33. Chapter Thirty-Two
Today Janie was meeting up with Charlotte, Monroe, Hedda, and Echo at the club. They werent going to play, they only wanted to meet up and talk. They did it every once in a while and it was one of Janies favorite times. Sometimes they would meet up at a coffee shop or where Charlotte worked but today they were meeting up at the club. Everyone but Janie and Echo had their significant other working at the club today.
Well, Mac was working at the club today. He was driving them there right now but he wasnt her significant other. Normally Janie had her babysitter watch over Eleanor when she went to these but today her babysitter was busy. Which was fine because she wasnt going to be playing at the club. She was just going to have a conversation with her friends.
The girls were all excited to meet Eleanor anyways. Janie wasnt trying to keep Eleanor away from them. She just normally had the babysitter watch Eleanor in case she fell into Littlespace at the club. Janie didn’t think it was safe for her not to have someone watch over her while Eleanor was with her. What if she fell into Littlespace and wasn’t paying attention to Eleanor and she got hurt?
“Are you excited to hang out with your friends?” Mac asked as they pulled into the parking lot.
Janie nodded her head. “I am. It’s much needed.”
“It really is. Hopefully it helps you get your mind off of things and just hang out.”
Mac had been trying to get her mind off of things for the past several days. Sometimes he was successful and other times, he wasnt. It was hard when she heard them moving things out of the house. Or hearing them talk as they waited outside. It was hard.
“When youre done talking to the girls, come to my office,” Mac said. “Do you understand?”
“I do,” she replied.
Mac got out of the car and walked around, opening her door and helping her get out. He did it every single time and she had stopped fighting it. Not that she really fought with it to begin with. But she had reminded him that she was an independent woman.
He had told her that she loved it when he opened her door for her. He wasnt wrong. She loved every second of it but she was constantly reminding herself that she shouldnt be with him. It wasnt fair to him. So she needed to stop letting him do things but he was stubborn.
“Do you want me to watch over Eleanor as you talk with the girls?” He asked.
Janie shook her head as she got Eleanor out of the car. “The girls wanted to meet Eleanor.”
“If that changes, you let me know. Ill watch over her while youre having girl time,” he said as they walked towards the entrance. “Do you know where my office is?”
“I do. Its right next to Finns, right?” She asked.
“It is. So when youre done talking to the girls or you need anything, you come get me.”
“I will, dont worry. Im not going to run off.”
He chuckled and placed his hand on the small of the back. “If you do, Ill just chase after you. I love a good chase.” Janies cheeks went red as he said that. Arousal had filled her with the thought of him chasing her. She would love to do that.
“Does my Pinky love the thought of that?” Mac asked as they walked into the main room.
She shook her head. He didnt need to know that it turned her on. It had been one of her fantasies to have that happen to her. Maybe someday she would actually have it happen. Or maybe she would just fantasize about it, read about it but nothing else.
“Ill see you soon,” Mac said as he kissed her head and walked towards his office.
She blushed as she held Eleanor in her arms. He had kissed her head right in front of the girls. Janie knew that they were going to ask questions when she got over there. They were all up in her business about Mac and her.
She started to walk over towards the girls, keeping her head down. No doubt they were all looking at her right now.
“So, are you going to be coming with Mac on a regular basis or what?” Echo asked.
“Has anything happened between you two?” Monroe asked. “Had sex? Have you kissed? Fooled around?”
Janies mouth fell open as she looked at them. Were they really asking her those questions? She knew they talked about things, but they had never talked about this. It had always been tame.
“Dont look so shocked. Youve done the nasty before. Thats how Eleanor got into the picture,” Charlotte said. “Weve all done it, or at least I think weve all done it. Not having a kid but having sex.”
“Please,” Janie said. “Eleanor is right here.”
“Oh, is she at the age where she repeats everything?” Hedda asked. “Ive seen several kids repeat things that they shouldnt.”
“So please, I dont want her to repeat things. She hasnt yet, but its bound to happen soon.” Janie had come lucky right now. She had no doubt that Eleanor listened to what everyone said, but she hadnt repeated anything that was bad yet.
“So, are you going to answer our question?” Echo asked. “Has something happened between you two?”
Janie sat down on one of the chairs, placing Eleanor in her lap. She didnt want to answer the question. So much had happened and she didnt want to make the mood go dark.
“Something has happened,” Charlotte said. “She hasnt answered. So, what has happened?”
“I dont want to make the mood go dark. A lot has happened and yeah,” Janie replied. She was hoping that they would let it go when she said that, but she should have known better. They wanted all the details and they werent going to rest until they got it.
“Come on. We asked and we want to know,” Hedda said. “Unless its very personal and you dont want us to know. But give us something.”
“Hedda,” Monroe said.
“What? Im just speaking the truth. We do want to know and we want her to give us something but if its too personal then she doesnt have to.”
“You could have been nicer about it,” Monroe replied.
“Me, nice? You know that those two words dont go together.”
Everyones attention turned back to Janie and she sighed. She knew she was going to have to give them something. Maybe they could help out with her trying to understand and get out of this situation.
“But first, I need to meet Eleanor,” Charlotte said. “You look so cute on your mama’s lap. Can I hold her?”
“If shell let you. She hasnt been too keen on new people but she absolutely loves Mac,” Janie replied.
She handed Eleanor over to Charlotte and she snuggled into her body. Maybe Eleanor was growing out of not liking new people. Janie had hoped Eleanor would but she didnt want to push her into an uncomfortable situation to make her cry.
“She is so precious snuggling into me,” Charlotte said and then sighed. “I want kids.”
“Have you talked to Finn about that?” Janie asked. She was trying to keep the conversation off of her for so long as she could. Maybe then the girls would forget and she wouldnt have to talk about it.
“I was thinking about bringing it up today. Ive been thinking about it and I would love to have kids with him.”
“Now, back to the subject. Janie, whats going on?” Echo asked.
Janie sighed and got comfortable in her chair. Leave it to Echo to remember what they were talking about before. She was one of the few people that would remember and keep everybody on track.
“Well, you guys know that I was married before and Im divorced. I dont think any of you have met Donald, my ex-husband, but he had come by a while ago saying he wanted to get back with me. I told him no and that I didnt want to but he wouldnt leave and Mac heard so he came over and helped get rid of him,” Janie said. “He then was texting me saying that he wanted to get back with me and I replied with that I didnt. I really dont. I dont know what I saw in him in the beginning.”
“Ive heard about him and I really dont know what you saw in him,” Echo replied. “If I did ever meet him though, I would punch him in the face for cheating on you. Thats not right even if you guys werent in love, thats not right. You two were together and were having a kid.”
“A kid he didnt want,” Janie mumbled. “Anyways, so then a lawyer came by soon after and said that the house was in his name. I had no clue because the lawyer I had during the divorce didnt say anything. I have been living in my ex-husbands house without my knowledge for the past year. And he told me that I had three days to move out.”
Gasps fell across the room.
“He did not,” Charlotte said.
“Are you serious?” Monroe yelled.
“Hes a douche,” Echo said.
“If he comes near you again, Ill kill him,” Hedda said.
Janie’s heart warmed at their words. She couldnt remember a time when a group of girls had her back for things. Sure, her authors did but they didnt know each other in person. It was all online and they couldnt do anything.
“So, what happened next?” Echo asked.
“Mac told me I was moving in with him until I found some place permanent,” Janie said. “I tried to fight him on that but he wouldnt allow it. He didnt want me to live in a hotel with Eleanor or a motel. Ive still tried to fight it but he had three extra rooms and he wasnt giving up. Mac is very stubborn.”
“I thought you already knew that?” Charlotte said. “All the Doms here are stubborn. When they set their eyes on something, theres no getting them off of that.”
“Until you find someplace permanent?” Monroe said.
“Yeah. Im looking into renting or buying something but I wanted to be long term. I dont want it to just be something I have for a year before I move again.”
“Looks like youve already found your permanent place,” Hedda said.
Janie looked over at Hedda and shook her head. “Us living with Mac is not going to be permanent.”
“Keep telling yourself that.”
She shook her head again and looked back at the other girls. “We wont be staying with Mac permanently. We dont mix well together.”
“Thats a bunch of bull,” Charlotte said. “Mac loves you and we can tell that you love him. Your daughter loves him and I definitely know that he loves your daughter. The way he was looking at you too before he walked to his office.”
“I have to agree with Charlotte on this one. Both of you were made for each other. Why are you fighting it?” Monroe asked.
Janie stared at them for a couple of seconds. How did they not see what was wrong? How do they not see that they werent made for each other?
“I want to hear what you have to say. We all can tell that you two belong to each other. Why do you think you dont?” Echo asked.
“Well, first off I have a daughter. Who wants to be a father figure to a kid thats not theirs?”
“Mac does,”Charlotte replied.
“No. I also have baggage and I have an ex-husband. Its just a lot and I know Im not the right person for Mac, no matter how I feel or how he feels. Ive been subtly trying to tell him that he should move on and find somebody else.”
Hedda snorted. “You did what? I remember doing that to my Daddies and it did not end well. How did he respond?”
Janie struck her shoulders. “I dont think hes fully grasped what Im trying to do.”
“You better hope that he never does. And you better stop,” Charlotte said.
“It doesnt matter that you have a kid, baggage, or an ex-husband. Mac still wants you for you. Has he said anything?” Monroe asked.
“He said that he wants me and Eleanor. He told me the other night that he wants me to think about it and I said I would,” Janie said. “But I already know my answer. Its just not going to work.”
Charlotte handed Eleanor back to her. “I think you should really think about it before you say no. You always had a slight crush on him.”
Janie looked down at Eleanor. “What if he doesnt want Eleanor in a couple of years? What if he starts to hate her because shes not blood related?”
“Mac wouldnt do that. And the fact that youre questioning it isn’t good. He would do anything for you two and its not going to change in a couple of years,” Monroe said.
Janie nodded her head. She knew that, but she needed to think about those questions.
“Ask him,” Echo said. “You need to communicate with him. Tell him youre worried so that he can answer them and try and help you work through it.”
“I have to agree with Echo on this one,” Hedda said.
“Okay,” Janie replied.
“Well, I need to go back to my Daddy,” Charlotte said. “Ill talk to you guys later. We definitely need to do this again and soon.”
Everyone got up from their chairs and said goodbye. Janie held Eleanor in her arms as she walked towards Mac’s office. She knocked on the door as she stood in front of his office. Janie had no clue if he was talking to someone or in a meeting and she didnt want to interrupt.
“Come in,” he called out.
She slipped into the office. Mac was sitting behind his desk, working on his computer. She took a couple seconds to appreciate how he looked. He was hot and she was definitely getting turned on. The things he could do to her on the desk.
She shook her head and walked further in. She did not need to be thinking about that right now. Especially when she wasnt committed to him yet. Not that she was going to be.
Mac looked up from his computer and gave her a big smile. “I bought some toys for both of you to play with.”
She looked down at the space in front of his desk and realized that there were several toys. He definitely didnt need to do that, but he had. She was going to miss that.
“How did the talk with the girls go?” Mac asked as she said Eleanor on the ground.
“It wasnt good. Just caught up on some things. We said we were going to do it again sometime soon,” Janie replied.
“Im glad you have them to talk to. If you ever need me to watch Eleanor when you hang out with them, you let me know.”
She nodded her head and sat down on the couch. She was tired.
“Im going to be another hour before I can leave,” Mac said. “If you need a snack or something to drink, both of you, you let me know and Ill get you something.”
“Okay, thank you,” she said as she relaxed on the couch.
Janie didnt realize how exhausting it was to talk about everything with the girls. She had kept it to herself so long that it had made her tired.
“Relax while I work. Ill watch over Eleanor,” Mac said.
She nodded her head and closed her eyes. She knew Eleanor was in good hands. He had watched over both of them several times. Right as she was about to fall asleep, her phone went off. Picking it up, her breath got stuck in her throat as she read it.
Donald
You little slut. Still hanging around the neighbor.
Donald
But that’s okay. I’ll still take you back. Only if you get rid of the brat and do some groveling.
“Is everything okay?” Mac asked.
She quickly deleted the notification and looked up at him. Everything was not okay. Janie had thought that he was done sending her text messages, but she was wrong.
“Everything is okay,” she whispered. “Just got a notification from one of my authors.” It was a lie and she knew it was going to start eating her up but she couldnt let him know. Mac didnt need all of her baggage.
“Well, you get some rest. Ill watch over both of you,” he said.
She closed her eyes and felt herself slowly falling asleep.