“Oh… ok. Should you really be working today, Clay?” she asks.
I take another sip of my coffee, then walk to the sink to drain the mug. I then toss my dishes, along with everything else in the sink that she’d started cleaning, into the dishwasher, slamming it a little too forcefully. I turn to face her, preparing to deliver another dagger of truth to end this visit.
“It’s just a couple bruised ribs. I’ve been taking care of myself just fine the past thirty-five years of my life. I don’t need you, or anyone else, to start now.”
She winces but nods, finally moving to the living room to grab her purse and hospital shoes as if she can’t get out of here fast enough.
You’re a dick, Clay.
I shake my head, “Wait, Maggie. I’m sorry. That was rude.”
I don’tneedher to take care of me and frankly, I don’twanther to. A girl like her deserves to be spending time with someone her age and not holed up in an apartment with a miserable guy who will just drag her down. There isn’t much good left inside of me most days except for my family. A girl like Maggie deserves to be surrounded by a lot of good.
She shakes her head as she rushes to the doorway, “No, I get it. Ioverstepped.”
I walk towards her and stretch out my hand then quickly snatch it back, thinking better about trying to comfort her.
It’s better this way and I’m going to make things worse.
“It was a nice gesture. I’m just not used to people doing things just because.”
That is true. Usually, women want something from me. Ulterior motives are the game most days.
She nods again, her eyes still on the floor before she finally meets my gaze. She lifts her head, tips her chin in that defiant way as if to say nothing and no one can affect her and I both hate and love that this is her reaction—strong, unshaken, refusing to let me break her spirit. Her mom would be proud.
“Good luck, Clay,” and then without another word, she opens the front door and leaves.
I decide to let her go, turning around and heading to the shower to prepare for my shift, but once that warm water hits, my hand moves instinctively downward, gripping my already firm shaft as I jack off to visions of Maggie.
In my fantasy, she’s dancing in my kitchen to NSYNC and making me breakfast again, but this time, she’s naked and I’m behind her, squeezing her tight ass and palming her full breasts.
When I bust in under a minute, ropey strings of come that shoot all over my shower wall, I tell myself that’s the last time I’ll go there. Maggie deserves far more than I can ever offer.
Chapter 8 – Maggie
Two weeks later…??
I’ve been on summer break for two weeks now, and so far, I haven’t done anything remotely fun.
The first night back was supposed to be the Kenny Chesney concert, but Clay and Kaleb ruined those plans. I wasn’t mad, though—actually, I was grateful. He’d stopped Kaleb and me from going, especially since Kaleb had been drinking and I was dangerously close to making some bad decisions with him.
He’s an ex for a reason, and though I don’t have any feelings for him anymore, it’s easy to fall back on the familiarity and memories of making old mistakes again versus new ones.
After that, my joint pain had flared, leaving me feeling extra lethargic. Between interning at the hospital, taking summer night classes to speed up my two-year Xray tech program into a year and a half, I’d been too exhausted to meet up with any of my old friends from town that I’ve kept in touch with. But today, a warm day in late May, the day of our annual Memorial Day party at my friend Lucy’s gorgeous estate on the outskirts of the city, I was itching for some excitement.
“Good morning, Magpie,” my dad greets affectionately as I enterthe kitchen. He pulls me into a big hug and plants a kiss on my head, his hand playfully patting my wild curls. “Have I told you how much I love having you home this summer?”
I smile. If my dad had his way, I’d drop out of school, move back to Lonestar Junction permanently, and finish my degree from here. And though I’d considered it—especially with my recent flare-ups and how much easier life is living with my dad instead of roommates hundreds of miles away in Houston—I know staying away is necessary.
The distance has helped me grow into my own woman and find my independence. I just hope that I’ll feel healthy enough to return in the fall and finish what I started.
“I love being here with you too, dad.”
He smiles and nods. “So, what do you have planned for today?”
“Heading over to Lucy’s for their annual cook out.”
He frowns in response as he reaches for the coffee pot, and I can instantly read his thoughts.
