When He Falls

by Michelle Jo Quinn

  I leaned over at Maggie and kissed her forehead before I shifted my body off the bed. The hand that was on my chest dragged down to my abs, dangerously close to where I wanted it to be but where it shouldn’t be, not yet at least. I should be called a saint with all my restraint. I removed her hand and carefully placed it on the bed. Maggie turned on her side and tucked both hands under her head. As she did so, the blanket pulled away from her and her shirt—my shirt, which I loved seeing on her—lifted to expose her bottom half. I groaned into the back of my hand. The things I could do to her right now played in my head.

  Before I did anything stupid, I shot myself out of the bed and strode quickly to the living room, where I found Travis sucking faces with a girl under him on the couch.

  "Oh, for god's sake, Trav, do that in your room."

  My friend raised his head and looked over his shoulder to me. The girl pinned under him looked on too.

  "Bailey?" I was surprised by this. Bailey had been after me for a while, but Travis had lusted after her for so long. Seeing the two of them together should be a cause for celebration, if only they weren't doing it out here in the living room.

  "Ah, hey, Zach." Trav pushed off Bailey, who was thankfully dressed. "I didn't think we were being loud."

  I pointed at him. "She wasn't, but you were. I'm gonna get ready, but keep it down. Maggie's still asleep."

  "Maggie!" Travis exclaimed to which I gave him a stare down. "That's huge! Isn't that huge?" he asked Bailey. She raised an eyebrow but smiled sweetly at him then at me.

  "I think we stepped on her keys by the door," Bailey said. She reached over, grabbed the keys from the side table and threw them at me.

  "Yeah, thanks." I didn't even remember her dropping those on the floor. I couldn't recall what else she had brought. I took the keys with me to the bathroom and started the ice-cold shower.

  When I was done showering, the couch was empty. Down the hall, I could hear laughter from Travis' room. If they were going to be serious, I should open up and tell him about that one night with Bailey. He'd probably kill me. And I wouldn't blame him. It was one huge mistake, and hoped he would see it that way too.

  Maggie stayed in the same position since I left the bedroom. I watched her shoulder rise and fall for a moment, thrilled at how it made my heart thump madly in my chest, before I got dressed. As soon as I pulled my shirt over my head, her sweet hushed voice greeted me.

  "Good morning."

  Maggie stretched her arms over her head and brightened up my day by sending off a smile that could melt the ice caps. My hand flew to my chest, and I rubbed over my shirt. My heart was about to explode from the rapid heart beat Maggie had caused.

  "Go back to sleep, you, it's too early," I said, joining her in bed, on top of her with my bent arms resting on her sides. I wasn't ashamed to show her how happy I was that she shared a bed with me.

  "What time is it?" She scrunched up her face and looked around.

  The drapes were shut, and the room was illuminated by a single lamp I kept on. It could very well be dark or foggy outside, but with Maggie in the room with me, wearing only my shirt and her panties, it was a constant perfect summer day for me. I nibbled at her bottom lip.

  "It's 5:30 in the morning. Travis and I have to be at the gym in half an hour. You can sleep in and lock the door behind you afterward."

  "No, I'll leave with you guys. Do you need a ride?" She tried to push herself up, but I used my body to block her and keep her in bed, where I wished she would stay for the entire day until I returned from training.

  "You need sleep, Maggie. Please rest," I urged.

  Maggie shook her head. She managed to release an arm from underneath me, and she ran her fingers through my wet hair. Her face turned contemplative. "Nica doesn't know I'm here. I can't stay... I want to, but not without you here with me." She licked the middle of my lips before her tongue entered my mouth.

  I got lost in Maggie. My muscles tightened and a ripple of current shot through my spine. She mewled as I rubbed against the front of her hips, and moved a hand underneath the shirt, finding her pert under my touch. She deepened her kiss and tugged at my hair. The strain in my jeans was too hard to ignore. I began trailing my fingers from the side of her chest and all the way down to the apex of her thighs. Maggie responded well to my touch. All I needed to do was hook my finger in, and neither of us would want to stop.

  Then Travis chose that moment to bang on my bedroom door. "Zach, hurry up in there. We gotta go! We're running late!"

  Maggie released her hold of me and giggled. "I guess it's not a good time."

  I pressed my forehead to hers, and looked her squarely in the eyes. "One day, Maggie, nothing will stop us. One day," I promised and finalized it off with another searing kiss.

  Chapter Twelve

  Maggie

  My hair was a tangled mess from all the friction in bed with Zach, so I bundled it up into a messy bun before leaving his apartment with him, Travis and Bailey. I kept at least one arm covering my chest, afraid the chilly morning might reveal the lack of bra underneath Zach's shirt.

  Travis had a massive grin on his face, which Zach pleaded for me to ignore. I couldn't. It might not even have had anything to do with Zach and me coming out of his bedroom all mussed up. It could very well be because of the girl beside him, whose head, even though she wore with five-inch heels, only reached up to his shoulders. But they did make such a cute couple.

  "So, are you guys partying tonight?" Bailey broke the slightly awkward silence in the elevator.

  Travis answered first, "Rick invited us to his house for a pool party. I don't know about this one." He hooked a thumb toward Zach.

  Zach looked at me and squeezed the hand I let drop beside me. "I forgot to tell you we were approved to stay for two more days. Do you want to hang out?"

  "Yeah," I said, peering through my lashes, "I'd love that." I wanted to say more. I wanted to say I was thrilled to hear he was able to stay longer, but I couldn't shake off the disappointment when I thought of him leaving. How could I have not considered this before getting in too deep with Zach?

  "You guys have fun. I'm jealous. We all have to go back to Vegas, and back to work." Bailey pursed her lips.

  Travis swung an arm around her and wrapped her in an embrace. "I'm going to see you as soon as we get back," he said to her. Then he picked her up, pushed Bailey against the wall and kissed her. She had her legs around his waist in an instant and made mewling noises.

  I glanced away, uncomfortable at the sight of the two of them making out in the tight space. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Zach lick his lips. He couldn't possibly be thinking of doing the same, was he? His hand moved up my arm and goose bumps crawled on my skin. But all he could get was a quick peck on the lips when the elevator doors opened.

  When we got to where my car was parked, the guys gave her a wolf whistle. Travis ran his fingers over the shiny hood, and Zach stood in awe with his arms crossed over his chest.

  "That is a beautiful piece of machinery," Zach said, nodding his head.

  Bailey and I exchanged glances. I knew next to nothing about cars. I didn't even own one in Fresno. My travels consisted mainly in Mom's car, June's car or public transportation or on my bike.

  "It's just a car, guys. Hop in, and I'll show you how it works," I joked and only got a small laugh from Bailey. Zach and Travis muttered mechanical and technical mumbo jumbo about the car I drove, none of which meant anything to me.

  Twenty minutes later, I stopped in front of Rick's gym and immediately found out how much attention the car garnered. Almost all of the guys who passed us had that longing look on their faces. I must remember to ask Nica if she had a more normal car for me to borrow, and not one that men seemed to want to drool over and hump.

  Travis tapped me on the shoulder and thanked me before unfolding his large body out of the vehicle. Bailey followed out after him, and they exchanged more saliva right beside the passenger door. Zach leane
d one hand on my leg and ran his fingers over my cheeks before he tilted my chin and pressed his lips on mine. I was numb all over once he was done.

  "I'll text you about later as soon as I get the chance, okay? We'll do whatever you want, Maggie. Anything and everything you want." Zach winked and gave me one last kiss before exiting the car.

  Warmth spread up my neck and on my cheeks. I touched my lips and wondered at the remnants of electricity on them. Then promptly gripped the steering wheel again when Bailey took over Zach's seat.

  "Where’s your hotel?" I asked her, my fingers set to enter information on the GPS panel.

  "It's in Union Square," she answered, and then proceeded to give me the address.

  We sat in silence only for a few minutes before Bailey couldn't hold it any longer. She fiddled with the short hem of her black sequinned dress before angling her body to me. "You and Zach, huh?"

  I glanced at her and smiled politely. "I assume you're asking if we’re dating." I let out a heavy sigh. How would I reply to a question I wasn't certain what the answer should be? "I'm not sure. We'll have to figure things out together...soon." And returned the question to her, "You and Travis?"

  From my peripheral vision, Bailey looked down and played with the chain of her necklace. It had a swan pendant dangling from it. "Yeah, he's really sweet. I didn't think he liked me at all because he often avoided me, and you know...the height thing." She rolled her eyes and flicked a hand in the air. "We had such a great time last night, but..." Bailey left her words hanging. We were at a stop. I encouraged her to continue, but all she said was, "Never mind. I'm sure it won't matter later on."

  We spent the rest of the drive with her talking all about her dreams of being in the fashion industry, and I told her I had once thought I would also be in fashion, but sadly, I lacked any sort of creative skills. I admitted I often had to consult an App, which May had shown me a while ago whenever I had to pair clothes with shoes. Bailey was nice enough to invite me to look her up if ever I found myself in Vegas, and she hugged me before getting out of the car.

  While I drove to Nica's, I contemplated on Bailey's question about Zach and me and my current situation. Was it too soon to be seeing another guy after June? I didn't really know. Having had my heart broken once, the rules of relationships weren't clear to me. I'd have to go with my gut. Many people might suspect that Zach was just a rebound guy. Never in a million years would I ever treat him as such.

  I'd never had a chance to tell May about Zach. I couldn't. Or didn't want to. She may or may not tell June. And who could say how June would react to it even though he shouldn't have the right to feel anything about me anymore. Although, if May found out, she might tell Delaney too. I would love to be a fly on the wall just to see her expression. The idea almost sounded vengeful. Was I after revenge? Was I that kind of person?

  I didn't know if they would remember Zach. He'd mostly hung out with me, and not with other kids because of his father. But they all had interacted with him at some point. Delaney had been particularly mean to him and even made fun of his clothes, of which Zach had no recollection. He'd claimed he'd never met a Delaney when we'd been younger. Even then, she'd been a bitch. I should have really seen the signs. Had I turned a blind eye all this time? If she could see him now, I bet every last dollar in my savings account Delaney would have the audacity to flirt with Zach.

  "Over my dead body," I muttered to myself as I drove into the garage and parked where the car had previously been.

  I swiped my key fob onto the flat screen on the elevator panel and pressed the button for the penthouse. Not too long after the doors opened right into Levi and Nica's place.

  "Hello?" I called out to the bright space.

  "In the kitchen." I heard Levi's voice somewhere deep in the penthouse.

  As I neared the kitchen, I found a shirtless Levi pressing Nica against the edge of the countertop. "Oh my god, I'm sorry." I covered my eyes, but I was glued to the threshold of the kitchen.

  "It's fine. We're not doing anything," Levi explained.

  "Are you sure because I can run to my room and come back when you're done," I offered, keeping my eyes hidden behind my hand.

  "Well, in that case, give us twenty minutes," Levi said, and then followed it with a laugh.

  I heard a slap against skin. "Stop it," Nica chastised her husband. "It's fine Maggie. You can uncover your eyes now."

  I held out my other hand and walked backward. "I really don't mind. I mean you guys are married and all."

  "See, my love, she understands."

  "Go away, Levi. I'm still upset at you," Nica said. Then a hand pulled mine away from my face. My eyes stayed screwed shut just in case Levi didn't want to listen to Nica, but she laughed while she wrapped her arms around me. "We weren't doing anything."

  Taking a risk, I opened one eye and peeked. Levi leaned against the counter, with one arm crossed over his chest, and eating an apple. He waved at me with the apple. I sighed and opened the other eye.

  Nica smiled widely. "How's Zach?"

  Here we go. I tried not to blush, but I had no control over that. "He's good. How did you know I was with him?" My only concession was that Nica blushed more than I did.

  "We were out on the balcony when you ran out of here." Nica bit her bottom lip before continuing, "Then we tracked your phone and realized you probably left it here. So, we tracked the car through its GPS." She reached out to me and held my hands. "Sorry, we didn't mean to intrude, but I was worried."

  I shook my head. "No, it's my fault. I should have told you guys where I was going, and I didn't even realize I left my phone until this morning when I woke up."

  "Just be careful, Maggie." I could see the slight panic in her eyes and waited for the big sister talk, but instead, she asked me to get changed so that we could have breakfast together. Before I left the kitchen, Nica added, "You should ask him to come for dinner tonight. I'd love to see him again."

  "Yeah, sure, Nica. I think that's a great idea. I'll text him now." I ran to my bedroom and picked up the phone off the floor where I'd dropped it last night.

  May had called me several times and sent me a dozen text messages to call her back. She'd be none too happy if I texted her back now since it wasn't even seven in the morning. After my quick message to Zach, he immediately replied with a:

  Dinner sounds great, Beanie and followed by, I miss you already.

  At the breakfast table, I informed Nica of Zach's reply to our dinner invitation, "He's excited to come for dinner."

  "It’ll be great to see him again. Chase has shown me pictures and videos of his fights," Nica said.

  "Yeah..." That was another thing Zach and I should talk about. His fighting. How many fights had he done? Would he ever stop? What if he got severely injured?

  "Oh, by the way, May called me," Nica interrupted my thoughts. "She said she tried texting and calling you. I told her you went out."

  "Oh, I'll call her later. Did you tell her I was out with Zach?" Somehow, I wasn't too comfortable with anyone else telling May about him. Nica shook her head. "Thanks." I continued to focus on my food and didn't speak until my plate was almost empty. "Ahm, where's Aimee?"

  "She's still sleeping," Levi answered. "She looked for you last night. I think you have that magic touch."

  "Aw, I'm sorry I wasn’t here for her. Is she okay?"

  "Yeah, she has a mild fever. It's her teeth again. It will be over soon enough. I hope." Nica worried.

  Levi placed his fork on his plate and shimmied toward my sister, wrapping a hand around her belly. "It will be, darling." He reassured her. She reached up to cup his face, and I took that as my cue to leave, bringing my coffee mug with me.

  "I'm going back to my room." They didn’t answer me, but I was fine with it. They were in their own love cocoon.

  I walked into Aimee's room and checked on her. She had fallen asleep on her belly with her little butt up in the air. Such a cutie. I watched her breath for a while. The sil
ence soothed me. It brought me peace and happiness. Yes, I was happy. I might not be at the same level as Nica and Levi, but I was truly at peace right now, and Zach brought me there.

  I sent May a quick text. She was probably about to wake up to head to work and would not check her phone if June or Delaney were around. In my message, I said that I had just returned home, and let her wonder about the rest. I even promised myself not to be too petty if she ever replied back to tell me June might have found out I was seeing someone else. Because I was...seeing someone. I could deny it as much as I wanted, but what I had with Zach was special.

  Before I could return to my bedroom, my phone rang in my hand. Mom's photo popped up on my screen. It was about time I faced her. I left Aimee's room and answered the call.

  "Hi, Mom," I greeted and held my phone a foot away from my ears before she shouted on the other line. But no shouting came. Instead, it was my mother's quiet voice asking me how much I was liking San Francisco, and that she had missed me a lot.

  Our chat didn't take too long, and it was surprisingly pleasant. I promised to call her every night from now on. She apologized that she wouldn't be able to make it to my birthday since they were short-staffed at work. I told her it was not a big deal and that I'd made other plans. It wasn't until after I hung up on her that that plan had become clear in my mind. For the rest of the morning, I had a smile plastered on my face while I researched information about a trip to Las Vegas, hopefully with Zach.

  My phone dinged on the table beside me, signaling that Zach had arrived. I read his text confirming this and walked to the elevator with my keys. "Zach is here," I told the group milling about the living room.

  "Ah sweet!" Chase bounced on her seat. I’d never seen her this excited for...well, just about anything. Chase was often closed off and a little intimidating at times. "I can't wait to ask him questions."