Chapter 13 – Maggie
Dallas gives me a long, sideways look, his eyes lingering as if he’s about to say something but holds back.
I was hoping my casual demeanor would be convincing enough. I try to play up the whole, I’m just a twenty-year-old, what could I possibly know? act, banking on my innocent appearance. But apparently, you can’t outsmart a former Marine.
“Why do you ask?” he responds, coolly.
I shrug innocently, “Just making conversation.”
“Bullshit,” he responds as if he’s bored with my games.
I puff out a breath of air. “Fine. You’re right. Is he doing something illegal? I know he’s engaged in some sort of extracurricular activity that isn’t safe,” I lower my voice so no one else in the co-op can hear.
“Oh, you know that, Maggie?”
I nod my head rapidly. “I work at the hospital. I took the X-rays for his rib contusion and spent the night at his apartment when he got discharged since he wasn’t supposed to be alone. I saw your name listed as his emergency contact on the intake paperwork.”
He folds his arms over his broad chest. “Isn’t that a violation of patient confidentiality?”
Second person to ask me that in a matter of a few weeks...
I shrug in response.
He chuckles, the sound unexpected and almost disarming coming from his serious frame. Taking a step back, he studies me intently, as if he’s deciding whether I’m trustworthy. I straighten my posture, trying to convey that I can keep a secret.
“I’m not one to spill someone’s business,” Dallas says, giving me a warning look, “but it sounds like you already know more than 99% of his family does. He could use the support, sure, but more than that—he needs to start sharing what he’s up to.
If he doesn’t, he’s going to run himself into the ground, just like with that rib incident.
” His voice drifts off for a moment. “The kid doesn’t know when to stop.
It’s like he’s gunning for a first-class ticket to pain. ”
I nod my head like I know what he’s talking about, but I’m completely lost, feeling like he’s speaking in a riddle.
He taps his fingers lightly on the table before grabbing another handful of sunflower seeds and popping them in his mouth. “You said you spent the night with him after his hospital stay?”
“Yes, well, I don’t know if it counts. He didn’t know I was there until the morning.”
Dallas raises his brow.
“Ok, I know how that sounds, I’ve just divulged two illegal things that I’ve done in a matter of one conversation, but I was doing it for his safety.
He’d taken a bunch of pain medication and might have had a concussion.
Either way, it wasn’t safe for him to sleep alone so… I broke into his apartment.”
His expression is completely unreadable as he continues to watch me. Suddenly, I’m nervous and feel completely out of my depth.
Why do I care what Clay does in his free time? I look like a stalker, breaking into his apartment and now digging for info.
I shake my head, “Sorry, forget I even asked. That was stupid of me.”
He’s silent for another beat before he speaks again, “You know what? This might be fun. Clay deserves to get scolded by a woman after the way he acted during his last event.”
At least someone recognizes the fact that I’m a woman and not a little girl.
“He’ll be at 78 Broad St in San Angelo at seven tonight for the fight. If you end up showing, knock on the door twice and say you’re there for the match. I doubt they’ll ask for a code since you’re a pretty, young woman, but if they do, the code is ′Angelo.’”
“Seriously? The code is ‘Angelo?’” I chuckle, trying to mask the nerves that have now surfaced after finding out Clay is mixed up in some sort of underground fight club.
Was he one of the guys fighting tonight or just watching? Is he participating in illegal betting?
My intuition says he’s fighting but imagining Clay going blow for blow in a ring makes my stomach flip.
Dallas flashes one of his trademark smirks. “Yeah, these guys have definitely taken a few too many hits to the head. Guess originality’s not their strongest suit.”
I smile back with a laugh. Despite his intimidating presence, I’ve always liked Dallas. I knew that there had to be a softer side to him for someone like Dove to marry him and I’m seeing a glimpse of that now in his genuine concern for what Clay is up to.
“Thanks, Dallas. Not sure if I’ll make it tonight, but I appreciate the info.”
I glance at the time and realize that I’m already running late for dinner with my dad at the station.
I quickly finish sorting the blueberries, stacking the containers in the freezer before heading toward the front door.
Just as I reach for the handle, Dallas’s voice calls out, stopping me in my tracks.
“Hey, Maggie!”
“Yeah?”
“I’m pretty good at reading people and their body language—comes with the territory, you know. And I can tell there’s more to your interest in what Clay is up to, isn’t there?”
I fight the blush that I know is creeping over my chest. At least Clay didn’t tell him about my embarrassing confession last summer.
He nods his head, “Boy’s kind of fucked up, but I’m sure you already know that.
He’s got it in his head that he’d prefer to be alone the rest of his life.
With that said, he’s one of the most loyal guys I know.
Don’t let him try to say it’s an age thing for you two to work.
I’ve seen more barriers than you’d believe try to keep people apart. ”
I nod again and smile, “Thanks, Dallas, but I’m not interested in Clay like that.”
At least not anymore.
"We’re really not even friends. I may not even go tonight. It’s a long drive.”
He gives me a knowing look with another smile, “Sure, take care, Maggie.”
****Thirty minutes later****
“So, tell me how your online classes are going this summer?”
I twirl my fork, wrapping the spaghetti pasta around it four times until none of the cool metal is visible.
“They’re good. Just sticking with the two easy ones until I head back to school in August.”
My dad nods, a warm smile spreading across his face. His feet are propped up on the desk in his office at the station, and a white Styrofoam container rests comfortably on his lap—takeout from one of our favorite Italian spots in town.
“And how was it being back and seeing your old friends at Lucy’s?”
“It was fine.”
I know I’m being short, and guilt immediately creeps in, but my mind’s not here tonight.
I can’t stop wondering what exactly Clay is doing in San Angelo, fighting.
It’s almost six now, and Dallas said the fight starts at seven.
Instead of catching up with my dad, I’m mentally calculating how long it will take to drive all the way to San Angelo—and if it’s even a good idea.
What I said to Dallas was true. It’s not like Clay and I are really friends. So, what is it about him that keeps pulling me in, even when he’s made it clear he’s not interested in anything with me?
“And boys...?” my dad asks from across his desk.
I know he’s just doing that thing where he worries about me.
He wants me to have a normal life—dating, marriage, all of it.
He’s mentioned more than once how marrying my mom was the best decision he’d ever made despite losing her so young.
I’ve even overheard him talking to his brother, my uncle, saying how one of his biggest regrets was not giving me any siblings.
His exact words were, “When I’m gone, who will she have? No one."
It bothers me that he’s thinking like that already. He’s still young, healthy. He doesn’t need to keep stressing about me and where I end up.
To be fair, I haven’t dated anyone since Kaleb—my high school boyfriend and the only guy I’ve ever slept with.
It probably doesn’t help that my dad couldn’t stand him.
Kaleb didn’t exactly make it easy either, always dropping me off after curfew, cussing, and getting suspended for sneaking peach schnapps into a school football game.
Not exactly the guy you’d want your daughter with.
“No, no boys dad. I’m just focusing on the internship and working at the Co-op right now.”
He nods, a flicker of disappointment crosses his features, and I immediately get that only child disappointing their surviving parent guilty feeling again.
“But I am about to start a new hobby,” I add, hoping that will make him feel better.
“Oh really? What’s that?”
“Well, I got super into weightlifting while in Houston and I’ve decided to pick that up here but try Pilates instead.
I’m going to take a training course and become an instructor for the summer.
Figured it’d be a good way to keep active and distract myself during my down time.
Plus, it’ll help manage my symptoms with my condition. ”
My dad sits forward, a wide smile crossing his handsome face. “That’s great Maggie. I think that’s an excellent choice. Maybe you’ll meet someone at a Pilates class.”
I wince because I really do know he means well, but the fact that he’s bringing that up, again, doesn’t help matters.
I force one of my extra sweet smiles, “Sure, maybe dad.”
I go back to stabbing my spaghetti, this time with a little more force.
My mind drifts back to Clay and what he’s doing tonight.
Sounds a little more exciting than sitting in the fire house talking about my non-existent dating history with my father.
Suddenly, the firehouse alarm blares, cutting through our quiet dinner.
I can hear the rapid footsteps of the firefighters rushing toward the trucks through the closed door.
“Ah, damn, Maggie. Hate to ditch dinner, but I should be on that call,” my dad says, standing up quickly.
I wave it off, trying to act casual even though my mind is already elsewhere and I’m relieved to have an out on this conversation. “No big deal.”
He leans down and kisses me gently on the top of my head. “You’ve always been so understanding. I’ll see you at home later tonight?”
“Yeah, sure.”
The moment the door clicks shut behind him, I’m on my feet, tossing out the empty take out cartons and tidying up his office the way that I’ve done since I was a kid. Anything to keep myself from thinking about driving to San Angelo to see Clay.
Anything to distract me.
Ten minutes of pointless cleaning later and his office is so spotless you could lick the floor. I know that I’ve lost the fight.
Keys in hand, I’m out the door, ready to uncover the mystery that is Clay Cameron...