Plus one, p.3
Plus One, page 3
“I’m just going to get my shit together and become emotionally unavailable,” I tell myself out loud.
“Sounds good, I’ll see you at the meetings.”
“Meetings?”
“Ya, the ones to help us become emotionally unavailable and more self-absorbed,” he shrugs.
I laugh.
“I think you have that last one in the bag. You could teach that class.” I raise a brow and he chuckles.
“You’re kind of a bitch,” he retorts with no shame.
“So I’ve been told,” I purse my lips.
He grabs my hand and looks down the slide.
“Are you ready?”
My face drops, and I choke on my reply. Using his feet, he slides himself to the edge and slides forward. My hand in his, I go down beside him.
I scream so loud my throat hurts. There is no blood in my hand as I’m squeezing his so hard, and I want to close my eyes, but I can’t. My heart and stomach are flying and falling all at the same time.
I have butterflies in my stomach, and feel like I’m going to be sick.
It’s just like falling, but sitting.
As soon as we reach the bottom I’m frozen, my hair everywhere and my eyes wide.
Standing, Max let's go of my hand and laughs hysterically from what I’m guessing the look on my face.
I gasp, taking in a large breath of air.
“Want to go again?” Max asks.
“Fuck you!” I reply, exasperated.
I stand on weak legs and fall right into his arms. Nearly taking him down in the process, he catches me.
My hands land on his forearms, and my head slams into his hard chest. My legs a tangled mess.
Slowly I look up and find him smiling down at me.
“This is the second time you’ve fallen down around me Rae, if I didn’t know any better I’d say I make you weak in the knees,” he tells rather than asks.
Quickly I push myself off him, and right the shirt I’m wearing.
“More like throw up,” I retort weakly.
Looking up at the sky it’s nearly black from the sunset, and Max’s phone is going off again. He picks it up and frowns before putting it back in his pocket.
“Is that Jacob?” I can’t help but ask.
The way his eyes go hard I can tell it was.
“Do you want to talk to him? I can call the number back,” Max asks. A piece of me wants to talk to Jacob, the heartbroken, maybe he’s regretting what he did and does love me.
“No,” I clip, and my tone of voice grabs Max’s attention. “The start of unfucking myself is practicing that whole emotionally unavailable thing. Meaning Jacob will not be a part of my life from here on out.” The words taste like vinegar as I say them, but the lift of stress off my shoulders is instantly noticeable.
“Do you have somewhere to stay?” Max asks sincerely.
Running my finger over the chipped seat of the spinning swings I inhale a breath.
“I’m going to stay at Quinn’s until I can figure out my next move,” I inform, hoping Quinn won’t mind.
He gives a curt nod. “Right, well. Let’s get you to Quinn’s. It’s getting dark,” he suggests. I nod, knowing I can’t hide here forever.
He steps in front of me, heading back to the truck. I look over the place again, remembering how at ease I am right now. If this place can go back to what it once was, finding beauty which was once taken from it. So can I.
Maybe I didn’t lose anything. Maybe everything that wasn’t meant to be is just being wiped from the table, and this is my chance at a fresh start.
Climbing into my seat I put my seatbelt on as Max starts the truck silently. Driving through the dark path we make it back to the main road and I point out the windshield. “Follow that road, and take a left until you reach Sugar Cane Street,” I direct. The drive is quiet, the only sound to be heard is the roar of the engine and passing cars.
As soon as we pull onto the street I point at the house and he navigates that way.
“Is Quinn home?” Max ducks his head looking out the windshield for a better view. “Do you have a key even?”
“I’ll climb a window if I have to. Seems to be what I’m good at today,” I laugh lightly.
“Well you’re shit at it, so I hope you have a key,” he banters.
“There’s a key under the rug,” I mutter under my breath.
“Ah. Nice hiding spot,” he replies sarcastically.
The truck stops, and Max turns in his seat to look at me. His arm resting along the back of the seat gracefully.
“Jacob was at my house waiting for me a couple weeks ago, said he was having second thoughts about marrying you, that he’d even been sleeping around.” A lump forms in the middle of my throat hearing him verbally confirm Jacob cheated on me. “I admit it, I told him to listen to his gut when it came down to the wedding. Apparently he listened to my advice.”
I scoff, shaking my head. What bothers me the most is he was having doubts weeks ago and didn’t trust me enough to talk about it.
“Wow,” I mutter under my breath, not sure what to say to that.
“To be honest I don’t think you’ve lost anything today besides a lifetime of hurt, Rae,” Max states, his tone soft. My head swoops in his direction, an unshed tear welling in my left eye. He grabs my chin and my mouth parts from the contact. I expected it to be hard, but it’s soft and warm.
His glacier blue eyes stare into me, a storm swirling in the depths of them. They’re smoldering, and intense.
Opening the truck door, I tear my gaze from his and step out. His nearness making me feel things I don’t want to right now. Fuzzy, giddy, and excited.
“Want me to carry you over the threshold?” Max asks, I can’t tell if he’s serious or being an asshole. Turning, I lean into the window, and raise a brow.
“Carrying me off a fire escape and away from my wedding was one for the books, I think,” I wink.
Inhaling a breath, I shut the door and head inside Quinn’s house.
Ice cream first.
Pity party second.
Anti-male chick-flicks third.
1
One year later.
Rae
Someone nudges my arm, waking me up.
Moaning I roll over, popcorn and confetti sticking to my skin as the room comes into focus. The glitter on my chest is itching me, and my mouth taste like ass.
“Where am I?” I croak.
“You got to go, check out is in an hour,” a tall Mexican man says, looming over me as I blink myself awake.
Holding my pounding head, I push myself up and pull my dress down that has hiked up in my sleep. It feels like a sledgehammer is going to town in my skull. What did I do last night?
The motel suite comes into view and everything slowly strings to memory. Quinn and I were invited to a party and we rocked that shit. I think.
A flashback of me riding a fake pink flamingo comes to memory. A sliver of Quinn rubbing herself down in shaving cream and imprinting herself onto the front window of the suite.
One eye open, I look toward the light filtering through the window and see a smudged body print on the glass. Yep, that happened.
That’s all I got as far as memories though.
“What time is it?” I smack my lips, my mouth feeling dry. I need toothpaste. Bad.
“Noon,” the young man answers. Something flickers in the back of my head, as if I had something to do today.
“RAE!” Quinn yells at the top of her lungs and I cringe from the loud sound.
“I’m in here,” I snap hatefully.
Quinn steps over trash, her hair sticking everywhere as she makes her way toward me. Her mascara has run down her cheeks, and her dress is wrinkled as if she’s slept in a closet all night.
“I feel like shit,” she whines, holding her forearm over her forehead.
“Me too,” I whisper.
“What time is it?” she questions.
“Noon,” I reply.
“Oh shit, don’t you have that lunch thing with your mom today?” Quinn looks at me with wide eyes.
“Oh damn!” That’s what I had to do today.
I jump over a half-naked guy, kick a fake pink flamingo out of the way and rush out of the hotel room.
“I’ll meet you at the house?” Quinn hollers.
“See you later!” I wave, taking the stairs instead of the elevator. I was supposed to meet my mother, and sister for lunch. I cannot believe I forgot!
Stopping at the stairs I take my heels off and run as fast as I can to my car. Mom is going to kill me!
Getting to the restaurant I run my fingers under my eyes to wipe the smudged eyeliner. I finger comb my hair down, which isn’t really working, and pull my dress up to hide my cleavage some. Licking my palm, I rub it along my collarbone to erase some of the lingering body glitter. Quinn rolled it on me last minute regardless of my protesting. She takes looking sexy to a stripper level.
I didn’t even know they still made body glitter.
Clearing my throat, I casually walk inside the restaurant and find my mom and sister sitting at a table in the back.
My mom glances at me before doing a double take. That look, I can tell she is not pleased. That or I look like someone brought in a stray cat. Probably both.
Her eyes are wide, her nostrils flaring, and the corner of her mouth is slightly turned upward as I near. Her hair is big and blonde, her makeup light, barely noticeable as she hardly wears any.
“Hey guys, sorry I’m late. Traffic,” I lie.
My sister, Lani, stands and hugs me. She’s a good kid, but is a follower. Always looking to please everyone but herself. It’s where her and I differ. I’m the black sheep.
“You smell like tequila,” she whispers in my ear, and I laugh. If that’s all I smell like, then I’m winning.
“Rae, you look like hell, honey,” Mom complains, and I ignore as usual before sitting down.
“What’s good here to eat, I’m starving.” I grab a menu and examine the appetizers. Only thing I ate last night was some stale popcorn and I think Quinn found a corn dog in the hotel freezer.
I pause mid thought. Did I eat that corndog? God, I hope not.
“All right, I’m just going to say it. Rae, this has to stop,” Mom states firmly, pressing the palms of her hands onto the table precisely. Here we go. I knew this was coming. I should have just called and said I wasn’t coming, I could mute her then.
“You are twenty-five years old and act like a damn nineteen-year-old. You’re out partying, and—”
“Having fun?” I supply, setting down my menu. That’s all I’m doing. Having fun. I’m not doing drugs, I’m not knocked up by a pimp. I’m having fun, and staying out of trouble… for the most part.
“Look, we all know you had a life changing experience when Jacob dumped you—”
“On my wedding day,” I add, angry she brings it up all the time. That day was hard on me, but it was also hard on her. She was so excited to see her oldest marry, and was over the moon about having grandchildren soon. I feel like I disappoint her every day since then.
“I think it’s time you settle down. As your mother I insist this pity party ends now!” Mother points at me and I roll my eyes. The smell of warm buttered bread rolls at the table catching my attention more than my mom’s schooling. She acts like I’m humping the Tennessee defensive line.
“You know, I know a guy—”
“No!” I cut her off. No more dates. My mom has horrible taste in men, how she landed my father I’ll never know. “That last guy you set a date with me was beyond creepy!” I flail my arms around indicating my point.
“You’re being dramatic,” Mother huffs, taking a sip of water, eyeing me out of the corner of her eye.
“Oh, I’m being dramatic? Anyone who has a clown collection should be locked in a padded room and anyone that has ever seen the movie IT would agree.” My voice wavers as I side-eye my sister who is actually nodding in agreement.
“Don’t look at your sister for backup. She’s got her life figured out and has a nice young man who is going to marry her one day. It’s time you be the big sister and settle down, Rae. Go find a nice gentleman and give me some grandbabies,” she continues and I snort. A little me running around would be something.
“How do you even set these dates up? Do you go up to them and say, ‘Hello, I need you to date my daughter who has enough baggage to fill a plane. I need you to marry her and give me grandbabies as soon as possible,’” I imitate my mother’s voice.
Lani laughs, and Mom’s face is cold and bitter at my sense of humor.
“I’m serious, Rae. You better get your act together!” She slams her hand down on the table, and stomps off.
I glance at Lani, and she looks at me with a look I can’t read.
“What?” I whisper, not liking the way she’s staring at me.
“She’s kind of kind of right, though she is much harsher than I would be.” Lani blinks rapidly before looking back at me. “You fell apart after Jacob and did the whole crazy rebound thing, but you’re losing control of your life. You have to find some stability, sister.” She pats my shoulder and stands. “I’m going to go check on Mom.”
Biting my cheek, I think about the last year. I remember some of it, kind of. After my failed wedding, Quinn went over to retrieve my things and I moved in with her. Most of the last year was late nights with lots of parties and booze, but no man was ever a part of the equation. Well, there was that one time, but that was it. I’m pursuing my career as a vet assistant, and doing what makes me happy.
My mother can’t seem to understand that though, she thinks I’m being selfish and will turn down my soul mate if I’m not careful. I say bullshit to that.
I was left at the altar once, I am in no hurry to do it again.
Why can’t anyone understand that?
* * *
Max
Waking up, my arm feels heavy and my mouth feels like sandpaper.
One eye open I look over to see what is weighing my arm down only to find a naked blonde girl. Wait, two naked blonde girls. Damn, must have been a fun night. I freeze, trying to remember it… It’s all a blur though.
I look around the room finding myself on a piano, and what looks like a… museum? What the hell did I do last night? I remember meeting a girl at the taco stand, and she asked me if I would help her find her keys and we ended up here.
I look at one of the blonde women strewn over the piano keys remembering she worked here. I’m not sure where the other woman came from though.
Closing my eyes an image of them on the piano together flares to mind. Them taking my underwear off as I ate their pussy, one at a time like a damn buffet.
Groaning I pull myself up, my bare ass cheeks sticking to the black piano top.
“I’m never drinking tequila again,” I groan miserably, my head splitting with pain.
Losing my balance, I fall off the back of the musical instrument and land on the cold tiled floor.
My back hip makes impact first, as my elbow strikes a leg of the piano. I wince, my reaction slow as I feel like I’m coming out of a coma rather than having a massive hangover.
Rubbing my forehead, I slowly stand, finding a redheaded janitor staring at me with a creepy ass smile. Her eyes pinned right between my legs. I follow her eyes and find my junk standing proud.
Damn.
I cup myself, and look for my clothes.
“You looking for these big boy?” she laughs, twirling my jeans around like a propeller.
I hold my hand out, leaving my right palm to take over junk coverage.
“Can I please have them?” I ask nicely, but the sarcastic undertone is not lost on her.
“You can have whatever you want.” She slides her tongue over her bottom teeth, and throws them at me. “You better hurry, the museum opens in ten minutes,” she informs with a hysterical laughter.
“Ten minutes? What time is it?” I look around for a clock.
“Noon,” she replies as she pushes the trashcan into another room.
“Noon?” Shit, I was supposed to meet my mother and sister for lunch today.
One of the girl’s eyes flutter as she wakes up. Her eyes land on me and I freeze, as if standing still she won’t see me standing here wide eyed.
A smirk pulls at her face, she rests her head on her hand.
“You don’t remember my name do you?” she asks sleepily. Shit, what was it. Jamie? No, Julie.
I sigh, shaking my head.
“No, I don’t,” I reply with a clipped tone.
She laughs, adjusting herself on the piano.
“Well, that’s good, because I don’t know yours,” she informs, falling back asleep.
I raise a brow. “Touché.”
Quickly I get dressed, and jog out of the museum.
* * *
Pulling up to the fine restaurant, I smooth my jeans of any wrinkles and head inside.
It smells of expensive perfume and cheap wine in here. A waiter passes me with a tray, a plate full of salad. My stomach growls wanting bacon and eggs, rather than the shit they’re serving.
My mother and sister sit in the back with color swatches scattered along the table.
I stop when I see the wedding shit. I was set up.
Macy, my sister, glances up before doing a double take.
“Max!” She stands hurrying my way with an excited smile.
“You told me I was the best brother in the world and you missed me,” I remind her of our phone call two days ago. Her cheeks turn red as she looks anywhere but at me. “You lied,” I squint my eyes at her. Macy is sweet and sly, I’d do anything for her and she knows it. I tried like hell to keep men away from her growing up because none of them deserved her. But this guy she’s now marrying slid under my radar and got serious way faster than me or my dad are comfortable with.
Wrapping her arms around my neck she giggles. “You are the best brother in the world, and I want your opinion for my wedding day!” she replies, and I roll my eyes. I’ve avoided everything about this wedding because weddings are stupid. Also, thanks to Macy I now have my mother on my ass about finding a nice southern woman to settle down with.
