Point, Lauren, Madison thought to herself as she rolled her shoulders, trying to loosen the tension. So they went to Homecoming together and took an official picture as a couple. So what? It wasn't relevant. Not anymore. But isn't it? her subconscious whispered. She batted the pesky question away, not wanting to dwell on the thought.

"Although, she couldn't really be too upset since it was the third Homecoming picture she had of us," Lauren continued with a light laugh. "She's hoping this year will be different."

Madison never wanted to punch someone so much than she did right now. The urge almost crippled her, but she maintained her composure. She didn't even throw out a snide remark, which in her mind earned her bonus points.

Carson's Adam apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed. He looked embarrassed by Lauren's words. "Good thing we'll be taking a group photo this year instead of individual ones."

"No? You don't want one more to complete the set?" Madison asked, unable to keep a lid on the sarcasm.

Carson winced and rubbed the back of his neck. "We're seniors this year. We want a photo to commemorate all of us together."

"I see. You're finally putting a lid on that particular box, huh?" Madison drawled, referring to their earlier conversation.

His eye's cut to Lauren, then back to her. "It's been there for a long time."

She raised an eyebrow. "You sure about that?" She could tell he didn't appreciate her question when his head snapped back and his jaw hardened.

"What are you guys talking about? Box? What box?" Lauren interjected, her forehead scrunching up in confusion.

"Nothing. Don't worry about it," Carson said before Madison could open her mouth. "There's your locker, Lauren. We should be going. There's something I want to show Maddy."

Her expression faltered at his brisk tone. "All right. I guess I'll see you tonight at practice. Bye Maddy."

"Madison," she corrected. "I go by Madison."

She forced a fake smile. "Of course. Madison."

If looks could kill, Madison would probably be slumped on the concrete with a knife through her heart. While she appreciated seeing Lauren's true colors, she really, really disliked the animosity. She would have to watch her back around this girl.

When they were out of hearing distance, Madison asked, "What's the deal between you two? And don't give me a song and dance. I know it's not nothing. There was most definitely something between you guys or she wouldn't feel so possessive."

The top of Carson's ears turned bright red. "I had a crush on her our freshman year. Followed her around like a puppy dog. Pathetic really," he sighed. "We went to Homecoming together but only as friends. She liked another guy but he already had a girlfriend."

"She was using you," Madison commented.

"And I let her. I knew she didn't like me in that way, but I was happy to go with her. Eventually, that guy dumped his girlfriend and they started dating."

Which they obviously weren't anymore, but the bigger question was, "Do you still like her?"

"No. My crush withered and died during our sophomore year." An impish gleam entered his eye. "I became lab partners with Stacey O'Brian and all thoughts of Lauren flew out of my head."

"Stacey O'Brian huh? Isn't she the girl who just won first place at the state science fair?"

"What can I say? Brains turn me on." He winked and tapped her temple. "Look at all that knowledge rolling around. I can't help myself. So attractive."

Madison slapped his hand away. "You are the oddest boy."

"Not the first time I've heard that."

"So, back to you and Lauren." She ignored his loud groan. "You guys never dated or hooked up?" She found it hard to believe, especially with the way Lauren kept prattling on.

"Nope. Never. Not even a kiss."

"But you guys kept going to dances together," she said, feeling confused.

"We were never in a relationship with anyone when Homecoming came around. It seemed easier to just keeping going together, especially since we hang out with the same friends." His hand brushed hers again and he smiled. "If you're that jealous you can be my date to Homecoming."

"I would protest and tell you I'm not jealous but we both know that's a lie." She could hear her heart pounding in her ears as she finally gave into temptation and turned hand. She uncurled her fingers and looked down at her palm—open and waiting. The gesture was symbolic of her growing feelings.

She didn't have to wait long as the back of his hand skimmed her skin seconds later. He pulled back slightly, surprised by the change, but quickly recovered. His fingers touched her wrist and circled around, his thumb and forefinger easily touching. The action felt possessive, as if now that she gave him permission, he was staking his claim and not holding back. Then his fingers slowly slipped down. Every nerve ending in Madison's hand tingled as his fingers caressed her skin, sliding past her palm till they threaded through hers. Then he bent his fingers, locking the two of them together, hand to hand, palm to palm. 

It seemed silly to place such importance on a common act, but to Madison, this meant the beginning of everything. He too, felt the monumental shift in their relationship. Madison knew it just as she knew her own name. No words were said, but it was there in the gentle stroking of his fingers and the proprietary hold of his hand.

She felt a surge of happiness run through her. This boy, odd yet charming, had somehow wormed his way through her defenses and against all odds, felt the same way about her. She squeezed his hand, silently communicating her happiness. Peeking through her lashes, she saw him break out in a wide smile and an instant later he squeezed back. 

"You never answered my question," he said as he led them down a familiar hallway.

"About what?" The handholding had really scrambled her thoughts. She shook her head, trying to gain back her memory.

"Homecoming?" he gently reminded. "You in a gorgeous dress and me in a dapper suit. We'd make quite the pair."

"But aren't you going with your friends?"

"Yes, but I'd like to take you. There's room in the limo we're renting."

She hesitated to answer. It's not that she didn't want to go with him, but she promised Avery. And with the whole Wyatt situation, she was counting on Madison to make it less awkward. "Is there room for two?"

"You bringing a back-up date?" he joked. "I promise to be on my best behavior."

She briefly explained the Avery/Wyatt situation going over the bare minimum. "So you see she needs me to be the awkward fifth wheel."

"Can't she just stay at home?" he grumbled.

"No! Besides, I didn't even want to go in the first place. They're the ones that convinced me to get a dress. I can't leave the group."

He drew in a breath and let it out with a deep grunt. "Fine. No picking you up and riding in a limo but you will be mine when you arrive." He stopped walking and stood in front of her. Grabbing her other hand, he pulled her till she was almost touching his body.

"I'm not yours," she stated with her head tilted to one side. "Not yet."

"No?" He tugged her hand around his body and rested it on his lower back. Releasing their fingers, he brushed his knuckles down her forehead and along her face. "Because it feels that way to me."

"Just because you advanced a step doesn't mean you won the game. There are still rules you need to play by."

"But the rules have changed, haven't they Maddy?" he asked in a low voice. She shivered at his tone. The sound rubbing against her like crushed velvet.  

"Yes, the rules have changed," she admitted, closing her eyes. His fingers traced the line of her jaw, gently moving down, then back up. He stopped by her ear and thumbed the sensitive area right below.

"You're a tough adversary, but I look forward to the challenge."

"Me too," she confessed.

Her lungs stopped working as he bent down. His breath fanned against her cheek, warmth touching her skin. Her lips parted and she clutched his back, afraid if she let go, she would fall to the ground. He squeezed her other hand that he still held and gently, ever so gently, placed a chaste kiss at the corner of her mouth.

When he pulled back, all she could think about was that she wanted more. Greedy, she was becoming extremely greedy when it came to Carson. Her eyelashes fluttered open to an utterly masculine expression on his face. His eyes glinted with satisfaction as if he could read her mind.

He pulled away completely but kept their one hand connected. Tugging her into a classroom—Mr. Perez's classroom she noted with a start—he flipped on a light.

"Why are we here?" she asked, suddenly feeling uneasy.

"Because I want to show you this." He dropped her hand and pulled off his backpack. He withdrew a tan manila folder overflowing with papers. FEC case was scribbled across it.

Her mouth went dry. "I thought you were going to get rid of that."

Absently, he waved his hand about. "I was but my gut told me not to and I'm glad I listened." He opened it up and began ruffling through the pages. "Last night, I started re-checking all the dates of the robberies and saw something."

He whipped out a page and motioned for her to come closer. She took a tentative step, but he was impatient. His arm snaked around her waist and hauled her to the desk. He pointed to several lines he highlighted.

"Look, Mrs. Kline's locket went missing on July 4th." He ran his hand down the list and pointed to one near the bottom. "And Mr. Duvall's watch was reported stolen on July 14th. But look at that smudge on the paper." He tapped the black line near Mr. Duvall's date. "I think this was supposed to June 4th, not the 14th."

"So?" Her voice cracked and she wetted her lips. "What does that prove?"

"Mrs. Kline's locket was stolen that night during her annual 4th of July party. There were hundreds of people there, so there was no way to narrow done a suspect pool."

"Okay, and Mr. Duvall?"

"I know for a fact he was also having a party that same night but for his wife's 60th birthday." Carson rummaged through the pile again and pulled out a printed map. Two stars were drawn on in bright red. He pointed to one near the bottom of the page. "Mrs. Kline's house is here near the beach. She lives at one end of the county while Mr. Duvall..." he pointed to the star at the opposite side, "lives at the other. High up in the mountains it takes at least thirty minutes to travel from the base of the mountain to his house."

"So the robber was a quick driver?" she kidded.

"Maybe, but I don't think so. The traffic on July 4th is a horrendous. Even if they did go to both parties, their late arrival would be have been noticed by either victims, but they didn't see anyone suspicious."

 "Or they were just too busy with their parties to notice," she argued. 

Carson sighed. "I don't think so. I think the robber isn't one person, but two. Or maybe more! Who knows, it could be a whole organized ring of thieves."

Madison felt her pulse jolt. "I think you're reaching here. It's probably the same person who arrived super early at one party and hurried over to the other without anyone noticing."

"You don't understand. Mr. Duvall and Mrs. Kline do not hang out in the same social circles. He comes from old money and only associates with certain people, while Mrs. Kline comes from new money and hates those from old money. It's highly doubtful the same person attended both parties. I'm almost certain it's two individuals."

He looked up, his eyes bright with passion. "This would make a great article." He grabbed her hand and entwined their fingers. "I really want to work on this with you. Won't you reconsider and write it with me?"

Madison wanted to say no. She wanted to fling that folder into a fire and burn it to ash. She wanted to bare her soul and have him hold her till everything was better. She wanted it this whole mess to go away and her life to return to normal.

Instead, she said one word.

"Yes."