No One Knows You Like I Do

Nick stepped back.
“Oh, uhm, wow. I totally didn’t mean it like that. I just -” Madison said, but Nick chuckled, causing her to stop.
“Wait.” He wrapped his arms around her torso. He kissed her repeatedly and looked her in the eyes, with their foreheads touching. “I love you. I know we haven’t been together that long, but I can’t even begin to imagine myself with anyone but you.”
“Really?” She bit her lip and looked away.
“Really.” He smiled and kissed her again. He pulled away and picked up the plates, bringing them to the couch, so they could finish Madison’s movie. Madison followed and sat next to him.
“So…what does that mean then?”
“It means…” he sighed with a smiled as he picked up her hand, “one day, I’m gonna make you my wife, because I can’t imagine my future with anyone else…” He paused. “Let’s just eat and watch your movie, okay?” He chuckled. “We’ll talk about this another time.” He pecked her cheek before picking up his plate and digging in. Madison picked up her plate and did the same, with a huge smile on her face. She couldn’t imagine her life with anyone else either.

******

Madison walked up to the usual lunch table she shared with Mackenzie and set her tray down, still grinning from the previous night. She hadn’t told Mackenzie, yet, because she wasn’t sure when it would be the perfect time.
“Okay, Miss Smiles. What the hell are you so damn giddy about? You’ve been grinning like that alllll day.” Obviously she would have to tell her now.
“Alright, I’ll tell you. Just keep it to yourself.”
“Who am I gonna tell?!” She laughed.
“Garrett? Just don‘t tell him.”
“I won’t!” She laughed again. “Now, tell me. I’m freaking out over here!”
“So, Nick told me that he couldn’t see himself with anyone else. He said that one day, he wants to marry me.” She whispered son no one around would hear.
“What? Seriously?! Oh my gosh……I don’t know what else to say!”
“Me either! I can’t believe he meant it!”
“You guys are perfect together of course he meant it.

“Garrett, I don’t know what to do. I’m scared for them.” Even though she promised not to tell him, Mackenzie had to. She had to tell someone and he was her only option. “They’re perfect together, but I think it’s too soon for them to even be talking about it. I mean, she just turned eighteen. She’s not even out of high school yet.”
“Kenz, stop. She’s your best friend. If you feel this way, tell her not me.”
“But you’re my boyfriend; of course I’d tell you. I need another opinion before I can talk to her.”
“Well, I don’t know. I mean, yeah they’re young, but they’re in love, aren’t they? And it’s not like her put a ring on her finger and said they’re getting hitched six months from now. He said, ‘one day,’ did he not? I think you just need to relax.”
Mackenzie sighed loudly. “You’re right. See? This is why I called you. You always know just what to say.”
“That’s what I’m here for.” He chuckled.
“God, I miss you.” She frowned to herself.
“I miss you, too, Kenz. Just a few more weeks ‘til your graduation and I’ll be there in the crowd cheering you on as you get your diploma.”
Mackenzie sighed again, this time with a smile. “I can’t wait.”

******

Garrett hung up the phone and walked back onto the rehearsal space to rejoin the guys. He shoved his phone into his pocket and picked up his bass. The guys just stared at him in silence and when he looked up from his bass, he finally noticed their eyes.
“What?”
“You leave in the middle of practice to talk to your girlfriend and return 30 minutes later with expectations of still practicing?” Kennedy said.
“Uhm, yeah?” He replied in confusion.
“At least tell us what was so urgent!” Jared said.
“I don’t think I should.”
“C’mon Garrett. We’re your best friends. We’re practically brothers. Just tell us!” Pat said, jumping up and down.
“Alright, alright. Stop with the jumping!” He chuckled. “Mackenzie was freaking out because of something Madison told her.”
“What did Madison tell her?” Jared asked.
“Well, I guess Nick may have told Madison that, one day, he’d like to marry her.” Garrett shrugged. Pat started jumping up and down again.
“This is exciting!” He shouted.
“Wow, I didn’t know things were that serious.” Jared said.
“He said ‘one day,’ not today, right now.” Garrett said.
“Well, I think it’s awesome. They really love each other.” Kennedy smiled. “Are we done with all this girly gossip? Can I go now?” John sighed, pulling on his jacket and pacing his sunglasses over his eyes.
“Yeah, man. See ya later.” Kennedy said hesitantly. John waved slightly with a flick of his wrist and was out the door. The rest of the guys shared an awkward glance before picking up their instruments and putting them away. Garrett set down his bass and walked out after John. He picked up speed to catch up and was at his side in only a moment.
“John.”
“What?” He spat, reaching his truck.
“What are you so angry about?”
“Just the fact that you were on the phone for 30 minutes of practice like it was no big deal.” He huffed, opening the door.
“John, wait!” He grabbed the door to stop him.
“Kennedy and Jared have done the same thing before and you’ve never got on their case about it. What’s so bad about me doing it?”
“Nothing.”
“It’s because it was about Madison, huh?” He smirked. “You like her, don’t you?”
“She’s with Nick, Garrett.” He seethed.
“Answer the question, John: Do you have a thing for Madison? Yes or no?”
“YES, DAMMIT. Now let me go home, will you?!”
“She’s dating one of your best friends. You can’t go there.”
“Don’t you think I know that?! That’s what makes this suck so goddamn much!” He shouted, slamming his door shut. “I can’t stop myself from caring about her. I’ve tried! She’s just…incredible. I can see why Nick was so torn up on tour last summer.” He sighed. “That’s why I don’t want her to go on tour with us. With her around, it’s gonna be harder to stop my feelings. I-I don’t know if I can control myself if she’s out on the road with us.”
“You’re gonna have to try, okay? And I got your back, man. I’ll, uh, bring Mackenzie out, too, and she’ll keep Madison occupied and away from you.”
“Yeah……thanks.” He laughed dryly.
“Hey, I’m trying.” Garrett sighed.
“I’m sorry. Really, thank you.” He nodded and started his truck. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“Yeah.” Garrett waved him off before running back inside to grab his bass s he could go home.