Chapter 5 Turning on Each Other

Madison walked up with a teasing smirk, her gaze sweeping over Kaitlyn. "Quite the crowd. Did you run this by me before bringing your friends here?" The room went dead quiet, and everyone turned to look at Kaitlyn. She hurried over, visibly uneasy, and took Madison's hand. "Maddie, I know you hate being around a lot of people, but we all went to the same college. Do me a favor, okay? Don't make a scene." Kaitlyn gave her hand a gentle squeeze, asking her to drop it. Madison scoffed and jerked her hand back. "I didn't report you for breaking into my place. That was a favor. What else do you want?" Her sharp remark made Kaitlyn's cheeks burn. Kaitlyn couldn't understand why Madison, who usually went along with everything, was acting like this today. Finally, someone snapped, "Madison! Why are you putting on a show in Kaitlyn's house? Kaitlyn even told us not to call you out just to feed your ego, and you're still acting like you run the place. Aren't you embarrassed?" "Exactly! Get over yourself. You wear designer labels for a few days, crash at a villa for a few nights, and suddenly you think you own the place? Kaitlyn, kick her out!" While the accusations flew, Madison didn't react. She only turned to Kaitlyn, whose face flushed, then drained, as if every jab landed. Kaitlyn took Madison's hand and pulled her aside. "Maddie, stop it. I know Sam got in your head last night, but you can't blow up in front of everyone. Go upstairs for a minute. Johnny's almost here." She'd barely finished when Johnny walked in. Kaitlyn brightened with relief. "Johnny, come over and calm her down. She needs you right now." Madison caught the pointed look Kaitlyn shot Johnny. He played along right away, his smile coming easily. He stepped closer, took her hand, and spoke softly. "What's wrong, babe? Who upset you? Just say the word and I'll take care of it." Something sly sparked in Madison's eyes. She pointed at Kaitlyn and asked deliberately, "You mean that? Even if it's her, you'd still take my side?" Both their expressions darkened at once. They didn't know why Madison threw that out there, but a quiet unease settled, like something had just shifted. Seeing them both go quiet, Madison snorted and pushed harder. "What, cat got your tongues? You can't bring yourself to go after her, can you?" A flicker of nerves crossed Johnny's face, and he shot Kaitlyn an uneasy look despite himself. "Guess the gossip is true," Madison said. She bit her lip before she could stop herself, her eyes rimmed with red, which made her look small and miserable. She continued, "Someone said you two are a thing, and you only got close to me to milk me for money—" "That's bullshit!" Johnny snapped before she could finish, his voice hard with anger and contempt. But his gaze, meant to be steady, flickered with nervous doubt. "There's nothing between me and Kaitlyn. Who's the bastard stirring things up? Was it Sam?" Johnny figured Sam had dug something up. He took Madison's hand, his expression warm with affection. "Maddie, trust me. I love you." Madison bristled at him for blaming Sam, but kept her expression neutral as she asked, "Do you really love me?" "Of course," Johnny said without hesitation. Madison pointed at Kaitlyn. "Then help me kick her out of my house. She brought her friends over without asking, then made everyone think I only care about appearances. "She's been shamelessly acting like she owns the place. Someone like that doesn't deserve to be my friend." Kaitlyn went pale. Johnny knew defending Kaitlyn would only make the rumors sound believable. To head off Madison's doubts, he turned on Kaitlyn. "Kaitlyn! Maddie took you in as a favor, yet you've been acting like you own the place. Aren't you embarrassed? Get out of Maddie's house. Now!"