by Elisa Leigh
Wait, what? She got divorced, and Mom didn’t think to tell me this? Oh, we’re going to have a talk.
“I know she has Bennett to think about, but our girl deserves to be happy. We need to get her on Match or Tinder or something,” she says into the phone.
Mom rolls her eyes. “Well, if you don’t mention it, I’m going to. It’s been almost two years. She needs to get herself back out there. She’s a beautiful girl, Cass. Once she puts herself out there again, someone is going to snatch her up quick.”
She nods again and sees me enter the kitchen. She smiles and winks at me, then goes back to her conversation.
“Alright, well, I’ll see you guys soon. Love you, too. Bye.”
She hangs up and looks at me, gauging my reaction.
“How much did you hear?”
“Enough to be pissed. Why didn’t you tell me Maci Kate was divorced?”
She hesitates and tilts her head to the side, looking at me, probably thinking of the best way to word this.
“Reece, what would you have done if I’d have told you? She wasn’t ready for you back then, and frankly, you weren’t ready for her, either.”
“Back then? Jesus, Mom, when did this happen? How long has she been divorced?”
She looks sad and frowns. “You were still going through those nightmares, going to therapy, dealing with things. Panthera had only been open a few months.”
I had started a security company with my unit three years ago. “Over two years? You haven’t told me for over two years? Are you serious, Mom?”
She straightens her shoulders and stares me in the eyes when she says, “It’s not only her you would be going after, Reece! She has Bennett now. Have you thought about that?”
I grunt. “Of course. I know that if I ever have the chance to be with Maci Kate, he would be a part of the package.”
I have thought about it, when I’m lonely, wanting what I would never have with her.
“Are you ready to be a step-parent? Do you want the headache of an ex that will always be in your lives? Can you handle being the man she and Bennett need to carry them through life’s hardships? I love you, honey, but I want you to be ready for this girl, because it’s not going to be simple. You know I love Maci as if she were my own. Your father and I would be ecstatic if you two got together. She has some baggage, and so do you. Not only that, but she is already family. If things don’t go well between you two, how is that going to affect everyone else?”
I can’t say anything, because I’m still stunned that there’s a chance for Maci and me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Reece, but I didn’t think it would be helpful for either of you at the time. Now that you know, just take some time and think about what you want before you make any decisions.”
****
I took all of one day to make my decision. That girl was always supposed to be mine. I wasn’t going to let any other asshole get in the way of us. What I couldn’t figure out was how to go about it. We haven’t spoken in over eight years, and the last time we talked wasn’t a good one. When Dad told me about this barbecue earlier this week, I jumped at the opportunity. Now that I’m here, I don’t know what I’m doing. It doesn’t help that she isn’t here yet, and my nerves are getting to me.
A ball hits me in the back, and I turn around to find a little guy, three and a half feet tall, with dark brown hair and eyes the same as my angel.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he whispers and looks away, worried I might snap.
Then I see her. God, I haven’t seen her for so long. She looks exquisite. She has a few more curves, probably from having Bennett. My pants start to get tight under my belt, and when I hear her sweet voice, and I’m completely stiff.
“Bennett Alexander! What have I told you about throwing the ball in Nana’s house?”
“I know, Momma. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to hit anyone.”
He walks away quickly, hoping to get away from a mad momma. He’s smart little guy. She hasn’t looked at me yet, not really.
“I’m so sorry…” I watch as recognition hits, and she searches my face for answers. “Reece? Is that you? Holy shit! I mean…” She laughs, and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face at her cursing. I’ve never heard those words come from her mouth before.
I look her in the eyes and she holds my stare, not looking away like she would have when she was eighteen.
I clear my throat. “Maci Kate. It’s been a long time, baby.” The endearment falls out of my mouth on its own accord.
Is that a hint of a smile? God, I hope so. She looks confused, but recovers quickly.
“Sorry about Bennett. He’s four. He knows better than that, but he’s still pushing the limits.”
She isn’t the same girl I used to know. She’s grown up. She’s more mature and a mom. I have never thought that being a mom, a great mom, would be a turn on, but it is. She turns to call for her son.
“It’s fine. I don’t give a shit about a ball hitting me.”
Ignoring me, she calls him over anyway. “Bennett, come here a minute, buddy.”
Bennett comes back over to where we are standing and looks at me warily. I know I’m a big guy, 6’5” and built like a brick shit house—most kids fear me, not that I’ve ever cared what they think of me. I care what Bennett thinks, though.
I give him my fist to pound, and someone must have taught him right because he gives me a pound right back.
“Hey man, I’m Reece. What’s your name?”
He smiles a toothy grin. “My name is Bennett. I’m four. I’m in VPK.”
I look at Maci and give her a look, one she immediately understands and laughs.
“VPK is Volunteer Pre-Kindergarten. It’s the year before kindergarten starts, getting him ready for school.”
I nod “Do you like VPK, Bennett?”
“Yes. I have fun at school.”
“What do you like to do at school?”
“I do puzzles and color. My teacher reads stories. My favorite thing to do is play on the slide.”
“I love the slide, too.” He gives me another pound, like I’ve passed his test or something.
“Momma, can I have a cookie? Pleeeease, Momma.”
Maci rolls her eyes at me, as if to say, Can you believe this kid? It’s like she’s including me in some secret between parents. I’m proud to be involved in this tiny moment.
“Why don’t you go find Nana and see if she can find some for you?”
Bennet runs off to find his Nana, and leaves his mom with me.
“So, how’s it been going, Reece? You’ve been back a while now, but I haven’t seen you. Where are you working?”
I stare at her, trying to find some words that make sense.
“Yeah. I’ve been back for a few years. I opened a security firm with the guys that were in my unit in the Marines. I’m doing what I like and it keeps me busy. It’s hard to get away sometimes.”
I hedge, giving a sorry excuse for why I haven’t been around. The real reason, which I’m not going into with her, is because it was too hard to be around her and her happy family.
“Yeah, your momma told me about it some. She’s extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
I nod. She’s told me more than a few times how proud of me she is.
I can’t get enough of Maci Kate. Her arms are crossed at the chest, unintentionally pushing up her big tits. She’s sexy as fuck, and doesn’t even know it.
I clear my throat and quickly look away from her chest and back to her face. “I hear you’re teaching, now.”
“I am. This is my third year and I love it! It can be a bit much. I work at home a lot, and taking care of Bennett is a full-time job in itself. So trying to get away for a family get-together can be tough. I think my mom would skin me alive if I didn’t make it. It’s bad enough she gets on my case about being late all the time.”
She laughs, apparently not concerned in the least. She puts her hand
on my arm and squeezes lightly before releasing it. “It was good seeing you, Reece. I’m glad you’re well.”
The feel of her hands on me, an innocent touch, makes me think of not so innocent things. I’m lost to images of what could be between us. When she turns to leave me, I finally wake up and can speak again.
“Maci, wait, I heard…Well, do you want to grab dinner sometime?”
Her eyes go wide, and she sucks her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying it. I reach up and brush it from her teeth with my thumb, and caress her chin. I speak low as not to scare her.
“Say yes, Maci girl. I know this is a long time coming, and I’m sorry it took me so long.”
I can tell she’s shocked, but she hasn’t refused me yet. I’m hopeful.
“I don’t know, Reece. Can I call you?”
I hesitate, wanting to lock her into a yes, not a maybe.
I pull out my phone. “Sure, what’s your number? I’ll call you, so you have mine.”
She looks me over and I hold my breath as she studies me. For what, I’m not sure. She exhales, coming to a decision, and gives me her number without pause. I waste no time typing it in. I call her phone, and as it rings from her back pocket, I pull it out for her, my fingers grazing her ass as I do. Damn, those jeans are tight on her backside, cupping her curves exquisitely. I see the blush overtake her face, and I feel triumphant that I can affect her so quickly. I hand her the phone after I program my number into her contacts.
“Call me anytime, Maci Kate. If you want to talk, I’m here for you.”
Again, I shock her, but she just nods and accepts my words. I walk away from her before I do something stupid like kiss her and make a move she isn’t ready for. I go to look for my dad and find him outside, talking with the other men about the game they’re watching.
He looks me over, and my lips turn up in a small grin. He nods his head in acceptance that I’m finally claiming what’s always been mine. I’m sure he’ll give me the third degree about treating Ms. Maci Kate like the angel she is later, especially since our parents are best friends and basically family. I nod back at him and join in the conversation with the others about how the Volunteers are doing this season.
Three
Maci Kate
Oh, my God. Oh My God. OH, MY GOD! My breathing is a little choppy, and my heart is racing. I place my hand over my heart and rub a little, trying to get it to slow down. Damn, Reece Atwood! This man was the obsession of my teenage heart.
We grew up together, constantly in each other’s lives because our parents are best friends. They have been since I was born and he was four. I was like the nerdy little sister that followed him around like a lost puppy. He never made me feel unwanted, and always tried including me when he was around his friends. He stood up for me if his friends ever made fun of me or tried to get rid of me.
As we grew up, we stayed friends, but he became super hot—thus becoming the standard by which I judged all other boys. Nothing ever happened between us, although I wanted it to. I knew he was too old for me. We flirted harmlessly and continued to be friends, but nothing ever moved beyond that.
When he went off to college, I still crushed on him. However, he was way out of my league and never around anymore, except during holidays and a few times over the summers. Things were different when I did see him. Our once close friendship had changed to one of indifference, and it seemed he would purposely ignore me when I was around. It hurt, but I got over it. I told myself it didn’t matter, since I was going off to college soon, anyway.
He graduated college the summer I graduated high school. Our families had a barbecue to celebrate. He and I started talking, and things seemed easier than they had been in the past few years. We talked and laughed all day, so I soaked up all my courage and asked him what I had been dying to know for years.
“Reece, what happened between us?”
He looks at me, like he is confused. “Not sure what you’re talking about, Maci.”
I continue, brave now that he is talking to me again. “I don’t know. I mean, did I do something to upset you? For the past couple of years, you’ve treated me like, I don’t know, like you couldn’t care less if I was around. We used to be so close.”
He stares at me for a few beats, and then his demeanor changes, and he shut down again.
“You’re my parents’ best friends’ daughter, Maci. How did you expect me to treat you?”
Well, that wasn’t what I expected to come from him. My throat closes with tears, and it becomes painful to speak, “I—I just…We were friends, and then you…Never mind. I’m just being a silly girl.”
“You were always a silly girl, Maci. Have fun. I’ve got a date tonight.”
He wiggled his eyebrows and walked away from me, showing me that whatever we had when we were younger meant nothing to him. As my eyes filled with unshed tears, I watched him get into his old pickup truck and back out without even looking at me, taking my young heart with him.
After that, I gave up on Reece and any feelings I ever had for the asshole. He reduced me to nothing in a matter of minutes that afternoon. I knew I was something. I was someone, and even if he thought nothing of me, I knew someone would someday.
I shake my head at the memories of our past. I’m not that person anymore. I’m not that shy and reserved girl who allowed people to beat her down and treat her like shit. I’m worthy of love. And who the hell does he think he is, calling me ‘baby’ like he has a right to? I’m not looking to be treated like shit by one man, let alone two. Even if he has changed, I’m not ready to be with someone. Not after David’s crap this morning.
I walk into the kitchen, shaking my head, still confused at what all that was about. Why now?
“What’s up, Maci Kate?” Asks Reece’s mom, Anna. “You look all shook up over there in that head of yours.”
“It’s nothing, Ms. Anna. Just a weird day so far. How have you and Mr. Paul been?”
I’ve always loved Reece’s mom and dad. They have been like my aunt and uncle for so long, and they treat Bennett as if he were their own grandson. It’s fun watching them try to one-up my parents when we’re all together to see who Bennett loves more.
“Oh, you know how it is—working and playing, More playing than work, these days. We’re happy, though, so it’s good. Where’s my baby boy? I need some of that lovin’ only he can give.” I laugh, knowing exactly the kind of lovin’ she’s talking about. Bennett’s hugs and kisses are the best things ever.
“He was throwing a ball around the house, so I kicked him outside.”
I laugh, picturing him hitting Reece in the back with it. Reece deserved it, the douche.
“Actually, he hit Reece with the ball.”
Her eyes go wide with mischief. “And how did that son of mine react?”
“Oh, he laughed it off. I didn’t even realize it was him there for a minute. I haven’t seen him in years. He looks so different now.” I watch as her eyes go sad for a moment.
“Yeah, he’s different than he used to be. I guess war does that to a person. He’s getting better. He likes his job; it keeps him busy and out of trouble.”
I didn’t even think about what he has gone through; I’ve been so caught up in my life and all that’s going on there. God, what kinds of things did he see over there? How has that affected his life now? Is he okay? Does he have PTSD? Did it bother him when Bennett hit him with that ball?
“Well, he looks good.” Shit, why did I say that? My cheeks heat up with what I’m sure is a nice pink blush. “I mean, you know, healthy and all.”
Ms. Anna smiles at me, puts her arm around my shoulders and pulls me to her side. “Yeah, Maci girl, he looks healthy.” She rolls her eyes. “How have you been doing? You’re over that asshole, right?” I nod. “Good, because I’ve been thinking. It’s time for you to start getting yourself out there again. You should join one of those sites online. Like Tinder or something.”
“Tinder? Who should join Tinde
r?” my dad walks in and asks.
My eyes go wide. My daddy does not need to hear me talk about joining a dating site, let alone Tinder. That’s what the girls at work call ‘the hookup site.’ I disengage from Ms. Anna and clear my throat. “No one in this kitchen is joining Tinder. I do not need a hookup.”
My mom snorts from her corner of the kitchen, and I send that crazy woman a glare. She may be one of my very best friends, but she’d better not start talking about me hooking up with some random guy while my daddy is around.
“I think maybe a hook up would be good for you—loosen you up a little. Relieve some of that stress you’re always carrying around with you these days,” Mom says.
I raise my eyebrow at the woman who birthed me. “Now, you listen up, crazy lady. I’m stressed because I’m a single parent. I’m teaching America’s future hoodlums. My ex thinks we should get back together—”
Whoops, I didn’t mean to blurt that one out. Everyone in the kitchen snaps their eyes to mine. Oh shit.
I point at Momma. “This is all your fault! If you hadn’t started goading me in front of Daddy, I wouldn’t have opened my mouth,” I say, disgruntled, now that I have to spill the beans about this morning.
Daddy is looking at me like I’d better start talking. He’s never been a patient man. So, I cave and tell them everything that happened. They listen quietly until I’ve finished.
“He still has a key to your house?” Daddy asks, a little louder than necessary.
I sigh in defeat. “I took the one he had with him this morning, but I’m not sure. I told him I wanted any copies that he made, but who knows what he has.”
I stop and think for a minute. “What else does he have that I don’t know about?” My eyes fill with tears, and I stare at my daddy, the only man I can count on to hold me up when I can’t do it myself. He pulls me in for a hug and squeezes me tight.
“The fucker better not have any more,” he says as he rubs my back.
“Any more what?” I hear Mr. Paul ask.
I pull away from Daddy and see Mr. Paul and Reece standing in the now crowded kitchen. I quickly wipe my eyes, not wanting Reece to see me like this. I dare a glance at him, and he looks murderous as he listens to my father relay what happened this morning.
