The cool midnight air wrapped itself around her heated body; it felt good and she needed something to snap her out of the moment. She fetched her bike and decided to make her way to the local church in midtown. The parking lot was empty. Good. She placed the bike against the side of building before taking a seat on the church steps. With both hands over her eyes, she rested her elbows on her knees and tried wrapping her head around what just happened. That’s when a low and definite male voice caught her attention.
“Hey, Meggie Malone, you okay? What are you doing out this late at night? You know, it’s past one o’clock in the morning?”
Meg knew that voice; she hesitated before looking up. And when she did, she found John Lake standing less than three feet away from her with a concerned look on his handsome features. It just so happened that he was Julie’s brother, so there was no way she could share with him what had just happened. He would be pissed, and rightfully so.
“Christ, John, you startled me there for a second.”
John was going into his last year of high school, and Meg was just one year behind him. Her expression was blank, and she had no idea how to explain her midnight rendezvous but knew she had to think of something quickly.
“What brings you here?” she asked, hoping to shift the focus of the conversation to him.
“I was just on my way home and noticed you sitting here all alone and thought I would ask if everything’s okay. I usually don’t see anyone here this late at night.” His eyes searched the empty parking lot before turning back to her.
“Actually, I don’t come here that often. I just stopped for a quick break to catch my breath. I usually take a run at night, but tonight I decided to go for a ride instead. I’m sorry I’m just rambling on about nothing here.”
He smiled, that wicked beautiful smile exposing perfect white teeth. “You’re not rambling on,” he assured her with a grin. “So, you’re okay then?”
“Everything’s fine, like I said, I just stopped to catch a quick breath.”
“Well, it’s not every night I see a beautiful young girl sitting out here all alone looking as though she’s a million miles away. You want to talk about it?”
Now that captured her attention. Did he just call me beautiful? Shyly, she smiled back at him before looking down at her feet. After turning every shade of red, she smoothed her hands over the front of her legs. “No, I don’t want to talk about it, but thanks for asking.”
“It isn’t safe out here, you know. Old Man Don has been seen hanging around here lately, and no one really knows the extent of his craziness. You know, when his wife left him with the kids, he beat them something fierce. I can only imagine what he’d do to someone else.”
John took a seat beside her, and she could feel the weight of his stare, but he didn’t say a word. She wondered what he was thinking. A silent moment passed between them before they started talking about their plans after they were done with high school. John mentioned he would be taking a year off to hang out around town after graduation. He was working that summer and was promised the same job the following year if he was interested. Meg let him know her intentions were to leave Door County, and she had applied to U of T and NYU. The conversation was nice, not at all awkward like she expected it to be. He was funny at the right moments, smart, and, God, was he ever flirtatious.
This was the first time Meg had spoken to John alone. In the past, Sarah had always been there and made her fade into the background, watching him from a distance. She was a total coward when it came to John and froze in his presence, feeling completely star struck around him.
When he turned to face her again, his gaze lingered on her mouth. God, I could get lost in those eyes. She was hoping he would lean in and kiss her. She held her breath and simply stared back at him. Being this up close and personal, she could see the beautiful color of green with specs of brown in his eyes. His full lips were sensual, red from the moisture on his lips and so freaking kissable. What am I thinking, he has a girlfriend, and I need to back the hell down before I go against my own rules of making out with someone’s man. She finally managed to turn and looked away uncomfortably. If only he were single. A long sigh escaped her.
He stood up and cleared his throat, holding his hand out toward her. “Come here. I want to show you something.”
Meg slid her hand into his grasp. His hands were calloused and strong, and there was no way she could resist. Without saying a word, she followed him to the back of the church. Is that running water or blood gushing through my head? His touch sent a warm shiver down her arm, and butterflies fluttered around in her chest.
His voice cut through the silence, and the sound of running water echoed in the background. “I come here sometimes to think.” John’s tone grew serious as he continued. Meg could tell he was about to share something important. “Or to get away from the old man when he starts yelling and screaming and before any of the real pain starts,” he continued. He shuffled his feet nervously. “I know people around here talk, and it’s no secret that my old man’s a mean bastard. When my older brother Billy left home a few years ago, I had to take over and watch out for Julie and my younger brother, Anthony. I can’t leave this town until I know the little guys out of the house for good. It was hard watching Billy take all those beatings before he left, and then the old man turned his hand on me. Anthony has two more years left before he goes off to college. Julie will be okay; she gets yelled at, and he’s strict with her, but he’s never touched her. He saves that for his sons. Thank God, because I don’t know what I’d do if he as much as laid a hand on her.”
John didn’t look at Meg. He continued to talk about his problems behind closed doors and stared blankly at the ground below. Once in a while, he scuffed his feet through the dirt and kicked at a stone. I wish I could make it all go away for you, John, you deserve happiness. Meg’s heart broke for him. He was a good person, and he deserved a happy home—somewhere to feel safe and loved, everyone deserved that much, she thought to herself.
Meg was familiar with the rumors around town about Ron Lake. He had a mean streak and most everyone was painfully aware of his bad temper. Will had told Meg some of the stories that Julie shared with him, and they weren’t pretty. Mrs. Lake was a petite woman. She stood back and let her husband run the home. She didn’t work and had been a housewife all her life with very little education. She kept to herself and did what she was told. Most people figured it was easier for her to stay quiet, rather than face the consequences of what her husband would do if she ever talked back or tried protecting her children.
“John, I’m so sorry,” Meg offered with empathy. He finally fixed his eyes on her and away from the hole he was staring into the ground. Clearly, this conversation was upsetting him. Although his eyes were a little glossy, there were no sign of tears. There was a definite bitterness in his tone and the look of a young man, a maturity that shouldn’t be there at such a young age, and he looked tired of fighting to protect his siblings.
“No need to be sorry, you didn’t do anything, Meggie.” He put his hand in his pocket, and Meg could see he was getting a little embarrassed.
She observed him for a bit, and in a soft voice, she said, “I know, but listening to you and hearing what you go through every day, it’s just wrong. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”
“Tell me something, Meggie Malone. How is it that we are both good friends with Sarah yet we hardly run into one another? You two are inseparable, yet whenever I’m around her, you’re never there.”
That’s because before now you never noticed me. “Yeah, funny that. I can’t figure that one out either,” she answered him in return.
Large spruce trees surrounded them, and they stood alone in a hollowed-out clearing, enough for maybe five people to hang out comfortably. Empty beer bottles and cigarette butts were scattered around the ground. A little grass grew along the edges, but most of the ground appeared to be covered with dark, packed soil. A large tree root e
xposed itself above the surface of the ground to their right. John walked over and pulled Meg down next to him.
He was still holding her hand when she became more than aware of the heat that had spilled from his body when their outer thighs touched. It was still quiet, only the sound of trickling water could be heard through the wooded area behind them. Meg hoped the pounding of her heart wasn’t nearly as loud as it felt. John broke the silence, he tilted his head ever so slightly to the side, and their eyes locked. “Meggie, I know I have a girlfriend and all, but I have this overwhelming need to kiss you right now.”
Oh my God, John Lake wants to kiss me! How could I possibly say no to that? John was popular, smart, experienced with girls. But Meg quickly reminded herself that he had a girlfriend. Should I say yes, or should I just walk away and forget this night ever happened. This guy could break my heart into pieces. I’ve fantasized about him like every other girl, but could I just kiss him and walk away? Would he ignore me tomorrow? Would he even acknowledge my presence? She couldn’t think any more, not with him staring at her like that. His jaw flexed as he waited for her response. Was he nervous? He couldn’t be. There was no way he was nervous, he knew his way around girls. And Meg was sure he had many before Lynn came along.
“John, you have a girlfriend and I know her, this is a small town and people will talk. I really should be getting home, it’s late.”
“Who will know, there’s just the two of us here.”
“I will; I’ll know and then how do I face you tomorrow, not to mention Lynn?” Clearly, I must be out of my mind...what girl given this opportunity would turn down a kiss from John Lake? Kiss him, just do it, Meg. Filled with regret, she wanted to give in to that tempting mouth of his, slowly she got back to her feet. John stood up along with her and wrapped his long fingers around her upper arm when she lost balance. Meg’s heart did a somersault at the feel of his hand on her. As they both headed back to the front of the church, Meg noticed John was quiet and subdued. She figured he was a little thrown off, and she was fairly confident that no one had ever turned him down before now. Feeling like she’d lost the best shot she had of being intimate with him, she kept her pride intact and reached for the bike.
“Meggie, do you mind if I ride along with you? It’s really late, and I’d feel better knowing you made it home safely.”
She’d accepted his offer. Despite the fact that she had turned down the kiss, she didn’t want their time together to end. She wanted to be with him for just a little longer. Maybe forever. Less than twenty minutes later, they approached Meg’s house. She turned to him. “Goodnight,” Meg said regretfully, wishing he would ask her again to kiss him. But he didn’t. They hugged and held one another closely for a moment longer than they should have before letting go.
“Meggie, you are one of a kind, you know that?”
“What makes you say that?” She looked at him a little baffled.
He shook his head slowly, “You’re different than most girls around here.” With that he kissed her cheek, and said good night. “Good night, John.” Meg’s hand moved up to touch her cheek where the feel of his lips still lingered.
Meg struggled with the key, all the while feeling him stare at her back. She took one last quick look over her shoulder, and sure enough, he was watching. With a quick wave, she entered the house and made her way inside.
That night, Meg dreamed about John; and every night thereafter he filled her fantasies. There was something about him, something special. He was kind, strong yet vulnerable, and oh, so dreamy. It seemed everywhere she went after that night, he was there, but so was Lynn. Meg found herself aching to be with him, to be touched by him. There was a definite connection between them.
Chapter 3
“So what do you say, Meg? How about that drink? Come on, let’s go hang out at the bar and grab you a nice cold one.”
Will’s voice bought her back to the present. “Is he here, Will?” Meg watched as Will’s eyes narrowed at her question and then his face grew soft.
“No, they haven’t shown up yet.”
“Why didn’t you say something earlier today? I had no idea you’d invited them.”
“I knew you would bail out on me. I’m not sure if they’re coming, Julie told them about the party, and John mentioned he might drop by, but he didn’t say for certain.”
“Is he bringing Lynn?”
“I guess so, he didn’t say either way.”
With a sigh of relief that they weren’t here yet, Meg linked her arm through Will’s and decided to enjoy the evening. “So, where’s that drink you promised?”
He ushered her toward the bar and grabbed a beer for himself and a cooler for Meg. Without saying a word, he opened both bottles, handed her the cooler, and at the same time they tipped the bottles toward one another and made a toast. “Cheers,” they echoed.
“I want you hammered by the end of the night, Meg”. His long form leaned forward; he placed both elbows on the bar and looked at her, daring her to object.
“I’ll certainly drink to that,” she said after nudging him away to take a seat on the stool next to him.
They sat back and sipped their drinks slowly. The place was rocking, the music grew louder, and people continued to pour in. Will’s backyard was a perfect place for a party. A large kidney-shaped pool sat in the middle, slate stone with a neatly angled pattern fitted snugly around the edges. Bright flowers were generously planted around the fence and surrounding the bottom of the trees. Tall thick ferns stood between Will’s property and the neighbors, giving them just enough privacy on either side. His dad had built an outdoor kitchen, fully equipped with a sink, fridge, stove, and a bar that opened up to the poolside. A large, wide canopy covered the patio table and speakers were tucked in to each corner where the music blared loudly. A BBQ was secured to the end of the little kitchenette, just off to the side. And at the end of the property, almost three hundred feet away, was a volleyball court laid out with fine white sand.
This is perfect. Meg’s attention was drawn to the loud competition taking place in the pool. There was Jake, Joe, and Ethan—three tall and very good-looking guys. Each holding a set of feminine legs securely around their broad shoulders as the girls fought one another trying desperately not to fall off. People were cheering, laughing, and the girls were screaming loudly until their voices were drowned out by the water as one by one they fell in. Meg was regretting the fact that she left her bikini at home and sat back to watch, as usual. All three guys tried their best to persuade her to jump in and join the fun, but she laughed them off and held up the bottle to let them know her intentions were clear—to get drunk and not get wet.
She was just about to take another sip of the cool liquid when Sarah approached her. Uh oh, here she comes, and this is not going to be good. “Hey, Meg, let’s jump in the pool. Come on, get changed, what are you waiting for?” Sarah pulled her off the bar stool and toward the pool. Meg yanked her arm back from Sarah’s grasp. “I don’t feel like it, Sarah, you go ahead.”
“You didn’t bring your bikini, did you?” Sarah was pissed.
“No, I didn’t, and I don’t have a change of clothes either, so don’t be getting any ideas,” Meg warned her.
Meg pointed in the direction of the pool. Despite how inviting it looked to her, she encouraged Sarah to go ahead. “Go, Sarah, I’m fine, I’ll stay here and keep Will company. Don’t give me that look, just go. There are three gorgeous guys waiting for you in that pool,” she whispered. “Now go ahead, I’m sure they are dying to see you in a bikini. Just think, in less than two minutes you could have your legs wrapped around a nice set of shoulders, go for it.”
Sarah glared at Meg. “I can’t believe you didn’t bring your bikini, I told you to bring it, what the hell you never...”
Will placed his hand on Sarah’s shoulder. “Go, Sarah, leave it,” he said with a wink. “I’ll see if I can convince her to jump in after a few more drinks.”
It didn’t take S
arah long before she lifted her shirt exposing her perfectly round breasts and then yanked down her jean shorts exposing her next to nothing string bikini bottom. She looked hot. Sarah was a full C cup, with a twenty-four inch waist and long skinny legs that ended with a nice rounded butt. She was a knock out, pure and simple. Every guy’s head turned when she slowly made her way to the pool. She was evil and with a devious grin across her face, she jumped right in. Ethan quickly dumped the brunette from his shoulders and made his way to Sarah. It was funny watching how guys reacted around her; she batted those long eyelashes and they came running. The brunette looked pissed; she came up from under the water, exchanged some words with Ethan, her expression none too pleasing, and she stormed out of the pool.
* * * *
“Meg, earth to Meg? What’s going on with you? You’re a million miles away, what thoughts are going through that pretty little head of yours? Or is it a certain someone that you’re thinking about again?
“Actually, I was wishing that I could be more like Sarah.”
“Why? You’re perfect the way you are, Meg. You don’t need to change, what you need is to relax and let loose. Come on, let’s do a few shots.” Will turned the stool Meg was sitting on to face the bar and then pulled himself up and over the counter. He poured six shots of vodka and aligned them in a perfect row between them. He placed a small bowl of sugar and perfectly sliced lemons on the bar. Before Meg knew it, they both threw back three vodka lemon poppers. She wondered if they would be able to see straight afterward. Will came back around the bar and took a seat.
They sat back and enjoyed the buzzing effects of the alcohol. “Will, can you believe we will be out of here in less than three weeks? I’m so excited, I can’t wait. A little nervous but I know I have a lot to look forward to.”
“I’m happy you were accepted, Meg. I always said you will be a huge success one day, and this is just the beginning.” He leaned in and hugged her. He’d miss her like there was no tomorrow, but he knew staying in Door County would just pull her down.
Meggie's Secret Page 2
