Chapter 498

I paused, phone in hand, unsure of why Chris was calling. Lisa gave me a little nod, silently urging me to pick up. "Maddie." Chris' voice came through the line. "What's up?" I kept my tone cold and distant as usual. There was no future for Chris and me even though things with Brandon had fallen apart. My guard went up every time he reached out or got too close. "I'm back," he said, sounding like he had barely survived something terrible. "I know," I replied. Conrad had already filled me in. Chris went quiet for a moment before finally asking, "Can we meet up? You can come to my place if you don't want to hang out alone. My parents really miss you." Images of Zack and Bree welcoming me at the airport flashed in my mind. I knew they'd definitely be worried about me. "I need to tell you something," Chris continued when I didn't answer. "It's about Derick, and... it also involves Brandon." My breath caught. Brandon and I were done, so whatever was going on with him had nothing to