Second Rate Chances

by S. C. Stephens

  Murmuring something into her skin, he brought his mouth back to hers and pressed his body into her sensitive spot. Makayla squirmed under him, feeling a wild, uninhibited emotion start to take her over. She envisioned him rocking against her harder and faster. She imagined tossing her head back, crying out in ecstasy. She even allowed the fantasy version of herself to unbutton his jeans, release that glorious manhood. The bold, brazen figurative version of her allowed him to unfasten her jeans, pull them off her hips. Her vision of themselves didn’t notice her hairy legs, they only noticed the fabric keeping their body parts from connecting.

  As the real Chance pressed against her again, Makayla’s imagination visualized him entering her. She cried out, for real or in her head, she wasn’t sure. Then the image of themselves in her head were moving harder and faster, rocking together, pulling apart, sliding in, sliding out. She was panting, feeling the approaching eruption of satisfaction. Her vision of him moaned her name, riding into her deeper and harder. She arched her back, feeling the crest. Oh God…yes…

  “Makayla?”

  The real Chance’s voice snapped Makayla out of her erotic fantasy. He wasn’t on top of her anymore, but resting close to her side, watching her with an eyebrow raised. Makayla was startled to realize that she really was nearly panting…and nearly was ready to explode. Embarrassment instantly doused the fire in her. Wow. Well, that’s what years of neglect will do to a person she supposed. She’d made up for a lack of real contact with an overactive imagination. And it had clearly run away with her…

  Shaking his head, Chance looked down at her heaving body. “Are you…do you want me to…?” He bit his lip, looking unsure how to finish that question.

  Covering her face, Makayla shook her head and wiggled out from under him. “No, sorry…I don’t want to…go there just yet.” Standing, she straightened her clothes and her hair. Chance rested back on his elbow and watched her, his face amused. Feeling heat in her cheeks, Makayla sighed. “I just got a little…carried away.”

  Chance grinned. “I noticed.” Shaking his head, he added, “Did you even need me here?”

  Makayla dropped her head into her hands. Chuckling, Chance stood up and came around to her. He pulled her hands down. “It’s okay, Makayla. You don’t need to be embarrassed. Watching you was…something else,” he whispered, tucking some hair behind her ear.

  Sort of wishing she’d let him leave a while ago, Makayla sighed again. “Sorry, it’s been a while since a man has…” She scrunched her nose. “Yeah…anyway.”

  Chance raised his eyebrows, surprised. “Really?”

  Makayla frowned, crossing her arms over his chest. “Really? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Chance quickly shook his head. “Nothing, I didn’t mean anything bad…just…I’m surprised.” His hands drifted down her body. “You’re gorgeous.”

  Makayla smiled and looked down, not sure how to respond to that. Luckily Chance seemed to realize that he was making her feel even more awkward. She felt him place a chaste kiss on her forehead, then he gave her a quick hug.

  When they pulled apart, he was smiling at her affectionately. “I really do have to leave. Can I call you after my shift?” Makayla nodded and his smile widened. “Good…maybe we can arrange for another date?” She nodded again.

  Unhurried, Makayla led Chance to the front door. Glorious afternoon sunlight was streaming through the windows. They’d lounged in bed for a considerable amount of time…Makayla hadn’t done that for a while either. It was nice. Twisting the knob, Makayla swung her door wide for Chance and sighed. She was actually going to miss him.

  He couldn’t leave yet, though.

  Neil stood in the doorway, hand raised like he’d just been about to knock. Blinking in surprise, the slight man’s eyes flashed between Chance and Makayla. “Hey,” he muttered to Chance.

  Chance smiled. “Hey.”

  Edging around a stunned Neil, Chance told Makayla, “I’ll call you later.”

  Smiling idiotically, Makayla nodded. “Bye.”

  Neil watched Chance walk over to his car and get inside it, then he twisted back to Makayla. “You shaved your legs, didn’t you? Makayla…”

  Narrowing her eyes at him, Makayla twisted her lips. “No, no I didn’t, thank you very much. I’m not a complete skank.”

  Neil rolled his eyes then twisted to look back at Chance’s car leaving the driveway. Makayla waved. “Really?” he muttered, looking back at her with a raised eyebrow.

  Makayla frowned, then grabbed his hand and pulled him into the house. “I didn’t sleep with him, Neil.” Smiling, she shook her head. “Well, no, that’s not true. I did fall asleep with him.” Neil closed the door and twisted to face her. She shrugged at him, a happy sigh leaving her lips. “It was nice.”

  Eyeing her warily, Neil asked, “Did you check all your stuff?”

  Makayla sighed again, not so happy this time. “He didn’t steal from me.” Makayla bit her lip, hoping that was true. She hadn’t noticed anything missing, but…

  Neil grunted. “You’re not completely sure about that…I can tell.”

  She shrugged, walking over to the couch. “He said he’d never steal from me…and I believe him.” Shaking her head, she watched Neil take the spot beside her. “I think he wants to change, Neil. I think he wants to be a better person. There was just something…” She bit her lip, thinking for a moment. “At times, he almost seemed bothered or embarrassed, like it was a compulsion…something he couldn’t control.”

  Neil stared at his hands for a moment, silent. After another second, he peeked back up at her. “Are you sure that you’re not just seeing what you want to see…or what he wants you to see?”

  Now Makayla stared at her hands, silent. Finally, she shook her head. “I’ll be careful, Neil.” Smiling, she looked up at him. “But I feel something…and you know how long it’s been since I’ve felt…anything.”

  Neil sighed then slung his arms around her shoulders. “Okay, but just don’t get too attached to him, Makayla. Sometimes people can’t change…and sometimes people don’t want to change. You really don’t know his story yet, so you can’t really know where his head is at.” He placed a soft kiss in Makayla’s hair. “I don’t want to see you get hurt, Mack.”

  Makayla laid her head on Neil’s shoulder. “I’ll be careful,” she whispered.

  After Makayla showered and dressed for her casual Sunday off, she and Neil did what they always did on Sunday afternoons, they headed to downtown Plymouth to have coffee at one of the local delicatessens. They tried alternating which one they went to, so as to avoid routine, but lately they’d been frequenting the same three cafés. It was mainly because they were avoiding one particular café. So Makayla was naturally surprised when Neil pulled into the parking lot of that café, a charming, rustic seaside themed restaurant named, Driftwood.

  Cocking an eyebrow at Neil, Makayla asked, “Are you sure you want to come back here? We could get scones at Marie’s?”

  Neil sighed, “We’ve gone to Marie’s the last two Sundays.” He glanced at Makayla’s lap. “And Sofia will kick your ass if she finds out about the scone habit you’ve been developing.” Makayla pursed her lips and Neil sighed, looking up towards the building they’d both been staying away from for months. “I can’t hide forever, Mack…we live in the same town.” He looked at Makayla and shrugged. “I don’t want to alter my life because of him.”

  Makayla bit her lip, then nodded. “Okay.” Opening her door, she smirked and added, “But we’re not tipping him.”

  Neil smiled and cracked his door. “Well, of course we’re not.”

  Feeling very proud of her best friend, Makayla looped her arm through his. They walked through the front doors together and Neil’s eyes immediately focused on the “Please Wait to be Seated” sign. Makayla immediately scanned the diner.

  It was a touristy place, decked out to look like the inside of a ship. The windows were all circular, like port holes. The wood su
pport beams were rough, like sail masts. Fishing nets lined the walls, with realistic sea creatures caught inside them. An elegant mermaid and merman embraced each other in a softly gurgling fountain near the center of the establishment. The smaller, two-person tables looked like old beer kegs. The larger tables, while lacquered smooth, looked like they’d come fresh from a tavern in Middle Earth.

  Truly, the place only needed its employees to dress up like pirates to complete the theme. A captain’s wheel was even attached to the hostess booth. The owners hadn’t taken the idea that far yet, and only crisp black shirts and light khaki slacks adorned the waiters and waitresses. It took Makayla exactly five minutes to spot the nicely dressed man that she’d really been hoping wouldn’t be at work today. Neil’s ex…Adrian.

  A peppy hostess grabbed two menus and started leading Neil and Makayla to a back corner of the room. Neil kept his eyes glued on the young girl’s back. Makayla sighed. The woman was leading them right to Adrian’s section. He was standing at a table nearby, talking to an elderly couple with his back to Neil and Makayla.

  As the hostess fanned her arm out to the table she’d chosen for the couple, Makayla considered asking her to move them. Neil may be alright with being in the same building as Adrian, but Makayla doubted he wanted to be served by him. Before she could speak, though, Neil thanked the woman and sat down.

  Makayla hesitated, then sat opposite the keg-table from him. Leaning back in her plush chair, Makayla studied Neil. He was staring at the menu like he’d never been here before. Leaning forward, Makayla tipped the menu down. Neil glanced over at her. “Are you sure about this?”

  Neil looked over his shoulder. Adrian was still there, obliviously chatting with the graying couple. Adrian hadn’t spotted them yet, so it was now or never if they were going to get away. With narrowed eyes, Makayla studied Adrian’s back. He was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome. He had the long, lean physique of a man that cared about his appearance. He had the face of a model. Makayla had seen more than one woman attempt to get his attention, but Adrian wasn’t into girls, hadn’t been for a long time.

  Looking back at Makayla, Neil shrugged. “I’m fine, Mack…really.”

  He swallowed and looked back at the menu again and Makayla sighed. She wasn’t sure why Neil was torturing himself. He’d really cared for Adrian. They’d had a whirlwind romance in the fall. Makayla had never seen her friend so cheery. But…like all whirlwinds, it had eventually faded. At least, on Adrian’s end, it had. Makayla suspected that Neil wasn’t as “over” Adrian as he let on.

  Makayla was just about to grab his arm and yank him out of there, but a voice stopped her.

  “Makayla?”

  Makayla looked up into the most gorgeous set of green eyes she’d ever seen. Yeah, Adrian had deep green eyes against dark black hair. He was breathtaking. It was so unfair. Pursing her lips, Makayla nodded. “Adrian…good to see you.” Not really, but, no need to be rude.

  Adrian smiled at Makayla. “You too, it’s been a while.” Makayla flashed back to when the three of them used to hang out all the time. An ounce of sadness filled her…those had been good times.

  Adrian’s eyes slid over to Neil; he was staring over Adrian’s shoulder, not looking at him directly. “It’s good to see you, Neil…it’s been forever…”

  Neil swallowed, then looked up at Adrian. Makayla saw a moment of pain flash over Neil’s face, but Adrian didn’t seem to notice it. He only gave him a warm smile. Neil’s eyes washed over his ex’s face. “Yeah…it’s been a long time…you look good.”

  Neil cringed, like he hadn’t meant to say that. Adrian smiled, tilting his head. “So do you.”

  A look passed over Adrian that Makayla didn’t like. It was a look of interest, much like the look that she’d seen on his face several months ago, when he’d first noticed Neil, almost in this very spot. Neil didn’t need to go down that path again. They’d been an adorable couple, but their breakup had done a number on Neil. He was only now getting over it.

  Breaking the lingering eye contact between the two guys, Makayla leaned forward. “I’ll have a tall, skinny latte and a blueberry muffin.”

  Her voice was all business. Adrian swallowed, then looked over at her. “Okay, I’ll get that right up for you.” He looked back to Neil. “What would you like, Neil?” His voice implied more than his question and Makayla frowned.

  Neil looked down. “I’ll have the same…thanks, Adrian.”

  He peeked up at him with the corner of his eye and Adrian winked. “Anytime, Neil.”

  Makayla frowned even more as Arian turned to fulfill their orders. Neil sighed and she stopped watching Adrian’s back to look over at her friend. His eyes wistful, he stared at a spot on the ancient table. “You okay?” she asked, reaching her hand out to touch him.

  Neil glanced up and sighed again. “Yeah, it’s just hard, remembering how we used to be…”

  He sighed again and Makayla frowned. “He’s not the one for you, Neil. Remember how you broke up?” Neil hung his head and nodded. Patting his hand, Makayla sighed. “I don’t mean to bring it up…I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

  Neil peeked up at her and grinned. “I’ll be careful,” he whispered, mimicking Makayla’s earlier response to his concern about her dating a thief.

  Adrian came back moments later with their food and drinks. He lingered afterwards, like he wanted to talk to Neil some more. Makayla instantly engaged Neil in a conversation, distracting him from the attraction that was Adrian. Repeatedly glancing at Adrian, Neil took a minute to fully engage her back. He finally did, though, tuning the attractive waiter out as steadfastly as Makayla. Adrian sighed and walked away.

  Makayla wanted to cheer for her friend’s fortitude, but Neil looked so glum she couldn’t. She patted his hand and was rewarded with a small grin, his adorable, playful dimples just barely showing themselves.

  After her meal, Makayla excused herself to use the bathroom, or the “head,” if she wanted to stick with the nautical theme of the restaurant. Neil was staring out the window when she left him. Makayla prayed that Adrian didn’t take her absence as an opportunity to pester Neil again. Even though Adrian had been the one to harshly break it off with Neil, coldly telling him that it would never work between them and they both needed to move on, Adrian still seemed interested. Maybe he was hoping for a little sex-with-the-ex. Hopefully, Neil wouldn’t fall for that.

  Makayla stopped in front of the bathroom door that she assumed was the women’s. The only markings on the two doors were a picture of a starfish and a picture of a swordfish. She was hedging her bet on the starfish door. Bracing herself in case she was wrong, Makayla pressed on the heavy, oak door. She paused when a voice raised in anger got her attention.

  “No! You’re not listening to me. I didn’t say that…I’m just saying that maybe…”

  The voice quieted to a point where Makayla couldn’t hear anymore. Intrigued, she peeked her head around the corner. A hallway led to the inner workings of the restaurant. Makayla could see the swinging doors of the kitchen, hear the hustle and bustle of pots and pans as the cooks in the “galley” started to prepare the evening grub. Adrian was leaning back against the wall, shaking his head as he whispered into his cell phone. He looked…mad.

  While Makayla was grateful that the man wasn’t bugging Neil, she was instantly curious about his heated conversation. Sighing, Adrian ran a hand back through his hair. He seemed different as Makayla watched him…older, tired. Suddenly, Adrian flicked his gaze up her way. He instantly spotted her. Makayla had been too absorbed in watching him to dart out of his vision. So much for her super spy skills. Maybe Chance could help her with that?

  Straightening, Adrian muttered a goodbye to whoever he was talking to and shoved his phone back in his pocket. He frowned at Makayla and she instantly wished she’d just gone into the bathroom. Really, whatever problem Adrian was having, didn’t concern her or Neil. All the better if he was having man troubles. He sort of d
eserved it in Makayla’s eyes.

  Adrian glanced around the hallway. Just when Makayla was about to apologize for eavesdropping, Adrian shrugged and muttered, “Boyfriend issues…”

  Makayla nodded and twisted to leave; it really wasn’t any of her business, even if it did make her a little happy that he was having…issues. “Hey, wait…” Adrian walked up to stand beside her and Makayla paused, wondering what he wanted from her. Biting his lip, Adrian glanced behind her to the dining area. “Has Neil…mentioned me…since our split?”

  “Not without swearing.”

  Makayla twisted her lips at the gorgeous heartbreaker in front of her. If he thought he could avoid his turmoil at home by cozying up with her friend…well, he was sorely mistaken. Adrian raised an eyebrow at her statement, then smiled. “Yeah, I suppose I deserve that.” He sighed, his face turning serious. “I wish things were different…” He looked over her shoulder again. “Being with Neil was easy…” he sighed and whispered, “and really complicated.”