Cupid Scores: (Western Historical Small Town Contemporary Romance)

by Sylvia McDaniel

  She sank down on a chair. "You're right. But last night he lost consciousness and they wouldn't let him stay alone, so he came back to my place."

  "And the two of you just jumped in the sack together."

  "Kind of."

  "Are you willing to take the chance of getting hurt a second time? Are you on birth control pills?"

  "No. We used a condom last night."

  Taylor shook her head. "What about this morning?"

  "Uh, you kind of interrupted us," she said glancing back towards the bedroom. "He doesn't have any clothes here. The hospital cut them off him, so he can't leave. Plus he doesn't have any transportation. His car is demolished."

  Taylor laughed. "That's kind of fitting."

  Meghan sighed. "I know I got caught up last night in the the life and death situation with him. I was so scared he was seriously hurt and would never speak to me again."

  "Are you in love with him again?" Taylor asked, searching her friends beautiful face.

  "I don't know," Meghan said sheepishly and Taylor didn't believe her. It was happening all over again. M&M were back together.

  She sighed, not wanting to see her friend suffer again. Sure they had been young, but leaving your girlfriend to deal with a possible teenage pregnancy and never calling her while you're gone. That was cold. Meghan deserved better.

  "Look it's none of my business, but remember the past. Remember how he hurt you. Why would let him do that to you again? You're studying to become Dr. X. You don't need him to get you off course and forget your dreams and desires."

  Meghan picked up her coffee cup and walked to the window in the kitchen looking out. "You're right. He hurt me badly. But there is so much chemistry between us. It's like we're back in high school. It's the same as it was seven years ago."

  Taylor looked at her watch. It was up to her friend. "It's your life. If you want to take the risk, that's your decision."

  Glancing back at her, she sighed. "You're right. I know you are. I'm going to send him away just as soon as I know he's all right."

  Standing, Taylor walked over and gave Meghan a hug. "I've got to run. We didn't even talk about the wreck. Are you okay?"

  She nodded. "I'm fine. Scared ten years off my life, but at least I'm still walking. The other guy didn't make it."

  "That's what Ryan told me. Scared me senseless," she said.

  "And then you came over to find me in the shower with Max," Meghan said with a laugh. "Maybe the wreck damaged me more than I thought. It certainly left my heart open for freeway crash."

  Chapter 8

  If Max had something to wear besides Meghan's pink fluffy robe, he would have been out there telling Taylor to mind her own business. What happened between him and Meghan was no one's concern except them. And frankly, last night had been the best night of sex he'd ever experienced. As a football player, he'd had some opportunities that frankly looking back, he wasn't too proud of the fact he partook of what was offered.

  Live and learn and grow up to know that's not the kind of life he wanted.

  What he wanted was the kind of relationship that he and Meghan had. He wanted one of love and happiness and happily ever after. And maybe they had a chance, once she explained to him why she'd aborted their baby. All they had to do was sit down and talk about that summer after high school. Why she hadn't waited on him to return before she'd made the decision.

  He was trying to put it behind him, he really was, but he had to understand why? They'd talked about wanting children, once they were out of college and he was playing professional ball. Then they would start their family. Instead she'd gotten an abortion and then texted him to tell him they were done.

  Just thinking about it all over again, he felt himself tensing. They had to clear the air or this could go no further.

  Wrapping the pink robe around him, he strolled out into the living room. Meghan was standing in the center with a cup of coffee staring off into space.

  "Did she leave?"

  "Yes, she was concerned about me when Ryan told her about the crash."

  "Does everyone in town know where you keep your blasted key?"

  She frowned at him. "No. Only a few friends and my family."

  "So every time we have sex at your place, should I bring in the key?"

  "If it's a problem for you, then yes," she said her x eyes flashing.

  "It's a problem for me when people walk in while we're having sex. I'm not really the type of man who likes to be interrupted, threatened and told to get my clothes on by your psycho friends."

  The moment the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them. It was just Taylor and she wasn't a psycho, just very protective of Meghan. And he had to respect that she watched out for her friend's back."

  "You know, she pointed out to me that I seem to have forgotten the past. I've forgotten how you left that weekend, thinking I was pregnant, never calling me. Never checking up on me."

  "Hey, I was a young teenage boy on his way to college. Going on a football scholarship that I knew for the next four years the University owned me. If they told me to jump, I asked how high. If they told me run, I ran. When I walked into that first training camp, they took our cell phones away. I didn't have the chance or the opportunity to call you until that Sunday, on my way home. By that time, you'd gone away to school. You ran out on me. You wouldn't even return my phone calls."

  That was what hurt more than anything. She'd never given them the chance to talk about what happened. She'd never told him that she aborted the baby.

  He wanted to bring up the abortion, but could see that he was barely treading water. They were both angry. This was not how he'd planned on talking about their past. He'd wanted to sit down and talk about it civily. That wasn't happening.

  "You need to leave. An Uber driver should be here any moment. I gathered up your sweat pants the hospital gave you."

  Anger gripped his stomach like a machine vise. "Why is it every time I think we have a chance, you prove to me we don't. You refuse to talk about the past. You refuse to accept if we could talk things out, we could have a good life together. Instead your friend comes rushing over here and reminds you of the past you won't talk about and you kick me out. I have tried and tried and I'm not trying anymore."

  He grabbed the sweat clothes and walked into the bathroom where he slammed the door. He was tired of trying to fix a broken relationship with the promise of a life together. He was done.

  The door slammed and Max walked out of her life, probably forever. A deep crushing hurt filled her and she sank down on the couch and cried. During the last few weeks, the spark they had in high school had been rekindled. They'd had fun together, she enjoyed his company, he did things for her that made her feel less geeky and instead pretty. Yet somehow it had all come crashing down.

  Last night she'd been so afraid she'd lost her chance with him and today she'd been going to tell him she would speak of the past with him. Just once. But instead Taylor had come over and reminded her of the nights she'd cried over Max. The depression following her break-up with him and the way she'd left for school early just to get away and not give him the chance to try to make up.

  Maybe she'd been wrong. Maybe she should have stayed and they could have worked it out. But when he never called her, she'd felt like this was how college would be. He would have his friends, including a new girl friend and she would be left behind. Everything more important than the girlfriend in Cupid.

  So instead, she'd released him and hoped that he would do well. But it had been the hardest thing she'd ever done. This was the first and the only man she'd ever fallen in love with. Sure there had been others, but nobody she'd wanted to tie the knot with. No one that she could think of a home and kids with. No one that she wanted to think of forever with.

  When he left, he'd been furious. She didn't think she'd hear from him again. And while part of her wanted to, the other part was telling her that was a wise decision.

  But if it was for the
best, why did it feel like she'd just made the biggest mistake of her life.

  Meghan glanced around at her friends as they sat in their bathrobes with their hair up in towels, drinking a glass of wine while they received a pedicure. They'd already gotten a massage and a facial. So far the day had been fun. Tonight, they had reservations at an expensive restaurant and were staying at an exclusive hotel in downtown Dallas.

  Meghan laid back in the chair with her eyes closed. "This is the life. We should plan on doing this at least once a quarter."

  After the last week, the break-up with Max and the wreck, she needed some relaxation. Some down time where she wasn't concentrating on how hurt she felt. Why wasn't Max fighting for her? If they were so good together, why wasn't he fighting to keep her? Why wasn't she fighting to keep Max?

  "Maybe," Kelsey said watching the young man wrap her legs in a towel. "Depends on how the shop does."

  "If I can find someone to cover the diner, I'm game," Taylor said.

  Kelsey sighed. "I have a confession to make."

  Why did her voice have an ominous tone? What would Kelsey share?

  "Ryan came to see me yesterday. After almost seven years, we finally put to bed the past. He apologized about how he hurt me."

  "What?" Meghan said. "I knew you guys broke up, but what did he do."

  "He cheated," Taylor said. "An apology doesn't make it right."

  "He had some excellent points. He admitted to being a young, horny boy who just wanted to get into any girl's pants. And when you add tequila and a willing teenage girl to a high school party, you get trouble."

  Oh God, why was it that men seemed to think that what they did in high school deserved a pass. But then again, had she made the best decisions at that time in her life. Some days she doubted the decisions she made today.

  "Still doesn't excuse what he did," Taylor said.

  "Hmmm," Meghan replied. "Did you ever have too much to drink in college and do something stupid?"

  Maybe Ryan deserved a pass. He was a good guy. He'd stayed right there by her side until he was certain that Max was going to at least live. Then he'd left to get back out to the scene of the accident.

  "I certainly did. It was a wonder I graduated," Taylor said.

  "I told you how I popped my cherry in college. No, I'm not proud. What makes me any different from Ryan?" Kelsey asked.

  "Did he do this to convince you to talk me into going out with him again?"

  Kelsey laughed. "No, we didn't discuss you much. Though for only being on one date, the man seemed pretty crazy about you. You kept us in the dark regarding you and Ryan."

  Meghan sat up, her eyes widening with surprise. "You and Ryan? Seeing one another? Really?"

  She started laughing and sunk back on the chair. No, it couldn't be. It just couldn't. They had danced around the Cupid statue and now Taylor was seeing Ryan and she was seeing Max. Or at least she had been up until this week.

  "Yes, me and Ryan," Taylor said, wishing she'd been honest with them. "But he lied to me."

  "What person hasn't told a fib to make themselves look better," Kelsey said. "You've never distorted or misrepresented something? Never kept anything from your friends?"

  "Okay, so I didn't tell you the truth about Ryan."

  Meghan snickered softly. They weren't even thinking about the Cupid dance. They weren't thinking of how they'd put theirselves on the line to find love. So who was Kelsey seeing if Taylor and Meghan were dating.

  "Do you love him?" Kelsey asked.

  Meghan and Kelsey stared at their friend. Clearly she cared about Ryan, but would she confess to love? Did she realize that Cupid had worked its magic on her and Ryan?

  "Yes, I love Ryan," she said almost shouting the words.

  Kelsey smiled. "Good."

  "Are you happy now?" Taylor asked.

  Neither one of them had caught on yet that the Cupid Stupid dance had worked. They were all on their way to love and happiness. All except Meghan who had managed to screw it up again. When was she going to learn?

  "Why are you letting an incident that happened almost seven years ago stop you from getting the love you deserve? Why would you let the mistakes between us keep you from happiness?" Kelsey said, her voice rising with disbelief.

  "He had sex with someone else while the two of you dated," Taylor said vehemently. "I vowed never to date another man who can't be faithful. Ryan wasn't loyal."

  Kelsey smiled that knowing grin that made Taylor nervous. "At eighteen, he wanted to lose his virginity. I wanted to surrender mine in college. Now, if he did that today, then yes, I'd be getting a rope and we'd be stringing him up in the Cupid courtyard in the town square. He wasn't the only one who screwed up. You hid this relationship from us."

  "Only to protect you. You've said how much you dislike him," Taylor said.

  "And I did. Yesterday, we buried the hatchet. Life is too short and he said he was sorry. How many men apologize and admit their error," Kelsey said, gazing at her friend. She picked up Taylor's hand. "You admitted you love him. Give him a break. Give him some time."

  Oh my God. Kelsey was forgiving Ryan and Taylor had fallen in love with him. While Meghan had loved and lost once again. Meghan giggled even louder.

  "All right, I'll give him another opportunity, but I'm going to lay down some rules. This will only happen on my terms."

  "Great," Kelsey said and jumped out of the foot spa much to the technician's dismay as she splashed water all over the floor in her exuberance to reach out and embrace Taylor. Meghan bounced up, giggling, splashing water everywhere and joined in the group hug.

  She continued to giggle.

  "Why have you laughed this entire time?" Taylor demanded.

  "Don't you see," Meghan said smiling. "The Cupid superstition is finding us love. You're the first one to succumb to the spell."

  "I didn't want love," Taylor said.

  Kelsey started jumping up and down, forcing the others to follow her lead. "I have such a great idea. I know how to get you your happily ever after. I can't wait for us to return to Cupid."

  Taylor would find her happily ever after, while Meghan only had to let her broken heart heal. But once you love someone body and soul, is it possible to love anyone else? Could she be forever in love with Max, while he hated her.

  Chapter 9

  Meghan kept thinking that soon, she'd start to accept that her and Max were now the past. But every day she felt tired, depressed and even a little anxious. Why couldn't she just move on. She was working very hard to finish up the school year and hopefully soon, she'd be on her way for her final classes. Soon, she'd start to feel like her old self again and not break down crying at the least little thing.

  Walking into the teachers lounge, she froze. He was sitting beside Christy Selleck talking about english prep. Really? Christy? She was the new girl he was hitting on.

  Refusing to let him know that he was getting to her, she walked over and sat her lunch down on the table. Her stomach roiled at the smell of tuna. The smell overpowered her and she could feel herself gagging. This was the second time this week that she'd been overcome at the smell of someone's lunch. Last time she just picked up her stuff and left. But this time, she needed to sit down for a few minutes.

  The room spun eerily as she sank down into the chair, she glanced around. They were the only three in the teachers lounge.

  "It's been such a pleasure talking to you," Christy said leaning down and giving him an eyeful of her breasts. "I hope I see you here again tomorrow."

  "I'll see what I can workout," he said not committing, but leaving it open. Why did Meghan care? He was free to date anyone he pleased.

  Suddenly the smell of tuna accosted her, causing her to gag and she jumped, almost running into the bathroom. Unable to stop herself, the contents of her stomach erupted like a geyser. Oh great, just great. She was in the ladies room upchucking and everyone in the teachers lounge could hear her. Including Max.

  Standing up she le
aned against the wall for a few minutes before she washed her hands and wiped her mouth.

  When she finally opened the door, he was standing there staring at her.

  "You okay?" he asked. "I don't want you claiming that the wreck caused you to become ill."

  She walked past him, irritation flooding her. Not only was she dealing with a stupid stomach virus, but now she had to deal with Max as well.

  "You're fine. I won't hold you responsible. Just a touch of stomach flu."

  Sinking down at the table, she wanted to lay her head down and rest. Even though she was going to bed earlier, she'd never felt so tired. This flu bug was quite the doozy, draining her of energy.

  He was frowning at her, almost shooting daggers at her with his eyes. "You don't look too good. You look pale."

  "Usually that's what happens when you're sick," she said wishing he'd go back to his girlfriend or his class or anyone besides her. Yet she also felt the most incredible urge to sit in his lap and have a good cry.

  About that time her stomach rebelled again. Jumping up she ran to the ladies room, just barely making it in time. This time her stomach was empty and she knew she would not be eating anything for awhile.

  Walking back out of the restroom, he was waiting for her. "You need to go home and rest. Otherwise this is going to spread through the school making a lot of people ill. I'll drive you."

  Shaking her head, she knew she didn't want to be alone with him. If she was alone, then she'd be tempted.

  "That's really nice of you, but my car is here," she said.

  "Good, we'll take yours and then I'll bring it back later tonight," he said.

  "How do I know you won't go rob a bank or something in my car?"

  He laughed. "Even when you're sick, you're still a smartass."

  "Hey, maybe I have reason to be one."

  She didn't want him to take her home, but she was feeling weaker every moment and her biggest fear was that someone would come into the teachers lounge and heat up their lunch. The smell of food would be her undoing. She would be in the bathroom bowing down to the porcelain God, begging for him to make this stop.