Page 28 of Needing Her

* * *

CONNOR

A grunt forced from my chest as I sat up and ran a hand through my hair the next morning. Not the most uncomfortable sleep of my life, but it’d been a while since I’d slept on something that wasn’t a bed.

Standing up, I kept my steps light as I headed back to my bedroom, my head slanting when I noticed the door was open. No longer worrying about any sound I might make, I hurried toward it and had barely set foot inside my room before I used my grip on the doorframe to push myself back out because the bed was empty.

Glancing in the bathroom on my way back to the living room, a curse fell from me when I realized Maci’s clothes were gone. But just as I started jogging back to the couch to see if she’d grabbed her purse as well, a piece of paper hanging on the door caught my eye.

Shit.

Roughing a hand over my jaw, I walked to my front door, frustration slowly curling through my veins even before I read her words.

Hey...so I don’t know how I ended up in your apartment last night, but I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t make an ass out of myself, and if I puked anywhere...uh, can we just pretend it didn’t happen?

Regardless, thanks for taking care of me. You didn’t have to do that.

See you around.

Maci

She didn’t remember a goddamn thing from last night, including the kiss. When it happened, I’d known the possibility of her remembering anything was slim. I’d known. But it bothered me more than I’d thought it would.

And based on her note, the few coherent words she had said last night were things she hadn’t meant for me to ever hear. But it was too late...I’d heard them. She’d kissed me. I’d had the smallest taste of what having Maci would be like.

Grabbing my keys, I walked over to her door and unlocked it when it didn’t automatically open. “Maci?” I called out as I stepped in, my stomach dropping when I realized she wasn’t there either. Locking up, I hurried back to my apartment and went in search of my phone.

Once I had it in hand, I pulled up my texts with her. Feeling restless as hell as I tapped out a message, as if some part of me already knew this conversation wouldn’t end well.

Me

When are you coming home? We need to talk.

I stared at the screen, my body practically vibrating as I waited for her to respond. And a couple minutes later, she did.

Maci Price

Like I said, I’m really sorry if I threw up or did something stupid.

Me

It isn’t about that. When are you coming home?

Maci Price

I don’t know...later? I’m having a late breakfast with Amber right now, and then I’m supposed to meet up with Bryce.

I went still as I read the last part of her message over and over again until I was sure I hadn’t imagined it. She was still seeing that asshole from the other night. A harsh breath ripped from me when I realized I’d never found out what happened with his fucked-up proposal.

For all I knew, she’d accepted it.

Not bothering to respond, I let my phone fall to my bed and fought the urge to punch something as I went to take a shower.

Fuck it. This was a good thing, wasn’t it? I shouldn’t even be thinking twice about Maci. So, if her being with Bryce kept my thoughts in line, I needed to be grateful she was making this easier on me.

Who was I kidding...

I’d just realized I wanted the girl next door more than I’d wanted anything since Cassidy. Nothing was about to make this easier.

---