by Laura Day
The night was cool and crisp, and Maple enjoyed her walk from the community center where the support group meetings were always held in the heart of the city. It usually took about fifteen minutes to walk into the hub, until which point it was a nice quiet walk. Maple set a brisk pace, but she stopped short after a moment, under the impression that she had heard someone walking just behind her.
When she turned, however, there was no one close by, just a few random people strolling through the area in parkas and hoodies. Shaking her head, Maple continued her walk, but she still couldn’t shake the sense that there was someone moving close to her. Just when the thought started to play upon her imagination, she turned the corner and found herself on a street packed with people, lights, and the sound of loud conversation.
Relaxing immediately, Maple walked down and crossed the road, searching for a new restaurant to try out. She usually liked to pick diners because the food was typically cheap but wholesome. She walked for about ten more minutes before hunger led her into a little green-themed diner called Sal’s. She slipped into a little booth facing the window and grabbed the menu that was located on the table in front of her.
She went through the menu twice before she settled on her order. A second later, the waitress walked over. She was a short, skinny teenager with a face full of freckles and braces on her teeth. “Hi,” she said cheerily. “I’m Casey. Welcome to Sal’s. What can I get you today?”
“Hi,” Maple replied. “I’ll have Sal’s Tuna Melt with a side of fries please.”
“Sure,” she replied brightly. “Anything to drink?”
“Just water please.”
“Coming right up,” the waitress said before racing off behind the counter and into the kitchen.
Maple leaned into her seat and turned to watch the people outside walking past. There were so many interesting characters among them that it got her thinking about their lives. She saw a man in a suit walking past, and instantly, an image of his life shot into her head. He probably had a wife and a couple of kids at home. He had a nine to five job and a substantial amount of savings in his local bank.
Maple shook her head at herself as she realized that her assumption was probably the complete opposite of what his life was really like. People were so often the complete opposite of what they seemed. Her eyes focused on the pale reflection of herself in the diner’s window. She wondered what other people assumed about her.
“Here you go,” the waitress said, as she set down a full plate of food in front of Maple, along with a tall glass of water.
“That was fast,” Maple said.
“We’re known for our service,” she said with a bright smile before leaving Maple to her meal.
Maple popped fries into her mouth as she turned her attention back to the people walking past the diner’s windows. She noticed an older couple walk by, hand in hand; both had hair that had turned a bright, unadulterated white. Their body language betrayed the years they had accumulated together. Maple felt a pull at her heartstrings, and she wondered suddenly if she would ever have that kind of happiness. Right now, her life rolled ahead of her like some blank canvas that had no certainty or security. Maple knew that she had to be ok with being alone in the world. Whether or not she ended up with someone, she needed to be all right with being alone. It was just a necessary survival tool.
“Well, hello, little lady,” a slick voice said, as someone slipped into the seat across the table from where Maple sat.
Maple gave a start of surprise as she turned to him, and her eyes went wide with terror as she stared into Conor’s maliciously smiling eyes. His eyes were trained on her with rapt attention, as he reached out and took a fry from her plate.
“You’re looking particularly lovely tonight,” he said, as though they were old friends.
“How do you know me?” Maple asked at once. She had been on the sidelines both times that Conor had been around, and she had no idea that she had been noticed.
“You underestimate me,” Conor said, winking at her. “I noticed you the night of the street fight. I saw you standing on the sidelines, watching us fight like you were going to be sick. It was touching...though I’m guessing your concern was not for me.”
“It wasn’t,” Maple said immediately. “I’d appreciate it if you left me to my meal now please.”
Conor’s smile grew wider. “Oh come on. I’m hungry... I thought I could join you for some dinner.”
“I’d rather not,” Maple said tightly, feeling the nerves creep up on her the moment she realized he wasn’t going to just leave her alone.
Conor shrugged. “I think you’ve got the wrong impression of me,” he said, shaking his head. “As usual, Jax has gone around spreading lies about me.”
“Jax doesn’t lie,” Maple said immediately.
“All men lie,” Conor shot back. “Hmm...that’s surprising?”
“What is?” Maple asked before she could stop herself.
“I didn’t take you to be the naïve type,” Conor said eyeing her carefully. “You look like you’ve been through something.”
“I haven’t,” Maple said, trying to find ways to end the conversation as fast as she could.
“That scar tells a different story,” Conor pointed out.
“Whatever story it tells...is none of your business.”
Conor looked at her as though she were hurting his feelings. He shook his head again. “Here I am trying to be friendly, trying to make conversation...and you’re being rude.”
Maple took a deep internal breath, as she tried to calm herself. She tried to arrange her expression into one of unconcern; she had no desire to let him know that she was scared, but she had a feeling she was failing.
“Where is good old Jax?” Conor asked.
“I don’t know,” Maple said immediately.
“Silly of him really...to leave his girl to walk the streets alone,” Conor said. “Someone could even call him careless.”
“I’m not his girl,” Maple said with confidence.
“No?” Conor looked at her pointedly, as though he didn’t believe a word she was saying. “I find that hard to believe.”
“It’s true,” Maple insisted.
“Is it now? Because I know Jax...better than you do I’m guessing. He likes his women, and he’s been with quite a few. But if he’s keeping you around...then that must mean something.”
It was his tone more than anything else; Maple knew instinctively that Conor was just trying to find ways to bait Jax. She swallowed the growing lump of fear that rose in her throat as she struggled to keep her expression clear of fear. “It doesn’t,” she said. “I work in the same gym that he trains at. If we’re around each other...it’s because we have no choice.”
“Is that right?” Conor nodded with amusement. “So you two are barely even friends then?”
“Barely.”
Conor’s smile grew wider, and Maple realized suddenly that it was entirely possible that Conor had been following her around these past few days. She felt a shiver run down her spine, and she was only starting to realize what Jax’s sister must have been through. Conor was dangerous, and at the moment, he had his sights set on Jax.
He rose suddenly and Maple thought he was going to leave, but then he came toward her and slid into the seat right next to her. Instinctively, she slid as far away from him as she could manage, until she was pressed up against the window of the diner. Conor didn’t seem to care. He reached out for her with one large, muscled arm and fastened it around her shoulders, as he pulled her towards him.
“Well, since you two are barely even friends...I’m sure he won’t mind us...getting to know one another,” Conor said suggestively.
Maple suppressed the cringe snaking through her body. “I’d rather not.”
“And why is that?” Conor asked calmly.
“Please get away from me,” Maple said emphatically.
“But it’s so warm and cozy here next to you,” Conor said, as
he leaned his face in next to hers and sniffed her hair.
Maple elbowed him in the stomach, but he expected it, so he moved away just in time. He stood up, but he was laughing as though Maple’s discomfort was his goal all along. “Feisty aren’t you? No wonder Jax seems so...beguiled.”
“Leave me alone!” Maple said, enunciating every word.
He placed both his hands on the desk in front of her and leaned in. “You know that’s going to be hard for me to do.”
He gave her another wink and then walked out of the diner and into the street. Maple sat where she was, watching his retreating form and feeling her panic start to mount, as she realized the veiled threat in his appearance tonight. She fumbled around in her bag and dropped a ten spot on the table before she abandoned her plate of food and ran outside.
She started walking fast, talking the opposite route that Conor had taken. She never actually made a conscious decision. All she was thinking was, “I need Jax.”
Chapter 6
Jax
By the time Jax got home, it was dark, but the lights of the city flooded into his apartment casting everything in its silver-gold light. He was so used to it that he had actually come to prefer the apartment with the lights turned off.
His body was stiff with tension, a result of his long training session. Knowing that there was no way Jax was backing out of his upcoming fight with Conor, Evan had committed to the fight, too. He was training Jax as hard as ever, but at the same time, he advised caution. “If you try to do too much you’ll break.” Evan’s words echoed in Jax’s ears. “You’re not a machine, Jax. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re invincible.”
Jax breathed deeply, as he got himself a beer and sat down by the table in front of the window. He stared outside at the flashing lights of the city, and he tried to figure out what Evan meant when he said those kinds of things. It wasn’t that Jax thought he was invincible at all; he fought that hard because of the rush of adrenaline it gave him. When that happened, it was as if the rest of the world fell away and Jax forgot all the shit that seemed to follow him around. For a moment, he couldn’t remember who he was and where he had come from—and that was the most amazing feeling in the world.
Jax’s thoughts fell onto Jodie, and he felt the certainty of knowing that his reasons were justified. He knew that beating Conor wouldn’t change the damage he had done to Jodie; it wouldn’t change the life she was living now; and it wouldn’t erase the fear that crept up on her when she least expected it. He knew all that, and that was exactly why he had to fight, because there was nothing else he could do. If he fought Conor in any other circumstances, it could easily end up with him in jail while Conor walked free again, and he was not prepared to see that happen.
He had seen the expression flit through Jodie’s eyes when he had told her about his fight with Conor. He had recognized the need for justice, for some sense of closure, and he knew he couldn’t deny her that now. He was delusional; Jax knew that he was doing this for himself as much as he was doing it for Jodie. He had spent two years of his life in prison for trying to defend his sister—while the man who had put her in the hospital and gotten off with community service. He would never be able to forget that.
Once he had finished his beer, Jax set the empty bottle aside and removed his hoodie. He stretched slightly and prepared to hit the bed when he heard the sound of running footsteps on the landing. He turned from it without thinking, but a moment later he was greeted with a burst of loud knocks on his door.
“Jax!” He heard Maple’s voice raised in panic. She sounded as though she was close to tears. “Jax, are you there?”
Jax bounded to the door and opened it immediately. Maple was pale and it was impossible not to notice the little shivers that ran up and down her body. The moment he opened the door, she rushed at him, hugging him tightly as though she were looking for protection.
“Maple,” he said as he hugged her. “Are you ok?”
She didn’t seem capable of speaking very much, so Jax just held her and waited patiently until she had calmed down. His mind was racing with concern and confusion, and the longer she stayed silent, the more nervous he became. He closed the door and lifted her easily into his arms as he took her to his bed and laid her down on top of it. Then he knelt down in front of her and stroked her face.
“Talk to me Maple,” he said gently. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Maple met his eyes for a moment and then looked away. “Please...don’t freak out.”
The moment she said those words, Jax tensed in response. “What happened?” he asked cautiously.
“Promise me,” Maple said quietly.
Jax hesitated for a moment, but then he nodded once.
“I went to a support meeting tonight,” Maple said. “And afterwards I went into this diner to have dinner...”
“Ok?”
“Conor found me.”
“Conor?” Jax asked incredulously, as his eyes bulged.
“Yes.” Maple nodded. “He was... Jax, I think he’s been following me.”
Jax shot up and walked towards the door, but he stopped when he felt Maple at his back. “No,” Maple said, as she grabbed his hand. “Please, Jax, don’t go.”
“I’m gonna find that mother fucker and teach him a lesson.”
“You can’t,” Maple insisted. “He’s doing this to bait you, Jax. He wants to piss you off so that you’ll come after him and he’ll have the upper hand.”
“Well, he’s gonna get more than he bargained for.”
“Jax please,” Maple begged emphatically. “I need you.”
Her last words stopped him in his tracks, and he was forced to turn around. When he looked at her, she was standing in front of him, panting slightly. She was still pale, but there was pleading in her eyes. He realized suddenly how hard it was for her to admit that in the first place. He saw that she didn’t want to need anyone at all, but she had been shaken badly and she had no one else to turn to.
“Can you please just...stay with me?” she asked quietly.
Jax took a deep breath to try and calm down. “Of course I’ll stay with you,” he said, as he walked towards her and brought her into the circle of his arms.
She felt so small and fragile pressed up against him that Jax felt as though he needed to be extra careful with her. He felt the overwhelming need to protect her well up inside him, and he vowed that he would do just that. He would make sure Conor could never hurt Maple as he had hurt Jodie.
“Did he hurt you? Jax asked after a moment.
“No,” Maple replied. “I think...I think he just wanted to scare me.”
“What did he do?”
“He just... put his arm around me...” Maple trailed off after a moment. “He smelled my hair.”
Jax gritted his teeth violently, as he tried to control the rage he felt shoot through him. “And then?”
“He left,” Maple replied. “He got up and walked out of the diner. That’s when I left and came here.”
“Do you think he followed you here?” Jax wondered.
“No,” Maple shook her head with certainty. “He didn’t follow me.”
Jax nodded and hugged her tighter. He felt her hands against the small of his back, and he leaned down and planted a kiss at the top of her head. “Are you ok?” he asked softly.
“Better now,” Maple said after a moment. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me, Maple,” Jax said immediately. “I’m the one who got you into this mess.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Maple said, as she pushed her head back so that she could look up at his face. “This is not your fault. We were just...in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Story of my life,” Jax sighed under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Jax said, shaking his head. “Come here and sit down.”
He led Maple back to his bed where she sat down gingerly. Her eyes were clouded over as though she
were still processing something. He sat down beside her and waited until she was ready to talk. She reached out after a moment and took his hand.
“It’s hard for me to admit that I need you,” Maple said suddenly.
“I know,” Jax nodded, squeezing her hand.
“Is it ok that I do?” she asked softly.
Jax smiled. “More than you know.”
Maple leaned in and touched her lips to his. It was just a butterfly kiss, so light and soft that it was barely there at all. Jax felt the urge to grab her, throw her down on the floor, and take her there, in the faded glow of the distant city lights, but he held back. There was something about the anticipation of knowing what was coming. Jax felt his blood rush down—and the discomfort he felt was brilliant.
Slowly, she leaned deeper into him until her body was pressed up against his. Jax reached for her and pulled her onto his lap until she was straddling him. He pushed up her skirt and raked his hands up and down the smooth, silky skin of her thighs. Her hands wrapped themselves around his neck as their kiss deepened and their tongues intertwined.
When Maple pulled away, she was breathless and her lips looked raw. The feel of her sitting on top of him sent that surge of animalistic lust coursing through Jax until he realized that he wasn’t going to be capable of restraining himself for much longer. He pushed Maple back onto his bed and then started undoing the buttons on her blouse. She lay there, allowing him to take control as she watched him. It amazed Jax how Maple’s eyes could take on this sultry quality every time they made love.
He pulled the shirt away and unfastened her bra, releasing her beautiful, round breasts. He allowed himself a moment to admire them, as his hands travelled gently over her nipples, and he had the satisfaction of seeing them harden at his touch. Then he reached down and pulled off her skirt, taking her panties off in the same motion. She lay underneath him, completely naked and completely vulnerable, and Jax felt the same surge of adrenaline that he felt before a big fight.
