Maddie scoffed. It was a good point, but she wasn't going to agree. “That doesn't prove a damn thing. How do I know you're not doing it on purpose to frame me for it? I'd say you were doing a hell of a job with that, at least for a little while.” At least she wasn't getting shoved into walls anymore.
Irrational grudges were a human trait – at least that was what any shrink would say. Everyone experienced them at one time or another, some more than others. It showed exactly what got under a person's skin. In Nick's case, it was Maddie, and vice versa. Although she never would admit it, there were things about Nick that Maddie envied. Her usefulness, for one. And the fact that she was easier to like. And, of course, the ease with which she avoided trouble. “For all anyone knows, you could be. Maybe the innocent teen face is just an act.”
Was that actually a compliment? Maddie blinked in surprise. She'd expected another snide comment about letting someone better handle the kid rescuing. Her thoughts flickered back to the day she'd congratulated Nick for the successful theft of the space heater. It was a strange sort of game they were playing – one unexpectedly doing good deeds and the other doing bad deeds. “He's okay. Asked too many questions, but he was kinda funny.” The fake argument still amused her.
Maddie's jealousy blinded her to Nick's preference for friendship. All she saw was a younger girl trying to steal her best friend away, as well as being too much of a suckup to other adults. The backhanded compliment earned Nick a frown. “Probably that. I'm sure someone will teach him not to like me.” Hinting that Nick would lower herself to poisoning a kid's mind so that he wouldn't be friends with Maddie.
“I'm just saying, Runt. It's what people used to do with the weakest critter in the litter.” She hid her amused grin well, pressing her tongue against her upper teeth.
A shrug. “Cookies, maybe. Candy. I don't know. I'm sure the kid could get his hands on anything if the drugs are good enough.” It was a tasteless joke; one spoken out of annoyance and sarcasm rather than any intent to make someone laugh.
Nick made a comment about the picture and Maddie stopped short, sighing. Can't get a break at all today, can I? She bit back several sharp retorts, inwardly telling herself that being civil was for Caitie's sake. Caitie could be civil with George. Maddie wanted to try to do the same. “Are you jealous of a three year old now, Runt?” Oops. Well, almost civil was a start. “'Cause I can tolerate him and not you? That's kinda sad.”