3. Chapter Two
Worry turned in Macs stomach as he thought about what went down yesterday. He had known Janie for years now and it wasnt like her to pull someone elses hair. Janie was always level-headed and well composed. He knew that wasnt always her, but in front of people it was. At the club she was always well composed, even when she was Little.
Part of him felt like there was something else going on there. That something was bothering her or had been. It didnt go unnoticed that she had bags under her eyes. She wasnt getting as much sleep as she should be and maybe something was bothering her. He had no doubt being a single mom was hard and it took a toll on her and continues to do so.
Mac wanted to help her in any way that he could. But he didnt want to overstep. She had gotten divorced over a year ago and he didnt want to push himself on her. She had a daughter and no doubt was putting her first.
Since Janie had her daughter, he had only seen little glimpses of her but never got to talk to her. Mac wanted to meet her daughter and get to know both of them better.
Mac wanted Janie and he had been dropping little hits here and there. But he didnt know if she had noticed or not. Maybe she had and she was just ignoring him and maybe she hadnt picked up on it yet.
Either way, he wasnt giving up. Until she told him straight up that she didnt want anything to do with him, he was going to continue. He had to.
She meant everything to him.
And he was going to prove it to her. He wanted to prove that her daughter could also mean everything to him. He didnt care that she had her daughter with someone else. He wanted to be the father figure in her life.
Sure, it may be too early to say that but Mac was sure about his feelings. He had interacted with Janie for years and seen glimpses of her daughter in the yard.
He was ready for that step in life. For both of them.
Mac knew it would take time, a lot of time, to get through to her but he was willing to do that. He had waited a year. What was one or two more years?
He walked over towards the window and looked out. Janie was walking out of the door with her daughter.
Perfect moment to go say hi.
Opening the door, he stepped out and turned towards her. If she asked, he was going to get his mail. He hadnt gotten it yesterday and no doubt had a bill in there that needed to be paid.
Hi, Janie, Mac said as he walked down his sidewalk.
Her daughter turned her head and waved at him, giving him a big smile. He couldnt help but smile and wave back.
So precious. Mac could see Janie through her daughter. So cute.
Janie stilled as she stared at him with wide eyes. She probably didnt think he was going to come out just now. They normally missed each other by several minutes but Mac had decided to take the day off.
He wanted to make sure that Janie was okay and didnt need anything after what happened last night. Call him protective and a mother hen, but he didnt care. It was different from how she normally acted, and he wanted to keep an eye out to make sure everything was okay.
Would she know that? No, but that was okay. She didnt need to know everything he did for her.
Mama! the little girl yelled and pointed at Mac. Even her little voice was so cute. The little girl tugged on Janies hand and she finally looked down at her.
Mac walked over towards his mail box, not wanting to encroach in Janies space anymore than he had to. He didnt want to make her uncomfortable by walking out at the same time.
Hi, Mac, Janie gently said as she looked back up.
He pulled his mail out and turned towards her. Hi, Janie. How are you feeling today? He asked.
Janie and her daughter walked up to him. Better than last night, Janie looked down at her feet. Sorry about that. I didnt apologize to you. I was a little rude when you pulled me away from Charlotte.
No worries. You did your time in the corner. All is forgiven and the slate is clean. He hadnt thought that she would feel bad about that. She had her time in the corner and he knew how much she disliked that.
Mac looked down at her daughter who was staring at him with big eyes. And who is this precious girl? he said as he squatted down in front of her daughter.
Eleanor, this is Mac, Janie said. Mac, this is Eleanor. My daughter.
Hi Ellie, Mac said and then looked up at Janie. Is that okay? Or do you want me to call her Eleanor?
Ellie is okay. I call her El, Eleanor, Ellie, Nor.
Relief rolled him as he looked back down at Eleanor. She was a precious girl. How are you, Princess Ellie? he asked.
She beamed up at him as he called her Princess. Mama! Princess, she yelled.
Yes, baby. You are a princess, Janie said.
A beautiful princess, Mac said. He didnt know how much she understood. He guessed from when he could remember her coming home she had to be around two years old. Old enough that she was starting to understand some things.
Macie! Eleanor yelled. Macie. Nice.
He cringed inside. It sounded like she was saying Mackie, but it definitely turned into Macie.
Mac, Janie gently said. Mac is his name.
Macie!
Janie sighed and Mac chuckled. That was going to stick now and there was no going back on it.
Im sorry about that. Ill try and get her to change it to Mac, Janie said. I dont know how long thats going to take but Ill work on it.
Mac stood up and looked at Janie. No worries. She can call me Macie.
Are you sure? I dont want you to say that just because itll make me feel better.
Im not. I dont say things I dont mean. She can call me Macie as much as she wants.
Janie let out a sigh and nodded her head. Well, Ive got to go. Ill see you around.
Mac watched as Janie walked away with Ellie and got her into the car. He couldnt wait until he had another interaction with Ellie and Janie together.
Mac sighed and walked back into his house. He placed his mail down on the counter before grabbing his keys and walking back out of his house. He wasnt going to stay in the house while she was out. He had some work he could do at the club. He did the financial side of the business and there was always something to do.
It got exhausting at points, especially when tax season was upon them, but it wasnt that bad. He got time off, well when he took it.
Mac had been taking more time off recently with Janie being divorced. He wanted to make sure everything was okay with her. Even though he knew she wouldnt ask him for any help. He wanted to be there if she needed it.
He worked from home several times to make sure things were running smoothly over at her house. He couldnt tell if this was the case or not. It had first started when they had recently gotten divorced. He didnt know why they did, but he wanted to make sure she was safe. It never looked like she was abused, but he didnt want to take any chances.
Mac pulled out of his driveway and made his way towards the club. He didnt know how long Janie would take and if she needed him she had his number. Though he knew she wouldnt use it. She never had and he didnt think she would magically now. No matter how much he told her she could text him if she needed anything.
Turning off his car, he got out and made his way towards the club.
Hello, Mac, Alice, the receptionist, said.
Alice, he nodded his head at her.
She was a nice girl and had worked for them as the receptionist since they first opened. She wasnt the only one who worked the front desk, but she was the one they all trusted the most. She knew what she was doing and didnt have to ask many questions. It was nice not having to be asked several questions a night about memberships and people wanting to get in.
I thought you were taking the day off, Finn said as he walked up to him.
I was, Mac replied. They made their way towards his office. He didnt know what Finn wanted to talk about.
Let me guess, Janie left her house and you had nothing to do, Finn said.
Mac stopped in front of his desk and turned around. How did he know what he was doing?
Dont give me that look. Every owner knows what youre doing when you take a day off or work from home, Finn said. It doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Thats why we said it was okay for you to work from home and didnt ask any questions.
Since when? Mac asked.
Since the beginning.
Mac let out a sigh. He thought it was pretty clever when he said his sister needed help with her kids. And sometimes it was true, but most of the time it wasnt.
Dont worry. No one else knows but us, Finn said. Not that it would matter. Anyone with two eyes could see what you were doing.
Fuck.
Had Janie figured out what he was doing? Was that why she was pushing herself away from him and pretending like she didnt see any of the hints he dropped.
Oh, Janie doesnt know, Finn said. Everyone with two eyes can see, but not her.
Mac didnt know how to feel about that. Part of him was relieved, but the other part wanted her to know, so she knew he was looking out for her.
On the topic of Janie, Finn sat down in the chair. How is she doing? That was really out of character for her to do that.
Mac sighed and sat down behind his desk. I havent been able to ask her about it. Her daughter was with her when I saw her today and they looked like they were going somewhere. I didnt want to hold her up, Mac said. He didnt know why he was telling Finn about that. It wasnt any of his business.
Something was definitely off though, Mac said. Something has been off for a while and I want to figure it out. He mumbled the last bit to himself.
Finn nodded his head and leaned back in his chair. So are you ever going to make a move on her? Finn asked.
Is this interrogation time? Mac asked. Is everyone dying to know what has happened?
Finn raised his hands. Nothing that you say is leaving this room. I was just curious, but if you dont want to talk about it, then you dont have to.
Mac sighed. Shit. Sorry. Im just worried about her.
So? Finn asked, pushing him to answer the question.
He said he didnt have to talk about it, but Mac knew Finn. He wanted to know and was going to ask until he finally got the answer he was looking for.
No, I havent made a move. She has a child, Mac said. Shes super protective of her daughter and I just met Ellie today after being her neighbor for years.
Finn looked at him and blinked several times.
I dont want to push her into something she doesnt want. I dont know what all she has going on but being a single mom is no joke, Mac said.
Yeah, isnt your sister a single mom? Finn asked.
Yes, she is. I help when I can. I have no doubt Janie is going through what my sister did. Maybe not exact but similar.
So, are you going to walk out on them? Finn asked.
Mac growled and glared at him. Fuck no. I want to be in their lives. Fuck. I even want to be her daughters dad. I love Janie and have for several months now.
So, what are you going to do about that?
Fucking nothing right now, Mac said. She hasnt given me any indication that she likes me. Ive been dropping hints towards her.
Finn crossed his arms. Everyone at the club can see that Janie likes you.
Mac rolled his eyes. Sure, Janie talked to him and joked around a little. And he did catch her looking at him several times but that didnt mean anything. Janie could just be really friendly with him.
I think you should do something. Give her a little push, Finn said. I dont think itll hurt.
Mac shook his head. He didnt want to push her too hard. What if the hints he had been giving her were pushing too much?
How did her daughter react to you? Finn asked.
She seemed to like me, Mac said. Waved and gave me a big smile. Didnt shy away.
Mac left out the part of her giving him a nickname. No one else needed to know that. Not because he was embarrassed about it but because he wanted it to be between the three of them. He wasnt ready to share it with everyone yet. He wanted to cherish it.
Thats good. If her daughter doesnt like you then there wouldnt be any chance with you, Finn said. But the good news for you is that she likes you.”
Doesnt matter. Im not doing anything, Mac said.
I really think you should. Ive seen the way Janie looks at you. Shes definitely interested in you.
Mac was happy to hear that, but he was still hesitant. What if she didnt want him?
Ill think about it, Mac said and sighed. He had thought about it so much. Probably too much, but he was going to think about it more. He needed to come up with a plan or something.
Dont think for too long, Finn said as he got up. You may talk yourself out of it. Or you may take too long and someone else could swoop in and take her.
Mac growled at that. He didnt want anyone else to have her. Call him selfish, but Janie was his.
Janie and her daughter. They were a deal package and he wanted both of them.
Ive got to go. Charlotte is probably wondering where I am, Finn said. Ill see you later.
Later. Mac sighed and leaned further into his chair when Finn walked out of his office. How was he going to get any work done now when he had things to think about?
Was he going to make a move? Push her a little? Mac didnt want to push her too far and make things worse. Would he know if he pushed her too hard? Would she tell him?
He stopped thinking about that. He would know and he wouldnt push her too far. Mac had known Janie for years. He knew her. He just needed to come up with some sort of plan on how to show her he wanted her.