11. Chapter Ten
She didn’t know how she felt about it earlier. She had almost called Mac Daddy when they were on the side of the road. Did he catch it? He hadn’t said anything about it if he did.
No inclination at all. There wasn’t a twitch of the lips, eyes, or anything. Maybe he hadn’t caught it, but she didn’t think that was possible. Mac caught everything she did. There was no getting away with anything.
Now Janie felt nervous as they sat in front of the supermarket. She knew what she had to get in there, but she didnt want to. Mac was with her and he was a man. Janie wasnt used to buying things with a man. It was weird, awkward, and felt wrong. She didnt know how to feel about it. But she knew she had to go in there and buy her things. She couldnt go without them.
Are you ready to go in? Mac asked.
You can just drop me off at the front, Janie said. I wont take but a couple of minutes. Just need to grab a couple of things.
She hoped he would let her go in by herself. But what if he asked what she had gotten? There was no way she would be able to tell him.
Im coming in with you, he said.
No, you really dont need to do that, she replied. Its just a couple of things. It wont take long at all. I know where everything is.
Pinky.
She turned her body to look at him. Mac, she said. I really dont need you to come in with me. Its only a couple of things. She didnt understand why he would want to come with her. She had never met a guy that liked going into a store. So why was he insisting that he go in with her?
Pinky, he said.
What? she asked. I just want to go in and get the couple of things that I need. Janie knew she wasnt giving him any time to really speak. She was hoping that he would drop it if she continued to talk and insist that she go in alone.
Janie, its not going to work, he said.
Whats not going to work? she asked.
You trying to insist that you go in alone. Im coming in with you.
She crossed her arms. I dont see why you need to come in with me.
There was no reason for him to come in with her. Well, maybe she did know why. Springfield wasnt known for being super duper safe. There were some druggies and kidnapping but that was later at night. It was in the middle of the day, no one was going to kidnap her.
Im coming with you. End of story, he said. Theres always a danger out there and I want you to be safe.
She let out a sigh. Youre not going to let this go?
Nope. Im coming with you. Janie nodded her head before she leaned it up against the headrest.
Are you okay, Pinky? Mac asked.
Yeah, she replied. Just tired.
Well, lets go in there and get what you need. Then we can grab lunch real quick and Ill take you home.
You dont need to get me lunch.
Im getting you lunch. I want to make sure that you eat.
Her eyes opened and she glared at him. You dont need to make sure I eat. Im an adult, she replied.
Did you have breakfast? he asked. Janie looked away from him. She hadnt eaten breakfast. It was hard for her to. She always felt nauseous when she ate.
I had a glass of milk, she said.
Pinky, he gently said. Thats not enough to sustain your body.
I know but its hard.
Still getting nauseous?
She narrowed her eyes at him. How did he know that she got that way in the morning? She hadnt told him and he had never been with her in the morning.
How did you know that? she asked.
You were talking to Monroe about it. I happen to overhear it when I walked by, he replied. So are you?
Janie nodded her head. Yeah, I am. Its hard. I dont like the feeling of needing to throw up. A shudder went through her body. She had given up on eating anything in the morning. A glass of milk was enough for her.
Have you tried drinking a protein drink in the morning? he asked.
No, those are yuckie, she said. Taste nasties.
He smiled. I bet you havent tried one that is made by me. Taste just like chocolate milk.
Her eyes went wide. No protein drink tastes like real chocolate milk.
Youll have to try mine then. They are really good. Maybe when I take you home, you can come over and try one.
Maybe, she whispered. She was so nervous to go back into his house again. Janie didnt know why. Maybe it was the fact that it smelled like him.
Are you ready to go in and grab your stuff? he asked.
Yeah, she sighed.
Wait until I get you out.
She unbuckled her seat belt and waited for him to come around. She loved it when he opened the door for her. It made her feel all giddy inside.
Come on, Pinky, he said as he grabbed her hand. He helped her out of the car and she looked up at him.
Why do you call me Pinky? she asked as they walked towards the front doors.
Because you love the color pink. Always wear some color of pink and Josie is pink, he said. I thought it was suitable, but if you dont like it I can find something else.
No, its okay. So, she was right about him calling her it because she loved the color pink.
And because when you get turned on or are embarrassed, your cheeks turn a nice shade of pink, he said. I bet your bottom would turn the same pink. So pretty.
Her face heated up at that. She had gotten spanked a couple of times at the club, not by Mac since he wasnt there.
I dont think so, she replied. Im a good girl. No spankies needed for me. Was all of that a lie? Sure. She did act out every once in a while.
Mac chuckled. Sure you are, but you are naughty sometimes. Naughty girls need spankings. Even good girls need spankings every once in a while.
She shook her head.
Good girl spankings can be pleasurable, not hurt. Unless youre into that, he said.
Can we please stop talking about this? she asked. They were in the middle of the supermarket. They were going to start to get weird looks if people overheard their conversation.
No one is listening to our conversation, Mac said. You dont have to worry. I wouldnt say something if someone was.
She relaxed a little with that. He was watching out for her. When didnt he watch out for her?
Now, where are we going? Mac asked.
Janie had very slowly started to make her way towards the feminine products. She was trying to figure out if she could get away with not getting any today. But she didnt know how long her car was going to be in the shop for and Mac told her she wasnt allowed to take Ubers anymore.
There was no way she could go out tomorrow or the next day without her car or Mac knowing.
Its just over here, she mumbled. If you need to get anything, you can. Ill just be a couple seconds.
Not leaving you, he replied.
She sighed. Thought so. Janie walked down a beauty aisle and to the back where all the feminine stuff was.
Are you okay? Mac asked. Youve gone all quiet.
I just need to grab a couple of things. You can go get some other things if you need them. Really, Ill be fine, she said. Janie was starting to feel embarrassed the closer they got. They were all right there, on display for anyone to see.
Stop, Mac said.
She stilled but continued to look down at her feet. There was no way she could look at him right now, not when they were at the end of the aisle and right in front of the feminine products.
Janie felt his hands grab her chin and gently pulled it up. Her eyes made contact with him and she tried to pull her head away.
Janie. Theres nothing to be embarrassed about. Females need feminine products, he said. I grew up with sisters and am used to this. You dont need to be embarrassed or ashamed.
Tears pooled in her eyes and she blinked several times. Janie was embarrassed. She didnt like this. Her ex-husband never wanted to see her pads and tampons. He told her to put it in the spare bathroom so he didnt have to look at them.
Everything is going to be okay, he gently said. Im going to take care of you. If you need pads, let me know and Ill go out to the store to get them. Need me to place my hands on your stomach while you have cramps, Ill do it. I dont want you to be in pain and suffering because you think I cant handle it. Its just a period.
Janie closed her eyes and tried to pull her face free, but he didnt have any of that.
Janie, look at me, he said.
She kept her eyes closed. She didnt want to see what he was thinking right now.
Janie, he said. Now.
Her eyes opened.
It doesnt gross me out. My sister and mom made sure that it wouldnt. Let me take care of you and dont be embarrassed, he gently said. Everything is going to be okay. I promise.
He let go of her chin and she looked away.
Some day you are going to understand, he said. Why dont you grab what you need. Ill carry them for you.
Her eyes went wide. No! You are not carrying them. I dont need them anymore. She turned her body, ready to walk away from them when Macs arm wrapped around her body.
You do need them. You wouldnt be here if you didnt, he gently said into her ear. Go grab what you need. He turned her body, let her go, and tapped her bottom. She turned around, shocked.
You did not, she said.
I did. Now go pick out what you need, he replied.
She walked up to the wall and quickly grabbed what she needed, tucking it into her arm. She always hated buying them.
Is that all that you need? he asked. Give them to me.
Janie didnt look at him or hand them over. She didnt want him carrying them.
Janie, he said. You probably have other things you want to grab. Candy? Chocolate? Medicine?
She kept quiet. He was right on everything.
Let me hold them. Then you can go pick out the candy you want and also the medicine, he said. Come on, its okay.
She sighed and handed them to Mac. He wasnt going to let it go until he was holding them.
Good girl, he said. Now, lets go to the candy aisle so you can get some.
They slowly made their way towards the candy aisle. There was so much there and she wanted a lot of it. But she didnt want to grab everything in front of Mac.
Get whatever you were going to get. No holding back just because Im here, he said, almost like he could read her mind.
Can you read my mind? she asked, giving him a suspicious look.
Mac chuckled. No, I cant. But it says it all over your face. The look of want but also pain like you wont be able to get everything you want.
She sighed. Apparently he could read her super well. Janie grabbed a couple bags of chocolate, gummy bears, KitKats, and Tootsie Pops before turning back towards Mac.
Good girl, he praised her. Now, lets go get you some medicine.
Janie was slowly starting to relax the longer they were in the store. No one had given Mac a weird look as he carried her tampons and pads in his arms. And she was thankful for that. What if they had? What if someone told her that he shouldnt be carrying them?
I can see you starting to think too much about something you shouldnt be stressing over, Mac said.
How do you know? she asked. He surely wouldnt know what she was thinking. Or stressing about. It was impossible.
You looked at me carrying the tampons and pads. I can probably think of what you were thinking about. And I dont think you should be worrying about it, Mac said before he stopped and got closer to her. Do you see the guy over there with the girl? Hes also carrying some pads. Its normal.
Her eyes found the guy and woman across the aisle. And sure enough, the guy was carrying pads. The woman didnt even seem phased about it, almost like it was normal.
See, Mac said. Nothing to worry about.
She looked up at him and could see the genuine look on his face.
If anyone says anything, Ill take care of it. But I dont think anyone is going to give us problems. If anything, theyre going to say its cute.
She nodded her head, but was still a little worried. What if the person got ugly?
Come on, Mac said as they headed down the aisle.
They stopped right in front of the pain medicine and she looked for the one she wanted. She didnt like to take pills so she always opted for the liquid version. They didnt always have it though.
Daddy! Look! someone said.
Janie looked over to the other couple, the one with the guy holding the pads.
Another Daddy carrying pads and tampons! she said, sounding so excited.
Elsie, the man said. You dont know if they are in a dynamic like ours.
Mac put his arm around her. Do you want the liquid kind? Orange flavoring?
Her eyes went wide as she stared at him. How did he know?
Pinky. Ive paid attention to you. I know you dont like taking pills. And whenever you are at the club, you always go towards the orange juice, not the apple or peach juice, he said.
Janie didnt think that he had really been paying attention to her. How much did he know about her?
Now, do you need any? he asked.
She nodded her head.
Do you want two? Both in orange flavoring?
Yes, please, she whispered, still in shock that he knew that.
Mac grabbed two and held it in his hands.
Do you need any more than two? I know sometimes they dont always have them in stock, he said.
She shook her head. I dont go through it fast enough. This should last me a while. Or so she thought. She honestly didnt know how long it took her to go through one bottle.
Im going to grab one for myself. Just in case you come over to my house and need some pain medicine, he said. I dont have any and I want to be prepared.
Janie wanted to tell him that she wasnt going to go over to his house any time soon. That he didnt need to buy any, but she didnt think he would listen to her. He liked to do his own thing sometimes.
Well, most of the time.
Do you need anything else in the store? he asked. She shook her head. She had grabbed everything she needed or wanted right now. Janie may need to go to the store later for something. She hadnt thought that far ahead.
They made their way towards the front of the store to pay for everything. Janie needed to remember that she shouldnt get attached to him. He kept saying he wanted both of them, but she was skeptical. Men didnt want women who already had a kid. Janie put all the candy on the belt as Mac did. The cashier started to scan them, and Janie dug her wallet out of her pocket.
Ive got this, Mac said.
She shook her head. This is my stuff. Ive got it.
Pinky. When youre with me, I pay for everything. When youre with me, I open the door for you. She opened her mouth, but he gave her a look and she shut her mouth.
That is so cute, the cashier said. Definitely keep the man. Hes a keeper.
Janie opened her mouth, ready to tell her that they werent together.
Thank you so much, Mac said as he paid for everything. He grabbed the two bags and they both started to walk out of the supermarket.
Are you craving anything to eat? Mac asked.
Burgers, she whispered. I could eat a good burger.
He smiled as he put the two grocery bags in the car.
I know just the place, he said. He walked around to her side of the door and opened it. Im still thinking about getting you a booster seat, he said.
No, I dont need one. Im twenty-eight years old, she replied.
Age doesnt matter.
She glared at him and he gave her a sweet smile as he shut the door. If he did get her a booster seat, there was no way she was going to sit in it. She was an adult.
Mac got into his car and turned it on, pulling out of the parking lot.
Youre going to like this place. Its not too far from here, Mac said. Mac wasnt lying when he said it wasnt far from the supermarket. They made it there really fast.
You can let me know what you want. Ill go order and pay for it. Then we can go back to our houses, Janie said. She knew it was a stretch, but she didnt really want to sit in there with him. Okay, that was a lie. She did, but that was one sure way of her getting attached to him.
Mac shook his head when she looked at him.
Nope, he replied. Were going in and sitting down.
We really dont need to. I dont want to waste any more of your time, Janie said. I bet you have things to do at your house.
I dont. I want to spend time with you. She stared at him. Was he really telling the truth or was he just saying it to make her feel better?
I really can just go in and get the food, she said.
Mac grabbed her chin. I wouldnt lie to you. I dont just say things just to say them. I mean them. Were going to go in and sit down, he said. Well order whatever we want and Im paying. Theres no negotiation. Her mouth fell open. Mac leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She melted into his touch.
Wait in the car until I come around and open your door, Mac said.