Page 11 of Maggie’s Match

Maggie rolled her eyes and laughed. “No, he’s here because he wants to torture me again. Maybe it’s his own sick joke. I don’t know.”

“You really think he’s just doing this to hurt you?” Becca asked.

“What else could it be?” Maggie asked.

“Love,” Becca said plainly, causing Maggie to laugh again.

“No, trust me. It’s not love.”

Becca’s dark eyebrows shot up. “What makes you so sure?”

“Because he’s never said the words. Neither of us have,” she admitted.

“Okay, so, from what you’ve said, every time the two of you get close to saying the words or making the next move, he leaves.”

“Yup, that’s it.” She shifted slightly to lie down a little more.

“Then why come here? Why not wait until you return to Fairplay to play the game some more?” Becca asked.

Maggie shrugged and sighed heavily.

“Why don’t you go find out?” Becca poked her in the side.

“What? Now?” Maggie asked, her voice squeaking slightly.

“If you’re afraid of the game or…” She trailed off for a moment. “You could take control and play your own game.” Becca’s smile turned wicked. “Torture him for once instead.”

“How?” Maggie asked.

Becca jumped up and walked over to her closet and started tossing out items.

“I have just the outfit.” She turned and held up a small scrap of silky red material.

“Oh no.” Maggie shook her head and held up her hands in defense.

“Listen, it’s this”—Becca shook the little thing—“or… you could just bend to his wishes once more.”

Maggie let out a deep breath and stood up. “Fine, but if this backfires…” Her eyes narrowed. “You’ll owe me for the rest of your life.”

Chapter Five

There was nothing Rick hated more than sleeping in a stranger’s bed. The sheets smelled of different soap. The pillows and mattress were too soft or too hard. The sounds and lighting in the room were different.

Still, he glanced up at the ceiling and thought about Maggie sleeping peacefully somewhere above him and smiled.

Then he heard his door creak open and saw her step into the darkness.

“Rick?”

He must be dreaming. There was no way she would come to him tonight. Not after their last conversation. Not after he’d left her last time.

Sitting up, he blinked a few times until his eyes adjusted.

“Rick?” she asked again.

“I’m here,” he said softly.

She moved across the room towards him. Reaching over, he turned on the lamp next to his bed, and a soft yellow glow filled the room.