by Leah Atwood
A beam of sunlight reflected from a car’s hood and shot directly into his eye. He blinked and automatically looked in the direction of the beam. The car’s paint was too new and glossy to belong in this parking lot. He squinted. It looked just like Maisy’s. His gaze lowered to the license plate holder. North Carolina tags. Because of the car’s tinted windows, he couldn’t see inside from his vantage point.
He cocked his head, peering anyway. Something wasn’t right. Jumping into action, he went back inside, then out the door into the hallway, and ran down the steps. Came to a stop by the driver’s window. Maisy was inside, wearing the same olive green twill shorts and flowing beige shirt she’d worn last night. The even rise and fall of her chest told him she was alive but asleep. Her seat was reclined at a slight angle, the rest of her car packed tightly with personal belongings. A pillow of hair gave her head a place to lie against the headrest. Her face was puffy, but he couldn’t tell if it was due to sleep or tears.
His thoughts traveled back in time to when they’d first moved to Nashville. They’d been so happy, he’d never seen it coming, never even knew she’d been in contact with her dad. Another few days and they’d have been married in a simple ceremony by the justice of the peace. Would things have turned out differently if they’d married first instead of playing house? He’d never know.
He looked at her again. There was no peaceful smile on her face as she slept. She looked scared, worried. Much like she had seventeen years ago when he’d first met her. Mom had been cleaning a house for one of the hoity-toity elite in town, and he’d become bored and wandered outside. A little girl about his age with hair in curly pigtails sat against an elm tree, crying. Dirty streaks marred her chubby face and dress.
“Why ya crying?” He blew a bubble with his gum then popped the circle.
“Levi knocked me off my bike.” Lifting her dress, she wiped her nose with the muddied fabric.
“Why’d he do that?”
“He’s a mean brother and a bully.” Her bottom lip quivered.
“Where’s he at?” He scowled. No one hurt a girl and got away with it. He was only six and knew that.
“That way.” She pointed down the street, toward a group of older kids standing in a circle.
“Stay here. I’ll be back.”
He marched down the road, swinging his arms and taking as long of steps as his young legs allowed. The group of three boys and two girls eyed him with disinterest until he stopped in front of them and put his hands on his hips. Glaring, he asked, “Which one of you is Levi?”
The shortest of the boys stepped forward. “I am. What’s it to you?”
Dominic swung back his leg. Propelled it forward with all his might until it made contact with Levi’s shin. “That’s for hurting your sister.”
Levi stared at him, his eyes wide. “You little…”
“Be nice to your sister.” He turned and marched away, back to the little girl. “What’s your name?”
“Maisy.” She sniffled, then gave him a shy smile. “Thank you for sticking up for me.”
“You gonna be okay?”
“I will be.” She stood up. “What’s your name?”
“Dominic.”
“Will you be my friend?”
He glanced back at the house. It was his mom’s last day at this house—he’d overheard her on the phone—but it wouldn’t hurt to have a friend if he ever came back. “Sure.”
School had begun two weeks after that day, and he’d been surprised to see that Maisy was in his class. They’d formed a fast friendship and were inseparable throughout their grade school years and beyond. It wasn’t until their junior year of high school the relationship turned romantic, but he’d been in love with her since he was six years old.
As he looked at her now, the air left his lungs when he realized those same protective feelings surged through him. He gently knocked on the window. Maisy rolled over, as much as the small space allowed, then shifted back to her original position. She fluttered her eyes, coming out of unconsciousness. Her eyes flickered and she sat up abruptly. The car door opened, but not before Maisy ran a hand over her ruffled hair.
“Are you okay?” His gaze traveled up and down, looking for any sign of distress or illness.
She lifted long legs out the car and stood. Her shoulders hunched as she rolled her neck. The position she’d slept in couldn’t have been comfortable. “I, um, I…”
“Need some coffee?” He offered a brief smirk.
A feeble smile appeared. “Yes.”
He shrugged a shoulder, the one closest to the apartment entrance. “Come upstairs. We can talk more once you’ve had some caffeine.”
They made their way up the stairs, Maisy behind him. After they had entered his apartment, Dominic went to the kitchen and pulled out a second mug, setting it beside his. “Sugar only, still?”
“Yes.” Her shoulders slumped, even as she sat down at the scuffed table.
“Hungry?”
“No.”
“Here you go.” He set the ceramic mug in front of her before sitting in the only other chair at the table.
Both of her hands wrapped around the mug. “Thank you.”
“What’s really going on, Maisy?” His mind and heart were in overload with her reappearance in his life. Her hair was a mess and he ached to reach out and fix it. There’d been a time he wouldn’t have thought twice about doing just that.
“I’m sorry. I know you told me to leave and I did, but…” A faraway look glazed her eyes. She started to stand. “I should leave.”
He licked his lips, having a strange sensation his world was spiraling out of control. “Sit down. At least finish your coffee.” She hesitated and looked so vulnerable that he had to say something to assure her. “I’m not mad you’re here. Last night, I was talking out of confusion and shock.”
She lowered into the seat again.
His phone rang from the bedroom. “I’m sorry, I have to take that.” It was probably Adam or Jay, and he didn’t want to miss the call. He went to his bedroom, leaving Maisy alone.
It wasn’t Jay or Adam after all, but Roxy.
“Good morning, Rox. You saved me a call later.”
“Yeah, I was expecting one from you so I beat you to it before you could call and chew me out.” A nervous chuckle filtered through the line.
“Huh?” His brows knitted. “I was going to tell you I was coming home for a few days.”
“Oh.” Roxy’s voice dropped. “When?”
“I’m leaving today.”
“Maybe you should wait a few days.” She sounded increasingly uncomfortable.
“I can’t. Schedule’s going to be too busy for a while.” He absently flipped through a magazine on his nightstand. “I need to see you and Nana, have that familiar ground. Getting this gig is the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but it’s been a whirlwind, and then out of the blue, Maisy showed up last night.”
“I know.”
“I should have figured when she told me you were the snitch that gave my address.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re not very good at warning me about things you should.”
“You’ll have to tell me how that went later, but I have to tell you something first.”
Her urgency commanded his full attention. “What’s that?”
“Before I tell you, I promise I had no idea when I suggested Maisy come see you that she’d pack everything and move. I only found out the day before she left.’’
He blew out a breath. “We’ll discuss that later. What’s going on?”
“Vincent Rothchild and Levi were arrested yesterday.”
“Wow.” He sat down, sinking into the mattress, the puzzle pieces coming together. “Why?”
“Something about money laundering. It’s all over the local news, but mostly the same people reporting the same thing over and over.”
“Did Maisy know it was going to happen?” Doubts surfaced over her true motives for coming to Nashville.
“I highly doubt it. We’re pretty close and she never mentioned it. I’m sure she knows by now, but I imagine it’s a huge shock.” Roxy paused. “When I made you promise last winter that you’d give Maisy a chance if she ever came to you, I never dreamed it would play out in this scenario.”
“I doubt anyone could have foreseen it.”
“It’s asking a lot, I know, but please, will you call and check on her? Her number’s the same as it was.” Roxy’s pleading tone evidenced her concern. “She’s going to need a friend.”
A tidal wave hit him. Like it or not, Maisy had been tossed back into his life. “She’s in the apartment as we speak.”
“Ohhhh.” The stretched out utterance was full of speculation and disapproval. To her credit, she didn’t actually ask the questions Dominic knew churned in her curiosity.
“Whatever you are thinking, stop.” He stood up and balanced the phone between his shoulder and ear as he shook the comforter to spread it evenly over the bed. “I kicked her out last night and then found her this morning, asleep in her car.”
Roxy gasped. “She needs you, Dominic. I’m begging you to set aside your past and be her friend.”
“I’m not heartless.” He smiled, even though his sister wouldn’t be able to see it through the phone. “I made her a cup of coffee before I even knew about her dad.”
“Well, it’s a start at least.” Some of the tension left Roxy’s tone.
“I’m still coming home.” He needed that trip. “I’ll make sure Maisy’s fine before I leave.”
“Keep me updated.”
“Will do.” He circled the bed and tugged on the blanket from the other side until there were no ripples. “Hey, I have news that will make you smile.”
“Tell me, please. I could use something happy.”
“Bryce’s wife had her baby this morning. A little boy.” He held the phone away to soften the high-pitched squeal in his ear.
“I still can’t believe these are the guys you hang out and play music with now.” Pride reached every bit of Roxy’s words. “What’s the baby’s name?”
“Ethan Gene and don’t you dare say a word to anyone.” Respecting privacy was paramount within the group, and Roxy was the only person to whom he felt comfortable making privy that information before it became public.
“My lips are sealed.”
“I shouldn’t leave Maisy much longer.” He stood at the bedroom door, angling his head so he could see her. She hadn’t moved and sat staring into the mug.
“Call me when she leaves and let me know when you hit the road. I’ll get your room ready.”
He laughed. His room at Roxy’s was the sofa with a few blankets thrown over it. “Talk to you soon.” Before he returned to Maisy, he plugged the charger into his phone.
Stretching his arms, he reached high, then bent at the waist and stretched his arms to the floor. The exercise did little to loosen his muscles. He rolled his shoulders and neck a few times, repeated the stretches. When the repetitions began to work, he returned to the dining room, ready to face Maisy again.
She looked at him, then stood. “My coffee’s gone. I’ll be leaving now.”
“You’re in some hurry for someone who moved seven hundred miles and brazenly showed up last night.” He pinned her with his gaze, not allowing her to look away. “Roxy called. She told me about your dad.”
Her face paled to a pasty white. “I didn’t know until after I left here last night.”
“How’d you end up sleeping in your car, in my parking lot?”
A heavy sigh came from Maisy, and she hooked her thumb on a belt loop. “Can we forget that happened?”
When she started blinking rapidly, he stepped forward. He couldn’t handle tears, not from her. His arm reached out and touched her shoulder.
Bad idea.
He couldn’t move. Heat burned through her shirt’s material, scorching his hand. Their eyes locked and for that moment, they were young again, unaged by harsh realities of life. They were best friends and more.
“Talk to me, Maisy. Let’s forget everything that happened between us for now and let me be a friend.”
“Why?” Doubtful wrinkles crossed her forehead.
“I don’t know and let’s not examine it.” He shrugged. “But you need a friend, and I’m here.”
The problem was, he did know but wasn’t ready to admit it. Letting go of his anger didn’t take long to cause complications. He found the strength to free his hand from her shoulder.
“Truce then?” She held out a hand.
His lips curled into a half smile. “Something like that.” He extended his own hand to shake hers but pulled back without making contact. No more touching. There had to be some shields in place for his defense.
Understanding flickered across her face, and she lowered her hand. They walked the ten feet to the living room. Maisy sat in the same place she had the prior night. Dominic started for the recliner but stopped.
He sat on the far end of the couch. “I’m really sorry about your dad and brother.”
“I’m sure.” Her eyes rolled.
“Do you really think I’m that spiteful?” He took control of his breathing before speaking again. “There’s no love lost between me and them, but I don’t wish anything bad on your dad or Levi.”
“You’re right—I’m sorry. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it all.” Knees bent, Maisy tucked them under her chin. “Maureen called last night to tell me about Dad. I had just found out all my money was frozen when my cards were declined trying to reserve a hotel room.”
“You were locked out of your own accounts?”
“Essentially. I used my credit card, no problem, on the way here then bam.” Her chest started shaking. “I’m so dumb. I came here to start a new life and all I have are the few twenties in my wallet. I can’t even afford a hotel room.”
“And you had no idea of any of this before you left?” He had to know she hadn’t come to run away from her troubles.
“None.” She regained the composure he’d seen slipping. “Dad’s not perfect by any means. He’s manipulative and forceful, but I never thought him capable of criminal activity. Reputation was too important to him to risk losing his.”
He read between the lines. “And now you’re not so sure?”
“Am I a terrible daughter to doubt his innocence?”
“In your case, no.” Mr. Rothchild had once offered him ten grand to stay away from his daughter. On that day, Dominic knew there was nothing the man wouldn’t do. He’d never told Maisy about the offer he’d refused. “What are you going to do now?”
“Aaron, that’s Maureen’s husband—I can’t remember if you met him—is working on the money issue now, trying to get my and Maureen’s assets unfrozen.” She stretched her legs and dangled them over the couch’s edge. “He’s going to wire me money this morning so I can go home.”
Hundreds of small needles pricked his heart. No. Absolutely not. He couldn’t care that she was leaving so soon. “That was the shortest move ever.” Playing it off casually, he laughed.
“I’m only going for a few days, then I’m coming back here.”
That definitely was not relief giving his shoulders buoyancy. He had to protect himself. “Are you sure that’s what you want?”
Her lips turned down and she shook her head. “I’m not sure of anything except I can’t live in Dillonton.”
“Don’t base Nashville on me.” He stood up and crossed his arms. “I can’t make promises, not even on friendship.”
“I’m not asking you to, and I’ll take my risks.”
“I want to hate you.”
She winced. “I could never hate you.”
“Because I never shattered your heart.” He looked away, the conversation too fragile.
A hand touched his arm. He hadn’t heard her move. “No, but when I walked away, it was broken nonetheless.”
When he turned around, they were so close her br
eath warmed his cheek. He took a step back for self-preservation. “Will you answer me one question?”
“Don’t ask ‘why’.”
“I wasn’t.” No matter that he needed that answer. He knew he wouldn’t get it from her today, maybe never.
“Okay.”
“Did you mean it?”
“Which part?” She looked to the ceiling, no doubt recounting the things she’d said.
“Everything you said in the kitchen the day you left.” He held his breath. It shouldn’t matter anymore, but it did.
Her throat rose when she swallowed. She reached out, placed a palm against his cheek. “There has never been a moment in my life in which I doubted you were good enough for me.”
“I’m playing guitar for Bryce Landry.” He watched her carefully for a reaction.
Nothing but heartfelt pride reflected in her expression. “Roxy told me. I always knew you’d make it.”
“But you left anyway?”
“It was never about that.” Her second hand rose and pressed against his other cheek so that she cupped his face. “There’s no reason for you to believe me, except that I’ve never lied to you except that day I left.”
Long forgotten memories surfaced. “I watched you leave that day. I remember tears streamed down your face and you punched the steering wheel. You stayed in the parking lot for twenty-five minutes and got out of your car three times. Each time, you walked toward the building but never made it to the door.”
“I didn’t want to go, but I had to.”
They’d returned to an impasse, where they would remain until she finally answered why.
His hand covered hers, allowing them to linger one second before he moved her touch from him. “Can you wait until this afternoon to leave?”
The abrupt change in conversation left her with a befuddled look. “I wanted to leave this morning, but it all depends on when Aaron can send the money.”
