10. Chapter Nine
Mac sighed and grabbed his dishrag. He started to clean the counter where he made a mess. His mind wasnt there with him but worried about Janie.
He wanted to be with her, take her out. Mac also had a feeling she was trying to do everything on her own. Well, it wasnt necessarily a feeling. He knew she was trying to do everything on her own. He could see the bags under her eyes when he talked to her earlier. She was exhausted. How much sleep did she get? Why was she running herself to the ground?
Several people had made sure she knew she could go to them for help. But she was stubborn and never called or texted them. He had told her several times that he was there for her. At least this time she said she would try to call him. But he knew that it wasnt going to happen.
She was an independent woman. And he loved that, but he also wanted her to know that if she needed to lean on someone, he was there for her. How he was going to get that across to where she understood, he didnt know. He had tried several things but nothing seemed to work.
Mac had partially lied to her. Janies sister, Joann, had texted him several months ago that she normally took Eleanor on Thursdays. So Mac made sure that his one day off a week was on a Thursday.
Joann had also texted him yesterday that she was picking up Eleanor. She knew he was interested in her and trying to make a move. Joann was on board with it and said she could tell how much he cared for her.
Mac cared for Janie a lot.
He sighed and moved his way towards the sink. He had a cup from this morning he still needed to wash.
Macs phone went off and he slowly made his way over and checked it. The guys knew he was off today and wouldnt even be working from home. It was his one day off to completely relax and not do anything work related. He tried to give himself time off so he wouldnt get burnt out from work.
Looking at the screen, he saw Janie was calling him. What was wrong? Why was she calling him?
Hello? he asked. Have you reconsidered my offer?
He wanted to play it off and not panic her if anything was off. Who knows why she was calling him.
Mac heard sniffles through the phone and his whole body went rigid. Shit. She was crying.
Whats wrong? he asked. Where are you? Are you okay, Pinky? The only thing he could hear was her sniffles and small cries through the phone. His heart started to beat faster and she wouldnt respond. What was wrong? Was someone holding a gun to her?
Janie, he gently but firmly said. Where are you? Whats wrong?
Janie took a deep breath in.
Im o-on the s-side of the r-road on th-the high-highway, she cried through the phone.
Janie, where on the highway? Are you in your car? he asked.
He grabbed his car keys and headed towards the front door.
I d-dint want to call you and b-bother you but my s-sister cant be h-here for another hour, she said. Im n-nervous.
Its okay, Pinky. Everything is going to be okay, he gently said. He could hear her crying even harder after he finished talking. Did something else happen that made her cry?
I-Im sorry, Janie whispered. I dont wa-want to bother you.
Janie, I want you to listen to me, he said. Are you listening?
Y-yes.
Mac unlocked his car door and hopped in. He so badly wanted to leave and find her, but he didnt want to head in the wrong direction and it took longer to get to her.
You arent bothering me one bit, he said. Im glad you called me. Janie didnt reply to him but he didnt expect that. Can you tell me where you are? Ill come get you, he said.
No, she replied. I d-dont know why I called you. Im sorry. I really didnt mean to c-call you.
Stop, he commanded. He didnt need her panicking and spiraling out of control. He needed her to be calm and collected.
I really can wait for my sister, she whispered.
Janie. I want you to listen to me. Im going to come pick you up, he said. Now, can you tell me where you are?
Janie rattled off the last mile marker she saw.
Good girl, he said. You stay in the car until you see me. Dont open the door until you know its me.
You really dont have to come, she said.
Im coming and thats it.
Okay.
Do you understand not to open the doors until you know its me?
Yes, Da-sir.
HIs heart warmed as he heard her almost call him Daddy. He longed for the day when she would call him that. He wanted it badly.
Ill be there in a couple of minutes, he said.
Please dont hang up, her panicked voice came through.
Shhh, Pinky. Im not going to hang up. Well be on the phone until I get to you.
Mac quickly pulled out of his driveway and made his way towards where she was. He was speeding and he didnt care. His girl was on the side of the road and he didnt want her there any longer.
Im almost to you, he said. youre okay.
He didnt know if he was telling her that she was okay or if he was really telling himself that she was okay. What happened to her car? Was she okay? Did anything happen to her? Did she get into a wreck?
Mac spotted her car pulled onto the side of the highway.
I see you, he said.
He put his car into park, tossed his phone into the other seat and got out of the car. Running towards her, he opened the door.
Are you okay? he asked. Are you hurt anywhere? Let me see you. He gently turned her body to the side and tried to look to see if anything was wrong. So far, he couldnt tell that anything was wrong.
Pinky, he said. Answer me. She stared at him with wide eyes. He gripped her chin with his hand. Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere? he asked.
He waited for her to say something, but she continued to stare at him. Mac moved his hand from her chin to her head. Had she hit her head? He had briefly seen the car when he ran up to her car. Nothing looked like it was damaged. He moved his hands gently around her head, trying to see if there were any bumps or liquid.
Janie, he gently said. I need you to answer me. He cupped her face with his hands after he didnt find anything. Are you hurt? he asked. Does anything hurt?
She blinked. Im fine, she whispered.
What happened?
My car made a noise. Pulled over and it died.
His eyebrows furrowed. Her car just died?
Did any of the lights show up? he asked. Cars shouldnt just make a noise and then die. Something had to be up.
No, she slowly said. Or not that I think. I wasnt looking at the dashboard.
Its okay, Mac said. Its okay. She leaned into his right hand and closed her eyes.
Im going to take you home, he said. And Im going to take care of the mechanic. I know someone. Her eyes opened and she shook her head.
Its going to be okay. Ill call the guy when we get you home, he said.
Janie groaned and concern went through him.
Whats wrong? he asked. Is something wrong? Hurting?
No, she whispered. I was going to the store to pick up some things. Her cheeks started to turn pink and he wanted to know why. What was she embarrassed about? Or was she turned on?
Thats okay. I have the day off so I can take you to the store, he said. Just tell me which one and Ill take you there.
She shook her head and pulled back out of his hands. He missed touching her. Right now he just wanted to hold her in his arms and never let her go.
No, its okay. You can just take me to town and then I can catch an Uber to those places, she said.
Mac growled. Not. Happening.
Her eyes went wide as she looked at him. Why not?
I already told you that you arent taking Ubers anymore. He thought he had made it clear he didnt want her taking Ubers anymore. They werent safe.
You just said to the club and back home, she said, crossing her arms.
He kept his face neutral. Mac did tell her that, but he had also told her the dangers of taking Ubers. Especially a single girl.
Youre not going to take any more Ubers in your life. Ill drive you everywhere, he said.
You cant do that! she raised her voice.
I just did. She stared at him, her gaze full of fire. She had a fire inside of her. I think we can also go and get some lunch. And if you need to go anywhere else, I can take you, Mac said.
She shook her head. No, its really okay.
Im going to give you two options. You can either come with me and we can go to the store and grab lunch. Or we can wait here in my car, where we will be warm, until your sister can come and get you.
She stared at him and he patiently waited for her to pick which option she wanted.
Okay, she whispered. I dont like it, but could you take me to the store?
He gave her a smile. I would love to. Do you need to grab anything in the car?
She shook her head. I only brought my wallet. She patted the side of her pants.
Mac helped her out of the car. She stared up at him. Before she could do anything, he wrapped his arms around her.
Everything is going to be okay, Mac said. Im going to take care of the car. Dont worry about it.
Janie went still in his arms, but he didnt stop holding her.
I know it must have been scary to be on the side of the road all by yourself, cars going by, he gently said. But its okay. Were going to leave right now. She relaxed into his arms and he continued to hold her.
Everything is going to be okay, he whispered.
How do you know? she asked, pulling away and looking at him.
I just know.
She looked at him. That isnt an answer.
Because, Im looking after you. Im going to make sure that everything is okay. Every step of the way. She leaned her head back on his chest and relaxed into his arms. He loved the feeling of her up against him. She fit perfectly, like they were made for each other.
Because they were.
Are you okay? he asked. Feeling alright? She nodded her head against his chest, but didnt let go of him. He wasnt going to let go until she was ready. Who knows when the last time was that she got a hug like this?
Anytime you need a hug, let me know, he said. I love hugs.
She stilled in his arms and he started to rub her back.
Its okay. Any time you want a hug because you need it or just want it, you let me know. Ill give you a hug any time, he said.
Okay, she whispered.
He figured she probably wouldnt but he would remind her again and again until it stuck.
Ready to go to the store and then get lunch? he asked. She nodded her head and let go of him.