Finally, Our Forever

by Elisa Leigh

  “You think he would do something, Maci?” Reece asks. I’m surprised, but a little touched, that he’s acting like he cares. It’s probably his instincts kicking in from his job.

  I bite my lip and shrug my shoulder. “He’s been more intense than usual. I have no clue what’s going on with him, but he’s definitely been acting strange. He even has it in his head that we should get back together.”

  “Yeah, that isn’t fucking happening” he mutters under his breath, but everyone hears. “He shouldn’t have keys to your house. That’s an invasion of privacy. Keep an eye out and see if you notice things missing or out of place. Call me immediately if you do, Maci.”

  I eye him, appreciative that he cares that I’m safe. But also, I’m pissed. Like, who. The. Fuck?

  “I’ve got this, you guys. He’s not going to do anything.”

  “Maci. I’m not fucking playing around here. You better tell me if anything happens,” Reece warns.

  I lose it. Walking up to him, I push my finger into his chest. His hard chest. Damn.

  “I’d better tell you? Who the fuck do you think you are? I haven’t talked to you in years, Reece. Years!”

  I poke him again and he snarls at me.

  “The last time you talked to me, you basically told me that I was nothing to you and never was.” Poke. “Then, you left me there feeling about an inch tall,” I say, shoving my thumb and pointer finger an inch apart in his face. “So, excuse me if I don’t listen when you command me to do what you say. I can handle MY shit—HAVE been handling MY shit—for a long time now. I will continue to handle MY shit in the future. I don’t need anyone to swoop in and save the day, when I can, in fact, do it my own damn self!”

  Reece’s mouth hangs open in shock. Fire burns behind his eyes and I know he’s pissed. He also doesn’t have a leg to stand on in this argument. He did treat me like shit the last time we talked.

  Looking away from him, I stare at everyone surrounding me in the kitchen. Our parents look at me with shock and pride. Zoning in on them, I decide it’s time to leave.

  “Bye, Momma and Daddy. It’s time for me and Bennett to skedaddle. See you all later,” I throw over my shoulder with a wave and go to find my son.

  I collect Bennett from outside where he is throwing the ball with some of my parents’ friends.

  “Okay, buddy. We gotta get going.”

  “Ah Mom, the game isn’t over. I don’t wanna go yet.”

  I ruffle his hair, and I crouch down in front of him. “I know, buddy, but we can finish the game at home. I’m tired, okay?”

  “Okay, Momma. I love you.” My strong little boy knows when I’ve reached my limit. I hug him to my side.

  “I love you too, Boo Bear.”

  When we get home, Bennet finishes watching the game and plays in the living room. I put in a load of laundry, then fold the clothes that have been in the dryer for a few days now. After I’ve fed, bathed, and tucked my son in for the night, I curl up on the couch with my iPad. I bring up my Kindle app and begin reading where I left off this morning. After about an hour, I start to get sleepy and decide to head to bed. I promise myself that I will be more motivated tomorrow and will finish all my laundry. I might even get some cleaning done. Proud of myself for my adulting plans, I check the house to make sure I’m all locked up.

  As I’m about to plug my phone in to charge for the night, I notice that someone messaged me while I was getting ready for bed.

  Old Friend: I’m sorry, Maci Kate.

  Old Friend: I shouldn’t have talked to you like that.

  I guess this is Reece. Should I respond? I’m not mad anymore. Slightly irritated, and confused, but not mad. If I’m honest, I’m curious about this beautiful man.

  Maci Kate: No, you shouldn’t have.

  Maci Kate: Old friend, huh?

  Old Friend: We used to be friends, Maci.

  Maci Kate: I thought I was just the daughter of your parents’ friends…

  Old Friend: I was so fucking stupid to say that.

  Yeah, you were, jerk! At least he realizes it now, though.

  Old Friend: It was a lie, all of it, what I said that day.

  Maci Kate: Why say it then?

  He doesn’t answer for a few minutes, and that pisses me off. I’m too tired for his bullshit.

  Maci Kate: Never mind. It doesn’t matter now anyway. Goodnight.

  I put my phone on the nightstand and turn my light off. I pull my covers up to cocoon myself in, and I hear my phone’s message tone. I debate whether to check my phone, but I’m too curious to leave it be.

  Old Friend: Of course it matters. I didn’t know what to say to you. Maci, I was leaving for boot camp in a few days.

  Maci Kate: So what Reece? You had to be a jerk because you were leaving?

  Old Friend: It seemed like a good idea at the time.

  Maci Kate: Really, that’s your answer?

  Old Friend: Ask me again.

  Maci Kate: Ask you what?

  Old Friend: Ask me what happened between us.

  Maci Kate: You remember what I said?

  Old Friend: I remember it all.

  Old Friend: Because it killed me to lie to you. It still kills me.

  Maci Kate: What happened between us, Reece?

  I watch the dot, dot, dots at the bottom of the screen, waiting for a reply that doesn’t come. Tossing my phone on the bed beside me, I fling my head back against my pillow, pull the other pillow over my face and scream. What the hell am I doing? I pull the pillow off my face knowing I need to get back to reality. I have no business giving into an old fantasy.

  Seconds after I close my eyes, James Arthur begins singing “Say You Won’t Let Go.” He wouldn’t be calling me this late, would he? Opening my eyes, I glance at the screen and see that it’s Reece. Fuck. Can I handle whatever he’s going to say? I laid my bruised heart to rest years ago, do I really want to dig it up where there’s a chance it could get damaged again?

  “Hello.” I answer.

  “When I left for school, I realized I was falling for you. I knew you were too young for me, and that I was going away to school, so we would never see each other. When I was at school, I missed you so damn much, but I knew I couldn’t have you, and it pissed me off. I dated girls, but they never compared to you, which pissed me off too. When I saw you that day, it was so good to be able to talk to you and laugh with you like we used to. I was done with school, and you were finally old enough, but I was leaving for the Marines. What was the point in starting anything with you? I figured it would be best to just push you away instead of giving you hope for a relationship that wouldn’t be able to start. Who knew when I would be home again? Who knew if I’d be home again?

  “I regretted it as I drove away, but I thought it was the best I could give you. I never had a date that night. I thought about you all the time while I was gone. I wrote you hundreds of letters that ended up in the trash. I figured what I wanted to say would be best said in person. When I finally came back, I was determined to make it right, but you were married. I missed my chance with you.”

  “You hurt me that day. Made me feel smaller than small.”

  “I’m so sorry, baby.”

  Every time he calls me ‘baby,’ I feel it down deep in my core. He is so fucking sexy. I bet he’s got some damn fine muscles under his tight t-shirts. I would lick those muscles, every single one. Shiiit.

  “You there, baby?”

  “You shouldn’t call me that.”

  “What?”

  “Baby.”

  “And why is that?”

  Fuck it, why not? He’s hot, and I haven’t wanted anyone in a long ass time. He’s also the guy who broke my teenage heart. Screw that noise, he told me why he said that stuff, not that I’ve decided to forgive him for it, but it makes sense.

  “It makes me feel things.”

  “What kinds of things, baby?”

  “Makes me want things I shouldn’t.”

  “You def
initely should want those things.”

  Frustrated, I let out a sigh. “What are we doing here, Reece?”

  “We are doing what we should have done eight years ago. Baby, I want you, all of you. Those feelings never went away for me. Not sure how you’re feeling, but I’m hoping it’s at least a little bit of what I am.”

  “And if I am?”

  “You were so sexy today, baby. I didn’t like those jeans, though. Please don’t wear them again.”

  “Why? I love those jeans.”

  “I don’t like the idea of men seeing what’s meant to be mine.”

  “Yours?”

  “Oh, you’re mine, baby. I’m just giving you time to come around to that.”

  This is just too much. It’s been a weird day, and I’m too tired to be having this conversation.

  “I’m going to sleep.”

  He laughs. Damn, is everything this man does sexy? “Night, baby. Call me in the morning.” I hang up. I can’t believe I told him all of that.

  Four

  Maci Kate

  “I’m hungry,” Bennett whispers in my ear, shocking me awake.

  Grunting, I turn my head and grab my phone from the nightstand. Checking the time, I see that it’s already 8:30. I guess the little guy waited long enough.

  “Grab a cereal bar.”

  “No. I don’t want that.”

  Oh, no he didn’t. He needs to get through this phase quick, because I’m going to start losing my mind if he keeps telling me no. Taking a breath, I gather as much patience I can and reply.

  “Buddy, what did we talk about yesterday? You can’t tell me no when I tell you to do something.”

  Bennett, still standing next to my bed, looks down at his feet. “Sorry, Momma. Can I have something else, please?”

  Throwing my legs over the bed, I get up and make my way to the door, rubbing the top of his head. “That’s better. What would you like instead?”

  I walk towards the kitchen with my minion following close behind. I turn the coffee pot on, thanking God I was smart enough to prepare it last night. I’m still sleepy from talking with Reece last night.

  “Pancakes!” Bennett yells right next to me, and I flinch.

  “Dude, it’s too early to be that loud,” I whisper to him and make my sad face.

  He giggles and pats my hand. “Momma,” he whispers now, “please make some pancakes.”

  I nod, and we start getting the ingredients together. Once it is all in the bowl, I give Bennett the whisk and tell him to stir it up. Hearing my phone chirp, I turn and walk back to my room.

  “Stir it up, chef. Be back in a minute.”

  When I get to my room, I hear my phone chirp again. Rolling my eyes, I wonder who is bugging me this early in the morning. When I unlock my screen, I see two text messages. One from Reece—yes, I changed his contact name last night—and one from David, the stupid man who can’t take a hint.

  Reece: Good morning, beautiful girl.

  Aww, that’s the first time he’s ever called me beautiful.

  David: Hey, you want to grab lunch today? Maybe take Bennett to the park or something?

  I text Reece first.

  Maci Kate: Well, hello there. Pleasant dreams?

  Reece: Very. How about you?

  Maci Kate: I was having a great dream until the monster wanted pancakes. Lol.

  Reece: Lol, well, boys love their pancakes!

  Maci Kate: Apparently. He went all Hulk smash on me when I tried to give him a cereal bar.

  Reece: Aww, did momma bear lay down the law?

  Maci Kate: Momma bear ‘bout lost her shit when ‘no’ popped out of his mouth. I’m hoping this is just a phase.

  Reece: He seemed like a great kid yesterday. You’re doing a great job with him.

  Before I can reply to Reece, I get another message from David, damn him.

  David: So, what do you think?

  Maci Kate: I can’t today. I have too many chores to do.

  David: Well, maybe you shouldn’t put them off until last minute.

  I hate that he’s right, but he doesn’t get to talk to me like that anymore.

  Maci Kate: Have a good day, David. See you Wednesday when I drop Bennett off.

  David: Stay for dinner on Wednesday. Bennett would like that.

  Maci Kate: Bennett will be fine. We don’t need him to get his hopes up that we will be getting back together. I think it’s better if we don’t spend time together with him yet.

  David: We are getting back together. You are just being stubborn about it. You know we’re good together.

  I decide to ignore that message. What can I say to him that I haven’t already said? I hear something crash in the other room, and I’m pulled from my thoughts. Shit, what is Bennett doing in the kitchen? I’ve been in here way too long.

  “I’m coming, buddy.”

  I walk back to the kitchen to find Bennett has done a great job stirring the pancake mix. He has done such a great job that half of it is on his shirt and the counter. I laugh at the mess.

  “Sorry about that, Boo Bear. You did a good job. Let’s get the rest of that in the pan for a pancake you can eat.”

  After making the pancakes, eating them and cleaning up, my happy four-year-old has left me so he can do some living room karate. After putting in a load of laundry, I grab the clothes that were in the dryer and put them on the bed to begin folding them. When I look at my nightstand, I remember that I never replied to Reece. I grab my phone to text him back and notice a few messages and missed calls. Well, damn!

  Reece: You there, baby?

  Reece: Maci, please let me know you are okay.

  Missed Call Reece 9:38

  Missed Call Reece 9:45

  Reece: I’m coming over to check on you guys.

  Checking the time, I see that it’s 10:11. Well, shit, I bet he’s already on his way. I call him, hoping to stop him from coming over, but he doesn’t answer. I look down at my clothes and frown. I’m in a pair of black yoga pants that fold down at the waist and have colorful stars on the band. I’m also wearing a dark blue camisole with a white long-sleeve t-shirt. I don’t look hideous, but I could look a lot better. I shrug my shoulders. He shouldn’t have come over without being invited. I at least get to brush my teeth and throw my hair in a bun before I hear a persistent knock on the door.

  “Mooom, someone’s at the door,” I hear Bennett yell to me from the living room. I check through the window and see Reece looking a whole lot of worried, and slightly pissed. I open the door and can’t help myself when I give him a once over. He’s in a pair of snug jeans that look like they have been washed a million times, and a dark gray t-shirt with a UT ball cap on his head. When I get to his face, I notice his eyes are on mine and his lips are turned up in a half-smile.

  “You done?” he asks.

  I tap my finger to my chin and twirl it to let him know I want him to turn around. He humors me and turns slowly, and I take the time to check out his tight ass and thick thighs. My heart picks up a bit, and I notice he has stopped turning and my eyes are now on his crotch, which now has a bulge in it.

  My mouth gapes open, and I lick my lips. I hear his throat clear, but I can’t stop staring. Then, I feel his finger on my chin, closing my mouth. He lifts my chin so my eyes are on his, and I see a huge smile covering his face.

  I clear my throat, and his finger travels from my chin down my neck. I watch as his mouth opens and his tongue licks his bottom lip, and he steps closer to me. His finger on my neck goes to my back, and he brings my face in closer as he leans down to me.

  “I’m going to kiss you, Maci girl.”

  I nod. When your teenage crush, now a man, is at your door pulling you in for what you can only imagine will be the hottest kiss of your life, what can you say?

  It’s then that I feel his soft lips on mine. I close my eyes as he licks the seam of my lips and sucks my top, and then my bottom lip. I moan into his mouth, and he bites down lightly, making me open
my mouth to him. His tongue isn’t hesitant as it enters my mouth and searches for mine. His other hand slides up my back and strokes me softly. My knees start to go weak, and before I can fall, he’s there, holding me up by my hips. I open my eyes, and he kisses me on my forehead.

  “Hey, Reece!” My son comes barreling towards the door.

  I blush at the scene my son has just witnessed. Praying he doesn’t understand what was just happening, I go to pull away, but Reece just turns me around and pulls my back up against his front. It’s then that I realize why, and I love the feel of his reaction to me, hard and solid on my ass.

  Bennett doesn’t care, though. “I’m watching Power Rangers! What color is your favorite? Mine is the red one.”

  I feel Reece shaking behind me and hear his very male laugh in my ear.

  “I like the red one, too.”

  “Awesomesauce!” My son raises his fist to Reece’s and he pounds it.

  “Mom, Reece is going to watch Power Rangers with me.”

  “Okay, little man.”

  “Uh, Mom, you have to let him go now.”

  I hear Reece laugh behind me and squeeze my hips lightly. He leans down and whispers in my ear

  “Yeah, baby. You have to let me go now.”

  He laughs again and kisses my temple before he pushes me away lightly and walks with Bennett towards the living room. I watch in amazement as my son and my now current crush walk away to spend some time together. If my heart was icy toward Reece Atwood before, I’d say it’s a puddle now.

  Reece

  I’m sitting on the floor next to Bennett, who is cool as shit if the last couple of hours are anything to go by. We’ve been watching cartoons, playing puzzles and coloring. I sure didn’t think I’d be spending my day with a four-year-old, but it feels right, and my chest feels a lot lighter than it usually does. I don’t think I’ve smiled so much since before I went off to college.

  I haven’t spent too much time with Maci though, because she’s been running around doing laundry and cleaning her house. I tried to help at first, but she shooed me away and told me that the boys needed to stay away from her. I shook my head and laughed, then continued playing with Bennett. She walks in to talk to us as she’s going from room to room, and then I won’t see her for twenty minutes. Eventually, she pops up again.