Page 66 of And Then There's You
He sets me down and steps back slightly, only to lean forward on his hands which are now pressed against the glass on either side of my head. I adjust my feet under me in hopes they can hold me up. When our eyes meet, he smiles at me then links his hand with mine, pulling me back across the room, slowly.
“So much for dropping off your shoes and leaving. We got a little distracted,” a smirk flashes my way. “Did you want to go back out?”
I shake my head slowly, as I take in the body in front of me. We never connected enough last year for me to see what was under his jeans and hoodie, but damn. I am glad I get this peek now, even if it’s only a one time thing.
That last round of tequila shots hit me out of nowhere, and a burst of laughter shoots out of me, distracting me. Troy looks at me, questioningly.
“This is so random,” I choke out between laughs. “Like, I don’t see you for a year, after you bail on me, and I spent months wondering what the heck happened to you. Then we cross paths in a different state? What are the chances?”
His smile grows as he listens to my ramble. “Yeah, it’s pretty wild. But, I’m kind of glad it worked out that way. Or that…” he waves his hand toward the window, “probably wouldn’t have happened. And that would have been a shame.”
“Definitely agree with that.” My giggles transform into the most seductive look I can muster. “And if it’s only tonight, we should make the most of it, don’t you think?.”
Instead of replying with words, he picks me up again, this time tossing me onto the bed.
CHAPTER SIXTY
Lexygentlyshakesmyshoulder, waking me. I groan as I squint one eye open to look at her, sunlight streaming through the window where the edge of the curtain leaves a gap. I turn to the clock on the nightstand. 10:07 glows in neon blue. I glance back at her, staring until my eyes adjust enough to take in the rest of my surroundings. The other bed isn’t made anymore, and I’m assuming Nolan is the person rolled up in the sheets, sleeping. She smiles at me. “Hey, I was thinking we should head out since I have work tonight.” I nod at her, gently moving Troy’s arm that wraps around my stomach before sitting and rubbing my eyes.
I turn to look at Troy who is still asleep and rub my thumb along the side of his cheek until he hazily opens his eyes. “Hey, we’re going to head out, we have to get home.” He nods and without a word reaches up and locks his hand around my neck, pulling me into a soft kiss. His lips linger on mine for a moment and combined with the look in his eyes when he breaks our connection, I get the impression he’s thinking it’s a goodbye kiss too.
Taylor Swift’s “The 1” comes through the car speakers as we pull out of the parking garage. It's a refreshing change of pace compared to the club music we’ve been surrounded by all weekend, but it’s also fitting. We are both exhausted and sit in silence as we merge onto the freeway. The song fades, and Lexy glances my way, “So do you think you’ll see him again?” It’s clear who she means.
I quickly replay last night in my head. Being with Troy was crazy. I mean, it was fun, and it felt good to escape this ache in my heart that has made itself right at home for the past month, but I’m still a little frustrated by myself. Regret is too strong a word; I don’t feel that. I just feel like this was a betrayal to Mack. I’m supposed to be figuring out my life so I can determine if there’s a place for him in it. I’m not supposed to be sleeping with random guys. Troy isn’t exactly random, but still. I choose to go with an answer my hangover can handle.
“It would have been fun if he was the one,” I laugh at my own joke. “But, I don’t think so.”
“I think that’s how it should be, but also the guy is cute as hell. Just saying.”
“He’s fun too. You two would probably have a great time together.” I realize I’m both joking and completely serious. Lexy glances over at me, with an unreadable expression on her face, and doesn’t add to the conversation.
I fidget in my seat, my mind wandering to Mack.
“What’s up, Maci?” Her eyes shift from the road to me for a moment.
“I miss him.” My voice cracks on the last word.
“You’ll find your way back.” She sounds sure of it.
I take a breath to rid my voice of its shake. “You know he wants to move back to Oregon someday? He wants to raise his family by Avery.”
She nods, like he’s told her his life plan too.
“I love that you two are close,” I tell her genuinely. “But I also love that I got to share you in the divorce.”
She laughs before growing serious. “Do you want that? A family with Mack?
I nod slowly, but without hesitation. It surprises me.
“Then what’s the problem?” Her eyes shoot me a questioning look.
“I think he’s the right person, but it’s just not the right time. Yet. I need to figure out a little more about what I need outside of him first. Does that make sense?”
She reaches over, shaking my knee gently with her hand. Somehow I know she understands what I’m saying. “I think he’s doing the same. He’d still take you back in a second, but he isn’t just waiting around for you. He’s working on himself too.”
I turn toward her. “What do you mean?”
She hesitates, and I can tell she’s warring with whether or not to tell me. “He didn’t want me to tell you…”