Second Rate Chances

by S. C. Stephens

  “I have an idea that might get you out of trouble with your brother.”

  Her eyes sparkled as she spoke. Chance glanced at the mouthwatering meal before him, wondering what her “con” was. Peeking up at her, he said, “Yeah, and what is that?”

  She bit her lip and tilted her head. “Give it back.”

  “Give what back?”

  Makayla looked down to the tray of food she’d just given him. The scrambled eggs on his plate were still steaming, the thin trails of heat inching their way up to Chance’s face. Suddenly starving with food right in front of him, Chance popped a large chunk into his mouth. It was amazing.

  “Go back to the pawn shop today and get whatever you sold back, so you can give it to your brother. He won’t still want to hurt you if it’s returned. No harm, no foul, right?”

  Hearing her idea in full made Chance start to choke on his food. Coughing, he took a quick sip of water. He really hadn’t expected her to come up with that idea. He could not go back to Carl’s with her. That sort of environment was not somewhere Makayla should go. Plus, if he took her there, Chance could never go back there…he’d lose a valuable asset.

  Makayla’s eyes widened and she patted his back. When his throat was calm, Chance swallowed back the burning sensation and stared at her. “I…don’t think I can do that, Makayla.”

  Frowning, she shook her head. “Of course you can. Just explain what happened to the store owner and return the money. They’ll give it back to you. They won’t want to hold onto hot property.”

  Chance wanted to laugh but schooled his features. In the shops he frequented, half of the inventory was hot. Crap, how could he weasel his way out of this one? “Look, I get that you want to help me, Makayla, but giving what I stole back to my brother won’t really stop him from kicking my ass. He’s…he’ll do it on principle, just to teach me a lesson. I just need to give him some space, until he calms down.”

  Makayla sighed and threaded her fingers through his hair. “Maybe he’ll calm down faster if you return the loot?” Chance smiled at her word choice and Makayla grinned. “Besides, it isn’t just about getting your brother to back off.” Chance scrunched his brows and Makayla gave him a soft kiss on the forehead. “It’s about putting you on the path to being a better person.” She cupped his cheek. “It’s about redemption.”

  Chance dropped his mouth open. He felt his eyes start to water as he watched this angel trying to fix him. Redemption? How could someone like him ever be truly redeemed? She really was a gift. If only Chance really was just Colton Burke. If he really was trying to become the person Makayla hoped he could be…he was positive that her love and guidance would do it. If Chance could be Colton…then everything would be so much simpler.

  Chance set the tray on the night stand beside him and reached out for her. She pulled away, covering her mouth again. “Wait, I still haven’t—”

  Chance didn’t let her finish, pulling her mouth to his. Once they were engaged in a kiss steamier than the incredible food Makayla had provided him with, Makayla lost her objections. Her hands threading through his hair, she relaxed into his arms. Chance rolled her to her back. Makayla gasped and wrapped her body around his, pulling them flush together. As they kissed, explored, and caressed each other, Chance wished that he could give her the boyfriend she deserved. He couldn’t, but he could make her believe, if only for a short while, that he was that boyfriend.

  His lips trailing up to her ear, he murmured, “Okay, we’ll get it back.”

  Makayla groaned some sort of response and Chance smiled into her throat. Making her happy today would be worth losing a valuable asset like Carl. Besides, Chance had other places to relieve himself of stolen goods. Finding the electric spot at the crook of Makayla’s neck, Chance let out a satisfied exhale as he tasted her skin. Makayla arched against him, her fingernails digging into his shoulders. Anything to make her happy…for now.

  After a rousing session that left them both missing various articles of clothing, Chance and Makayla stopped themselves. Staring into her eyes, his body so hard and aching it was kind of painful, Chance panted as he watched her watch him. Her face was flush, her lips plump from their aggressive kissing, but she seemed satisfied and content…happy. Swallowing back the passion, Chance smiled and gently kissed her forehead. They were certainly getting closer, but today wouldn’t be the day they made love.

  Pulling her into his side, her back bare and smooth under his fingertips, Chance sighed and laid his head against hers. God, this was so nice, just…holding her. Her hand rested on his bare chest as her breath slowly returned to normalcy.

  Kissing her head, Chance felt something nearly painful bursting through his body. It hurt, but it was wonderful at the same time. He wanted to pretend that it wasn’t love he was feeling…that it was just extreme fondness…but he knew better. He was falling for her, hard. Wishing he didn’t have to ever hurt this beautiful, loving creature, Chance closed his eyes. “No one’s ever offered me a chance at redemption,” he whispered, meaning every word.

  Makayla kissed his chest, her lips warm on his cool skin. “Everyone deserves a second chance, Colton.”

  Chance swallowed, wondering if she’d still feel that way when this was all over. “You should get your food…it’s probably cold now.”

  Makayla peeked up at him, her eyes showing a level of trust that hadn’t been there just a few days ago. Smiling, she tilted her head at his tray on the night stand. “Yours too.” Giving him a kiss, she sat up. Chance couldn’t help but cup a breast; they were practically begging to be held, kissed. She did nothing to stop his lips from closing around one. Running her fingers back through his hair, she murmured, “I could heat yours back up?”

  Chance peeked up at her face. “If you heat mine back up anymore, I won’t be able to stop myself.”

  Giggling, Makayla leaned down to kiss him. “Well, you know how I feel about a man with no self-control.”

  Chance groaned and grabbed her head, but she ducked out of his embrace and stood up. Playfully out of reach, she stood before him, hands on her hips. Chance stared at her chest for a moment before forcing his eyes to meet hers; there was clear delight in her features as she teased him with her curves. Not bothering with a shirt, Makayla grabbed both of their plates of food and headed back to the kitchen to warm up their meals.

  Chance chuckled and shook his head as she left. God, she was beautiful. And honest, loyal, loving…all the qualities he was not. And now he’d have to take her to Carl’s and try and get his stolen watch back. Wonderful.

  An hour later, they were both in Chance’s car. Heading out of the city, Chance leaned his head against his hand as he drove. He really wasn’t sure how to get out of this one. He took side streets out of town, prolonging the drive as much as he could. Makayla didn’t seem to mind the scenic route. She had a soft smile on her lips as she stared out the windows, her hand on his thigh.

  Chance had to admit that New Hampshire was a beautiful state. He hadn’t been here when the famed fall foliage had come and gone, but the blossoming of spring was no less spectacular. Life was abundant everywhere he looked. The bright green crisscrossing his vision was nearly blinding in its radiance. Fields of pink and yellow wild flowers climbed up the hillsides. Chance imagined the life hiding beneath the beauty of nature around him. It was there, under the surface of the cool streams, in the depth of the brambles along the road. Try as mankind might, it would never completely abolish Mother Nature. Chance admired the woman’s fortitude.

  Much like he admired Makayla’s.

  Looking over at her, Chance cracked a grin. She was looking at the countryside like she’d never seen it before. Maybe she’d just been too busy living to notice. That happened a lot. They passed under one of the state’s famous covered bridges and Makayla gasped. When they emerged on the other side, she looked over at him.

  She was grinning ear to ear as she said, “Pull over.”

  Not minding anything that delayed a stop
at the pawn shop, Chance immediately pulled over. Shutting the car off, he twisted to face her, amused. “What are we doing?”

  Makayla instantly cracked open her door. “I’ve always wanted to see one of these bridges, but never got around to coming out here.” She hopped out of the vehicle and leaned on the door. “Let’s go walk through it.”

  Chance smiled and shook his head. “Why?”

  Grinning, Makayla stood straight and shrugged. “So we can say we did it.”

  Chuckling, Chance opened his door and got out. The covered beauty had large, open slats that allowed plenty of views of the rocky creek bed underneath it. Chance and Makayla held hands as they walked through it. The air was still crisp, so they stayed close together for warmth. Chance had never felt anything quite so perfect.

  They stopped at the halfway point and watched the water meandering underneath the bridge. Like them, the stream was slow, unrushed…peaceful. Chance wished it would stay that way, but knew that, also like this stream, he and Makayla were going to have some choppy times in the future. In the near future. It sort of broke his heart and he frowned at the slowly churning creek. Life could be so deceptive.

  With her head resting on his shoulder, Makayla didn’t notice his scowl. “It’s so beautiful, isn’t it?”

  She peeked back up at him and he instantly corrected his face. He grinned then gave her a soft kiss. “It’s perfect. I’m glad you asked to stop.”

  Slinging her arms around his waist, her grin turned wry. “Never miss an opportunity, right?”

  Chance laughed and shook his head. “Right.” Running his hand over her arm, Chance glanced down at the tattoo barely showing itself along his wrist.

  Looking at it more closely, Chance remembered the drunken night he’d gotten it. His father had been furious when he’d noticed it. “No distinguishing features, Chance!” he’d said. But Chance had been listening to the man for way too long, following his cons since birth, and he’d wanted to do something reckless and impulsive, something genuine…something that was only for himself. Smiling at the bright green symbol of independence on his skin, Chance flicked his eyes back to Makayla’s.

  “We should get you a tattoo today.”

  She blanched and pulled back. “What?”

  Chance nodded, his smile brightening. “Yeah!” His eyes roved over her body, looking for the perfect place for her to mark her own independence. He settled his gaze on the expanse of skin just inside of her hip. He had always thought that tattoos right there looked so hot on girls. “Something to mark this moment in your life.”

  Makayla raised an eyebrow. “You want me to get a tattoo…because I finally walked through a covered bridge?”

  Chance chuckled and held her body tight to his. “No, because you’re finally loosening up, you’re finally enjoying this world that you’re a part of. You’re finally learning that rules…aren’t everything.” Makayla smirked and shook her head.

  Well, Chance knew he was jumping the gun on his statement, but he did feel that the ice around her was thawing some, and even a small crack called for a celebration. Reaching down, Chance placed his clover tattoo on the spot where he’d loved to see her skin inked. Pretending that he was stamping his tattoo onto her, he murmured, “You only get one shot, Makayla, one life. If you don’t let go, and be a little crazy…then what’s the point?”

  He looked up at her, his eyes starting to mist over at the sudden loss that he felt. This was all he had with her…and he wanted her to walk away with at least one good memory of their time together. A good memory that she’d think about every time she looked at her body. It was the only gift he could give to her. “You have to live your life while you’re in it…because you never know when it might get snatched away.”

  His eyes filled to the brim as his heart squeezed. Even though they hadn’t been together all that long, Chance knew it was too late, she’d already found the chink in his armor, she’d already weaseled her way into his heart. And he was going to miss her…so much. Makayla’s fingers came up to brush his cheek. Chance blinked, not realizing his melancholy thoughts had transformed into tears. Slightly embarrassing, but also effective. Nothing evoked sympathy quite like a man crying. Swallowing back his rising self-hatred, Chance looked down. He was such a manipulative bastard.

  Makayla wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek as she held him tight. “It’s okay, Chance,” she whispered. Chance briefly wondered if she thought his tears were for the fake family he lost in the bombing, or the fake older brother that was out to get his hide. Either lie worked in his favor, so it didn’t much matter.

  Into his ear she muttered, “You’re right…I live too rigidly.” Pulling back to look at him, she gave him a tender smile. “I think a tattoo sounds like a great idea.”

  Wanting to bond their good memories into her skin before he took her to the pawn shop, Chance drove Makayla to a little tattoo parlor. Makayla’s face paled as she looked at the imposing ambiance of the place; it wasn’t exactly touting the dragonfly and rose petal tattoos. Pictures and drawings of every kind were along the walls, and most of them had skulls or buxom women. Not wanting Makayla to change her mind, Chance dragged her to the front counter.

  A woman was just finishing up with a man as they approached. She had different styles of ink etched into almost every surface of her skin. She was almost overwhelming to look at, and Makayla’s step hesitated. The whine of the tattoo needle probably wasn’t helping her nerves either. It was simple to ask for a tattoo, stomach churning to get one. Like it or not, the process hurt.

  “How can I help you?” she politely asked.

  Chance smiled at the cat paw prints making their way up the tattoo artist’s neck. He nodded his head at Makayla. “She wants to get her first tattoo.”

  The woman smiled and looked over to Makayla. “A clean slate…how refreshing. What would you like?”

  Makayla immediately spat out, “Something small.” Chance chuckled and Makayla looked over at him. Grabbing his wrist, she held his clover tattoo out for the woman to see. “One like his.”

  Chance’s eyes widened as he stared at her. He hadn’t expected her to want a matching one to his. His heart thudded painfully as he considered what that meant. She’d said she was falling in love with him, but Chance hadn’t really thought she’d meant it. People say they’re in love all the time. Chance himself had told countless women that he loved them. But he’d never meant it. Some dark part of himself had doubted that Makayla had meant it either. It was just too soon for her to feel any real emotion. But here she was, offering to permanently mark her body with a mirror image tattoo of his own. That…was irrefutable proof. She was falling for him.

  Pulling his wrist back, he gazed at Makayla for long seconds. “Are…you sure?”

  Lacing her fingers with his, she nodded. “Yeah, I was sure the moment you held your wrist to me. It’s what I want.” Her eyes searched his face and Chance had to swallow. He clearly heard what she really meant by that statement. You’re what I want.

  Chance had the strongest desire to rush her back to her bed when this was all over. Grinning at her, he nodded. “All right, then.” Looking back to the woman at the counter, he shrugged. “One clover tattoo.”

  The woman returned his shrug and smiled. “Right this way.”

  She brought Makayla over to a padded table in a private area. “Where would you like it?” Chance bit his lip, not wanting to speak his opinion, but hoping she chose the spot he’d fantasized about. Makayla glanced over at him and, pointing to the spot on her hip that he’d marked earlier, she said, “Right here.”

  The woman nodded and Makayla laid herself down. After adjusting her clothes enough so that the artist could work on her, Makayla closed her eyes and grabbed Chance’s hand. The artist smiled at Makayla’s reaction, then pointed to Chance’s wrist. “Show me again…I’ll make hers match yours.”

  Chance nodded, and exposed his wrist to her. The hum of the needle started and Makayla squ
eezed Chance’s hand so hard he heard something pop. Gritting his teeth, he bared through the pain. Makayla was shaking a little while her skin was cleaned. Chance didn’t think it was from the cold either. His heart warming as he watched her courage, Chance leaned over and kissed her forehead. She smiled and opened her eyes. Then the needle hit her. She immediately gasped and shut her eyes again.

  Makayla had tears in her lashes by the time her tattoo was finished, but she stoically didn’t make a sound. Once the area was bandaged up and Makayla was flooded with instructions on how to keep it clean, the pair were back on the road.

  Makayla’s cheeks were flushed as she stared out the window. Hoping she wasn’t regretting her hasty decision, Chance quietly asked, “You okay?”

  She glanced over at him and shook her head. “I can’t believe I just did that. I’ve never done anything that impulsive.” She started giggling. “Neil’s gonna flip.”