Chapter 18

Maya

I got to the airport in time to purchase my ticket, and my phone was charged enough to make a few calls home. My first one had to be to Rosie, so she’d be expecting me. I dialed her number as I found a seat and dropped my bags in a pile at my feet. Rosie answered on the fifth ring.

“Maya?”

“Yeah, it’s me. Hope I didn’t catch you at a bad time. I wanted to call and let you know I’m on my way home. I just wanted to make sure that couch is still available as well as the job.” There was silence on the other end and then Rosie released a short breath.

“I’m sorry, Maya. My uncle is pulling the extra shift at the shop, and well, I’ve kind of moved Roger in with me, so I’m not so sure the couch is going to be the best place for you. It’s just, things are kind of new with us trying to get back together, and I don’t think another roommate is going to help things. I’m sorry.”

“Rosie, I’m at the airport. I just spent everything I had on a ticket, and now the only place I have to go is my mother’s; assuming she wants me.”

“I know it’s rough, I know that’s a sore spot, but she’s your mother. Of course, she’s going to want to help you.” She didn’t know my mother. My mom had been jealous of me since I was sixteen years old and her boyfriend of the month had tried making a move on me. When she’d confronted him, he’d lied, and she’d believed him. So, when it happened again when I was twenty, she told me to get out and never come back. Luckily, I’d had a job and could support myself at the time, but it didn’t make it any easier. Our relationship hadn’t been good since.

“Yeah, Rosie. Thanks.” I hung up the phone and stared at the ticket. I should have called home first, but Rosie had made it all sound so definite. I looked down to my phone and dialed my mother.

The phone rang so long; I was just about to hang up when her gravelly voice sounded on the other end. “Yeah?”

“Mama, it’s Maya.”

There was a pause, and I heard footsteps that sounded like she was taking me out to her usual back porch swing where she did all of her phone conversating. “I guess you’ve done gone and gotten yourself into a mess.”

I wanted to hang up then and there, but I didn’t have much choice. “Actually, no. I’m not in any mess, I just want to come home, but I’m a little strapped and need a place to lay my head until I can save up. I was going to stay with Rosie, but she’s got Roger staying with her, and she didn’t think it would be a good idea.”

“I can’t blame her, with your track record for screwing around with other people’s men. I mean, how many of mine did you try to use your wiles on? Three or four?” It had been two of her stupid men pawing all over me without invitation. “I don’t think it will work out here either. I’ve got a man of my own, and I’d like to keep it that way. What happened to that pretty city boy you brought home? Did he cheat on you? I didn’t think it would last.”

“As usual, Mama, you’re a real joy. But thanks for caring.” I hung up and vowed to never call her again. I hung my head and tried to think about what to do. My phone was about dead again, and I needed to find a charging station. I wasn’t sure I wanted to go home to New Orleans as there was nothing there for me. I could always go back to The Avalon and pretend I’d never left. Hopefully, he’d be none the wiser. At least he did care about me. I was a fool to leave. What if he knew I had? He’d probably hate me. I was just so confused, and I needed something to be normal for a change.

I wiped my tears with the back of my fingers, and when I looked up, there was a handkerchief in front of my face. I looked up to see James who had Darek with him. The other man stood just behind him and gave me a sympathetic look.

“I’m not sure you want me here, but I couldn’t let you go like this Maya. Darek told me where you’d gone.”

“Sorry, but he looked desperate. And you didn’t tell me that your ex was abusive, or I’d have never let you go either.” He spoke with a scolding tone, and I knew I’d been wrong to take off as I did.

“I’m sorry. I guess things got too real.” Warm tears fell down my cheeks, and Darek stepped up to shake James’ hand and whispered something. He patted his shoulder and then gave me a wave as he left. “What’s that all about. I thought you hated the guy.”

“I do. So, what are you going to do? Are you going to leave? Do you want to go somewhere and talk? Do I need to buy a ticket to New Orleans?” He looked so helpless, and suddenly so tired. I hated that I’d done that to him.

I held out my ticket. “No, I bought this, but I don’t have anywhere to go now. My plans fell through. My mother doesn’t want me at her house.” I felt like a loser having to admit that my own mother didn’t want me around.

“Then it’s her loss. Let me get a car to take us home?” I nodded and took his hand. He reached down and gathered my bags and led me out to the entrance lobby where he took out his phone and made a call.

“I’m sorry I’m so much trouble.”

“You’re never any trouble, Maya. I care about you. I bought a big bouquet and headed home to tell you how much, and that’s when I found you gone.”

“You bought me flowers?” I wiped my tears.

“Yeah, I tossed them in the back of Darek’s car. I didn’t take the deal with Wright. I’m going to manufacture the product myself. What’s the use in having all of my money, if I can’t put it to good use. Besides, once I get things up and running, I’m sure I’ll develop more—

I fell into his arms and kissed him. “That’s wonderful!”

“It’s not the fashion industry, but maybe there’ll be work for you until you figure that out? I noticed you’re pretty handy with a pencil, so I thought you might design our new logo?” He looked down at me with hopeful eyes before our car pulled up and turned his head.

“Yes, I think I can manage. You know, I only left because I don’t want to be hurt again. I need something more than being your assistant, and maybe this is it?” He took my hand, and we hurried to the long black car, and once we’d settled, he pulled me into his arms.

“I rushed back home to tell you that I don’t want to ever be with you. I don’t know where this is going, but I want us to try and have something real. You can live with me, and we’ll figure it out together. Does that sound okay?”

“It sounds wonderful.” His mouth fell against mine, and he kissed me deeply, his hands holding onto me so tight as if I might try and leave again. “I’m not going anywhere again unless you tell me.” I gripped his hand and leaned down to kiss it, noticing his red and bruised knuckles. “What happened to you?”

“I went to Craig’s hoping you wouldn’t be there. He got mouthy, and so I punched him.”

“I wish I could have seen that.” I had given him hell with my elbow, and I was sure I’d have a bruise of my own.

“I’d like to do it again if you want to stop by on our way?” He let loose a chuckle, and I kissed his swollen knuckles.

“No, I just what to be alone with you.” I ran my hand up his side and then cupped his strong jaw before kissing him much deeper than before. He pulled me across his lap, and his hands roamed my skirt until he’d found his way beneath it. His hand burned against my thigh as he stroked it softly and the desire ached in my core until I moaned. I wanted his hands to soothe me. I rolled my hips, and he slipped his hand up higher, working his way up the elastic of my panties.

“I don’t know if I can wait until we’re home,” he whispered. His breath tickled my ear.

I glanced to see the privacy glass between us and the driver and turned back to kiss James’ mouth. “Then don’t.”