

Maddie saw the surprise cross Martha’s face.

“Me? Why did you come to see me?”

“Well, I would like your help sharing something with Austin. I know you may be upset with me, but I’m hoping you will sit with me for a few minutes.”

“Maddie, I have no reason to be upset with you.”

Maddie let out a sigh of relief. She didn’t realize she had been holding her breath in anticipation.

“Please, follow me.”

They walked through the house into the living room and Maddie sat down on the sofa.

“Your tree is beautiful.”

“Thank you. Can I get you anything? Would you like something to drink?”

“Some water would be wonderful.”

“Can I take your coat?”