Page 15 of Pretty Please Me
Maggie was still asleep when I left this morning for the gym, so I left her a note telling her I’d be back this afternoon and that I would have groceries delivered. I just want her to feel as comfortable as possible. I know staying in someone else’s home can be awkward, even if it’s a good friend.
Our pickup game ended, so it’s just the three of us shooting. I don’t get to see the guys much these days, so it’s nice to bullshit around.
“What do you have to be tired about?” Benjamin teases as he throws me the ball. “Long night having kinky sex with Natalie?”
I bite my cheek as I dribble. “No, actually. She, uh, she ended things.” I shoot the ball, which hits the rim straight on and bounces across the court, and they both turn to stare at me.
I shrug. “It’s not a big deal. She met someone. I’m happy for her.”
Benjamin retrieves the ball and dribbles through his legs. “Are you really happy for her, or are you just telling yourself that because you don’t want to break one of your stupid rules?”
I roll my eyes and cross my arms. “I’m genuinely happy for her. Natalie is a great woman. She deserves to be happy. And there’s nothing wrong with having rules. Rules keep things clean and simple. You have rules in your business agreements, so why should your sex life be any different?”
“I don’t know, maybe because humans are messy and have emotions that can’t always be controlled. That’s what life’s all about, isn’t it?” Jack says with a shrug. “Just this morning, Gwen went from screaming at me for finishing the last of the Lucky Charms to crying because she remembered she no longer likes the taste of marshmallows—which is why I ate all the Lucky Charms… Range is what keeps love interesting, Samuel.”
Benjamin’s eyes widen as he fights a smirk. We both know not to point out just how muchrangeGwen has now that she’s pregnant, especially since Jack seems to love every second of it.
I hold up my hands. “Who said anything about love? Look, I’m happy for you both, but I’m not looking for a life of domestication. I’ve figured out what works for me, and I’m happy with my system.”
“I don’t understand why you’re such a serial monogamist, Samuel. Why don’t you download an app and meet up with a nice woman? You can both take care of your needs and part your separate ways. You know, like a normal, single thirty-four-year-old dude,” Jack says as he runs to retrieve the ball.
I drag my hand down my face and sigh. “You both know that’s not how I work–”
“Yeah, we know.” Benjamin and Jack share a look as if they’re having a silent conversation. “So, what happens next? Do you have a waiting list or some shit?” Benjamin teases, but he eyes me curiously as she throws me the ball.
“No, I don’t have a waiting list.” I catch it and shoot. This time, it bounces against the backboard and goes in. “But I was out last night looking to meet someone new. Actually, I ran into Maggie…”
“Maggie Anderson, Maggie?” Jack interrupts. “Where?”
“I was out scouting this new bar downtown and was hiding from one of the women I cut things off early with before Natalie. Anyway, I ducked into a VIP booth, thinking it was empty, and there she was, sitting with Damian Johnson. He was giving her a tarot reading.”
Jack stops dribbling the ball and props his hands on his hips. “You’re just going to speed past that like everything you just said was completely normal?”
I shake my head. “Anyway, he gave us each a reading, and then we went to Terry’s and hung out–”
“What did he say?” Benjamin narrows his eyes.
“Nothing, really,” I lie. “Just some generic bullshit about my future.”
Jack shoves me and jumps up and down like a little kid awaiting his surprise. “Stop holding back on us, dude! You wouldn’t have mentioned that part if it wasn’t important!”
I shove him back and rub the back of my neck as I think back to Damian’s cryptic message scribbled on that napkin.
“Uh oh! You’re lying. Your nostrils just flared!” Jack shakes his head and points at me.
Fuck. I forget these guys know my tells.
“Look, it was nothing, really. The message may have leaned on the sexual side of things, but it’s not my place to share Maggie’s secrets. So, don’t ask.” I meet both of their eyes, and they nod.
I let out a sigh and walk over to the bleachers to take off my shoes. “Anyway, after that, she seemed kind of frazzled, so I suggested we grab a drink at Terry’s. Then I walked her home, and we found her whole building flooded. A pipe burst on the third floor. Everything was flooded, so I offered her my spare room until she could get a crew to repair everything. I was on the phone half the night trying to find someone. She was so upset. I can’t imagine how worried she must be.”
“Damn, dude.” Benjamin sits beside me and places a hand on my shoulder. “Why didn’t you just say that? You know if it’s too much trouble for you, Elliot and I are happy to put her up.”
I scoff. “It’s Maggie we’re talking about. She’s the furthest thing from trouble. I’m just worried about her. I know she’s hard on herself, and I just want to do what I can to help.”
It’s mostly the truth. I am worried about her, but I know everything with her business will be okay. I’ve got the best crew in the city working on it, and they’ll have her back up and running in no time.
No, I’m more worried about the desperation I saw on her face last night. No woman—especially someone as devastatingly gorgeous as Maggie—should feel like they need to pay someone to sleep with them because they’re notgoodenoughat it.
