Madeline's POV- July 2017

"Good morning"

I glanced up as I took a sip of my coffee. Miami had been nice, but now I was in Toronto for the next two days. Thankfully I was not alone.

"Morning" I greeted back.

William smiled and placed a wrapped box in front of me. I raised an eyebrow as he took a seat across from me.

"I know you said no birthday presents"

I nodded.

"Because you guys gave me one already" I pointed out.

They got me a Kate Spade purse as an early birthday present.

"But we chose to ignore you and get another gift for you either way"

I laughed and set my coffee cup down.

"So is everything set for you to move to Toronto in September?"

"Yes" I replied.

"Good, now open your present"

I sighed and pulled on the bow, letting it fall apart. Once the box was open, I moved around the tissue paper to see what was inside. Rolling my eyes I pulled up a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey and turned it around to see and under it.

"You and Auston may not be friends, and that gives me the chance to get you to wear my jersey"

I laughed and shook my head at him. When I told Auston we were better off as friends he claimed he was ok with it. I tried to give him space hoping it would help him move on. Sadly, he had grown bitter at the fact that I turned him down.

"I'm still mad at you for telling Auston I was at the beach" I told him.

"How was I supposed to know he'd check every beach?"

He did have a point.

"Did he really demand you give him back the stuff he gifted you?"

I returned all the Toronto Maple Leafs gear that Auston gave me for Christmas, even including the jerseys he gave my sisters and brothers. He gave Alex some Florida Gator gear I gave him, and he got so pissed when I told her to keep it.

"He's an idiot, continue unwrapping your gift"

I reached for the frame that was flipped over, and laughed when I saw the picture. It was a photograph of Cody (this one to be precise).

"You know, for when you miss him"

I nodded and placed the frame on the counter.

"A wallet" I said.

"So you can mix it around"

How thoughtful of them.

"Is that it? Please tell me that's it" I told him.

He smiled.

"Nope!"

I pulled out a package and began unwrapping it. How big was this box? It was never ending.

"You're not used to the cold"

The package had a beanie, scarf and gloves.

"Has Auston really not spoken with you?"

I nodded.

"He can't accept the fact that I don't want to be more than friends" I answered.

"Well he dug his own hole"

I shrugged.

"If he really loves you like he claims he does, he should be happy for you. Cody obviously makes you really happy"

He smiled.

"He'll get over it...he has to"

"You'd be surprised at how well he can hold grudges" I stated.

He blocked me from the social media I followed him in.

"Let him, he had his chance and he blew it"

"If I'm being honest here, I don't think I was ever into him" I confessed.

"You shouldn't feel guilty, it's him who should be guilty for trying to push a relationship when you weren't comfortable"

He waved.

"Enough about that, there's another gift"

I sighed and looked inside the box.

"Want one?" I asked as I pulled the box of chocolates.

"Sure why not"

I opened the box and handed him a chocolate.

"So things are going well with Cody?"

"They are" I replied.

"Have they met?"

"Yeah, they actually met at the beach. It's why I'm mad at you" I answered.

His eyes widened.

"Did Auston do anything stupid?"

"He was incredibly rude to Cody" I informed him.

"Well Maddy, you have to realize Auston is a jealous idiot"

"There's no reason for him to be jealous though, he and I were never anything. He can't just claim me like I'm an inanimate object" I clarified.

He shrugged.

"Would you have a long distance with Cody?"

"Yeah, he genuinely cares for me and wants to see me succeed" I responded.

He reached over and took my coffee from me.

"Are you hungry?"

"I could eat" I admitted.

He finished my coffee and smiled.

"Good, let's go eat something"

We both stood up, and as I took my stuff up to my room; William finished getting ready.

"So are you planning on doing long distance?"

"We're going to talk about this when the time comes" I informed him.

"He'd be stupid to not bring that up"

I followed him out.

"So you're going to Massachusetts for a few days, and then you head back to Sweden?" I asked.

"Yes, the next time we will all see each other will be in September"

He smiled.

"You have no idea how excited I am for all of us to move in. I will finally get to meet the famous Poppy"

My phone chimed and he grinned at me.

"Is it Co-dy?"

I pulled my phone out of my purse and shook my head as I looked at the screen.

"No, it's Alex actually. Not your brother, Auston's sister" I replied just as we got into his car.

The text said,

"William, smile" I ordered.

He glanced away from the road and grinned when he saw I was taking a picture. I sent Alex that picture to which she replied,

😒

To which I replied,

😜

"So do you have everything set?"

I nodded.

"Yeah, I'm just bringing Poppy and my clothes" I answered.

"Are you driving up on your own?"

I shook my head and rolled my eyes when he sighed of relief.

"You're not the first person to do that" I noted.

"Something bad could happen to you"

"My dad is driving up with me" I informed him.

He grinned.

"Nice, we're meeting your father then"

Dad wasn't really fond of me living with two guys.

"Correct" I answered.

"This is going to be a good season"

He smiled and looked at me.

"How does Chinese food sound?"

It was past noon, so it was 'acceptable'

"Like a great idea" I replied.

He nodded.

"Kappy and I were talking"

I raised an eyebrow.

"We decided that we're going to be actual adults. As you said before, you and Matts were never anything serious"

I nodded.

"We won't choose sides, but if we did we would have sided with you. The fact that you refuse to tell us what really happened leads us to believe that he was a grade A douchebag to you"

He was not wrong there.

"You're going to be coming to games as my guest, and if he has a problem with it then he can talk to me and coach about it. There should be no problem though because I am allowed to be friends with whoever I want. If he wants me to treat him like a child then you bet your ass I will treat him like one"

He smiled.

"In just two months we're all going to be here!"

As happy as I was to get the school year started, I was a bit bummed out knowing I would be leaving California. Sure Cody traveled, but I had grown used to seeing him. September was a long way, and I was going to enjoy what was left of Summer.