Two Weeks Ago
“I’m glad she is finally over feeling guilty about divorcing him. Maci was never happy with that guy,” Mom says, nodding as if agreeing with whoever she’s speaking with on the phone.
Wait, what? She got divorced, and Mom didn’t think to tell me this? Oh, we’re going to have a talk.
“I know she has Bennett to think about, but our girl deserves to be happy. We need to get her on Match or Tinder or something,” she says into the phone.
Mom rolls her eyes. “Well, if you don’t mention it, I’m going to. It’s been almost two years. She needs to get herself back out there. She’s a beautiful girl, Cass. Once she puts herself out there again, someone is going to snatch her up quick.”
She nods again and sees me enter the kitchen. She smiles and winks at me, then goes back to her conversation.
“Alright, well, I’ll see you guys soon. Love you, too. Bye.”
She hangs up and looks at me, gauging my reaction.
“How much did you hear?”
“Enough to be pissed. Why didn’t you tell me Maci Kate was divorced?”
She hesitates and tilts her head to the side, looking at me, probably thinking of the best way to word this.
“Reece, what would you have done if I’d have told you? She wasn’t ready for you back then, and frankly, you weren’t ready for her, either.”
“Back then? Jesus, Mom, when did this happen? How long has she been divorced?”
She looks sad and frowns. “You were still going through those nightmares, going to therapy, dealing with things. Panthera had only been open a few months.”
I had started a security company with my unit three years ago. “Over two years? You haven’t told me for over two years? Are you serious, Mom?”
She straightens her shoulders and stares me in the eyes when she says, “It’s not only her you would be going after, Reece! She has Bennett now. Have you thought about that?”
I grunt. “Of course. I know that if I ever have the chance to be with Maci Kate, he would be a part of the package.”
I have thought about it, when I’m lonely, wanting what I would never have with her.
“Are you ready to be a step-parent? Do you want the headache of an ex that will always be in your lives? Can you handle being the man she and Bennett need to carry them through life’s hardships? I love you, honey, but I want you to be ready for this girl, because it’s not going to be simple. You know I love Maci as if she were my own. Your father and I would be ecstatic if you two got together. She has some baggage, and so do you. Not only that, but she is already family. If things don’t go well between you two, how is that going to affect everyone else?”
I can’t say anything, because I’m still stunned that there’s a chance for Maci and me.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Reece, but I didn’t think it would be helpful for either of you at the time. Now that you know, just take some time and think about what you want before you make any decisions.”
****
I took all of one day to make my decision. That girl was always supposed to be mine. I wasn’t going to let any other asshole get in the way of us. What I couldn’t figure out was how to go about it. We haven’t spoken in over eight years, and the last time we talked wasn’t a good one. When Dad told me about this barbecue earlier this week, I jumped at the opportunity. Now that I’m here, I don’t know what I’m doing. It doesn’t help that she isn’t here yet, and my nerves are getting to me.
A ball hits me in the back, and I turn around to find a little guy, three and a half feet tall, with dark brown hair and eyes the same as my angel.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he whispers and looks away, worried I might snap.
Then I see her. God, I haven’t seen her for so long. She looks exquisite. She has a few more curves, probably from having Bennett. My pants start to get tight under my belt, and when I hear her sweet voice, and I’m completely stiff.
“Bennett Alexander! What have I told you about throwing the ball in Nana’s house?”
“I know, Momma. It was an accident. I didn’t mean to hit anyone.”
He walks away quickly, hoping to get away from a mad momma. He’s smart little guy. She hasn’t looked at me yet, not really.
“I’m so sorry…” I watch as recognition hits, and she searches my face for answers. “Reece? Is that you? Holy shit! I mean…” She laughs, and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face at her cursing. I’ve never heard those words come from her mouth before.
I look her in the eyes and she holds my stare, not looking away like she would have when she was eighteen.
I clear my throat. “Maci Kate. It’s been a long time, baby.” The endearment falls out of my mouth on its own accord.
Is that a hint of a smile? God, I hope so. She looks confused, but recovers quickly.
“Sorry about Bennett. He’s four. He knows better than that, but he’s still pushing the limits.”
She isn’t the same girl I used to know. She’s grown up. She’s more mature and a mom. I have never thought that being a mom, a great mom, would be a turn on, but it is. She turns to call for her son.
“It’s fine. I don’t give a shit about a ball hitting me.”
Ignoring me, she calls him over anyway. “Bennett, come here a minute, buddy.”
Bennett comes back over to where we are standing and looks at me warily. I know I’m a big guy, 6’5” and built like a brick shit house—most kids fear me, not that I’ve ever cared what they think of me. I care what Bennett thinks, though.
I give him my fist to pound, and someone must have taught him right because he gives me a pound right back.
“Hey man, I’m Reece. What’s your name?”
He smiles a toothy grin. “My name is Bennett. I’m four. I’m in VPK.”
I look at Maci and give her a look, one she immediately understands and laughs.
“VPK is Volunteer Pre-Kindergarten. It’s the year before kindergarten starts, getting him ready for school.”
I nod “Do you like VPK, Bennett?”
“Yes. I have fun at school.”
“What do you like to do at school?”
“I do puzzles and color. My teacher reads stories. My favorite thing to do is play on the slide.”
“I love the slide, too.” He gives me another pound, like I’ve passed his test or something.
“Momma, can I have a cookie? Pleeeease, Momma.”
Maci rolls her eyes at me, as if to say, Can you believe this kid? It’s like she’s including me in some secret between parents. I’m proud to be involved in this tiny moment.
“Why don’t you go find Nana and see if she can find some for you?”
Bennet runs off to find his Nana, and leaves his mom with me.
“So, how’s it been going, Reece? You’ve been back a while now, but I haven’t seen you. Where are you working?”
I stare at her, trying to find some words that make sense.
“Yeah. I’ve been back for a few years. I opened a security firm with the guys that were in my unit in the Marines. I’m doing what I like and it keeps me busy. It’s hard to get away sometimes.”
I hedge, giving a sorry excuse for why I haven’t been around. The real reason, which I’m not going into with her, is because it was too hard to be around her and her happy family.
“Yeah, your momma told me about it some. She’s extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
I nod. She’s told me more than a few times how proud of me she is.
I can’t get enough of Maci Kate. Her arms are crossed at the chest, unintentionally pushing up her big tits. She’s sexy as fuck, and doesn’t even know it.
I clear my throat and quickly look away from her chest and back to her face. “I hear you’re teaching, now.”
“I am. This is my third year and I love it! It can be a bit much. I work at home a lot, and taking care of Bennett is a full-time job in itself. So trying to get away for a family get-together can be tough. I think my mom would skin me alive if I didn’t make it. It’s bad enough she gets on my case about being late all the time.”
She laughs, apparently not concerned in the least. She puts her hand on my arm and squeezes lightly before releasing it. “It was good seeing you, Reece. I’m glad you’re well.”
The feel of her hands on me, an innocent touch, makes me think of not so innocent things. I’m lost to images of what could be between us. When she turns to leave me, I finally wake up and can speak again.
“Maci, wait, I heard…Well, do you want to grab dinner sometime?”
Her eyes go wide, and she sucks her bottom lip between her teeth, worrying it. I reach up and brush it from her teeth with my thumb, and caress her chin. I speak low as not to scare her.
“Say yes, Maci girl. I know this is a long time coming, and I’m sorry it took me so long.”
I can tell she’s shocked, but she hasn’t refused me yet. I’m hopeful.
“I don’t know, Reece. Can I call you?”
I hesitate, wanting to lock her into a yes, not a maybe.
I pull out my phone. “Sure, what’s your number? I’ll call you, so you have mine.”
She looks me over and I hold my breath as she studies me. For what, I’m not sure. She exhales, coming to a decision, and gives me her number without pause. I waste no time typing it in. I call her phone, and as it rings from her back pocket, I pull it out for her, my fingers grazing her ass as I do. Damn, those jeans are tight on her backside, cupping her curves exquisitely. I see the blush overtake her face, and I feel triumphant that I can affect her so quickly. I hand her the phone after I program my number into her contacts.
“Call me anytime, Maci Kate. If you want to talk, I’m here for you.”
Again, I shock her, but she just nods and accepts my words. I walk away from her before I do something stupid like kiss her and make a move she isn’t ready for. I go to look for my dad and find him outside, talking with the other men about the game they’re watching.
He looks me over, and my lips turn up in a small grin. He nods his head in acceptance that I’m finally claiming what’s always been mine. I’m sure he’ll give me the third degree about treating Ms. Maci Kate like the angel she is later, especially since our parents are best friends and basically family. I nod back at him and join in the conversation with the others about how the Volunteers are doing this season.