“I will try my hardest Mace. I promise. Besides, um Taylor is here with him.”
My blood practically started boiling in my living room. Taylor’s there in my best friend’s house? These people had some damn nerve. Were the sitting there doing each others damn makeup and having awesome conversations? This was the girl that Halley gave a bloody nose to for crying out loud and now they are in the same apartment probably acting like nothing ever happened. Yes, a little jealousy has taken over me. This was also the same girl who single handedly ruined my relationship with Trevor by sticking her huge probably fake tits out and playing the part of skank. “Why are they there Halley?”
“I told you just to visit and talk wedding stuff.”
“What wedding stuff Halley?” I was getting slightly annoyed because in all the wedding talk that’s taken place nothing has ever been mentioned about Trevor. I’ve been there for every bit of wedding talk, I’ve planned and helped prep most of everything she wanted but this has never come up. I pretty much assumed he wasn’t coming since he just left town the way he did. I knew there was a saying about assuming things and well, I definitely made an ass out of myself.
“I really think I should tell you in person.”
“No, I really think you need to tell me now.” I heard the bathroom door start to open and I began silently praying she would hurry and tell me so we could end this conversation before Luke could catch onto anything. We didn’t need this mess in our lives; things were finally perfect for us.
“Fine. Dammit Macy. Marcus asked him to be in the wedding and um, you two are going to be walking together.”
I clinched my phone so tight, I got scared for a second that I may actually have the strength to crush it. There was no way in hell I was going to walk with my ex fiancée who cheated on me while I was still pregnant in my best friend’s wedding. Especially with the fact that around her wedding was when the baby was supposed to be due. And I couldn’t face Taylor. Who knows what kind of animal would be unleashed. I mean it did make sense. I was the only female and I hadn’t heard of Marcus having a guy to walk. He had to have known someone else besides Trevor freaking James.
“Take him out of the wedding or I’m out. You didn’t even ask if I was ok with this Halley.”
“He’s Marcus’ best friend Macy. See this is what I was talking about. Having to choose between the two of you, it’s going to get hard. I’m getting married, I have to compromise now. It’s not just me anymore.”
Gag me. “Take me out of the wedding. I wish you two the happiness you deserve in life but I can’t be there that day. I hope you understand. I’ve got to go. Keep him out of The Lounge tonight and I mean it.”
I hung up before she could say another word and drew several deep breaths in and out trying not to cry or let Luke see that I was upset. She had to choose now to tell me. Well I mean I guess that is better than me finding out the day of the wedding. I just thought all my demons were gone, but here I was getting ready to have one confront me and tear down everything I’ve built up.
Luke walked up behind me, put his hands around my waist and began swaying. He caught me off guard and I prayed he couldn’t tell that I had been upset.
“What are you doing silly?” I turned my head to where I could see him as we continued to sway.
“Dancing with you of course. Is that ok? What’d Halley want?”
I hated lying especially to Luke, but I saw no other way around this right now. “Just to talk wedding. I told her I can’t help with anything today because I have to work later.”
“Was she upset?”
“She’ll live I promise. What are we dancing to?”
He started humming a tune. It didn’t sound like anything I’d heard before but it sounded soothing like when I listened to his heart beat earlier. I laid my head on his chest while we swayed listening to it vibrate as he hummed along. I breathed in his cologne and held the smell as long as I could. There was no way I would let Halley’s wedding and Trevor hurt my relationship with Luke. He finished humming and held me for a minute longer before letting me go.
“What time do you have to be at The Lounge?”
“Probably around 5. Is that ok?” Turning to face him, I took him in all over again. I loved this man so much.
“Yeah babe. I have a tattoo to do at the shop in a few. It’s an appointment that was made last week. Shouldn’t take too long. It’s a big piece but not that big. Pretty simple looking actually. Wanna come with me?”
I smiled and kissed his lips before offering my bargain to him. “Only if you give me a tattoo.”
He raised his eyebrow and looked at me. “What do you want?”
“Can you put a heart somewhere around my strength tattoo?” I let my fingers trace the outline of my tattoo as I waited for him to answer me.
“I can do that here but yeah, if you come with me I’d love to do it for you. I’d do anything for you.”
“Let me get dressed real quick.”
I ran into the room and threw on a pair of blue jean shorts with my cowboy boots and a pink tank top. I smiled at myself in the mirror and threw any thoughts of Halley’s wedding and Trevor out of my mind. Luke would be able to see straight through me if I didn’t put this front up. I ran the brush through my hair and pinned half of it back. As I made my entrance into the living room, Luke whistled.
“Let’s head out, if we get there soon I can get your tattoo done before the appointment and maybe we can christen the shop.” He winked and I almost let him take me now. I’ve been to the shop a few times with him. Mainly just to sit around and watch him work. He’s amazing at what he does.
His shop was literally down the road so it took no time to get there. We beat the appointment by an hour so he immediately drew the outline for my heart and placed it around one of the sides of the symbol and once he got it where he wanted it, he began working. It literally took about ten minutes and after he wrapped it with gauze, he began kissing my neck. I didn’t stop him, I like how dangerous this felt. It was the fact that any second, someone could walk in. I guess it’s the thrill of it all. He kissed up my jaw to my lips and the butterflies grew inside me. I pulled him on top of me on the table and managed to pull his shirt off and throw it on the floor. He reciprocated and hovered over me taking me in. He began fumbling with the button on my shorts and I helped him undo it while he began undoing his own. I could feel the heat inside my body rising as my shorts hit the ground. I wanted him now; I didn’t want to play around. I need to feel him. Several seconds later, he was inside me and I lost total control. With Luke, though I didn’t mind having no control. I could relax and go with his rhythm. There was so much passion between us, it was unreal and that never got old. It just made me look forward to every time we made love. I swear every time felt like the first time all over again. The butterflies never got old, the throbbing between my legs always felt like a whole new sensation. I had it bad for him. I don’t think that would ever change. At least I hope it won’t. When we finished I lay there trying to catch my breath then suddenly realized someone was about to come through that door to get their tattoo. We raced like teenagers trying to get our clothes back on. My shorts ended up on the other side of the small shop he must have kicked them accidentally. I pulled them up and straightened my shirt and not even two minutes later the guy arrived for his ink. Talk about a close call. I laughed silently then went to sit in the chair and play on my phone until he was done.
Halley had tried to text several times but I refused to answer her. I had nothing nice to say at this time. Anything I said was bound to start more than just a simple fight between us. We never fought and hardly got mad at each other. This situation was awkward and her bugging me was making it worse.
The first read, “You can’t ignore me Macy Young.”
And they continued, “It’s not my fault so quit taking it out on me it’s not my fault he did what he did.”
And yet another one came through. “You should have known he was going to be in the
wedding.”
“Oh you’d be glad to know he and Marcus are staying in tonight to play video games. Please text me back.”
She could wait. I was not in the mood right now. Matter of fact I was on cloud nine and she and her mess she was causing were not allowed in my life right now.
An hour later Luke finished the tattoo and the guy paid him. Luke sauntered over to me once the guy left and kissed my neck. “We can go for round two if you want.”
‘We could couldn’t we. Thanks for doing that tattoo for me. I love you.” I wrapped my arms around his neck and leaned in resting my head on his chest.
“I love you too. Let’s get going so we can get to The Lounge. We may be a little early but we can visit with Gary.”
I groaned and let my arms fall back to my side. All I wanted was a little alone time with him, we usually had a lot of it but with Halley’s wedding getting closer and me having to work tonight, this just wasn’t one of those days. He flashed me his best I’m sorry and I love you smile. I couldn’t stay mad at that face no matter what happened. Hand in hand, we walked to the Challenger and got in but he didn’t drive off until he kissed me properly with his hands in my hair and his lips locked to mine.
The drive to The Lounge was rather quick. It was the perfect Louisiana day. The humidity wasn’t too bad to where the air was sticky. You could actually walk outside and be able to breathe. My hair was even halfway cooperating and that was something I usually hoped for. I was kinda upset I had to work but in reality if I weren’t we would probably just be sitting at home or maybe we could have gone to the park and had a picnic. I took a deep breath and felt my chest rise and fall as I played Halley and my conversation over and over again. I trusted Halley when she said that Trevor and Marcus were staying in tonight but I still felt uneasy about the whole situation. Part of me wanted to tell Luke about the phone call and just get it out of the way but I just didn’t know if I was ready for that just yet. He was sure to be upset either way. We were having such a good day I didn’t want to ruin any part of it because of my ex.
I got out the car and walked up to the front doors. Gary opened a little early because typically there were a few regulars who liked to come in early and have a few drinks before it got rowdy. The evenings were usually filled with the younger crowd who had nothing better to do than get drunk and well act their age. Gary wasn’t in sight so we walked back to the office where I found him playing solitaire on his computer.
“You sure look busy Uncle Gary.” I smirked knowing good and well he was going to give me a piece of his mind.
“I am busy winning another game of solitaire. Thank you for working tonight for me, I really appreciate it. Is Halley coming to meet you?”
I felt like he knew something, but I doubt Trevor would call him. He sorta just ran out on Gary without saying anything when it all went down. He at least owed him a phone call after everything Gary did for him and the band. Gary took them in and gave them a place to play when they had no where to go.
“No, she and Marcus are staying in. She’s got her hands full with wedding stuff. Luke’s going to hang out with me though.” I playfully smacked Luke on the arm and smiled. If Luke weren’t here tonight, I was sure to lose my mind from stressing over Trevor.
“Don’t set my bar on fire this evening. I don’t feel like coming back to a mess.” Gary tried to look tough by crossing his arms over his chest but I knew he was joking. That was his ongoing joke with me, as if I would actually set the place on fire. Although if Trevor were to walk in tonight, I just may set this place ablaze.
“I’ll be sure to keep the matches out of reach.” Luke began laughing and soon I burst out in laughter too.
Gary waved his hand and mumbled something about me being a smartass. I wanted him to tell me something I didn’t know. Then he spoke where we could hear. “You know all the rules; I know you know how to run this place. I’ve taught you well enough. Have a drink or two, and have fun. You’re a lifesaver Mace.”
“I try. Enjoy your night Gary.”
“I will. I’ll see you later. Thanks again.” He got up and gave me a hug then shook Luke’s hand before leaving.
I took in several deep breaths praying that this night would go smoothly. Its bad enough I got informed over the phone that Trevor was going to be in the wedding alongside me, I didn’t need any more drama that involved him at least for the rest of the night. What in the hell was she thinking letting Marcus put him in the wedding and especially by me. Well I mean we were the only two people in the wedding but come on, it’s not like we were together when they got engaged. That relationship had already crashed and burned. We had both already moved on with our lives. Halley would get a call from me tomorrow and I would make sure she knew I was seriously not going to be in her wedding. I know her, she’s thinking I’m going to cave and still be in her wedding but it’s not happening. That was the only logical way I could play it safe and not be hurt all over again. I would just have to come up with something believable for Luke until he could finally know the truth. Life was more than peachy, it was perfect and I fully intended to keep it that way.
Chapter 3
A few hours after Gary left, more of a typical crowd began to form inside. At least a good forty people stood from the stage where the band used to play to the bar. I checked my phone maybe a whole two times since then and Halley was still texting and trying to call. I had to hand it to her, she was extremely persistent. She wouldn’t stop until she talked to me so avoiding her was pointless. But at the time, I didn’t care. I was more than capable of being able to stand my ground. Since we walked into the bar, I’d only had half of a drink. It was a relief to know that drinking wasn’t really necessary for me anymore; it was nothing but a crutch that kept me down and clouded my judgment. Sometimes that didn’t seem like too bad an idea.
The DJ just finished setting up karaoke and people were already beginning to file up there and sign up. I’d only watched karaoke sober a handful of times, maybe I did need to start drinking just to tolerate the drunk people that were about to think they had the voice of gold. These people just shamelessly stood up there and we all had the unfortunate pleasure of hearing it. Apparently they thought this was American Idol and it wasn’t. Nicki Minaj was not getting ready to send them through to Hollywood. I just wanted to send them out the front door. They weren’t going to win any grand prize. I crossed my arms over my chest and waited to hear the first song come over and the voice behind it that made me desperately want earmuffs. The poor girl was trying to serenade her boyfriend and he just stood there smiling at her encouraging her to finish. He should have pulled her off the stage if he really loved her. I reached for a shot glass and poured myself some whiskey. Luke appeared by my side laughing as I threw it back.
“It’s that bad babe?”
“Do you not hear it? Laughing hyenas sound better than this!”
“Well why don’t you go show them how it’s done if you think they sound that bad. I think it’s sweet the way she’s singing to him.”
My eyes shot daggers in his direction. Yes it may be sweet, but she should save that for just the two of them…in private. “Why don’t you?” I retorted, “I’ve heard you sing, makes me all happy inside. Who knows though maybe I will, maybe I won’t.”
He leaned over the bar and brought my face towards his. He parted my lips with his tongue and I eagerly kissed him back. The kiss was only maybe five seconds long, but with the way the crowd started cheering, you’d swear we had been making out naked for hours. I blushed and kissed his cheek one more time before grabbing a few beers out of the cooler for a guy standing at the other end of the bar. My eyes traveled the bar making sure there was no trouble and everything was calm and quiet. Just how I like it. Of all the nights I’ve closed the bar down without Gary there, I’ve never had a bar fight on my hands or any kind of trouble. Things always ran so smooth and I considered myself very lucky. I knocked on wood hoping to continue that tonight. Maybe it was the gui
lt of hiding the fact that Trevor is in town from Luke, but my palms were sweaty and I was terrified of anything happening. Terrified I wouldn’t know how to handle whatever could possibly happen and terrified of losing the one and only thing that meant the world to me. I couldn’t lose him.
I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and pulled it out to find a text. As soon as I saw the name on the message, I closed my hand over the phone hoping no one saw it. Not like anyone here would care, but mainly I didn’t want Luke to see. Good thing he had become self-absorbed in his conversation about tattoos with another guy sitting at the bar. The guy was interested in getting something added onto his partial sleeve and Luke was giving him ideas and prices. I silently thanked this guy for distracting him for me. Part of me wanted to see what the message said. I hadn’t heard from him since the day he said he was leaving town. That day when he sat on my bed showing me the stupid tattoo he had gotten of a charm bracelet that basically mocked the one he bought me when we were together. The bracelet that I once loved more than anything else. I treasured it and never took it off. The one that I threw in his face that night I caught him and Taylor making out inside The Lounge. He never called or texted since then and that’s how I liked it. He’d kept his word all this time and suddenly he was breaking it. I never once thought about what would happen if he broke his word. I never thought I’d have to. Shit.I angled my body to where if Luke tried to talk to me, he wouldn’t be able to see what I was doing.
My finger touched the message on the screen and the words popped up. “I’m so glad you want to see me Mace…..Halley’s pretty upset you know.”
My blood felt as if it were boiling. How dare he text me! Should I respond or let it be? If I respond then it just opens a whole new can of worms where he may potentially think it is ok to talk to me. If I don’t respond, he may still text until I do answer. Either way Luke can’t find out or I need to squash this ugly bug now. I glance over to Luke where he is sitting with his green eyes sparkling. They always sparkle when he’s talking about something he loves, like tattoos, his car, me….yeah they sparkle when he talks about me. His dark gray shirt had his chest muscles on display, it clung perfectly to him. When he made the slightest movement, his muscles could be seen through his shirt, like a perfect sculpture. Everything about him was sheer perfection and I knew that I had to protect myself and what was mine.
More Than Enough Page 3