"So we can't have dinner because Bea is taking you to hang out with male models?" Madelyn heard the smile in her older sister's voice as she straightened out the mountain of papers on her desk.
"Ugh yes! I know how it sounds, but you know Bea. Maybe I'll have fun?"
Erin giggled on the other end of the line, holding the phone to hear ear as she finished a report in her office. Only her sister's best friend could get them into such a situation.
"I'm sure you will, Mads. Besides, it'll make for a good story. And who knows? One could be your future husband."
Madelyn sighed, rolling her eyes. "Is that a thinly veiled attempt at telling me to get back on the dating scene? Cause if it is…pot, kettle, black."
"No it wasn't…okay maybe. I just want you to be happy, and obviously you don't need a boyfriend for that. It's just been some time since Elliot and I just want to make sure you're not holding yourself back from anything."
"So what I'm hearing is that you want me to go out with these male models, sleep with one, trap him into being my husband, and live happily ever after?"
"Oh ha ha. You know what I meant." And Madelyn did. She knew her big sister was only looking out for her, hoping that Madelyn's tango with heartbreak was finally behind her. Erin was the only one who knew the extent of what happened with Elliot; she couldn't even bring herself to tell Jamie.
"I know. And listen, I've moved on from him, but I don't know if I'm ready for something anyway. I just…well yeah," Madelyn responded, holding back because she didn't want her sister to psychoanalyze her.
What she wanted to say is she wasn't ready to open up and inevitably be hurt. After everything – her mom and grandma, Joe, what Elliot did…well, she just felt like she didn't have much left to give when odds were, the man would break her heart. It was easier not to venture into that territory, just like it was easier not to say anything to Erin. Madelyn loved her life – her friends and family, even her job; she didn't feel the need to risk pain when she already had a lot going for her.
"Ok fair enough. I have to go, but definitely let me know how tonight goes. And don't worry, my lips are sealed on this one. You don't need to be spotlighted at Sunday dinner because of two over-protective brothers."
Madelyn sighed in relief. "You're my favorite sister, ya know that?"
"I'm your only sister."
"Erin? Can you hear me? Wha – can't – there? Talk – later!"
And Madelyn was gone. Erin internally cursed Danny for teaching her that one as a kid.
A knock on Madelyn's apartment door brought her out of her intense focus on the television. Her guilty pleasure was on – The Bachelor – and some crazy drama had just gone down. Clicking the TV off, she downed the last bit of her iced coffee and went to open the door.
"Hey, girl! Surprise!" There Bea stood with three men that could all be named Adonis, showing them off like she was Vana White…with the addition of spirit fingers.
Though she had been expecting them, Madelyn hadn't been expecting this.
Does one bow in front of Greek Gods, or….crap, you're staring. Get it together, Maddie.
"Hi, I'm Madelyn, nice to meet you."
Bea rolled her eyes at her polite best friend. "That's Tommy, Evan, and AJ," she clapped her hands together, "Great, now that we're all pals, let's get the night started!"
Bea led the group out of Madelyn's hallway, as Madelyn quickly followed and locked her door. Tommy, at least she thought it was Tommy, waited for her.
"So your friend has…a lot of energy."
Madelyn snorted, "That's an understatement. But it'll make tonight fun, for sure."
"Well when Bea said she had a cute friend, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet her," Tommy replied, with a smirk.
Knowing nothing would ever happen between them, Madelyn smiled confidently back at Tommy. Sure, she had been flustered before, but that was just for a second after meeting the extremely good looking models. Madelyn really only got nervous around guys if she liked them. Otherwise? Well, they were no threat, and flirting was harmless.
"What, like I was going to say no to going out with male models?" Tommy smiled in response as Madelyn continued, "That, and I'm pretty sure Bea would've showed up with you here no matter what I said. Better you see me like this then in my rubber ducky robe."
Tommy threw his head back and laughed, picturing the tiny spit-fire in a rubber ducky print robe. "You know, let's go back. I can't take you out in good conscience when I know you could be wearing that."
Madelyn chuckled as she stepped outside and the cool Fall air blew her hair around. "Maybe next time, Tommy-boy."
"Maybe next time what?" Bea had circled back to the two of them, jumping into the conversation, as was her habit. The group carried on walking to the popular bar a few blocks away.
"Maddie here was just telling me that it's so unfortunate you wouldn't let her wear her rubber ducky robe out tonight," Tommy said, smirking, "What kind of friend are you, girl?"
Bea rolled her eyes, smiling slightly. "Honey, if I let Maddie out in that robe every time she wanted to, she would end up a nun by thirty."
"Hey!" Ok maybe I like my robe and my pajamas..and sometimes my coworkers call me 'Grandma' but that doesn't mean I'd be a nun…
"Mads, you know it's true. That's why I'm here. To make sure you act your age and get all wild sometimes!"
Madelyn tucked her hair behind her ear as she laughed at her goofball of a friend, knowing she was completely serious.
"And here's our first destination folks," Bea said, stopping the group in front of a dimly lit bar-style club with loud pop music and an insanely long line.
Thank God Bea knows people. If I had to wait in that line, I'd be grabbing pizza across the street while the hot guys held my place. Madelyn rolled her eyes at her own thoughts. That's the most me thing I've ever said…maybe not, but close….did I actually tell the male model about my robe? Yikes.
When the two best friends and three male models entered the club, they were greeted by Bea's contact, brought to a table, and promptly served tequila shots.
"Well, here's to tonight, babes. Cheers!" The group clinked their shot glasses, spilling tequila, but not enough to lessen the effects of the shots, Madelyn noticed. It was still a large shot that took two full gulps and a large lime slice.
Madelyn squeezed her eyes shut instinctively, sucking on the lime, waiting for the tequila taste to fade. Club tequila –free or not – not great. Nope. Will I do another three shots? Probably. I may be a Grandma, but what the heck, I'm already out!
In what could have been a Rom-Com bar sequence that spanned hours but took only a minute to show, the group drank more, danced more, and laughed more. Madelyn was sweating on the dance floor, dancing to some 90s song that was remixed by the D.J. I needed this. Wayyyyyyyy bad. I'm drunk. Oops. But I did. B is a good friend. I'm not sad anymore.
Tommy grabbed her hand, twirling her around as the song concluded, the whole group laughing as he did. Madelyn grinned at him, giving him a small mock courtesy. One of the other models, AJ, had his arm around a wobbling Bea, who looked very pleased at the prospect. "Mads! AJ is gonna walk me home! Wanna come?"
Madelyn knew Bea's request was genuine – her best friend really would turn down the chance to hook up with the model to make sure she was ok. It was a sweet gesture, but at that moment in her drunken-haze, Madelyn was just fine with the idea of going home alone. She should go have fun with AJ! I'm super fine. And he's SUPER hot.
"No, I'm ok! I'll get a cab later. You guys go have fun," Madelyn replied, with a bold wink that the sober version of her would have thought twice about. AJ and Bea did have the decency to blush at least a little, before holding hands and exiting the club together. Peter had already left, leaving Madelyn and Tommy on the dance floor.
"One more drink and then we go?" Madelyn asked, heading towards the VIP section.
Tommy grabbed her arm gently to steady her. "I think you've had enough, Maddie. I'll walk you home so you can get some sleep. Can't have the princess turn back into a pumpkin, or whatever," he said, his face screwing up slightly as he heard what he said out loud.
Madelyn giggled, and took his other hand, pulling him out of the club. "Ok ok here we are. We made it outside and I'm not a pumpkin!" She continued to chuckle to herself, clearly finding her own joke much funnier than she would if she was sober.
"Let's get you home, Princess." Tommy held her hand as he tried to flag down a cab. Madelyn's glazed eyes looked up at him as he did so. I know I shouldn't make out with him. But he's CAAHHHUTE. Maybe I'll flip a coin when we get back to my apartment. Heads – I kiss him; Tails – I kiss him twice! HAHAH.
Just as a cab swerved to the side of the road the two were standing on, Maddie said, "Just so you know, if I kiss you, it's only gonna be a kiss, alright? I'm classy."
Tommy raised his eyebrows, chuckling slightly. "Already making Princess demands, are we? Someone adapted to the role quickly." He gave a slight bow, indicating her fake royal status, and simultaneously helping her into the cab.
As he went to shut the door, Madelyn propped it open with her hand. "Aren't you coming?"
"Sorry, sweetcheeks. We both know if I come with you, you'll do something you really don't want to do. I'd rather remember tonight with my magical Princess just as it is now."
Madelyn humphed, sitting back in the seat. "Ohhhhkayyyyy. Fine. Nice to meet you, Tommy-boy," she replied.
"You too, your Highness." With that, Tommy closed the cab door and the cab took off. Madelyn gave the cab driver her address and watched as the tall buildings and bright lights passed by. After paying the cab driver, Madelyn fumbled her keys, giggled to herself, and managed to open the door to her apartment. Hey, if I can get into the apartment, I'm all set. A successful night.
Madelyn hopped on one foot, then the other, taking off the heels that she was certain left blisters as she made her way to her bedroom. After digging through her drawers to find sweatpants and an old tshirt, she looked down at her feet again, spotting the blisters this time. "Whatever. Blisters are worth it to be normal for one night," she stated aloud.
Normal? HA I'm normal. I gotta tell Jamie. Picking up her phone, she quickly called Jamie, knowing and ignoring the fact that it was 1am.
" 'lo? Mads, what's wrong?"
"AY Jamayyyy! Guess what?"
Madelyn could practically hear Jamie roll his eyes through the phone, as she actually did hear him strongly exhale.
"How many drinks did you have, kiddo?"
Madelyn frowned. "Jamie! You didn't guess! It's fine, I'll tell you. I had a normal night, bro! I went out, I did lots of shots, and I danced. Some guy even tried to grind on me but Tommy said 'no way, Jose.' It was so normal. No being sad or anything."
As Madelyn waited for Jamie to return her excitement, Jamie looked up at the ceiling in his bedroom, feeling defeated over his sister's words. The fact that she had to get drunk to feel normal crushed him. Jamie knew that his sister was fine most of the time – good and happy even. It was her current case that threw her for a loop, and brought back the anguish he prayed she had left behind.
"Helloooo! Jamie! I'm waiting for my phone high-five here!" Doesn't he understand what I accomplished?!
Jamie snorted. "Go to bed, Mads. Put out some water and Advil for tomorrow morning, okay?"
Madelyn snuggled under her blanket, following her brother's instructions. The water and Advil would have to wait until the morning, because the room had started spinning for the youngest Reagan.
"Jamie, the room started spinning so I'm gonna go," Madelyn stated, hanging up the call before her older brother had a chance to reply.
By the time Jamie fired off a text to his sister, Madelyn was already asleep – the lights in her bedroom still on, face unwashed, and phone resting next to her head.