Chapter Thirty-Four - I have reached my limits.

McKenna

It is time for me to leave. I have reached my limit for the night. I was enjoying myself for the first couple of hours. Now, I am sitting alone. Roman is close by, but neither my brother nor Paxton are. They are mingling. No, it’s more like flirting. Beautiful women surround them. Two of which I heard talk about me in the bathroom. They must have thought I was with Paxton and didn’t hide their disapproval. They had no idea I was in one of the stalls. They said there was no chance he would be with someone like me. I am not pretty enough for Paxton. They are right. I am now watching him being surrounded by such beautiful women, models, actors, and influencers, which makes me question even more why Paxton is interested in me.

“Roman,” I say.

“Yes, Miss McKenna.” He smiles.

“I am going to return to the hotel. Can you please tell the guys once I am gone?”

He nods and gives me a sympathetic look. He knows I am done after them leaving me alone after promising they wouldn’t.

“Yes, ma’am. I will contact the driver to pick you up where you got dropped off.”

I shake my head, “No. I will take a cab.”

“No, you will not. If I let you leave alone, Paxton will kill me.” He says.

I roll my eyes, “He won’t even notice I am gone.”

“Please let me get the driver for you.”

I sigh and nod. He reaches out to the driver and walks me out to the car. I thank him and climb inside. I need to get away from here. Roman closes the door behind me. I sigh again and rest back against the seat. I can’t wait to get out of this dress and my heels.

I press the intercom, “Maddox, do you know somewhere I can get a milkshake?”

I like a milkshake when I am feeling like this. He opens the shutter between us.

“Yes, I do. Is everything okay, Miss McKenna?” he asks softly.
“It has been an exhausting night. All I want to do is get a milkshake, return to my hotel and climb into bed.”

“I know the place. No Paxton or Carter?”

I shake my head, “No, they are busy. I am sure they will not even notice I am gone.”

“I am sure that isn’t true.” He replies.

“It doesn’t matter either way.”

“Okay. I will take you to get your milkshake.” He smiles before starting the car.

“Thank you, Maddox.”

He chats with me while I drive. I am sure he is trying to distract me from my thoughts. He drives about ten minutes before he pulls in. I assume we have arrived?”

“I won’t be long.”

“No, you stay in the car. I go in. I don’t want you ruining your pretty dress.”

“As sweet as that is, it is okay. It is not part of your job to go inside for me.”

“I insist. Tell me what you would like.”

I take some money from my purse and hand it to him, “A banana milkshake, oh and some curly fries. The food was nice, but the portions were too small at the event. And please, get something for yourself, too.”

It is the least I can do since he is going in for me. He refuses at first, but I manage to talk him into it. I appreciated him doing this. I am sure people would have looked at me strangely if I walked in with such a beautiful, expensive dress on.

I checked my cell to see if either of them had texted me. There is nothing. I am not surprised; they have better things to do. I toss it back into my bag and wait for Maddox.

He returned shortly after, opening the door to hand me my curly fries and milkshake.

“Thank you. I hope you got yourself something, too?” I ask with a raised brow.

He laughs, “I got a coffee. Thank you.”

He returns to the driver’s seat, and I scoot down to the seat close to the divider between us.

“Please, drink your coffee before we leave again so you can have it hot.”

He hesitates but nods. I smile brightly and offer him a curly fry, which he takes.

“You seem sad. Why?”

“I am not sad, overwhelmed. I am not a social butterfly.”

“I am sorry you didn’t manage to enjoy the entire night. I thought Paxton would have left with you since you are his girlfriend.”

I nearly choked on a fry when he said that. I finish it off and laugh.

“Paxton is not my boyfriend. He is a friend and my brother’s best friend.”

It isn’t a lie. He isn’t. He is my fuck buddy, nothing more.

“Oh, sorry. I thought the way he took care of you after what happened with the press. I apologise for the assumption.” He says, worried.

“You have nothing to be sorry about, Maddox.”

He smiles and nods. I continue to share my food with him while we chat. He is such a nice man.

****
I arrived back at the hotel forty-five minutes later. Maddox and I lost track of time. He was telling me about his business and his family. He is a good man who is loyal and takes care of his family.

“Will you be okay walking yourself in?”

“I will be. Thank you. I hope you don’t need to wait around too long to pick the guys up.” I say softly as I climb out of the car.

“I am used to it. Thank you for the coffee and sharing your fries with me.”

“You are welcome. Thank you for the company.” I smile.

We say our goodbyes and head inside and up to my room. I close the door behind me and rest against it. I shouldn’t have come this weekend. I would have been better staying at home. I am annoyed at the guys for leaving me alone. I also hate to admit watching Paxton with those gorgeous women made me a little jealous, something I don’t have the right to feel.

I checked my cell one last time, but still nothing. I shake my head and fight to get my dress off. I pull my hair into a tie and remove my make-up. I planned to shower, but now I am here, I can’t be bothered.

I make myself a cup of tea and climb into bed, taking my kindle out to read for a little while I wind down. I try to focus but can’t because my mind is running crazy with thoughts. If I could afford it, I would book a flight home for first thing tomorrow morning, but I can’t. I groan in frustration, putting it away and switching the lights off. I lie down and stare at the ceiling.

My mind keeps wandering back to the girls talking about me in the bathroom. There was no need for it. They are grown women. What reason do they have for bringing another woman down they don’t even know? All because I was with Paxton. It is pathetic and uncalled for. I understand it, though.

Paxton and Carter will probably hit up some of the after-parties with their new friends. I wouldn’t be surprised if both get laid tonight. They are single, so why not? As long as Paxton doesn’t think he can show up at my room and get some from me because, that won’t happen. He will probably act like nothing is wrong, and maybe in his eyes, there isn’t, but I won’t be giving him what he wants. I am not sure what I am more annoyed at, seeing him with other women or because he left me alone when he promised me multiple times, he would not leave my side the entire night. I would have spent most of the night alone if it wasn’t for Roman.