Justin took my hand as we walked into the hotel. His security guard was already waiting and escorted us to our room. It was basic, one king-sized bed, bathroom, and a TV. But I didn’t care, because Justin, the man who hadn’t been able to even look at me all day, made sure I had a safe place to go after my world fell apart. He didn’t hesitate to give me exactly what I needed.
Justin kicked off his shoes and unbuttoned his jeans, leaving him in a T-shirt and boxer briefs. Confused, I watched him. He pulled back the blankets on the bed and climbed in.
“Come here, Mags.” Without overthinking things, I removed my heels and climbed under the blankets, allowing Justin to pull me into his arms. “I’ve got you.” He kissed the top of my head. The intimacy was just enough to send me over the edge and release the floodgates. The tears grew to deep, heavy sobs Justin held me through it all. I broke down and he didn’t let go. He didn’t let me fall.
When all the tears had been cried and the demons had been freed, Justin was the one person still there. I could trust him with my heart. I could trust him with my soul. I could trust him with my truth.
“Justin, I have a confession.”
Chapter 20
Aboard
Justin
My shirt was wet from Maggie’s tears. I wanted to take it off, but moving Maggie wasn’t an option. The sobs that rocked her body had stopped, but she was still awake. Her breathing had slowed but stayed shaky and uneven. I tightened my arms around her. Despite the hell she’d put me through, I no longer cared. It didn’t matter anymore because seeing her in pain was a million times worse than what she’d done.
“Justin, I have a confession.” My body tensed beneath her. What else could there be to confess? I’d heard enough out of her bitch of a mother to last a lifetime. Maggie owed me nothing.
“You don’t have to tell me anything, Mags.” I kissed the top of her head. I had everything I needed from her right here.
“Yes, I do. You deserve an explanation about tonight.” Maggie lifted herself off my chest to look me in the eyes. “I need you to hear it. I want to share everything. With you.”
She had me hook, line, and sinker with the words ‘with you’. “Tell me all your secrets, Mags.”
“You’ll have to be patient with me. I might stutter my way through this. You’ve probably already noticed, but when I’m nervous I can’t seem to get the words out. It used to be really bad when I was little.”
She could stutter every word for the rest of her life, and I would never want her to stop talking. Maggie was being brave for the first time and I’d never loved her more.
“It doesn’t matter. I don’t care if you stutter every second of every day, Maggie. You can be you with me.” No truer words had ever left my mouth. This girl, the good, the bad, and the ugly, she was my world.
“I don’t talk to my mother. I haven’t since I was in college.” She paused for a second, tugging on the blankets, tightening them around her body. I fought the urge to pull them away, to show her she didn’t need a security blanket with me. “She wasn’t interested in being my mother. She wasn’t a very nice person. Growing up, I had a ton of stepfathers. She went through them like you go through drumsticks.”
My stomach plummeted. If the current husband had taken advantage of her, who knew what any of the other fuckers had done. If any of them had hurt her, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from getting revenge.
“But the husbands were only the tip of the iceberg. She hated everything about me. I wasn’t thin enough. I wasn’t pretty enough. I wasn’t popular enough. She constantly put me down and I guess at some point I just snapped. I’m not proud of what I did, Justin. I swear, I’m not. If I could go back, I would change how I reacted, but I was a kid and all I cared about was hurting her like she hurt me. I waited until she was away for the weekend and caught Trent off guard. I came on strong. It really was my fault that it happened. What my mom implied was true. I had sex with him.”
Maggie braced herself for my reaction. I watched her tense up, knowing she was expecting the truth to upset me. It didn’t. “Maggie, it wasn’t your fault. The asshole wanted you. He had a choice in this. This is on him, not you.”
“I don’t think he would have done it if I hadn’t been so determined. I was a virgin, waving my virginity card in his face and he caved. Easily.”
That’s how she lost her virginity? Holy hell. She deserved so much better than some douche taking advantage of a lost and confused kid.
“Anyway, I made sure my mom caught us in the act and when I walked out the door that day, I never looked back. I haven’t spoken to her since and never planned on speaking to her again. We could spend the entire night talking about my past sins, but that’s the worst one. I’ve made a lot of mistakes over the years, but I’m not that girl anymore.”
“You deserved better. From your mother, from that pervert, from the world. Maggie. God, you’re the best thing in my life and I only get little pieces of you. If that doesn’t show you your worth, I don’t know what does. We all have demons, Mags. We all have our skeletons. I’m glad you shared yours with me.”
Maggie laid her head back on my chest only to jerk away. “You’re soaked.” She bolted from the bed to the washroom, returning with a small white towel. She helped peel the shirt over my head before drying my skin. She tossed the towel on the floor and unzipped her dress, climbing back into bed wearing only a strapless bra and thong.
Pulling her back into my chest, I huffed out a breath and shared my all. “The girl I lost my virginity to left right after we had sex. She snapped a picture of my naked ass as proof of bagging me and took off. I was so confused.”
“No way.” She laughed, the seriousness from her story washing away with the humor of mine.
“I kid you not.” I kissed her nose. “You see, my parents are both a bit on the nerdy side and when two nerds reproduce, they create a super nerd. You know, the kid with the braces, glasses, zits, and absolutely no personality. That was me. Girls didn’t look at me twice until I became a drummer in a band.”
“You’re just trying to make me feel better.” She laughed, sounding like my Maggie again. “It’s working.”
“Oh, I wish I could say that I was making this up, Mags. I have the photo albums to prove it.”
“You were a geek?”
“The geekiest. Still am. I’ve just hidden it all behind the tattoos and hair.”
“Oh, but I love these tattoos.” Maggie traced the ink on my arms, before zeroing in on the newest ink on my rib cage. “When did you get this?”
“A little while ago.”
“Hooked.” She read the word while tracing the letters. “What are you hooked on?”
“You.”
“Nice pick-up line, J.” She giggled again. “You’ve already got me in bed, practically naked and completely vulnerable. So, seriously, what does it mean?”
“I’m being serious. I got it because I couldn’t get over you. Maggie, I’m hooked on you.”
“Oh…”
“I know the timing isn’t the best, but while we’re on this whole kick of being honest, I can’t pretend anymore. I miss you. I’ve missed you every second of every day from the minute you ended things.”
“Justin…”
“I’m not asking for a relationship right now. I know you just got out of one, and with everything that happened tonight, well… it’s not exactly the perfect moment for us. But I really want to give us a try. Whenever you’re ready. I want to be the guy.”
“What if I’m ready right now?” Maggie didn’t look up from the tattoos she continued to trace.
“Maggie, we don’t have to rush it. I’ll wait however long it takes. I don’t want to do this the wrong way.”
“But I already know what I want. I think I’ve always known. Myles was never the answer. You were right. I was too scared to admit what was right in front of my face. I don’t want to waste any more time playing games. I’m all in this if you are.”
<
br /> “Both feet, Mags. I’m in with both feet.” The old Maggie and Justin would have fucked like rabbits until the sun came up, but after the night we had, exhaustion won out and we fell asleep in each others’ arms.
***
Peeling open my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the bright red hair on the pillow next to me. Maggie. The night came rushing back. She was here. With me and whether she liked it or not, I wasn’t letting her go again. The world was going to know she belonged to me. No more wasting time. No more hiding behind closed doors.
Even after the long night, Maggie was at peace in her sleep. Exhausted, light blue bruises beneath her eyes, but peaceful. I should let her sleep the day away, but the world hadn’t stopped turning and was waiting for us. As expected, my phone had blown up overnight. No doubt hers had as well last night. My focus had been exactly where it needed to be, on Maggie. No one else mattered, but we couldn’t leave them hanging much longer. And neither could my girl. Holy fuck, that had happened, hadn’t it? Maggie was finally my girl.
“Mags…” I shook her gently. “It’s time to get up.”
“Hmph…” She grumbled, pulling the sheets up over her head.
“I’m all for staying in bed if you are. But I’m putting the blame on you when Ally and Sarah come banging down the door.” I slipped my arms under the sheets and rolled her on top of me.
“And they would, wouldn’t they?” Maggie pushed her tangled hair out of her face. God, she was beautiful. How did I manage a single day without her?
“Huh?” What was she talking about? I was distracted by the way her body was pressed against mine.
“The girls. They would totally show up and bang down the door.”
“I’m willing to risk it.” I bucked my hips, desperate to be inside her at least once before we left the room.
“I’m sure you are.” Maggie leaned down to kiss me, before sitting up straight and unclasping her bra. She raised from bed and slipped her thong down her legs. I wasted no time lifting my ass and pushing down my boxer briefs. Maggie crawled back on top of me, pressing herself against my erection while my hands explored her tits. For a body I knew by heart, I was going to take time reacquainting myself.
“I don’t have a condom.” The realization hit me like ice water. I stopped carrying them a couple of months ago when I gave up on getting laid.
“Why not?” Maggie’s eyes widened in surprise.
“When I told you that I hadn’t slept with anyone else at Ian’s wedding, I meant it. I haven’t slept with anyone since you. No point in carrying them around. Or at least I didn’t think there was. I’m kicking myself now, though.”
“You swear you haven’t been with anyone?”
“Cross my heart, Mags.”
“And you still get tested, right?” I nodded. Every three months. Like clockwork. “I’m on the pill, J.”
“Are you telling me I can go bareback?” She didn’t respond with words, wrapping her hand around my erection, and guiding me inside. “Jesus, Maggie.” Her hands dropped down to my biceps, gripping on while she took control.
“I’m not going to last long.” I grit my teeth, fighting for control before this was over before she orgasmed. Maggie opened her hips further and relinquished control, letting me set the pace.
“God, Justin.” She threw her head back as I pumped upward, taking us both over the edge. Maggie collapsed against my chest, her heart beating fast and hard. “I missed that, too.”
“I missed everything about you, Mags. Even our arguing.”
“Especially our arguing.” She lifted her head and rewarded me with a toothy smile. My girl was happy. I was happy.
“You know there is no going back now, right?” Last night we said we were both in, but in the daylight, with the drama behind us, I needed confirmation.
“I never want to go back.”
“My best friend better be in one piece, Justin Oliver Thompson!” Ally hollered as she pounded on the door.
“Told you she would find us.” Maggie laughed. “I’m fine Al. Just give me a sec.” She pushed herself off me and dug through the blankets to find her bra.
“Ugh, I’ve never had sex without a condom before. Well, not the whole way through. I guess I have to go wash up.” My flushed faced Maggie looked down at her legs.
“Finally, a first. We just shared a first.” I pumped my fist in the air. “I’ll take it as a win.”
“There are still plenty of firsts for you to claim, J.” She stated as she walked her naked ass to the bathroom.
“And I’m claiming every single one of them.”
“Open the door, Maggie. Or I’ll break it down.” Ally pounded again.
“You’ll break it open?” I called, laughing my ass off. “I think we’ll keep the door closed, just to see you in action.”
“Not funny, Justin. I’m freaking out here. Let me in.” I found my pants and tugged them on, opting to go commando instead of searching the bed for my underwear.
“I’m going to let her in before she really does try to break the door. Tim would kill me if she hurt herself, especially while pregnant and I wouldn’t put it past the nut to try it.”
“I heard that.” Ally shouted.
“Can you grab my dress?” Maggie asked, before closing the bathroom door so I could let Ally in.
“I brought your clothes.” Ally called. “Figured you could use some since you didn’t come back to the house last night.”
I opened the door and Ally barged in with a duffle bag in her hand. I took it from her and opened the bathroom door enough to slide the bag in.
“Couldn’t put on a shirt?” Ally eyed my bare chest.
“You mean you didn’t bring me clothes too?” I joked, tossing Ally a smile. “I had to let you in, remember. You didn’t want to wait, so I didn’t waste time putting one on.”
“Or your underwear.” Ally raised her eyebrows, starring at the boxer briefs on the floor. “Ew.”
“Whatever. I’ve seen your husband’s underwear more times than I can count.” I crossed my arms, daring her to continue. “Hell, I’ve seen your thongs just as often.”
“So, does this mean you and Maggie are on speaking terms again?”
“It means Ryan’s alone in the whole single department. He’ll have to handle the hoards of women on his own.”
“Eek.” Ally jumped up and down, before covering her mouth with her hand. “Sorry, I probably could have controlled myself a bit better than that.”
Maggie walked out of the bathroom dressed in a pair of denim shorts that showed a hint of ass cheek and a black tank top.
“While you owe me a million explanations right now, I’m going to let that slide for a minute and celebrate.” Ally wrapped Maggie in a hug. “We’re going to be Hazed sisters-in-law.”
“Whoa, what?” Maggie pulled away from Ally. “What are you talking about?”
“You and Justin.”
“But we aren’t getting married.” Maggie sputtered. I should be freaked out by the idea, but strangely the idea didn’t make me nervous.
“Semantics.” Ally shrugged.
“Facts.” Maggie countered.
“But you are together, right?” Ally looked for confirmation.
“Yes.” Maggie responded, walking toward me, tilting her head up to press her lips to mine. “We’re together.”
“And you are telling people about it?”
“Yes.” I responded before Maggie could. It wasn’t open for discussion. We had hidden for long enough.
“Perfect.” Ally smiled at the two of us. “Well, now that that’s settled, can we go back to the house? Everyone’s worried about you, Mags.”
“You aren’t mad?” Maggie asked, unsure about whether to believe Ally.
“Why would we be mad?”
“Because my mother made a scene. Because of what she said.”
“That’s on your egg donor, Mags. Not you. No one is holding you responsible for what happened last night.” I wr
apped an arm around her shoulder and brought her close. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Justin’s right. We don’t blame you. You were just as innocent as the rest of us. She ruined your night too. Although, I’m guessing your night wasn’t completely ruined.”
“The night was toast, but this morning….” I winked at Ally while Maggie batted at my chest.
“Go put your shirt on, so we can leave.” Maggie pushed me away and went around the room collecting her dress and shoes.
Ally didn’t press Maggie about the details of the night until we were seated in her car. I liked that Ally and Maggie talked freely in front of me. Proof that Ally accepted Maggie and me as a couple without a second thought. We fit together and even our friends knew it.
“How did she know where to find you, though?” Ally questioned, as she pulled onto the highway.
“I don’t know. I’m guessing she must have recognized me in a picture or something. I don’t talk to anyone who would know her.” Maggie turned from the passenger seat to smile at me.
“There were pictures of us at the hockey game. A long time ago, but they were front and center for a few days. Maybe that’s where she got the idea.” I suggested. Who knows how long it would take someone to find the right moment to pounce?
“You’re right. That definitely could have been it.” Maggie agreed.
“I forgot all about those pictures. God, I really am stupid. I should have known the second I saw those that you two were knocking boots. Those photos were super obvious.”
“I’d give yourself a break. I don’t think we even realized how obvious it was.” Maggie turned to face her best friend.
“I knew.” I corrected. “Even back then, I knew.”
“Well, it’s all good now.” Ally turned her head to look at me.
“Ally!” Maggie screeched. Ally shifted her focus back to the road, but she was too late to avoid the pickup truck lane surfing right into the side of us. When they say accidents happen in slow motion, they aren’t kidding.
Hooked Page 19
