7. Chapter 7
Chapter seven
“The situation is slightly awkward.”
The water in the shower was very cold, and washing his hair gave Abe a headache. He could only stay in it for a few minutes, and he was still chilled when he returned to the living room in track pants and a pullover hoodie. He put his back to the woodstove.
Maggie smiled. “How was it?”
“Refreshing.” He laughed. “Cold as hell.”
He spent a few minutes by the stove, then got a deck of cards and a rack of poker chips and brought them to the trunk in front of the couch. He dragged a chair over so he could sit across from her.
He shuffled the cards. “We are going to play Texas Hold ’em.”
They started out slow with Abe patiently explaining the rules and the subtleties of the game. Maggie caught on quickly, and when she started winning a few hands, she got excited.
She squealed as she won a hand and gathered up the poker chips.
Abe shook his head. “Beginner’s luck.”
“Maybe I’m just a really good poker player.”
“Too soon to determine that.”
“You should let me play with you on your Buchanan bro nights.”
“Not happening.”
“Why?”
“Two reasons. You’re not a Buchanan bro, and you’re a girl. No girls allowed.”
“So chauvinistic.”
“It’s just the way it is.”
“Fine.” She yawned.
“We should call it a night.”
“One more hand?”
He shook his head. “I’ve created a monster.”
They played one more, and then Maggie compared their piles of chips. Abe’s was bigger, and she scowled. “Next time, I’m going to beat you.”
“Maybe. It might take a few more rounds, though. I’ve been playing since I was a kid. But someday you might beat me. For tonight, though, hand over those chips, Scrooge McDuck.”
When he got up to put the cards and chips away, Maggie went to stand by the fire. “This was fun. Thank you for coming out of your man cave and giving up the brooding.”
“It was fun. I’m sorry I was avoiding you.”
“It’s okay. I get it. The situation is slightly awkward.”
“Yeah. I guess we should…you know.”
“Go to bed.”
“Yeah. That.”
“Are you sure you want to give up your bedroom?”
“I’m sure. The couch is quite comfortable, actually.”
She moved a few steps away from the woodstove. “Okay. Goodnight, then.”
“Goodnight, Maggie.”
She went to the bedroom, and Abe sat on the couch with a sigh.
“Dumb.” He leaned back and closed his eyes for a moment, then sat back up.
His blanket and pillow were in the bedroom.
He weighed sleeping without them against knocking on the bedroom door to retrieve them.
It had only been a few minutes. She probably wasn’t in bed yet.
He stood and went down the hallway to the bedroom door.
He listened for a moment. Silence. He raised his hand to knock.
The door opened before he could, and Maggie gasped when she opened it to find him on the other side. She had a folded blanket and a pillow in her arms.
He smiled. “Sorry. I was about to knock.” He motioned toward the bedding. “I came to get that.”
She held it out to him. “I realized you didn’t have it.”
He looked at it for a moment, then slid his hands under the blanket, brushing hers. She didn’t let go until they locked eyes, then she mumbled, “Sorry,” and took a step back.
Abe stayed where he was halfway through the doorway. “I um…” He glanced toward the living room. “I should…” She nodded almost imperceptibly. Abe cocked his head, then dropped the blanket and pillow onto the floor next to them and reached for her hands. “Dammit, Maggie.”
She moved closer. “I know.”
He put his hands on her hips and pulled her in close. Maggie put her arms around his neck. “Why can’t we…”
“I don’t know.” He leaned in and kissed her. “We were so damn busy today, but I couldn’t stop thinking about last night.”
“Me too.”
“So…ah…round two?”
She nodded. “Round two.”
Abe stared at the ceiling for a moment, then rolled onto his side and put an arm around Maggie. “Well, shit. Or should I say, shoot.”
“It’s all your fault.”
“My fault? You practically dragged me through the doorway.”
She nudged him. “Wow, so not true.”
“Okay, fine. It was a mutual leap through the doorway.” He tightened his grip on her. “But you know…”
“I know. Nothing has changed.”
“It would be foolish to…”
She patted his chest. “Abe. I know.”
“It’s so damn good, though.”
“Abe.”
He sighed. “Being mature sucks, man.” He let go of her and rolled back onto his back.
She put a hand on his cheek. “What would immature Abe do in this situation?”
He turned his head to look at her. “Well, he’d say the hell with consequences and doing the right thing. He’d ride this wave as long as it lasted.”
Maggie laughed. “That’s very tempting. But I’m afraid I might get my heart broken at some point.”
He kissed her. “That’s why we’re going to take the mature route. The last thing I want to do is break your heart, Maggie. Even unintentionally.”
“So, you think we can navigate this then?”
“Yeah. Once you’re back in your house, I promise not to come knocking on your door in the middle of the night for a little immaturity.”
“And I promise to only think of you as my boss while we’re at work.”
“I don’t mind if you think about me as your friend.”
She smiled. “I can do that.”
“Okay. Ready to go to sleep?”
“Hmm. I wouldn’t mind another hour or so of being immature.”
Abe grinned. “I don’t have a problem with that. In fact, I’m very good at being immature.”
“I’ve noticed that.”
“Yo, brother. Get your ass out of— Whoa. Sorry.” Justin closed the door, then called through it. “I’m leaving. I’ll come see you at Rocco’s later.”
Abe sat up and called out, “Don’t leave. I’ll be out in a minute.” He looked at Maggie. “So, now two of my brothers know about this.”
Maggie covered her face. “I should’ve expected it.”
Abe pulled her hands away and kissed her. “I’m sorry my brothers are so…”
“It’s fine. I love your brothers. Go talk to Justin.”
Abe got out of bed and put on his pants. Then he picked up his T-shirt before leaving the room. He was pulling it over his head when he walked into the living room. Justin wasn’t there, so Abe went to the front door and found him on the porch.
“I thought you left.”
Justin turned to face him. “You told me not to.”
“Well, still.” Abe folded his arms across his chest. “So, let’s hear it.”
Justin held up a hand. “No. Not my business. I’ve got nothing to say.”
“Seriously?”
“No. Of course not. What the hell, man? Maggie? You and Maggie? Since when?”
“It’s not me and Maggie. It’s just one of those things that happens, and it’s great, but…”
Justin raised an eyebrow. “So last night was the first and last time, then?”
“Um…second and last. The night before was the first and supposed to be last.”
Justin shook his head. “What does that mean?”
“We aren’t starting a relationship. This isn’t going to turn into anything or happen again.”
“I’m guessing that’s what you said yesterday morning, too.”
“She was here, and I swear I tried to stay away. We played poker, and she was…” He smiled. “It’s done. Really. Completely done.”
“Are you sure that’s what you want? You seem a little…infatuated.”
Abe looked at the wood deck briefly. “It’s what has to be.”
“I’m not totally convinced, but okay.”
“Why did you come barging into my room this morning?”
“Because you didn’t answer your phone. I came to tell you the evacuation orders were lifted.”
“Oh, thank God.”
Justin laughed. “Yeah. You’re totally not infatuated.”
Abe scowled. “She needs…more.”
“I get it. But I think you’re selling yourself short. You can’t stay single forever.”
“Sure I can. And don’t lecture me on still being single at thirty. You found Lucia and got married at age thirty-two.”
“I know. Just don’t shut yourself off to the idea of finding your own someone someday.”
“I won’t.” Abe put his hands in his pockets. “Are we done now?”
“Yes.”
“When is the power coming back on?”
“They’re working on it. Should be on in town soon. Probably before you get to work. Cell phones came back about an hour ago.”
“Did the river flood?”
“No reported damage from flooding.”
“Good.”
Justin sighed. “Okay, go back to Maggie. I’ve got to get to work.”
“We’d like to keep this quiet if possible.”
“No problem. I’m the only one that knows?”
“Luke knows.”
“You told him?”
“No, he figured it out. So, no telling Lucia.”
Justin shook his head. “She’s my wife.”
“Dammit. Fine. How come you didn’t jump to the conclusion that I was an asshole with Maggie?”
“You can be an asshole. But you’re not that kind of an asshole. Besides, I know Maggie. She’s not a pushover or easily manipulated. If she’s in that room with you, it’s because she wants to be.”
“Well, thank you for that. Luke assumed the worst.”
“Luke is young and probably a bit jealous. He’s always had a tiny crush on Maggie.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. Don’t say anything to him about it.”
“Oh, man. Please.”
“No. That would make you an asshole. Now, I need to go. I’ll come by later for lunch.”
“See you then.”
Abe waited until Justin drove off, then went back into the house.
He went to the kitchen to start the coffee, then checked his refrigerator.
Two days without power made most things in it questionable.
But the eggs were still good. Fresh from his mother’s chickens, they’d last a couple of weeks unrefrigerated.
He took out the bowl of eggs and set it on the counter.
He also had peppers and onions that were still good, so he set them next to the eggs.
He tossed the cheese that had gone bad in the trash.
“Veggie omelet it is.”
While he was whisking the eggs, Maggie came into the kitchen dressed for work. “Are you making breakfast?”
“Yeah. If you like omelets, I am.”
“Mmm. Sounds good.” The coffee was almost done brewing. “Can I pour you a cup?”
“Yes, please.”
She came up behind him and squeezed his shoulders, then whispered in his ear. “You need to relax, Abe.”
“I’m relaxed.” He glanced back at her, then turned to face her. I don’t often cook breakfast for anyone but myself.”
“It’s just me, Maggie, your friend and co-worker.”
“Right.” He smiled. “You’re handling this so much better than I am.”
She kissed him on the cheek. “I’m just glad you’re wearing clothes.”
He shook his head. “I’m so regretting telling you about that.”