41. Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Maci
T rusting Sutton comes naturally. Even the first time he asked me on the dance floor, when I was hesitant to give the true answer, I’ve always trusted him. Letting him lead tonight, to bring me back to the scene that’s replayed in my sleep for weeks, may not have been easy, but it was never something I doubted.
Time and again, he has proven that he’s going to be there for me. Part of him is holding on to some idea that he needed to be there that night. Maybe he’s trying to make up for that somehow, but he doesn’t need to.
We lay on the blanket, a tangle of limbs, with a cooling sweat coating our skin. His fingers trace absent-minded circles on my shoulder as I press against him. It reminds me of the night he brought me cheesecake and we rocked on the porch swing here. It’s been mere weeks since then, and in some ways seems so long ago.
Peace shrouds me in a way I haven’t known for a while. My eyes flutter closed.
“Thank you for doing this. I’ve been trying to do it on my own and I’ve only gotten so far. Coming with Izzy and Leah during the day was a start, but being here at night, with you…it’s more helpful than you know. I can’t say I’ll never have a bad thought here, but this space feels more like mine again.”
Sutton kisses my head. His fingers dance over my shoulder. “That’s all I want.”
Gravel crunches on the drive. Sutton’s fingers halt, and I hold my breath. A door slams.
Both of our heads pop up and dread washes over me. “Fuck. It’s Stephanie.”
“Perfect.” Sutton’s mutter is muffled by our movement to gather our clothes. We dress quickly.
“Who’s there?” Stephanie’s curt voice calls from near the edge of the house. The glow of the fire barely reaches her. Her blonde hair is pulled into a seamless bun, and she wears a stylish blouse with tapered pants.
“It’s me,” I say firmly, letting my sure voice carry through the backyard.
“Maci?” She doesn’t wait for a response before venturing closer to us. “What on earth—” Her words cease when she realizes I’m not alone. She pauses halfway between the house and the firepit. I adjust my shirt, as Sutton buttons his pants.
My fingers tangle in my hair, running a hand through what I imagine is a very clearly just-been-fucked look. She looks between us and her face hardens. There isn’t a single thing she could say to me right now to ruin what just happened. “This is Sutton, my boyfriend.”
“Ma’am,” Sutton says as he waves politely enough, but his posture is stiff. He grabs the blanket and folds it loosely to avoid eye contact with my mother.
“I can’t imagine why you think acting like a couple of hormonal teenagers is appropriate.” She pins me with a disgusted look.
A breathy laugh forces itself out of me. “Sex isn’t reserved for beds. And I’m willing to bet at one point you agreed.”
“Maci Grace.” She hisses my name. If she thinks she can embarrass me, she’s forgotten who I am.
Sutton’s hand is warm when I tuck mine into his. I give him a gentle pull and we meet my mother where she stands. “I didn’t realize you were still in town. We’ll get out of your way.”
“I left a few things.” Her lips are tight.
Sutton, now leading me, slows his steps. I turn over my shoulder. “We need to talk about the information Mr. Campbell needs. In the light of day. Have a good night.”
At the truck, Sutton opens my door and helps me in, closing it behind me quietly. He throws the blanket into the backseat when he slides in from the driver’s side. For a moment, we sit in silence, while he fails to start the truck or say anything.
“Cowboy?”
He fiddles with the keys before looking over at me.
“Are you ok? Did she embarrass you?”
His chuckle is sarcastic. “I’m not afraid of her. There were just some things I didn’t like back there.”
My eyebrows scrunch together. “I don’t—”
“I don’t like that she tries to make you smaller. I don’t like that I’m not sure what I can and can’t say to her. She’s your mother, so I know I need to respect her, but I want to build a life with you, and I have no intention of allowing her to talk to you like that for the rest of our lives.”
I can’t help the smile that crosses my face and the way my heart rate speeds up. “I wouldn’t dare censor you, Cowboy. And that was hardly her worst. In truth, I think the last few weeks have been a little eye-opening for her because I haven’t stayed quiet like I used to.” I reach across the console and place my hand over his. “You say whatever you feel is necessary, but you don’t have to fight my battles for me.”
He worries his lip. “I don’t like being called your boyfriend. Boyfriend feels so temporary. What I feel for you isn’t temporary. I told you, I’m building a life with you.” He flips his hand over under mine, twisting our fingers together.
“Boyfriend was the best option I had. You’re more than a friend, but it’s not like we’re engaged. I wasn’t trying to slight you.”
His pouty smile is a little youthful and a little thoughtful. “I know you weren’t. I didn’t take it that way. I just want more.”
“You can have everything.” My blush is overtaken by my desire to climb into his lap, and he reflects my hunger with his intense eyes.