Page 97 of I Got You

Lex was Mark’s first and only long-term girlfriend, his only love, who he’s never been able to get over. Even though he pretends to be the playboy, his heart still wholly belongs to her, and I’m afraid it always will.

“I’m sorry, man,” I say, knowing that bit of news hurts.

“Yeah, well. Make sure you learn from my mistake.”

The patio door opens and closes as Maggie appears with a beer. There are no empty chairs, and without hesitation, she sits on my thigh with her legs in between mine like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I have no doubt both of these morons notice, but because they value their lives, they don’t say a word.

“Alright, boys. I want all the goods.” She grins. “He’s been real quiet when it comes to the two of you, so let’s hear it.”

Mark and Sean laugh and tell her how we met, but keep it light. Given what the three of us have been through, we respect each other's boundaries and privacy.

Maggie laughs at their embellished stories and tells some of her own from our first days living together. I pull her closer, letting my hand rest on her hip. Before I know it, she’s curled up against me, and it’s nice. Feeling close to her is becoming more than a desire. At the end of the day, it’s something I need. The feeling of her next to me. The quiet closeness between us. It’s innocent, calming, and safe, something I don’t want to lose.

I think about what Sean and Mark said, about this being more than an arrangement and me fitting into this family. Over these past months, I’ve felt more at home with Maggie and the kids than anywhere in my life, but it could all change in a moment. If Maggie's lawyer gets Cliff and Joan to drop their case, what then? What happens when she doesn’t need me anymore and realizes I can’t give her anything more than what we have right now?

The pressure from earlier returns, and I try to push the thoughts aside. Focusing on the what-ifs won’t help anything.

Maggie’s voice breaks into my thoughts. “So I have to be at the studio around lunch tomorrow. Do you guys think you can handle the kids for a bit? Then I thought I’d meet you for dinner if Cole or Gwen can watch the kids.”

“Sure. How about I drop you off?”

Maggie looks at me with those bright blue eyes. “Grizz, it’ll be fine. If not, the three of you can come and let him know how it is.”

“What’s going on? Who do we need to rough up?” Mark’s ready with a mischievous look in his eye.

“No one,” Maggie says.

“Mr. Hip-Hop. Maggie’s working with him on a show that’s happening in New York about a month from now.”

“You’re dancing with Danny Z?” Sean asks, and Maggie turns to me with a smirk, realizing I’ve talked to them about Danny.

“Yes, and it’s no big deal.”

“It’s a huge deal,” I say.

Mark pulls out his phone. “When is it? I’m getting a VIP ticket so I can see you before and after and get the best seat. I can’t believe I didn’t know this. I hope I don’t have a game.” He scrolls his phone. “Wait, you guys should stay with me.”

Maggie’s eyes pull back to mine. We haven’t talked about the logistics.

“It’s ok.” She jumps in. “I’ll get a hotel room close to the venue. It’s likely I’ll barely even see the room until the show is over. We’ll have tons of rehearsal and stuff to work out.”

“So you’re rehearsing here and then just flying out for the show?” Sean asks.

“Yeah. It’s the only way I could do it.”

Sean nods. “He must have really wanted you.”

I see his wheels turning, and I shoot him a glare to tell him to knock it off.

Maggie shrugs. “We used to dance together, but I hurt my ankle pretty bad a while back, so tomorrow will be a good test to see if it will even hold up.”

I hear the doubt creep into her voice. “You’ll be fine.”

“Well, I’m going to leave you guys to it and go to bed.” She stands. “I’ll see you all in the morning. Oh, and make sure you watch your back. Teddy is our resident prankster. If you’re under this roof, you’re fair game.”

Her eyes meet mine for the briefest moment before she disappears inside, and the only thing I want to do is follow her. I want to leave these boys to their beers and go read to my wife about a man walking the Nile. We’ve moved on from the Himalayas, and this has become my favorite time of the day. There alone in the quiet of our room, where she gives me shit and begs me to read to her. I pretend to hate it, but secretly, I love that she listens and then makes me stop so we can talk about the insanity of this guy’s experiences.

There isn’t a chance in hell I’m getting out of this chair, knowing I’m about to get an ear full from these two. My ass stays planted, waiting. Then it comes. Mark’s first.

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