Sublime Forgiveness (Sublime Series Book 3)

by Charlene Zapata

  “Look, I know you’re worried, but please don’t do anything until school is out. If we haven’t heard from her by then, I’ll go with you to her house. Her mom doesn’t know you, it might make things worse. Okay?”

  It takes everything in me not to rush to her house right now but I know Maggie wouldn’t want that. So I agree to wait.

  “I will give you until three o’clock. Not a minute longer.”

  “Agreed.”

  I hear the call end as I clinch the tiny piece of metal in my hand, squeezing until I hear a crack. Great, just fucking great. I cracked my screen. I take several deep breaths before calling Maggie. No answer. I send a text message next. I do this every hour for the next few hours counting down the minutes until I hear from either Maggie or Amanda.

  I go from appointment after appointment trying to clear my head. All I want to do right now is see her. To know with my own two eyes that she’s safe. Something deep down tells me she isn’t anywhere close to safe. After another hour, I can’t take it anymore. I reeve up my engine, put the truck into gear and start driving toward her house. Halfway there, my phone rings. A picture of a beautiful magnolia flower pops up on my screen. I pull over as quickly as possible. My throat is dry as I answer the call.

  “Hey. I’m so sorry I didn’t call you.”

  “Where are you? Are you okay?” I’m trying so hard not to let my anxiety seep through but I think I’m failing miserably.

  “I’m at my Grandpa’s house. I will explain everything later. I’m safe for now. My mom flipped out about the car and things got ugly. I don’t want to go into detail. Right now I need to figure out what I’m going to do.”

  “I will kill her if she hurt you.”

  “Vince, listen to me. She isn’t worth it. Don’t do anything until I get back. I’m fine. Really. Promise me you will stay away from her. Promise?”

  “Fine. I promise. But only because I know you’re safe now.”

  I try to keep her on the line as long as I can but she says she has to go. She needs to talk to her Grandpa. I don’t even know what’s happening. I don’t know if she’s hurt or running away or what. I just don’t know. I am glad she called but now what am I supposed to do? Wait. Just fucking wait.

  Chapter Seventeen

  It’s been five hours since I heard Maggie’s voice and the concern is starting to creep back into my heart. I know in my mind that she’s safe but until I can hold her in my arms, my heart will continue to hurt. I’ve texted her a few times and each time she’s responded but it’s been short. I know she has a lot going on right now, I just want to be the one to help fix everything.

  “Hey man, what’s wrong? You seem really upset?” Tommy asks over the back of the couch after I told him I wasn’t hungry. That’s the number one clue in guy code that something major is wrong.

  “I guess now is as good as time as ever to share, but please don’t say anything to Maggie. I know she probably doesn’t want people to know but I think things are about to change, so maybe you should have a heads up to what’s going on.”

  “Look, I don’t need to know details. Just give me the big picture.”

  “Maggie is at her Grandpa’s house right now. She got into a pretty big argument with her mom over her new car and things got bad. Like, physical with her mom. It isn’t the first time it’s happened. I don’t know how bad it got because she won’t tell me but for now she’s safe.”

  “Don’t be mad, okay?”

  “Why would I be mad?”

  “Because I knew it was happening to her.”

  “What are you talking about? How could you possibly know?” My blood is starting to boil at the thought that he knew and didn’t try to help her. Or tell me sooner or report it or something. I take a couple of deep breathes, waiting for his response.

  “It’s not what you’re thinking. I saw the signs. I’ve been around her enough and seen the light bruises she covers up with make-up, the way she moves carefully when she’s hurt rather than bouncing around recklessly like the teenager that she is. I’ve seen her mood shift from sadness, to being okay, to being extremely happy. I know the signs, man. I know because of my dad. Things at home were a lot worse than you ever knew. So I get it. I understand her situation way more than I’d like to. And I also respect her privacy on the matter. I never plan to bring it up to her because I know what that feels like. When you aren’t there, you want to forget. You want to escape with your friends or school or whatever it is that gets you away from the nightmare you live in. So while I appreciate you sharing, next time allow her to share what she wants of her story. I know you care about her and I can see how much you mean to her, but Vince you’ve got to let this run its course. She has to make her own decisions right now because it’s the only way she can break free of the one person who is supposed to love you but destroys you instead.”

  “Tommy, I…I didn’t know. I mean, I had my suspicions but never…you’re a guy and that was your dad and for whatever reason it just seemed normal that he would rough you up a little sometimes. I know that sounds terrible but it’s just the way I looked at it. I’m so sorry. I see things so differently now.”

  “Hey, this isn’t some gushy, girly, share our feelings and shit kind of moment. It’s messed up that you saw things that way but it’s over now. And maybe Maggie has given you a new perspective on abuse and all the different forms it comes in. Look man, she’s going to be alright. She will get through this and it’s going to make her that much stronger because of it. So give her some space to think and let her sort this out. I know you want to help but she’s got to figure this out on her own. I wish I could explain it better but unless you’ve lived through it, you just can’t understand. Just be there for her in whatever way she needs you. Can you do that?”

  “I can try. I just…I mean…I want to murder that woman. How could she put her hands on her own daughter?”

  “That, my friend, we’ll never know. Now can we please change the subject? You are seriously bringing me down from my high.”

  “What high?”

  “Listen, I know you think this is a terrible idea but I’ve been talking to Amanda. Like a lot. And I think I really like her. She wants to get to know each other first and honestly I’ve never had a girl show any interest in getting to know me before we hit the sack. I just got back from taking her home from her dad’s shop and we had the best conversation. Like really talked.”

  “Awe…that’s just the cutest thing you’ve ever said. Do you want me to leave the room so you can float around on your happy cloud a little longer?”

  “Shut-up!” Tommy lunges a pillow right at my face but laughs under his breath.

  “Alright, enough of the heavy. What should we do for the next couple hours to keep my mind from going crazy thinking about Maggie?”

  “Die Hard and Chinese take-out?”

  “Sounds like a great combination to me.”

  After scarfing down three egg rolls, two plates of assorted dishes and some pot stickers, Tommy and I settle in for a night of violence and cussing in one of the best movies ever made. He really gave me a new perspective on things, which made me feel a whole lot better. That and the fact that I know Maggie is safe at her Grandpa’s house, let me wash away some of my worry. I decide that I will let Maggie take the lead. Whatever she wants to do or talk about or share with me, I will accept.

  Just as the credits start rolling, my phone rings. As soon as I see the white from the flower, I jump up and head to my bedroom.

  “Hey, beautiful. How are you doing?”

  “Hi. I miss you.”

  “I miss you too.”

  “I’m sorry I haven’t been around much today but I’m all yours for as long as you want to talk tonight.”

  “Then I guess I’m never hanging up because I can do this all night.” I hear soft laughter in my ear and it brings a smile to my face.

  “So what did you do today?”

  “Mostly worked. Hung out with Tommy and watched D
ie Hard.”

  “Really? Die Hard? Isn’t that a bit predictable?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, isn’t that like the male equivalent to Steel Magnolia’s?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that’s the movie that every guy likes no matter what and Steel Magnolia’s is the one women like no matter what.”

  “Well, I can’t speak for the female population because I’ve never seen your movie but yeah, I guess most guys like Die Hard.”

  “I can’t believe you’ve never seen Steel Magnolia’s! I’m totally getting that movie and we’re watching it next time I come over.”

  I laugh lightly over the phone picturing her scrunched up face as she speaks with a little exasperation at the idea of forcing me to watch some chick flick. Little does she know, I would watch anything with her just to spend the day, night, evening, whatever together. We talk like this for the next two hours. Discussing our favorite movies and why they’re our favorite. Which somehow leads to a discussion about favorite foods and then all the places we’d love to visit. I hear her yawn for the tenth time and decide I’d better let her go to bed.

  “I know you’ve had a long day. Get some rest.”

  “Vincent?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Thank you for not pushing me about what happened. Or asking what’s going on. I’m trying to work things out but I can’t talk about it just yet. But soon. Just be patient with me, please?”

  “Of course. I’m here for whatever you need me for, even if it’s to discuss lame movies and bad food.” I hear another small giggle and my heart melts at the idea that I’ve given her some sort of peace.

  “Slick?” My lips pull into a big smile at the use of my nick name. I love it when she calls me that.

  “Yes, Magnolia?”

  “I don’t want to hang up. I know it sounds cliché and I’m totally stealing this from a classic chick flick, okay maybe several chick flicks, but I really don’t want to put the phone down knowing I can’t hear you breathing on the other line. Oh my gosh, I totally just sounded psycho. You can hang up now.” After stopping myself from laughing at her last comment, I speak softly into the phone.

  “I don’t want to hang up either. Does that make me psycho too?”

  “Yes. But you’re my psycho so it’s totally okay.”

  “Works for me. Goodnight, Maggie.”

  “Goodnight, Vince.”

  And we never did hang up. I woke up the next morning to the sound of soft breathing coming from my phone. For just a second, I was confused about why my phone was on my pillow until I remembered it was Maggie on the other line. I could listen to her inhale and exhale all day but unfortunately I have another full day. I somehow forgot to turn my alarm on so I glance over at the clock. Crap. It’s already after seven. I hate to wake her up but I know she would kill me if I just hang up now.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” Nothing. Silence, followed by a heavy sigh. “Magnolia, I have to get up now. Maggie? Hello?”

  “Huh? It’s too early. Let me sleep.” I can’t contain my laughter. She really does hate mornings.

  “Maggie, you can go back to sleep but I didn’t want to hang up without saying goodbye.”

  “Uh? Oh. Okay. Have a good day. I’m staying in bed just a little while longer.”

  “Go ahead and sleep. Call me when you get up. Okay?”

  “Sure. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  I’m surprised she said as much as she did. She’s not much of a talker in the morning. Actually, she isn’t much of anything in the morning except a big grouch. And I wouldn’t have her any other way. I’m going to do my best to wait until she’s ready to talk to me about everything. I just hope she comes back to Milford. I can’t stand the thought of being so far from her but if that’s what keeps her safe then we can work it out. I think I would do anything to keep her, even if that means a long distance relationship. Which could become our reality far sooner than I want to imagine. I just can’t think of any other scenario that would bring her back to Milford. I’m sure after going to her Grandpa, he saw the truth written all over her face. Surely he won’t let her go back to that house. For now, I wait patiently for Maggie to figure things out. She’ll let me know when she needs me. I hope.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It’s Wednesday evening and I’m headed to the address Maggie sent me via text. I have no clue what’s going on but I can’t wait to see her. It’s been four days since I’ve had my arms wrapped around her. Four days of pure torture. I pull into an apartment complex close to the safer side of town. It’s not too far from my place but far enough away from the trouble makers. One of which I used to be. I can’t believe how nervous I am. After finding a parking space right next to Maggie’s Civic, I walk up a small path leading to a door with the numbers that match the text message. I knock lightly and when the door opens, Maggie is standing on the other side.

  “Hi.”

  That’s it. That’s all she says. She seems shy for some crazy reason. I say her name to get her attention, which causes her to look up into my eyes. I took a moment to really look at her before wrapping my arms gently around her waist. I can see bruises healing all over her face along with a split lip. And those are just the injuries I can see. I try to be as gentle as possible, giving her just a small kiss on her lips. Then, she shocks the hell out of me. All the shyness leaves in a matter of seconds.

  “You can do better than that, Slick.”

  Before I know what’s happening, her mouth is on mine forcefully, taking whatever she wants. Whatever she feels like she needs in this moment. And I let her. But I keep reminding myself to be gentle. Something she doesn’t seem to care at all about right now. If I’m being honest, it’s sexy as hell. Her wanting me so badly. Her hands wrap around the back of my neck, pulling me closer and closer. I do my best to abide by her want while still holding her softly. Finally, we pull apart. I lean my forehead against hers to collect my thoughts.

  “So can I ask where we are?”

  “Oh, right. We have a lot to talk about. Welcome to my new home.”

  She pulls me over to the couch to explain everything. I’m not going to lie, if I thought I wanted to kill her mother before, it’s just intensified by a thousand. Especially when Maggie tells me what she said about her father. How could she say something so awful to her own daughter, knowing how much her father means to her? I just don’t understand it. According to Tommy, none of us ever will. I agree to help her get her things from her old house on Saturday. I don’t know how I’m going to hold it together but when I find out her Grandfather will be with us; it gives me some reassurance that I can keep my temper in check. I would hate for her to see that side of me and even more so, I would hate to show that side to the one person she loves more than anyone.

  I wish we had more time together but around eleven, she kicks me out. I know she has school tomorrow, so I don’t argue. I head home feeling relieved, calm and at peace. She’s finally safe. For now, I let everything else go and concentrate on the fact that we get to be a real couple. Maybe I can even introduce her to my family. I never really brought it up before because she had so much going on. But it would be nice for my mom to meet the girl I love.

  Saturday comes and goes in a blur. I was really dreading meeting her mother, but after all the build up of what I would say or wouldn’t say, we never even spoke a single word. It’s probably better that way because I wouldn’t have been kind. Her Grandfather on the other hand, I like. He’s everything I imagined he would be from all that Maggie has shared with me. He was concise and to the point but warm in a way that’s hard to describe. You don’t pick up on it right away. It’s subtle. The more I watched him interact with Maggie, the more I noticed. It’s in the way he looks at her. The gentle tone to his voice and the pride I could hear shining through. That man would do anything for her.

  Over the next week, we steal bits and pieces of time together. She has school and wor
k and I’ve been putting down treatments on the lawns before the real snow hits, preparing my customers yards for a hard winter. We’ve had a couple of light flurries, but nothing has stuck to the ground. It’s just after ten o’clock on Wednesday night and I have to see her. We have plans tomorrow night because she finally has a night off but I can’t wait that long. I feel like a love sick teenager. But who the hell cares.

  I pull into the parking lot of her apartment complex, hoping she made it home from work already. I smile when I see her tiny black car in her spot. I walk quickly up to her front door and knock. I can’t help but hold my breath for a split second while I wait.

  “Vincent? What are you doing here? Is everything alright?”

  I grab her and pull her up against my body, squeezing tightly as I lean down and kiss her. I kiss her with every ounce of passion, desire, and want that I have bottled up inside. She responds immediately, without further question. Her hands find their way up my body and around my neck. Her fingers start to weave through the little bit of hair on the back of my head as I kiss her deeper. She pulls me even closer until there isn’t any space left between us.

  Just as I’m about to pull away, I hear a soft moan escape her mouth. I wish she knew how much that drives me wild. Like insanely, uncontrollably, and intensely wild. It makes me lose all control. Before I even realize what’s happening, my hands have slipped past her waist and down to her ass. That perfect ass that until now, I’ve never touched. Right now, I just can’t stop myself. I squeeze firmly, appreciating all the running and swimming she does. She moans again but this time I remind myself to slow down. She isn’t ready for anything more. I don’t want to push her physically while she’s still healing mentally from everything else.

  I slow things down and bring my hands back up to her waist. I give her several small kisses on her soft, pink lips. I pull away long enough to see the look in her eyes. Yeah, it’s time to go. All I see is pure desire. Her eyes are dark and hooded. I can tell that it wouldn’t take much convincing to move things along, but I also know she would regret it in the morning and that’s the last thing I want.