by Grey , S. R.
“Ah, yes, sonny,” he said, pointing westward. “Just follow the main road down a spell, and take the third street on your left. Follow that to the end. You’ll come right up on the Troys’ trailer.”
He was right.
Following his directions, I was at my destination.
I looked at Maisie’s home, the trailer long and squat and a light blue color. Not a light blue like it’d been painted that way, but more a faded, sun-bleached version of what it once was.
I sighed, making my way to the front door.
I knocked for a solid minute, until finally a pretty woman in her forties appeared.
I was stunned. This woman was an older version of Maisie, though a little rough around the edges.
I knew right away she had to be Maisie’s mom.
What I didn’t expect was for the woman to lean on the doorframe and blatantly start flirting with me.
“Oh, honey,” she purred, sizing me up with a thorough once-over. “Who, pray tell, are you? And what brings you all the way out here? Are you lost or something? If you are, I can definitely help.”
She batted her long, dark lashes at me.
Though she was definitely attractive, I wasn’t about to lead Maisie’s mom on.
Giving her a withering look—like are-you-for-real-lady?—I replied, “No, I’m not lost. I’m actually looking for you.”
Encouraged, she trilled, “You are, are you?”
She jutted her chest out, her clingy, cleavage-bearing blouse almost busting at the seams.
I ignored her, uh…assets.
“I don’t mean what I think you’re thinking,” I scoffed.
Annoyed her ploy wasn’t working, her whole demeanor changed.
“What do you want, then?” she snapped. “If you’re selling something, mister, I’m not interested. As you can see”—she waved her hand at the run-down trailer—“I’m not exactly rolling in dough out here.”
“Don’t worry,” I assured her. “I’m not selling anything. My name is Noel, Noel Sandlund. And I’m looking for who I think may be your daughter. Her name is Maisie Troy.”
“Oh, her…” Maisie’s mom, to my utter shock and surprise, rolled her eyes.
“She kind of means a lot to me,” I went on, “and we’ve sort of lost touch.”
The woman took no pity on me, stating matter-of-factly, “Maisie is my daughter, yes, but you’re out of luck. I have no idea where the ungrateful bitch could be. I’ll tell you one thing, though. She should be back here helping me pay the goddamn bills. She’s lucky I haven’t cut off her cell service yet. I will soon. I’m just getting such a good deal with two lines instead of one.” She waved her hand. “But that’s neither here nor there. Her habit of freeloading is getting old. My daughter has no appreciation for anything I do for her. I mean, she spends practically the whole summer in my ex-boyfriend’s hotel room, in fucking Sweden, no less, never paying a dime, and still—”
“Wait, what?” I had to interrupt. I’d had enough of her bitching, anyway. “Are you saying the juice guy, Gary, is your boyfriend?”
“Yes,” she snorted indignantly. “I mean, he was. But he will be again if I have anything to say about it.”
Whoa.
Here I’d been thinking this whole time that Maisie’s “friend” and traveling companion was a girl her age, not her freaking mother.
Poor Maisie.
I suddenly understood a lot more about her situation. It made so much more sense too why she’d taken off abruptly. And why she hadn’t talked to me in the first place to explain the situation.
Maisie had been embarrassed, and probably feeling bad she’d withheld the real details of her life from me.
I wouldn’t have cared or been bothered.
Hell, I was fine with all this now.
I loved Maisie, and just as I’d maintained from the start, stupid shit didn’t matter.
“Ma’am,” I began. “Do you have any idea at all where Maisie could be?”
Shaking her head, she replied, “No. I’m sorry, but I really don’t. If you find her, though, tell her I don’t plan on staying in Two Palms much longer.”
“Why’s that?”
Rolling back her shoulders, she sniffed. “I told you, I’m working on getting back with Gary. And when he finally sees the light, which he will, I am out of here.”
Appalled, I retorted, “What if Maisie comes home and you’re gone?”
Shit, I really needed to find her. I wasn’t about to let the woman I loved end up truly homeless.
Her mother shrugged. “I don’t know. But I’m sure she’ll land on her feet.”
I couldn’t take much more of her callousness, so I muttered a sarcastic, “Well, thanks for your time. You’ve been a real help.”
I turned to leave, but she stopped me.
“Hey, wait. Hold on a minute. I have some things for you to give Maisie if you do find her.”
I turned around, and she held up a red talon-nailed finger.
Then she disappeared.
I stood there waiting for about five minutes.
When she reappeared, she shoved a black garbage bag full of what looked like clothes into my arms. And then she plopped a floppy-eared stuffed dog atop the bag.
“That’s all of Maisie’s stuff,” she said, wiping her hands down the sides of her tight jeans. “I really don’t think she’s coming back anytime soon. And like I told you, I don’t plan on sticking around. So if you find her”—her tone softened a bit—“tell her those are the rest of her clothes, and the only thing that’s ever meant anything to her.”
I readjusted the bag under my arm so I could hold up the stuffed animal.
“Do you mean this dog?”
Maisie’s mom nodded. “Uh-huh, yeah. That old thing was the last gift her father ever gave her, before the no-good bastard took off for good.”
The stuffed animal looked old and worn, so I assumed Maisie’s dad had left a really long time ago.
With a curt nod, I promised I’d make sure Maisie got her things.
As if I didn’t have reason enough already, I absolutely had to find her now.
But how?
Where in the hell was she?
By the time I was back in my car, I was sick with worry. One of the worst feelings in the world is not having any idea where someone you love is.
As I drove away from the trailer Maisie once called home, the last of her worldly possessions in my care, my cell phone rang.
When I looked on the display panel, I saw that it was Blake.
I hit a button on the steering wheel to answer his call. I’d heard he bought a house in the suburbs of Vegas and had recently moved in. We hadn’t had a chance to talk since Sweden, and since I had a long drive ahead of me, I figured it’d be a good opportunity to catch up.
Not to mention, I needed to get Maisie off my mind. I had to concentrate on driving.
The call connecting, I said, “Hey, man.”
“Hey, Noel,” Blake replied, sounding kind of serious.
“It’s good to hear from you,” I went on. “I’ve been meaning to touch base.”
“Yeah, me too, me too.” He sighed. “Things have been crazy lately with settling in and all.”
“Yeah, I bet,” I said.
“Anyway, so…”
Blake sounded odd, like there was another reason for his call besides getting caught up.
So I just asked, “What’s really up?”
He cleared his throat. “Uh, maybe something, I’m not sure. But first I have a question for you.”
I had no idea where this was going.
But I replied, “Go ahead, shoot.”
“Remember that girl you told me about when we were in Sweden? You showed me some pictures of her that you had on your phone.”
Shit, of course I remembered. But what could this be about?
Hesitantly, I said, “Yeah. What about her?”
My pulse raced, and I clutched the wheel so tightly my kn
uckles turned white.
Carefully, Blake said, “First, I have another question.”
“All right…”
“Did you ever tell her that you loved her, like you said you were going to?”
Okay, this was getting weird.
“No. Why do you ask?”
“It’s just,” he sighed. “You’re never going to believe this, but I swear I saw that same girl working in a convenience store here in Las Vegas.”
I jerked the wheel, yanking the car off to the side of the road. Dust flew up everywhere.
“Holy fuck!” I exclaimed. “What did you just say?”
He told me again.
It had to be Maisie.
So I asked for the address of the store.
Blake read it off from his receipt, and I entered the info into my GPS so fast it wasn’t even funny.
We ended the call.
And then I was off and on my way to one fucking important-as-hell convenience store in Las Vegas.
Hate to Love
As the minutes ticked down to the end of my shift, I grew more and more impatient.
What if that hockey player, Blake, had recognized me?
Noel and I had taken a lot of pictures together, both with his phone and mine. What if Noel had shown him even just one of his shots? Let alone a bunch of them.
Shit, I have to get out of here.
I had ten minutes left, but I asked Fiona if she could cover for me.
Peering at me curiously, she said, “Why? Are you not feeling well? Your eye’s not still bothering you, is it?”
I shrugged. “No, but I think I may be getting sick.”
It wasn’t a lie.
I did feel ill, my heart was aching.
“Hmm, you do look a little flushed, Maisie.”
I nodded. “Yeah, something’s not right.”
“Then go.” She motioned to the door. “Don’t worry. I got your back.”
I smiled at her. “Thanks, Fiona.”
“Not a problem.”
The new girl was turning out to be nice, even if she was fixated on hockey. I was still glad to have her as a coworker.
After grabbing my purse from the back storeroom, I got the hell out of the store.
The bus stop was only a block away, and I rushed off to it.
It wasn’t busy out on the street, which really sucked because I would have liked to have blended in. But, nope. This raven-haired girl in skinny jeans and a regulation navy blue Quik-Stop polo shirt stood out like a sore thumb.
I wasn’t even surprised when I heard the low hum of an expensive sports car pull up to the curb along the sidewalk.
Hadn’t I expected this all along?
I tried to look away as the car trailed me, but there was no use. There was no getting away.
Sure enough, a man called out, “Maisie? Is that you? It really is, isn’t it?”
Great, all my fears had just been confirmed. It was Noel.
That Blake guy must’ve somehow recognized me.
Shit.
I wanted to run, but I couldn’t. Noel was in a car. He’d catch up easily. Not to mention, he’d jump out and chase me on foot if he had to.
Choking up, I stopped and turned to the idling car. It was a bright red, shiny Porsche Panamera, and Noel was in the driver’s seat.
Seeing him tore me apart.
“Just leave me alone,” I sobbed, since the passenger window was down and he could hear me. “I know you hate me. Why’d you come here, anyway? Do you want an apology? If so, here it is… I’m sorry I left Sweden so quickly and without more than a note. I had no choice, not really. But whatever.” I threw my hands up in the air. “All you need to know is that it was all for the best, Noel.”
“Maisie, how can you say that?” he gasped.
Cutting the ignition, he got out of the car.
Again, I wanted to flee, but I couldn’t make my sneakered feet move.
Damn it, my heart was screwing everything up.
“Maisie, please don’t take off.” Noel took a tentative step toward me. “Why don’t you just get in the car for a minute so we don’t have to talk out on the street?”
“What’s it matter?” I cried. “There’s no one around, anyway.”
I was stalling. I knew I’d get in.
But Noel didn’t know that, and he pleaded, “Please, Mais, I’m begging you.”
I shook my head, but he was having none of it. Four long strides later and he’d reached me.
Taking my limp hand in his, he led me over to the passenger side of the car.
“Come on now,” he murmured soothingly. “Just sit down for a sec. I think you’ll be surprised at what I have to say.”
I nodded, feeling numb.
By the time he had popped open the door, I was like a puppet on a string.
Noel helped me slip into his car, guiding me with his hand on my lower back.
Once I was inside, he closed the door and hurried over to the driver’s side, where he jumped in so quickly it was almost funny. He was clearly afraid I’d come to my senses and make an escape.
I didn’t want to escape, though. Not now. I didn’t care if Noel had gotten me into his car so he could properly ream me out, I just wanted to, for one last time, be close to him.
Already, I bathed in his comforting, masculine scent.
Ahh…
It was soothing how the whole car smelled like leather and Noel. I felt heady and intoxicated; I never wanted to leave.
Like a fool drunk on the man who still owned her heart, I looked over and whispered, “Noel.”
He smiled at me.
I was shocked. He didn’t look angry at all.
How could that be?
I’d get to that, but I had some questions first.
“How’d you find me?” I croaked out. “Was it that Blake guy? Did he rat me out?”
“Yeah.” Noel chuckled. “I showed him pictures of you and me together that time I met him when you were sick.”
“I didn’t know you met him out,” I said. “But I figured it was something like that.”
Quietly, Noel murmured, “I think it was fate, Maisie. Blake seeing you and all. Face it, babe”—he smiled over at me—“we’re meant to be.”
I squeaked, “Are you saying you don’t hate me?”
He shook his beautiful head and laughed. “Are you kidding? I could never hate you.”
“B-but I left you. And I have to be honest. I only pursued you in the beginning because I needed a plane ticket home. When I finally had one, I took off. I didn’t even tell you why.”
“Maisie,” he sighed. “I don’t care about all that. As far as I’m concerned, it’s behind us. Besides, I know why you left.”
My eyes widened. “You do?”
“Yes. And it’s okay. I understand.”
I blinked over at him, stunned. “How in the world could you know why I left?”
He reached for something in the back on the floor behind his seat.
When he pulled that something forward, he shocked me as he said, “I know because I’ve been to Two Palms. I was there today, right before I drove here. Maisie, I talked with your mom. I know all about what happened in Sweden.”
I was barely listening, as I was focused on something I thought I’d never see again.
“Oh my God, Noel, you brought me Claude!”
He laughed as he handed me my old, beat-up stuffed dog.
“I did,” he said. “And I also have some clothes for you in the back. Your mom gave me a bag of your things.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course she did. Let me guess? She’s getting back with the Juice King.”
He nodded. “She’s trying.”
“Great. Now she’ll move away and I really won’t have a home.”
Noel went to reach for me, but hesitated.
I was sure it was because I looked a little crazy. This was just too much.
Softly, like how one would speak so as not to startle a sca
red animal, he said, “That’s not true, Maisie. You’re not homeless. I’d never let that happen to you.”
I lost it then.
“Why would you even care?” I cried out.
I was holding onto Claude, choking back tears, when he finally leaned over and took me in his arms.
“Aw, fuck it.” I heard him say.
“Noel,” I sputtered. “I-I I just…”
“Maisie, Maisie,” he soothed. “You don’t have to say anything. Just let me speak, okay?”
“Okay.”
“You keep repeating that I shouldn’t care. And that I must hate you. But you are so wrong, so very, very wrong.”
He caressed my hair, but stopped when I pulled back and looked up at him.
“You really don’t hate me?” I asked.
My father leaving, the way my mother was—I was accustomed to people walking away. It was hard to fathom Noel could be any different.
But different he was.
He proved as much when he said, “I told you that I don’t hate you. And I don’t. I’ll say it a thousand times if I have to.” He took my face in his hands. “Fuck, Maisie, how haven’t you figured it out yet?”
“Figured what out?” I asked.
“That I love you, you beautiful, complicated girl.”
Nothing Has Changed
I had told Maisie that I loved her.
And it was okay, because it was true.
As far as I could see, there’d never be a more perfect time to finally put it all out there, to lay my heart on the line.
“You do?” she whispered. “You really love me?”
Her face was still in my hands, so I leaned forward and kissed her lips lightly.
“Yes.” I sat back and smiled. “I really do love you, sweetheart.”
I wanted to hear her say it back to me, and it felt like she might, but I knew deep down she wasn’t quite ready.
That was cool. I could wait.
It was clear I was going to have to be careful with Maisie’s fragile heart. It’d been broken far too many times. Not by romantic interests, but by her own damn parents.
I kissed her soft lips once more.
Then, releasing her, I asked, “What are you thinking right now?”
She bit her lip. “I’m wondering if we can go somewhere more private.”