JOSH'S POV:
The morning of Maddy's birthday I was awoken by my phone vibrating on the bedside table. Gently easing myself up, I picked up my phone and saw it was Andy calling. Keeping my eyes on the phone as it continued to ring; I saw that he'd left a voicemail message. Glancing back at Maddy who was thankfully still sleeping soundly, I climbed out of bed gently and made my way out of the room, checking my voicemail as I went…
"We need to meet" Andy informed me as he picked up the phone as I rang him back
"Why? And when?" I questioned, sitting down at the patio table
"Later this morning, and because" he replied "don't ask questions"
"It's Maddy's birthday, Andy" I informed him "so I can't be too long, okay?"
"Don't worry, little bro, you won't be" he assured me "meet me at the beach in an hour"
"Okay" I replied, sighing heavily as I hung up the phone
"There you are" Maddy proclaimed as I placed my head in my hands "what's wrong?"
"Nothing" I assured her "good morning, birthday girl"
"Morning" she mirrored, perching herself on my knee "what're you doing up so early?"
"Andy rang" I explained "I need to meet him at the beach in half-an-hour"
"Why?" she asked, raising an eyebrow at me
"He didn't say, but I won't be long" I informed her
"How about I come with you?" she suggested
"It'll be easier if I go on my own" I replied "I promise you, I won't be long, okay?"
"Okay" she stated, smiling at me warmly "so, do I get a birthday kiss or what?"
Reciprocating her smile, I placed my hand at the back of her head, holding it in place as I captured her lips with mine…
"What's this all about then?" I inquired as I reached Andy
"Matt" he informed me
"What about him?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at him
"I hear he's been sniffing around Maddy" he replied "why?"
"He's got a thing for her" I informed him
"And does she know what went down between you two?" he inquired
I nodded my head, signalling yes… "I told her. I couldn't lie to her. Why do you ask?"
"Word on the street is that he's bragging that he'll have her" he informed me "and I just wanted you to be aware. We're brothers, yeah?"
I nodded my head, signalling yes… "What do you mean have her?"
"You're not stupid, Josh. Figure it out" he sighed "just watch him around her, yeah?"
"Thanks for the heads-up" I replied, smiling at him weakly "how are things?"
"They're okay" he admitted "could be better. I should head off, don't wanna break my bail conditions"
"Thanks again, Andy" I stated
"No worries" he replied, a hug being shared between us before he left the beach
MADDY'S POV:
"So, what did Andy want then?" I questioned as Josh made his way into the kitchen
"Nothing for you to worry about" he informed me, kissing my cheek "have you opened your presents yet?"
I shook my head, signalling no… "I was waiting for you"
"There you are" Roo proclaimed "you were out early this morning. Everything okay?"
Josh nodded his head, signalling yes… "Shall we get the presents opened then?"
"Good idea" Roo replied, ushering me to the dining table where my presents were sat
"Where're Mr. Stewart and Marilyn?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at Roo
"Dad's out God knows where and Marilyn's had to go to work" she informed me "but they'll be at the dinner tonight, don't worry. So, come on, start opening"
Smiling at her warmly, I opened the first card which was from Marilyn and John, $100 falling from it… "This is too much"
"They didn't know what to get you so I said money" Roo explained "come on, carry on"
Continuing to open my cards and presents, Roo having bought me a beautiful diamond pair of earrings, the final card was from Josh. Smiling at him warmly as I opened it, two tickets to see Ed Sheeran falling out…
"How could you afford these?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at him
"I had a little help from Roo" he informed me "I wanted to get you something you'd love"
"Well I love these, thank you" I proclaimed, kissing him softly
Evening quickly came and I made my way downstairs to where Roo, Josh, Marilyn and Mr. Stewart were waiting for me…
"Maddy, you look gorgeous" Marilyn proclaimed as I walked into the living room
"Thank Mr. Stewart" I replied, smiling at her warmly "his money bought this"
"It bought well. Happy Birthday, Maddy, love" he admitted
"Thank you, and thank you for the money" I stated
"You're welcome" he replied
"So, what do you think?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at Josh as he walked over to me
"You look amazing" he informed me, kissing me softly
"You ready to go, you two?" Roo asked
I nodded my head, signalling yes, taking Josh's outstretched hand, entwining it with my own, all of us leaving the house…
I stood at the bar with Sasha when I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I came face-to-face with Matt…
"What're you doing here?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow at him
"I just came to say happy birthday" he informed me, handing me a card
"How did you know about this?" I inquired, taking the card from him
"Like I've told you before, I have my ways" he replied "are you gonna open your card?"
"Later" I replied, setting it down on the bar "thanks but you should go"
"Why? Are you not even gonna offer me a drink?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at me
"What're you doing here, Page?" Josh's voice questioned, Spencer following him
"Just came to say hello to the birthday girl" he informed him "not a crime, is it?"
"That's not even funny" he sighed "I think you need to leave"
"No, he's okay" I assured Josh "one drink, and no trouble, okay?"
He nodded his head, holding his hands up in defence as he ordered a drink from Kyle. Walking away from the bar with Sasha, Josh and Spencer, we made our way to a booth…
MADDY'S BIRTHDAY DRESS:
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