Chapter Seven Madison The anxiety of coming home early after my date crashed and burned like an Indy 500 car that hit the wall straight-on sets in when the dark windows of my place greet me. Vanessa must be at her mystery job and Lauren is either on a date herself or just out. Of course, I wouldn’t put it past her to be doing PI work on Vanessa. She’s way too worked up about Vanessa’s comings and goings. After I’ve driven up the alleyway and parked in the garage, I make my way through the backyard toward the house. The back door opens before I reach it and Lauren softly closes it shut behind her. “Lauren,” I say in a calm voice. Her hand covers my mouth, and my back ends up hitting the banister of our porch. That’s going to leave a bruise. Sometimes her quick reflexes make me think sh