Michaela joined them, dancing with a vaguely familiar man who looked to be younger than her.
After a while they found an empty table, and Elijah joined them. Chris headed to the bar for another drink.
“Guys, this is Josh,” Michaela yelled over the music and motioned to her dance partner.
“Michaela’s hockey player friend?” Maggie arched a brow. “The brother of her ex douche?”
“Maggie,” Michaela snapped.
“Don’t hold it against me.” Josh laughed.
“I can’t promise anything.”
Josh’s grin widened.
“Anyway,” Michaela said. “Josh does his summer training with a group of players in New York, so he’s going to be staying with me.”
“How are you with a hammer?” Elijah asked suddenly. Maggie kicked him under the table, but he didn’t even wince.
“I can hold my own.” The confusion that crossed Josh’s face was mirrored in Michaela’s.
“That’s good to know,” Elijah said. He didn’t say anything else, but Maggie knew what he was thinking. That damn house. They were all going to be roped into helping. But that’s what they did. She’d do anything for Elijah, especially after everything he’d done for her.
The house was where Elijah asked to be dropped off when Maggie drove him home a few hours later.
Maggie watched him out of the corner of her eye. “Why?”
“Just take me there.”
“Fine.”
She parked on the street in front and then followed him around to the back.
“Bye, Mags,” he said, unlocking the door and slipping inside.
He wasn’t getting off that easily. She wanted to know what was going on, so she followed him. He turned on the light and all she could think was, thank God the electricity at least works.
Looking around, she noticed things she hadn’t before. Boxes here and there and a mattress tucked into the corner of the room.
“Are you sleeping here?” It came out as more accusation than question.
Elijah turned to look at her with a sheepish expression. He’d known she wouldn’t approve.
“I needed to free up the money I was spending on rent.”
“Where’s all of your furniture?”
“I sold it.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t see any of it in this house.”
“You can’t sleep here, Elijah.”
“Why not?”
“Come on.” She grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards the door. “You’re staying with me.”
“You don’t want me there all summer.” His feet wouldn’t budge.
“Of course I do. You’re Elijah. You’re my Elijah.”
A smile tugged the corners of his lips and he nodded his head. After grabbing a few of his things, he followed her out.
When they reached her place, she pushed open the door to her guest room and gestured him in.
“Let me know if you need anything.” She turned to go, and he pulled her into a hug.
“Thank you,” he whispered, kissing the top of her head.
She smiled up at him and then left without another word.
Elijah laid in bed, thinking about the last thing Maggie had said to him.
Let me know if you need anything.
You, he thought. I need you. It was the kind of thought he’d buried long ago, but he couldn’t help its return with her sleeping in the next room.
It was a thought Elijah hadn’t been able to escape since the first and only time they’d kissed, all those years ago. What Maggie had always needed from him was an unconditional friendship, not the kind that was complicated by feelings. So, he’d given it to her. It had nearly killed him when she started dating Jake in high school.
Elijah never thought it would last as long as it did. Then they got married right after graduation. Elijah was the best man and also the maid of honor. He was the only person that stood up there with them. Hell, Elijah’s dad even walked Maggie down the aisle rather than her own father.
Elijah was married soon after, but it never felt right. That’s probably why it only lasted a year.
He ran a hand over his face. It had been a while since he thought about all the shit that happened back then. There was no way he was getting to sleep now.
His phone vibrated against the bedside table. He sighed when he saw who it was. Twice in one day? Something must be up. He took one more long breath before answering.
“Jake,” he said.
“Hey, bro.”
Elijah flinched as if Jake had hit him. They’d always called each other brothers, but that was before.
“What do you want?” Elijah asked.
“I tried to call you earlier.”
“Yeah, I hit ignore.” Elijah was in no mood to play Jake’s games.
“Wow, thanks, man.” There was anger buried in Jake’s voice. He’d always been quick to anger.
“Say what you called to say or I’m hanging up.”
“Calm down, bro.”
“I’m not your brother.”
“Fine. I’m going to be in the city at the end of the week and want to meet with you.”
“Not a chance in hell.” Elijah was out of bed now. He walked into the kitchen with the phone still pressed to his ear.
“If you don’t meet me, I’ll just show up wherever you’re living. I can find out.”
Elijah glanced at Maggie’s closed door and squeezed his eyes shut.
“Fine.” He let out a huff. “But I choose the place.”
“Done, just text me. And Elijah?”
“What?”
“Don’t tell Maggie.”
Hearing her name from his lips sent a jolt through Elijah. He ended the call and held a glass under the kitchen faucet. Taking a big gulp of water, he headed back towards his room. He hated to do anything Jake asked, but he knew he wouldn’t tell Maggie. She’d demand to be there, and he couldn’t put her through that.
Chapter Three
16 years ago:
“Thank God that practice from hell is over,” Jake said as he followed Elijah to the locker room.
“What is with these ‘conditioning practices’ anyway?” Elijah groaned.
“It’s because you’re fat and lazy.” Jake punched him in the shoulder and laughed.
“Coach just thinks that since the team sucks so badly, we should be able to outrun everyone else.”
“Pretty much, bro.”
Elijah took off his sweat-soaked practice jersey and threw it on the floor. They hadn’t even put pads on today because all they were doing was running. He peeled off the rest of his clothes and stepped under the cold spray of the shower. The hot water never worked in this building. It was okay, though. It still felt good to get clean.
Elijah never really liked football, but his parents insisted it would look good on college applications. He hadn’t had the balls to tell them yet he didn’t plan on going. He and Jake had other plans. They were only sixteen, but were already saving every penny they could go into business together after graduation. They wanted to flip houses. Both boys loved building things and working with their hands, and they were both good at it. Jake’s father was a manager for a construction company, and he let them work for him.
Toweling off, Elijah made his way back to his locker. Jake was already dressed and sitting there waiting for him.
“So,” Jake started slowly.
Elijah sighed, knowing that was how Jake started off his crazy ideas that would get them both into trouble.
“I asked Maggie out.” A smiled spread from one side of Jake’s face to the other.
“Man, you’ve been trying to get her to go out with you for two years now.” He shrugged on his shirt. “She’s smarter than that.”
“Apparently not.”
Elijah felt a stabbing pain in his stomach. After stepping into his pants, he turned to his friend. “What?”
“She said yes this time.”
Elijah ran a hand throu
gh his damp hair and looked away.
“You okay, bro?” Jake asked, the excitement still in his voice.
“Why her, Jake? Why Maggie?” Elijah’s voice caught on her name.
“Why not? Maggie’s special.”
“Damn right she is,” Elijah growled. He breathed deeply to calm himself before continuing. “Jake, you’re my bro and I love you.”
“Aww shucks, man. If I’d have known, I would have asked you out.”
“If you ever hurt her, I’m coming for you.”
“Sheesh, Elijah. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were in love with her.”
“That’s ridiculous,” he said quickly. “But know this before you go out with her: If I ever have to choose between you or her, Maggie wins every time. I’m her family.”
With that, Elijah left the locker room. He would have liked to think he left with his dignity intact, but in reality, he stormed out like a toddler in the middle of a tantrum.
On his walk home, he couldn’t stop thinking about his beautiful next-door neighbor. His gut told him Jake was going to destroy her, but if she wanted to take that chance, he wouldn’t stop her.
If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were in love with her.
Jake’s words struck a nerve. Elijah loved Maggie, but was he in love with her? He didn’t know anything anymore. He had a girlfriend of over a year, but he didn’t crave time with her as he did Maggie.
The confusing thoughts were still rolling around in his head when he got home. He said hi to his mom and then started climbing the stairs to his room.
He pushed open the door to find a small blond girl sitting on his bed with her knees pulled up to her chest. She lifted her head to meet his gaze. He smiled, but she wore the broken frown that always told him something was wrong.
“I’m sorry,” Maggie said, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes. They were red from crying. “Your mom let me in.”
“What happened?” Elijah sat next to her and pulled her to him. She winced and pulled her arm away. He narrowed his eyes and very carefully reached out. She flinched away from him.
“I’m okay, really.”
Elijah didn’t buy it. He took her sleeve, and she didn’t fight him anymore as he pushed it up to reveal a large bruise. His face twisted in fury, and he jumped from the bed.
“I’m going to kill him.”
“No!” Maggie moved to stop him. “He was just drunk. My dad didn’t mean it.”
“Like hell!”
“Please.” Her voice got small, and she took Elijah’s hand. “Just let it go. Don’t leave me here.”
He looked down at her, and all he wanted to do was hold her and protect her from all the evil she’d had to experience. He sat back down beside her and leaned his back against the headboard. She curled into his side.
“Can we talk about something else?” she asked.
Elijah blew out a long breath to calm himself and nodded. They sat in silence for a few moments before Elijah finally spoke. “So, Jake.”
“Oh, God.” She covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I said yes this time. It’s probably some huge mistake.”
“Probably.”
“Hey!” She laughed, bumping him with her shoulder. He shrugged. “Tell me everything is going to be okay.”
“I can’t. You know Jake. You know his reputation.”
“I don’t know why I agreed to this date.”
“Because you like him.” Elijah held his breath, hoping she would somehow refute this.
“I do.”
“Well, then I’ll tell you this: I think he’s going to hurt you one day. That’s just who he is. But when that happens, I’ll be there. I won’t say ‘I told you so’. I’ll just be there for you for whatever you need. I’m never leaving you.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Present Day:
Elijah woke with a start as the memories came flooding in.
Before last night, he hadn’t spoken to Jake in four years. Not since the day he forced Maggie to leave him. Jake hadn’t tried to call him after that. He hadn’t tried to explain himself. He knew it wouldn’t do any good. Jake always knew Elijah would choose Maggie. There was no question. So, why now?
The smell of coffee dragged him from his bed. He pulled a shirt on and left his room. Maggie was already dressed, eating breakfast at the table.
“I thought your coffee maker was broken?” Elijah asked.
“Good morning to you too,” Maggie said.
Elijah grumbled something unintelligible and poured himself a cup.
“Oh, I forgot, you’re a terrible morning person.” She laughed.
“And I forgot that you’re way too chipper once you’ve had your caffeine shot.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve lived together.”
“Yeah, about that.” He took a sip and set the mug on the table. “I can’t ask you to put me up for so long.”
Maggie folded her hands on the table and narrowed her eyes. “Elijah, I basically moved in with your family when we were sixteen. You put me up for two years.”
“That was different.”
“You’re right. This time we’re adults, and I say you’re staying. End of story.”
Elijah knew better than to argue with Maggie when she used that don’t-mess-with-me tone.
“As for the coffee maker, I went out and bought a new one this morning. Not all of us need so much beauty sleep.” She stood and put a hand on his shoulder. “I love you, Elijah, but I have things to do today, and I believe you do too.” She kissed the top of his head and grabbed her keys on the way out the door.
Elijah leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and let out a sigh. This summer was going to be the death of him.
Elijah got an early start on Monday morning. He wasn’t happy about being awake, but he was excited to work on the house. He had all day free, and he knew exactly what he wanted to work on first.
At his parent’s house in Boston, the deck and backyard had always been a special place. As a family, they loved to eat dinner outside when it was warm enough. They had countless parties, and he’d spent a lot of time out there with Maggie.
It didn’t make sense. He knew that. When the rest of the house was in the state it was, the exterior was usually the last step. But Elijah didn’t care what made sense.
He’d spent the day before doing measurements and shopping for supplies. Everything was ready.
He was just about to get started out back when he heard voices coming from around front. He rounded the house and found Jason and Josh.
“Elijah,” Jason called. “Maggie said you might like some help getting started.”
“Do you even know how to use a hammer, Jason?” Elijah laughed. He was used to seeing Jason behind a bar or doing the books on the computer.
“You use this claw thingy to pound the nail, right?” Now Jason was just messing with him.
“I’m going to kill Maggie.” Elijah laughed. In truth, he was happy to have the help, and the deck was a good thing to have them work on.
Jason laughed. “Josh here doesn’t have to be at the rink until this afternoon, so you have us for a while.”
“Come around back then.” Elijah led them to where he had the wood and tools set up. “Maggie really sent you guys?”
“It was her idea.” Jason shrugged. “But you know we would have helped anyways.”
Guilt started to build in the pit of Elijah’s stomach. When she was doing stuff like this for him, how could he hide something as big as Jake coming to town from her?
Chapter Four
Maggie finished the school day with another headache. The closer they got to summer, the worst her kids became. They were restless. She was restless. She hoped she could be moved up a couple of grades next year, but she wasn’t holding her breath.
She let out a sigh of relief as she left the school behind and headed towards Legal Services. Michaela had taken a
n afternoon shift and would be off soon. They had girl plans while the boys did their manly building stuff. Maggie knew she and Michaela would eventually be dragged into that as well, but not today.
Legal Services was in a sketchy part of the city, but it wasn’t anything Maggie wasn’t used to. She’d grown up in a similar part of Boston. It didn’t scare her.
She parked her car and walked down the sidewalk. A man tried to talk to her, but she brushed by him and turned into the building.
This place was always a little crazy. There were a lot of people that needed legal help and couldn’t pay for it. The waiting area was packed and volunteers worked furiously at the rows of desks.
Maggie spotted Michaela at a desk with a young girl sitting on it, her legs swinging back and forth. Maggie smiled at the kid, and she grinned toothily back.
“Hey, Mags,” Michaela said as she finished up whatever she was typing.
“And who is this beautiful little girl?” Maggie asked.
“Kimberly,” the girl said in a high-pitched squeal.
“Hi Kimberly, I’m Maggie.”
Kimberly giggled and Maggie smiled wider. As difficult as her students could be, Maggie loved kids. The only dream that had ever mattered to her was to become a mother, but that wasn’t in the cards. After three miscarriages, she learned she had a uterine abnormality, as the doctors called it. Really, it was an oddly shaped uterus that she was born with. It prevented her from being able to carry a child to term. It was the hardest thing she’d ever had to hear.
“Alright, Kimberly,” Michaela said. “I have to go. You should find Katie. I think she’ll be here for a while still.”
Kimberly hopped off the desk and wrapped her arms around Michaela. “Will you be back tomorrow?”
“No, but I’ll be here the day after.”
“Okay.” Kimberly’s voice was small, sad.
She surprised Maggie by hugging her as well. Maggie squeezed her tight and didn’t let go until Kimberly did.
“It was nice to meet you,” Maggie said. She didn’t know what made her do it but she kissed Kimberly on the top of her head and said, “I’ll see you again.”
The New Beginnings (Books #1-3) Page 19