Contents
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
More about Shannon
Books by Shannon
Where to Find Shannon
Next Book in the Rock Hard Gym Series
To the love of my life. SC SC SC Roll Tide Roll
PROLOGUE
“Prom is in a week and I still gotta buy a dress. I don’t know what I am gonna do if I can’t find the right one. This is the tenth dress store we’ve been to.” Lindsey Stewart sat sulking on the bench of the Twin Oaks mall surrounded by her two best friends Molly and Josie Anderson.
“You’ll find one Lindsey; it just takes time to find the perfect one. One that shows off those big boobs you’re blessed with.” Molly replied as she smiled and stifled a giggle while trying to comfort her friend.
“Whatever. Yours are a lot bigger than mine.” Lindsey spat back as she slapped Molly’s right boob.
“Hey, keep your hands to yourself, you biatch.” Molly slapped Lindsey’s hand away. “You ain’t right girl.” Molly snorted as her sister Josie stared off into the crowd of shoppers.
“Hey, Lindsey do you think you and Mac are gonna get married?” Josie asked as she sipped her Orange Julius.
Lindsey sat back on the bench and sighed “I don’t know. Mac has been acting kinda weird lately. I don’t know what his problem is.”
The two sisters sat as Lindsey told them about Mac standing her up not once but twice in the same week. “I had to walk home from school twice this week. When I asked him what was wrong, he said he forgot and then changed the subject.”
“That doesn’t sound like Mac at all, Lindsey.” confused Josie confused asked, anyway. “He hasn’t explained at all?”
“Nope, he keeps on changing the subject every time I mention it. What do you think I should do?”
Molly quickly jumped into the conversation and replied “Well if it were J.R. doing that, I would hound the hell out of him till he told me. But that’s me, Lindsey.”
Josie shook her head in agreement “Oh ya me too. If Erik pulled that I would make him tell me, even if it meant threatening his manhood.”
The girls laughed, and Lindsey finally arrived at her decision as she stood up and grabbed her bags from the floor “Can y’all drop me off at Macs’ farm? I’m just gonna make him tell me what is going on. It can’t be that bad. I mean come on. We are seniors in high school, nothing is that terrible that can’t be fixed, right?”
***
Turning down the long drive towards the main house Lindsey was nervous, her head told her everything was okay, but her heart kept telling her that Mac was hiding something, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to find out. Molly pulled up in front of the large white house and stopped just in front.
“Okay, girl Good luck!” the sisters shouted as Lindsey got out of the car and walked up the stairs to the large front door. Lindsey looked back at the girls and waved as she approached the door, her nerves were almost getting the best of her, and she felt like she would vomit. She did not understand why, but something tied her stomach up in knots, maybe it was the feeling that Mac was hiding something she didn’t know, or it was the fact that she was heading into a confrontation. She hated confrontations, and maybe she was just over-reacting and just fearing the worst. She would soon find out.
She stood in front of the large oak stained door debating on knocking but before she got the change Mac opened the door.
“Lindsey, what are you doing here? I was gonna come pick you up in about an hour. I just had to finish up some chores.”
Lindsey looked up through her eyelashes at the tall dark-haired boy smiling up at him her heart skipped “Do you think we could find somewhere and talk Mac?”
“Ya, sure just let me grab Jasper. I was just getting him ready to go for his walk. You can go with me.”
Mac grabbed the dog leash as the little brown dachshund followed him out the door. “What’s going on Lindsey? Is everything okay?”
“Well, Mac that’s why I am here. Is everything okay with you?”
“What do ya mean, Lindsey?”
“Well, you’ve been acting kinda weird lately. Like, you’ve, forgotten to pick me up a couple of times, and you’re always making excuses for why we can’t hang out. What’s going on Mac?”
This was the chat he had been trying to avoid.
“Nothin’, I’ve just had a lot on my mind is all.”
“Well, talk to me then. I wanna help.” Lindsey begged as she attempted to take hold of Mac’s hand, but he swatted it away.
“Lindsey, just drop it okay. It’s nothing. I promise.”
Mac turned around and grabbed Lindsey’s hand “Let’s get Jasper walked, and we will go down to J. R’s and go swimming in the farm pond. Whatcha say?”
“Ya, sure. Sounds great! I gotta go over to my home and get my suit.” Lindsey replied as she attempted to reconcile her head and her heart and what just happened. He just pushed my hand away like I have some kind of disease or something. I don’t care how much I gotta nag him now he is gonna tell me what the hell is going on with him.
“Alright, let me run into the house and grab mine, and I’ll be right back.” Mac picked up Jasper and headed towards the house. “If you want you can come inside. My momma is in the kitchen baking banana bread.”
Lindsey strolled up the stairs and opened the door of the main house. Hearing a voice in the back of the house as Mac’s momma Helen MacLoud shouts. “Back here Lindsey come on back! I am just getting the bread in the oven. Would you like a glass of tea, Sweetie?”
“Oh, no thank you, Ma’am. Mac and I are headin’ to J.R.’s house to go swimming.”
It was then that Lindsey noticed a distinct change in Helen MacLoud’s face. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it “Oh, that’s nice Lindsey. Do you think the water is warm enough right now to go swimming?”
“I’m not sure ma’am it was Mac’s idea. If it is too cold, I won’t stay in long.” Lindsey laughed.
Helen laughed and replied “I supposed not. Just make sure Mac starts the truck or gets a fire going out there so if it’s too cold y’all can warm up. Y’all don’t wanna get sick.”
“No ma’am prom is next week. I definitely don’t wanna be sick at Senior Prom.”
There it is again. Ms. Helen’s face grimaces every time I mention Mac or doing something with Mac. She knows what going on I just know it. But I can’t ask her to tell me, it wouldn’t be proper. No, screw that I am asking.
Just as Lindsey was getting the courage up to ask Ms. Helen what was going on with Mac, she heard his voice yell for her as he bounced down the stairs. “Come on Lindsey, let’s go before it gets too late.”
“Alright on my way!” Lindsey thanked Ms. Helen then headed for the front door of the house to meet Mac.
***
“Let’s sit under the tree here, and I will get a fire started, so if the water is too cold, then we have a place to warm up,” Mac commented as she began to pick up sticks around the tree. Lindsey laid out the blanket and then sat down. “Where are J.R. and Molly? I thought they were coming?”
“Nope just me and you Lindsey. Is that cool?”
“Oh ya, it’s perfect. We don’t get enough time alone together.”
“I agree. This way we can sit and watch the sun go down and chat. Spend some doing whatever.” Mac grinned at Lindsey as her mind started to wonder.
I do love that smile of his. How the dimples appear in his cheeks when he smiles, the curve of his smile as it disappeared into them. I just want to make Mac happy, then maybe one day we can finally be together forever.
Mac sat down and wrapped his arm
around her shoulder staring out at the water of the small farm pond as Lindsey leaned into him.
“Mac, can I ask you something?”
“Of course, darlin.”
Lindsey paused for a moment gathering her courage “Do you love me? Like really love me?”
“Of course, I do Lindsey. Why would you even ask something like that?’
Lindsey shrugged her shoulders “I guess I just wanted you to remind me.”
Mac smiled and took her cheek in his hand pulling her into him. “Lindsey, I will love you til the day I die, and I want to marry you more than anything. But I also want you to be sure.”
Lindsey raised an eyebrow “Be sure? What do you mean to be sure?”
“Just that I want you to be sure that you want me?”
“Well duh, Mac. I am here with you, aren’t I?” Lindsey laughed kissing him then tackling him to the ground sitting on top of him as he laid flat on the ground.
“Is that what has been on your mind?” Lindsey asked.
Mac looked up at her and then past her towards the sky “Yeah, that’s it!” But that wasn’t it. Mac wanted Lindsey to experience the world and enjoy college life. He knew he would have to tell her that soon before it was too late. But every time he felt like it was the right time- it wasn’t. Just as Mac was preparing to spill his guts, Molly and JR strolled up to them and sat down.
“What’s up? Asshole.” JR teased tossing a pinecone at Mac.
“Not much we have just been talking. Been debating on getting in the water.”
“Have you checked it yet? Or have you two just been here playing grab-ass?” JR asked grinning.
“If those are my only choices then grab ass.” Both boys busted out in laughter as Mac helped Lindsey off his lap and onto the ground.
“Hey now!” Lindsey gruffed.
“Sorry, we’re gonna test the water. Why don’t you and Molly go change behind the bushes.”
Lindsey grabbed up her suit off the blanket and grabbed Molly by the arm dragging her to the bushes. Molly is stumbling to keep herself upright as they dipped behind the bushes.
“Can you believe him?” Lindsey snorted.
Molly glanced at her friend as she pulled her shorts down and slipped them off. “What do you mean?”
“He practically threw me off his lap. What kind man does that?” Lindsey pouted.
“Oh Lin, I think you are acting a little overly dramatic It was more of a toss.” Molly attempted to defuse the situation.
“I don’t think he meant anything by it; it was just spur of the moment. Ya, know, Mac wouldn’t deliberately hurt you. He just wanted to get at JR, I would blame JR, he has broad shoulders. And besides, he wouldn’t care either way.”
“Yeah, I guess your right Molly maybe I’m just seeing something that isn’t there.”
Slipping her shirt over her head, dropping it and attempting to tie the bikini top she turned and asked Molly for help. As Molly tied the top, she asked: “Did you talk to Mac yet about what’s going on?”
“Yeah, he said nothin’ but then later said he wanted me to be sure I wanted to be with him. It’s weird. So, basically, I am still as clueless as I was an hour ago.”
“Well, maybe he will tell ya later.”
“Maybe, I think he was just getting ready to tell me when y’all came over.”
“Oh, sorry Lin.”
“It okay, I am just guessing. I think Mac’s momma knows though.” Lindsey replied.
“Oh, yeah! How do you know?” Molly said slipping her shorts off.
“I just got this feeling when I was talking to her in the kitchen that she knew. I mentioned going to prom, and her face got all crazy.”
“Crazy how?” Molly wondered.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” Lindsey replied as she grabbed her clothes and headed towards the boys who were already in their swimming trunks.
“Come on girls the water is great!” JR yelled splashing water towards the girls as they approached the shoreline.
The girls jumped into the water as the boys got onto the rope swing. Competing on who could jump out the furthest as the girls watched. The competition went on for well over an hour when Molly yelled to JR that she was hungry, and she wanted to leave. JR pouted but eventually relented, and the pair left as Lindsey and Mac dressed.
“You wanna go to Sweeny’s for something to eat?” Mac asked as he opened the door for Lindsey.
“Yes, please. I am so hungry I could eat a whole hog.”
Mac grinned as he walked around the truck to the driver’s side. “Well, let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”
Lindsey smiled and scooted closer to Mac. “I do love this old truck Mac; in the new ones I can’t sit next to you.” Lindsey placed her hand on Mac’s thigh as he pulled away from the farm and on to the highway.
Mac watched the road, and as Lindsey started to kiss his neck, he pulled away from her.
“Alright, that’s it! I wanna know what the fuck is going on with you Mac MacLoud and I want to know now.” Lindsey screamed at him.
“I told you nothin Lindsey now drop it.”
“I will not drop it. You are gonna tell me now even if I have to grab the wheel of this truck and make you pull over.” Lindsey started to grab the wheel just as Mac pulled to a screeching stop in the gravel next to the highway.
“Lindsey, I am asking you please drop it.”
“No, I will not drop it. Now tell me. Now.”
“Fine if that’s how you want it. I am seeing someone else. There. Now you know.” As the words leaped from his lips, he couldn’t believe he had just said those words. He wasn’t seeing anyone else; he just wanted Lindsey to have the college experience and not be tied down to him. She would be leaving for Emory University in the Fall, and he would be here in Rockmound working the farm and hopefully getting a job in construction, or he would join the military. He knew how to build and fix things. He was smart and more than capable of going to college, but college was expensive, and his family was nowhere near having the ability to pay for it, so it was the military, working the farm or a job. Mac was leaning towards the military, and maybe once Lindsey was graduated from college, they could have a life together, but he wasn’t going to force her to give up her dreams of going to college to marry him.
Lindsey sat in silence for a moment then tears ran down her face. She was speechless; she wanted to scream, she wanted to hit him, but all that came were tears. Lindsey grabbed the truck door handle and opened it, Mac attempted to grab her arm, but she shook his grasp loose. “I hope you burn in hell Mac MacLoud. Don’t ever talk to me again. I gave you my heart, and this is how you treat me. You cheat on me. Who is it? No, I don’t wanna know. Just leave me alone.” Lindsey ran from the truck, tears falling as fast as her legs would carry her
CHAPTER ONE
Fort Bragg
Fayetteville, North Carolina
2015
Staff Sergeant Jamie Duncan “Mac” Macloud tossed his gym bag into his truck, leaned against the door and lit a cigarette. Three hours of Physical Therapy is plenty for anyone. Why the fuck Stone’s gotta take four is beyond me. He muttered to himself taking another drag as he looked around just in time to see a beautiful blonde civilian walk past him. Mac turned to watch her as she walked away. He recognized her but hadn’t gotten the nerve to ask her out at least not until this very moment I guess the 4 shots of whiskey and the couple of beer chasers before PT helped. I be Damned if she wasn’t lookin fuckin hot today! Tossing his cigarette into the smoker’s corner bucket he chases after her.
“Hey there ma’am, are you lost? You look lost.” Mac grinned waiting for her to turn back towards him, hoping she didn’t have something in her hand to hit him with. That’s all he needed was to get decked in front of the clinic by a chick.
Lindsey Stewart stopped dead in her tracks, spun around, coming face to face with Mac, who was now standing only inches away, she could smell the mix of his cologne and sweat. She had seen him
in physical therapy a few times, he was cocky, as usual, and self-centered, and sexy as hell. Of course, he knew it. She recognized Mac as soon as she saw him, but she could tell by the look on his face he didn’t recognize her.
For Lindsey, thankfully, it was a blessing in disguise she wasn’t ready to face Mac. She had too many other things she needed to do rather than to deal with the past. It was both stomach turning and sad, but he still turned her legs to pudding with just a look. Crossing her arms, she took her stand and replied “No, I know exactly where I am going. Is there something I can help you with Staff Sergeant?” Her eyes narrowed and her face grimaced as she tried not to smile. He had always intrigued her; she wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t as if she wasn’t surrounded by cocky soldiers every minute of every day, but Mac was different. It didn’t matter though she would be headed back home to Tennessee soon and she would never see him again.
Mac grinned then stepped back for a moment, he liked her, she’s got spunk and attitude, but something about her that… seemed familiar to him. Shaking it off he went back to the subject at hand, Lindsey, although he didn’t know it was her. At first, he wasn’t sure how to react she actually took him off guard and he struggled to get his bearing. This was new territory for Jamie MacLoud, he wasn’t used to dealing with a strong, independent woman. Most women would fall naked at his feet or at least that was how he liked to tell it.
“Well... I am waiting…are you just going to stand there like some grinning… like some damned hyena or are you going to tell me what you want.” She exclaimed trying not to crack a smile.
Mac straightened his shoulders and gathered his thoughts. “Well I thought we could have dinner tonight?”
Lindsey erupted in laughter “Ya know what, yeah why not, I might as well. I’m hungry and I could use a drink how about I meet you at the “The Landing Zone” around six?”
Mac smiled and snickered “Alright, I will see you then. Don’t be late and where something you can take off easily.”
Lindsey wanted to deck him at first but replied instead with “I could say the same to you.” handing him her business card as she turned and walked away.
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