[chapter twenty-three]
Disclaimer: If you've heard of them, I don't own them. Everything else is mine, so no stealing, pretty please. ;-)
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~Madelyn's POV~
"So Bobby, tell me…why do you think your popularity has surged with the female fans in the last few years?" I ask, adjusting my tape recorder and smiling at Bobby, who graciously blushes and looks down at his hands.
"Uh…well, I think that in the last few years…" He begins before being rudely cut off.
By Jeff storming over to where we are sitting and yanking on my arm roughly.
"I need to talk to you. Now." He says, his voice low, commanding.
"Mr. Gordon, I'm sorry, but I'm in the middle of an interview right now, and…"
"Don't Mr. Gordon me." He says harshly.
"Take your hands off me."
"Not until you hear what I have to say."
"Mr. Gordon, I'd ask you to respect my personal space, and my profession by letting me finish this interview. I'll speak to you later."
"Bobby, you mind if you take five?" He asks, and Bobby grins and nods, watching the two of us like he's watching a heated tennis match.
"Don't start barking orders like you just own the place. I'm trying to…"
"Madelyn, I'll be back in a few minutes." Bobby says with a smile as he slides out of his chair and leaves me alone with a very angry looking Jeff Gordon.
Damn.
"Thank you, Jeff. Well done." I snarl, angry that he disrupted my interview, my respect as a journalist and my temper. "What do you have to say to me that couldn't wait twenty minutes?"
He releases my arm and steps back, his body visibly sagging as he looks at me. "I'm sorry. I can't believe I just did that. I just…I found out you were here, and I kinda…"
"Lost all control of your sanity?" I fire at him and he looks up, his eyes meeting mine.
"Pretty much, yeah. Maddy, I've been a wreck ever since you…" He trails off, not knowing what to say.
"Sucks, doesn't it?" I can't resist asking, even though I'm not angry, or want to hurt him. I just want to get in one last dig before we put it behind us for good, no matter where we stand.
"I said I was sorry a thousand times. And I'm sorry again. I just wanted to see you to tell you that…"
"Yes?"
"Um. That article you wrote rocks."
"Well, thanks for stopping by."
"Why are you being so cold towards me?" He begs, stepping forward to take my hand.
"Not here." I say, pulling away from him. "Didn't you…didn't you get it?"
"Get what?" He asks, confused.
I sigh. Dammit. No wonder he's pissed if he thinks I just left him in Vermont without a backwards glance.
"Look in the pocket of your khakis." I say softly. "I gotta go, Bobby's waiting for me."
Without a backwards glance, I hurry away from Jeff and towards my own sanity.