Evan suddenly perked up, turning to the sound of the music that was playing from inside the house. He smiled, a real, genuine smile, his glassy eyes suddenly lighting up. “I love this song.”
Maggie listened hard, trying to make out the first few chords of the acoustic song playing from the sound system inside. “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters. She smiled. It was a great song.
“Dance with me?”
Surprised by this unexpected question, Maggie watched Evan get to his feet. Her heart suddenly jumped up into the back of her throat. He moved around the table, holding his hand out for her, and all she could do was stare at it hanging in the air between them.
“I thought this wasn’t a date …” She smirked, meeting his eyes.
Evan looked over her head a moment, contemplation evident in his blue gaze which highlighted the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Can’t two friends dance to ‘Everlong’ in the dark?”
Maggie laughed under her breath, looking down, but then she took his proffered hand, allowing him to pull her to her feet.
Evan guided her away from the table to the corner of the deck. With one hand holding hers, he placed his other hand on her waist, pulling her closer, so close their bodies were almost touching.
With a racing heart and goose bumps erupting all over her skin, Maggie looked up at Evan through her lashes, smiling shyly when his gaze dipped down to her lips like it had before their almost-kiss in the kitchen only days earlier. But this time, she was ready. She was expecting it. She wanted it. She’d never felt herself react to anyone the way she was reacting to Evan.
When his eyes met hers again, he lowered his head, inching closer and closer, and the moment their lips touched it was as if the rest of the world simply slipped away. And there, in the dim light of the lanterns and the citronella candles, with nothing but “Everlong” playing softly in the background, Evan kissed Maggie like she’d never been kissed before. And it was better than perfect; it was how it was always meant to be.
Chapter 31
Maggie was on cloud nine. The kiss. It lingered. As if Evan’s lips had burned her, his tongue had marked her, his hands had branded her so for the rest of her life she would forever feel him; with one kiss he had claimed her. She was now ruined for anyone else; she knew that much was true and she didn’t care.
She’d never even come close to imagining kissing another man while Tom was alive. Tom had been it for her; he’d been all she’d known and all she had ever wanted. Now, it was almost … Tom who? She felt a pang of guilt at that thought, but she quickly smothered it. She refused to feel guilty over her happiness; it’d been a long time coming and she wasn’t going to apologize. This was a new Maggie. Maggie 2.0.
She didn’t know what the kiss with Evan meant; she didn’t want to read too much into it. For all she knew, it was just that—a kiss shared in a meaningful moment, which she would remember forever. But it wasn’t just the kiss she couldn’t shake, it was Evan. Her heart had shifted, and with that shift her feelings had changed, too. He’d confided something in her that no one outside of his immediate family knew; that had to mean something, right?
Pulling up to the curb outside the ice cream parlor where Jack and Katie were standing, Maggie smiled, her joy almost exploding when she noticed the two of them were holding hands. She knew not to make a big deal out of it—the last thing she wanted to do was embarrass her son—but it was difficult. Did this mean Jack had a girlfriend? He looked so happy. It was hard to believe after the state he’d been in only a couple weeks earlier. This was good. Better than good. Things were finally starting to look up, for everyone.
Jack opened the back passenger door for Katie, and she slid across the leather seat, Jack following suit. Maggie caught his eye in the reflection of the rear-view mirror and he tried so obviously to ignore her. When he chose to look out the window instead, she noticed his cheeks flushed pink, and she bit back her smile, pulling out onto the road.
“How was the movie?” she asked after a few silent moments, suddenly feeling like a creepy Uber driver.
“It was good,” Katie said dreamily. “Funny …”
You barely even watched the film, Maggie wanted to say. Instead, she switched topics. “Did you go for ice cream?”
“We got some ice cream and then went for a walk along the dock,” Jack responded, and then something passed between the two teenagers in the back which caused Katie to giggle like, well, like the schoolgirl she was.
Maggie grinned to herself, deciding that instead of the forced small talk she’d turn the radio on, anything to mask the teenage tension hanging in the air. Thankfully, only a few minutes later they were pulling up outside Jane’s house.
“I’ll walk you to your door,” Jack said, glancing at Maggie in the rear-view mirror.
Maggie nodded, proud of her son’s gentlemanly offer.
“Thanks for the ride home, Maggie.” Katie smiled sweetly at her before getting out of the car, Jack trailing closely behind.
“So cute,” Maggie murmured with a contented sigh as she watched them tread the stone path that led through the front yard to the porch. Of course, she didn’t want to be a total creep, so when they reached the front door and she saw Jack lean in a little closer, she quickly looked away; watching her son end his first date with a kiss was not something on her list of things to do before she died.
Moments later, the front passenger door opened and Jack slid in, bringing with him a dizzying air of lust-filled happiness. Maggie glanced sideways at him as she started the engine, biting back her smile at the look on his face.
Oh boy, she thought. He’s got it bad for that girl …
“Katie really likes you,” Jack said after a few silent moments, flashing her a glance. “She was like, ‘I wish my mom was as cool as yours’,” he repeated in a high-pitched timbre.
Maggie raised a defiant fist in the air. “Mission complete. All I ever wanted in life was to be a cool mom.”
“You are a cool mom, Mom.”
Tucking her now shoulder-length hair behind her ear, Maggie blushed at his compliment, his words tugging at the pained strings of her heart. Her son was well and truly back. “Thanks, honey.”
She could feel him looking at her for a moment longer and when she turned toward him briefly, she saw his discerning, inky-blue eyes study her closely. “What is it?”
“I know I’m just your teenage son,” he said mockingly, “but if you ever wanna talk, you know, with Dad gone and all? You know you can always talk to me, Mom.”
Considering herself, she clutched the steering wheel a little tighter before quietly confessing, “Evan came over for dinner tonight and we kissed.”
She turned in time to see Jack gawp at her and she swallowed hard, wondering if she’d made the right decision in telling him. His face was completely unreadable, and her anxiety flared.
“You … k-kissed him?” he asked, the words clearly hard for him to say.
She nodded. “I like him.”
Silence settled between them as she continued driving. It wasn’t heavy or light, it was nondescript and that only fueled the uncertainty roiling in Maggie’s belly.
Suddenly, Jack spoke. “I think he’s good for you.”
Maggie did a double take, staring at her son as he looked straight ahead out the windshield.
He continued, “The way you smile when he’s around … I haven’t seen you smile like that in a long time. Not even before Dad …” He glanced at her then, and despite the sadness flashing in his eyes from the mention of his father, his smile was spectacular. “You deserve to be happy, Mom.”
Maggie released the breath she’d been holding. She smiled again, but this time her smile faltered from the emotion overwhelming her. Reaching out, she touched his hand, squeezing it tight. She loved him more than the world, and she was so glad she had him back. He wasn’t just her teenage son he was one of her two very best friends.
They drove in companionable silence through the dark,
tree-lined roads, Maggie humming along to the song playing on the radio while Jack tapped out a text message on his cell, probably to the very same girl he left less than five minutes ago. Maggie smiled, but as they rounded the bend in the road, blue and red lights flashed blindingly from up ahead and she was forced to slow down.
“Is that the cops?” Jack asked, leaning closer to the windshield.
Maggie’s heart sank into the pit of her belly as memories from only a few months earlier came flooding back to her, the night they’d returned home from Jack’s baseball game to find the police waiting outside their house.
She hadn’t realized it until right at that moment, but that night still haunted her. Her heart thundered, her palms went clammy, the skin at the base of her neck pricked as she was forced to come to a complete stop behind the car in front.
“Must be an accident,” Jack said, worry evident in his tone. “There’s an ambulance, too.”
Maggie snapped out of her haunting memories, clearing her throat. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Jack craned his neck to the side. “Wait! Is that Evan’s truck?”
“What?” Her voice was raw, broken, as if she had no air in her lungs to get the word out. But before she could even react, her son had unfastened his belt and opened his door quicker than the speed of light, anxiety emitting from him as he exploded out of the car.
“Jack!” Maggie screamed, coming to before hurrying out of the car. “Jack, wait!”
She chased after him as he weaved his way through the chaos of broken glass, a wayward bumper, two police cruisers and a Do Not Cross tape. She grabbed him when she got the chance, but it was too late. She gripped Jack’s arm, staring at the shocking sight of Evan’s shiny Dodge truck wrapped around the thick trunk of a sycamore tree on the side of the road. Smoke billowed up from the caved in hood, the windshield was shattered, the smell of burning rubber and fuel hung heavily in the air. Maggie’s wide eyes searched the scene frantically, but there was no sign of Evan anywhere, and she didn’t know if that was a good thing or not.
“Excuse me, ma’am, you’re gonna have to step back.”
Maggie gaped at the burly officer as he appeared out of nowhere, standing in front of her. “W-where is he?” she stammered, staring at the man as tears pricked her eyes. “Where is Evan?”
“You know Evan?”
She nodded quickly. “Yes … he was … he was just with me at my house. We had dinner together … less than half an hour ago … I-I don’t understand.” She shook her head in an attempt to make some semblance of sense of everything.
Evan had crashed his truck on the way home from her house. Had he had too much to drink? Perhaps she shouldn’t have let him drive. She could have given him a damn lift back into town on her way to collect Jack.
The officer gently yet forcefully grabbed Maggie by her arm and guided her away from the horrific scene, leading her to the other side of the cruiser so she didn’t have to look at Evan’s mangled truck. Jack followed closely, not letting go of her, his presence comforting despite the chill coursing through her.
“It looks like he swerved,” the officer said, his voice low. “Probably an animal in the road. Deer, likely. That plus this darkness … We’ve been trying to get the city to put a goddamn street light on the bend.”
Maggie didn’t mention Evan had been drinking. She kept her mouth shut, praying to whatever God was listening that Evan would be okay. He had to be.
“He was in a pretty bad way. They’ve taken him to Sacred Heart down in Manchester. His sister’s been contacted.”
“Shit,” Maggie hissed under her breath. Turning to Jack, she looked up at him. “We should get back to Jane’s, check if they need anything.”
Jack nodded, grabbing her hand, and he jogged the way back to the car, pulling Maggie with him. Her legs were like jelly as she tried to keep up with him. She felt hollow, like she had no fight left in her, but she knew she had to do something. Evan was hurt. Jane would need her, need help. This was the best she could think of on the spot and, getting back into the car, she made quick work of starting the engine and performing a three-point turn, heading back toward town, toward Jane’s house as fast as she could.
***
Jane was standing outside by her SUV by the time Maggie pulled up to the house. She was obviously crying and beside herself while being consoled by her husband, and Maggie didn’t hesitate in getting out of the car with Jack and running down the driveway.
“Is he okay?” Maggie gasped as she reached Jane. “Are you okay?”
Jane turned, her cheeks streaked with tears and, instinctively, Maggie pulled her into her arms, glancing at Brad over her shoulder. He looked frazzled, running his hands through his hair. He shook his head, blowing out a breath, his hand resting on his wife’s arm.
“Are you heading to the hospital?”
“I’m going,” Jane managed through a sob. “Brad’s staying here with the kids.” She pulled back, wiping her tears with trembling hands. “I don’t want the boys to know what’s going on.”
“I’ll come with you,” Maggie said defiantly, and when Jane went to say something, Maggie interjected. “Jane, you’re not driving like this. I’ll drive and Jack can stay here and help Brad and Katie with the boys.”
“Maggie, I can’t ask you to drive me to Manchester, I—”
“You’re not asking me.” Maggie grabbed her hand. “I’m insisting. Let’s go.”
Jane gave Brad another hug. Maggie kissed the top of Jack’s head and, holding on to Jane’s hand, she pulled her down the driveway to her car, wasting no time.
Chapter 32
Maggie followed the darkened highway toward Manchester, the glow of the car’s headlights illuminating the way. Nothing but the gentle hum of the radio filled the void of silence between her and Jane, accompanied by the occasional sound of Jane’s worried sighs and emotional sniffles.
“Are you okay?” Maggie asked after a beat, reaching out and touching Jane’s arm. “Are you warm enough? Need me to turn the heat on?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Thanks, sweetheart.” Jane shifted in her seat, sighing heavily. “I just … I don’t even know what he was doing driving around at night so late. He’s normally at home, or at the pub. He drinks a lot … more than he should,” she added with a defeated tone. “I’m always worrying about him. I told him he could move into our house. Live in the apartment over the garage. But he refused. I hate that he’s all alone in that loft over the boat shed. He shouldn’t be alone.” With another sigh, Jane whispered, “God, I hope he’s okay.”
Maggie gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. Now that she knew what Jane was referring to, it made her stomach knot and pull. Nerves twisted in her chest, and she knew she had to be honest with Jane. She wanted to be honest with her. “Jane, I need to tell you something.”
Feeling Jane’s gaze settle on her, Maggie stared at the road ahead as she continued, “Evan was at my house tonight.” She flashed her a sideways glance finding Jane’s face masked with confusion. She explained further. “I invited him over for dinner. To thank him for all his help with the house and … well, with everything. He’s really been there for me over the last few weeks.”
Jane blinked, releasing a breath.
Maggie turned back to the road. “He told me everything.”
“He did?” The shock in Jane’s voice was evident.
Maggie nodded, feeling Jane’s questioning, slightly incredulous gaze burning into the side of her face. “He told me about Hannah.”
“He … he’s never told anyone about Hannah.” Jane’s voice was quiet and contemplative. “Wow … he really does like you.”
Maggie felt tears sting her eyes as guilt suddenly settled heavily in her belly. “He had a couple beers tonight, but he seemed fine. He wasn’t drunk, or anything.” She shook her head, raking her teeth painfully over her bottom lip. “We were too busy talking and laughing to drink too much. We danced … It was perfect—”
Maggie glanced at Jane to find a confused smile playing on her lips. “Yeah.” She didn’t know why, but for some reason she couldn’t help but laugh as she admitted, “To ‘Everlong’.”
Jane laughed then, and not just a small humorless giggle, but a loud barking laugh that echoed through the quiet car. And suddenly, the two women were laughing together as if it were the funniest thing they’d ever heard. But when the moment was over and the laughter died, reality settled in.
Maggie sighed. “Maybe he wasn’t okay. Maybe … maybe I shouldn’t have let him drive.”
“Don’t say that.” Jane’s hand rested on Maggie’s arm. “Don’t blame yourself. Evan’s smart. If he’d had too much to drink, he wouldn’t have gotten behind the wheel of his truck. He’s responsible. Trust me.”
Maggie nodded. Jane was right. Evan was fine when he’d left.
“Look, I know he drinks a little too much, and he’s kind of a playboy, but he wouldn’t do anything stupid.” Jane’s voice, although tremulous and full of emotion, was reassuring as she patted Maggie’s arm. “He’s going to be okay. I know he is.”
“I hope you’re right.” Maggie managed a small smile as she glanced at her. “Because I really like him, too, Jane. And I know you’re worried and scared that it may be too soon for me, but trust me when I tell you …” She paused, considering her words, knowing she could be about to admit more than she wanted to. But she needed Jane to know her feelings toward Evan were real. “Tom and I were over long before he passed away.”
“What do you mean?”
Swallowing the lump at the back of her throat, Maggie continued with reluctance, “Evan is the only other person who knows the truth. I can’t risk my boys finding out …”
Jane shifted beside her.
Releasing a shaky breath, Maggie continued, “Tom had been cheating on me before he died. He’d been planning on filing for divorce … I only found out after the accident. I had no idea.”
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