by RC Boldt
“That’s . . . an interesting take on things,” he said carefully.
She just continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “I’d also put things like, ‘Can bring herself to orgasm numerous times in less than ten minutes’ and ‘Is really good about grooming downtown,’ because that stuff is important, too.”
Mac ran a hand over his face, praying that the stoplight would hurry up and turn green. Because, really, he did not need to be hearing this.
“Hey, Mac?”
“Yes, Raine,” he answered with greater patience than he thought he had.
“Do you think that if we met in any other scenario that you’d . . . you know, like me?”
He cast her a sharp glance just as the light turned green. ”You know I like you, Raine. You’re my best friend.”
She sighed loudly. “I know that. I just mean . . . would you like me-like me?”
Pulling into her driveway, he put the truck in park and turned to her. “You want to know if circumstances were different, would we be more than friends? Is that it?”
She looked at him, her green eyes seeming much clearer than he expected with all she had imbibed tonight. “Yes,” she whispered.
Abruptly, Mac unbuckled his seatbelt, got out of the truck to come around and open Raine’s door. He helped her out of the truck and up the stairs to her house. Once she had unlocked it, he pulled her close in a hug.
Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, “Yes.”
He was sure she didn’t hear him let alone remember it in the morning. He ushered her inside with a soft ‘goodnight’ and waited until she locked the door behind him.
As he returned to his truck and backed out of her driveway to make his way home, he was still thinking about her question.
And wishing that circumstances had been different.
RAINE ROLLED OVER in her bed the following morning feeling more than a bit rough. She knew she needed a greasy breakfast and some strong coffee. Reaching for her cell to check the time on it, she saw that she had some text messages from Tate, Laney and Mac. The girls just wanted to check and see if she was okay and needed anything. Mac’s message instantly put a smile on her face.
Mac: Greasy breakfast on me. Text me when you’re ready for me to scoop you up to go.
Raine quickly responded to the girls that she was okay and sent off a text to Mac.
Raine: Fifteen minutes?
His text came in almost instantly. The guy must have been starving.
Mac: See you then.
Thinking of the night before, laughter bubbled up as she recalled how she, Laney and Tate had gotten up on stage for a terrible rendition of ‘That’s What Friends Are For.’ Not to mention, Zach, blonde, surfer boy extraordinare, had decided to sing Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s ‘Nuthin But a G Thang’ with Mac. Oh, how her sides had ached from laughing at them flashing gang signs as they rapped the song. Those two had worked the stage like professionals.
So, the tone had been set for the night, and each of them had commenced to sing some sort of rap song or one with rapid lyrics, each trying to top the other’s performance. Laney and Tate did ‘Still Dre’ and she had done an old eighties song, ‘Buffalo Stance.’ Lawson had sang ‘Push It’ with the dance moves to accompany it.
Raine threw herself into the shower and felt considerably better afterward. Not stellar, but better. Definitely more human.
Raine tiredly ran a comb through her long hair to get the tangles out before twisting it up on her head in a clip. Then, she threw on some running shorts and an old, comfy t-shirt. Makeup was far too taxing for her to consider at this point and it seemed pointless.
Besides, it was just breakfast with Mac, afterall.
CLEARLY, RAINE FELT more human but was still dragging a bit as her hair was damp, in a clip on her head and she had thrown on some workout clothes. Watching her slide on her flip flops and sunglasses to walk down her steps with him to his truck, he could tell that she wasn’t quite herself yet. Which was why he had suggested breakfast. It was always the best cure for him back when he used to go out drinking with the guys.
As they drove to the local diner, he glanced over at her. “Do you remember much from what Laney named your ‘Emancipation from Ben Celebration’?”
Raine’s eyes fell closed on a groan. “Please don’t speak of last night until I have food and coffee.”
They pulled into the lot and parked. Luckily, they got seated quickly, were served coffee and given menus.
Raine sighed and breathed in the coffee scent. “This is the elixir of the gods, I tell you.”
Raine leaned toward the table. “Did I do anything majorly embarrassing last night?”
“You mean like flashing the entire bar your thong or becoming a phone number bandit?” he offered with an amused look.
She gasped. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
Laughing at the panic on her face, he reached over to pat her hand. “Raine, you were fine. A very happy, energetic drunk who showed a penchant for making friends with the entire Fernandina Beach population. Nothing I wouldn’t expect from you.”
Except that you just asked me if I would be interested in you if things were different. Why did you ask me that?
Mac shook off his inner thoughts.
Holding his gaze, Raine was quiet for a moment, as if searching his face for an answer.
Finally, she spoke. “Well, that’s a relief.” She went back to studying the menu.
Just then, the waitress had come to take their orders.
Mac couldn’t figure out if he’d dodged a bullet or completely wimped out.
RAINE COULDN’T HELP but feel a little disappointed that Mac hadn’t been forthcoming about their conversation from the night before. She remembered pretty much everything that had happened and all that had been said. Especially his quiet answer at the end of the night.
“Yes,” he had whispered in her hair.
But, now, in the light of day, he had obviously brushed it aside and wouldn’t bring it up. Part of her knew it was likely for the best because she would run the risk of losing one of her very best friends if she crossed that line. But the other part of her . . .
She tried her best to shake off those thoughts. It obviously wasn’t going to happen. She had to get over it.
After they had eaten and paid their bill—Mac had insisted on paying, as he always did—they walked back out into the humidity to make their way to his truck. Typical Florida. Winter here could be in the upper 70s and humid if it preferred, which it clearly did at the moment.
As they buckled up, Mac turned to her. “Feel like heading to Target with me? I need to pick up a few things.”
“Sure.”
As he drove toward the store, he turned to the eighties station on his satellite radio and they both began to sing along to ‘Safety Dance.’ Laughing at each other, they parked and walked toward the entrance to the store, still singing along.
Once inside, she turned to him. “Do you mind if I just check out the dresses real quick?” Mac, knowing Raine wasn’t one of those women who liked to shop until she dropped, agreed.
As she was looking through some cute dresses, she heard her name. Turning around, she saw Mac holding up a blue lingerie set to the front of him. “What do you think? Is it me? Does it totally match my eyes?” he asked in a falsetto voice, batting his eyes.
“That has your name written all over it,” she laughed. She held up the dress that had caught her eye. “What do you think of this?”
His eyes narrowed as he looked it over. “I vote for this.” He held up the lingerie.
She groaned. “Seriously, Mac. Yes or no to the dress?”
Giving a sad, resigned look toward the lingerie he still held, he sighed. “Fine. The dress it is.” With his head hung low, he turned to return the lingerie to the racks.
Raine rolled her eyes at him.
“I saw that,” he said without turning around.
“Whatever, dude,” she stuck her tongue
out at him.
“I saw that, too.”
“Really, Mackenzie?” she muttered.
“What? I’m just that good.”
“More walking and less talking, Mac.” Raine knocked into his side playfully.
He hooked an arm loosely around her neck. “Don’t make me give you noogies,” he growled, playfully.
“Do it and die,” she warned, wiggling to try and break free from his grasp, trying to hold in her laughter.
“Hey, Mac!” a female voice purred -yes, it really sounded like a purr- startling them both. His arm loosened enough for Raine to get free and stand to face the owner of the voice.
She instantly regretted doing so.
Standing there in the store was a tall, wisp of a blonde who looked as if she were ready to go out clubbing rather than to the store on a Sunday afternoon. She wore a short, dark washed jean skirt that looked like she wouldn’t be able to bend over in it without showing the world her goods. It was one of those short skirts Lawson and Zach would crudely say required “another haircut.”
The blonde had paired the skirt with a tank top that was bedazzled with rhinestones forming the words ‘Sexy Girl.’
Because, clearly, she felt she needed that affirmation. But, hey. To each their own.
Just then, Raine noticed her shoes. They looked like those glass slippers Cinderella wore except she was pretty sure these were more like plastic. They also happened to be bedazzled and no less than four inches high.
Good grief, was that glitter on the heels, too? Oh, my. This girl was like one gemstone away from being a disco ball. Raine felt almost as if she needed sunglasses just to look at her.
“Uh, hey, how’s it going . . .” Mac trailed off, clearly not remembering the poor, bedazzled girl’s name.
Oooh, this was going to be interesting. Raine looked on, watching it play out.
Miss Bedazzle stepped closer to him. Laying a hand on his forearm, she lowered her voice huskily, “Daisy, remember?” Lowering her eyes and licking her lips suggestively, she looked back up at him. Wait, was that a heavy application of glitter eyeshadow and glittery lip gloss? And why did her arms shimmer like the vampire from that movie when he walked into the sunlight? Now, that was just creepy.
“We had so much fun that night but then you never called,” she gave him an exaggerated pout.
“Gag me,” Raine coughed into her hand.
Mac and Miss Bedazzle or Miss Sparkles–she really couldn’t decide which suited her best–turned their gaze her way. Mac’s was decidedly amused while Daisy looked at her as if Raine were intruding on a private moment.
Planting a hand on her hip, Daisy looked down at Raine, clearly judging her attire which, admittedly, wasn’t impressive. But, she also didn’t look like she got dipped in a vat of glitter and gemstones so she was sure to be found inferior.
“This is a private conversation so you should just,” she waved her hand toward Raine as if trying to shoo her, “get on your way now, little girl.”
Was she for real? Raine was so over the whole ‘mean girl’ thing. But when you combined that with the fact that she was face to face with one of Mac’s conquests? It was a real pisser, to say the least.
Crossing her arms and widening her stance, Raine’s eyes flashed with anger. “Listen here, little Miss Sparklepants. I’m actually here with Mac. You know, the guy you bumped uglies with once? Yeah, he’s my best friend.”
Moving in closer, she continued, “And, since you’re being so nice and all, I figured I should tell you that Ru Paul called.” Raine’s lips pressed thin as she gestured to the blonde’s attire. “Mmm, yeah. She wants her outfit back. Stat.” With that, Raine turned and walked off.
As she made her way through the store to get the items she needed, she couldn’t decide who she was more irritated with; the blonde for acting the way she did or at Mac for having slept with her in the first place.
CATCHING MAC’S SMIRK after Raine’s departure, Blondie threw her head back in a laugh that was more cackle than anything else. Mac winced at the grating sound.
“Can you believe her?” Blondie huffed next to Mac, turning away from the direction Raine had stormed off in. Blondie sidled up to him with a calculated look in her eyes. She placed a hand on his chest and batted her eyes at him. He looked down at her coldly, carefully removing her hand from him.
“Raine is my best friend and you were rude to her.” Mac stepped away from her. “That’s not cool,” he told her and started in the direction Raine had walked.
“But . . . but, wait?” she sputtered. “Will you call me?” Blondie called after him in a whiny voice.
“Not a chance,” was his short reply.
He was on a mission to find Raine. Looking down the aisles for his spirited little brunette, he couldn’t help but let a grin come over his face. Raine was quite the spitfire when she got riled up and this definitely had been no exception. He loved the way she’d put Blondie in her place.
However, Mac hadn’t missed the look that had flashed across her face ever so briefly when Blondie had come up to him. It had lasted only a split second, but he had recognized it.
Hurt.
And that was the one thing he never wanted to cause Raine.
RAINE HAD PICKED up some more shampoo and conditioner and was trying to determine which razors to buy when Mac walked up to her. Finally, choosing the three blade option, she looked over at him to find his serious gaze on her.
Looking around him, she raised her eyebrows in question. “Where’s your . . . friend?”
“Gone,” was his brief reply. He turned to the assortment of razors and picked his brand off the shelf. “You ready to head out?”
“Yep.”
They walked silently to the checkout and paid for their purchases. It wasn’t until they got back into his truck and he started it before Mac broke the silence.
“Raine, I’m sorry for the way she spoke to you,” his voice was gentle.
She shrugged it off like it didn’t matter as much as it really did. “It’s not like you raised her that way. No biggie.”
Mac reached over the console to clasp her hand gently.
“Hey,” his voice was gentle. “I just wanted you to know I have no desire to have anything to do with her. Especially after the way she spoke to you.” Those stormy blue eyes displayed his sincerity.
She looked over at him. “Thanks, Mac, I appreciate it.”
“Hey, anything for my girl,” he winked at her and then turned to pull out of the parking lot.
Anything for my girl.
Those words stayed with Raine long after Mac dropped her off at home.
A FEW WEEKS later, in their typical Monday meeting at work, they all sat around their table listening to someone from the school district drone on and on about inquiry-based instruction. This was the same type of teaching they had been doing since they had begun their teaching careers. Every time something got renamed, that meant they had to do teacher in-service on it.
Today meant that they were all at the table, semi-paying attention but most were either grading papers or, as Raine and Mac were doing, playing the naughty version of Hangman.
Currently, he was stumped and he hated losing. She was barely holding back the full-on smile, her lips quivering with laughter at his apparent frustration at not guessing the word.
Eleven damn letters and he only had a first letter of c and an l in the middle.
He hated giving in but they (she) had imposed a time limit on their games and he was running out of time. He looked at his phone’s stopwatch and saw he had twenty seconds left.
Damn it.
Just give up, she wrote down on the notepad beneath the nearly completed hangman.
Shaking his head at her, he wrote down one final letter guess. T.
Grinning widely at him, she drew the final part of the hangman. She then wrote in the letters for the mysterious word.
Cunnilingus.
He stared at her in disbelief. Th
en he wrote WTF?
Her shoulders shook in silent laughter as she wrote, Some ladies man you are.
He cut her a glare. This is no indication of my prowess.
She tossed him a sharp look. Then she wrote, I’m letting that slide simply because you used the awesome vocab word: prowess.
He gave her a smug smile. Speaking of awesome, my prowess is awesome, he wrote back.
Pffft, was her written response. He snorted. Who actually wrote that out? Only Raine.
“And that wraps up all that we need to go over with you,” one of the speakers said, announcing the end of her droning on about what they already knew and implemented. Teachers began packing up their items and rising from their seats to leave.
“You got lucky this time, Raine.” Mac pointed his pen at her as they exited the media center.
“Whatever, dude,” she dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “You need to come to terms with the fact that you just can’t hang with a smart girl,” she sang the last two words, which ended in laughter when he poked her side where she was ticklish.
“Children, behave,” Tate scolded them playfully as they all made their way up to their classrooms on the second floor.
Instantly, Raine and Laney broke out, singing one of their favorite eighties songs, “I Think We’re Alone Now.” Lawson sang the next line, painfully high-pitched, which sent the girls into a fit of giggles.
Zach slapped Mac on the back, shaking his head at the others good-humoredly. “Clearly we’re the only sane ones in this joint.”
Chuckling as he watched the girls and Lawson sing and dance-walk down the hall to their rooms, he couldn’t imagine his friends any other way.
“PAGING MISS LINGUS,” a voice called out to her as she was reorganizing the file folders on her desk.
Her head jerked up to see Mac, standing in her doorway, eyes alit with amusement.