How Lost Souls Love

I'm Home

Maisie POV

Dax and I have grown close, and although I know we aren’t official I’m pretty sure it’s safe to assume we are more than friends 

After the weird and awkward encounter with my dad about Dax sleeping in my room a few nights a week I thought for sure Dax would run for the hills, but he was back again that night. I never thought I’d trust someone so much that wasn’t family. But I trust Dax. 

With Noah absorbed in his new girlfriend Amy he hasn’t noticed. Dax has been my new go to person at the shop but I don’t mind. It’s easy to talk to him and he never makes me feel like I’m just waiting to snap. 

We have each caught each other almost slipping into an episode. Once Dax tensed up really bad when a woman walked in to pick up her SUV with her three children. I saw him go completely rigid and after glancing at where his eyes were locked I was able to grab his hand and pull him into the break room before he completely lost it. 

I sat there and held his hand until his breathing was back under control. I went and helped my dad check them out and then without a word walked back and smiled at Dax to let him know they were gone. 

He sighed in relief and went to the bathroom to throw some water on his face. He whispered his thanks as he passed and I turned back to work. 

I caught my dad watching with awe in his expression. I flushed pink and went back to work quickly trying to ignore the gazes. 

A week after that my cousins were messing around and accidentally knocked over a whole supply cart causing a loud boom and clang to echo through the garage. I screamed and dropped to my knees. My eyesight started to go fuzzy and my hands were pushed tightly over my ears. 

Then something unexpected happened. The garage radio behind me turned up louder and the song “la Bamba” started playing through my flashback. Suddenly I wasn’t there… I was back in the garage and my nightmare was suddenly a daydream of Dax turning me this way and that way as we danced our way around a dance floor. 

I slowly let go of my ears and opened my eyes just enough to glance in front of me. My cousins were standing a ways off looking really guilty. My dad was in front of them watching me as I slowly opened my eyes even more. 

But there, right in front of me, was Dax. Smiling his big perfect smile. He held out his hand and I stared at it for a minute. Taking several rigid deep breaths I took his hand and let him pull me to my feet. He raised his other hand and pushed some hair back from my face to my ponytail and then smiled. “Told you you got this.” He said giving my hand one last squeeze before letting go. 

I had to admit even I was amazed at myself. My own mind had pulled me out. No questions. No pulling my hair out. No crying. One second I was breaking, and the next I was putting myself back together. 

My dad seemed shocked at first. But he also said the same thing Noah did. “He’s like you. It’s only natural you two would find each other. I’m glad you both have each other to lean on.” He had said smiling sadly at me. 

I could tell my dad was torn between not wanting to let someone else help me and letting me learn to deal with it in more than just depending on him. In the end he supported mine and Daxs new friendship without question. I knew he saw Dax drop me off a few weeks ago after the beach, and a couple times a week since then. He didn’t ask me any questions. But I could tell he was curious. 

Dax had started to worry about what Noah would think. As we spent more and more time together there was no denying that what we had might be more than friendship. 

We would hold hands here and there. Sometimes without even thinking. We started to hug each other hello and goodbye. We text each other through the night almost every day. And even though neither of us had said it, we both knew it meant a lot. After all neither one of us trusted very easily. 

Sometimes Dax made it to a point to go out of his way to spend more time with Noah than with me when he came over just so Noah wouldn’t feel like there was a reason to get mad. 

Dax and I knew Noah was ok with our friendship. But would he still be just ok if he knew it could be more? 

Dax knew a part of me that no one else around me would ever understand. Although I didn’t know what his version of pain he dealt with when he saw kids, I knew it was a pain like mine that would never go away. 

I accepted that as much as he did. 

That meant a lot to me. Even helped me feel a little bit like my old self. I found myself openly talking more. I would venture to play around and joke more with my cousins at the shop. Even went to a smaller BBQ with my dad and Noah and didn’t freak out. I was able to stay in control longer. And Dax was a big part of that. 

I was at work pulling down my work overalls and throwing it in the pile of dirty uniforms when there was a knock on the bathroom door. I shimmied into my black jeans and quickly pulled on my white v neck top before pulling my hair out of my ponytail and setting it lose and wild behind me. 

Glancing in the mirror I looked comfortable and cute. Perfect! One of the things I loved about Dax compared to the boys in New York, he seemed more impressed with simple than he did with hours of preparation. 

The thing I loved most? His willingness to earn my friendship and more  through food. 

I opened the bathroom door and Dax smiles immediately as he looks down at me. I look back at him and can’t help but give a grin too. 

Dax is wearing a tight fitting black T shirt with an unbuttoned long sleeve flannel and blue jeans. His hair is wet and thrown about and I know he showered before coming to pick me up. 

“Hey” He said as he reached out an arm. I slipped under it and squeezed him Hello. “You ready to go? You look amazing by the way.” He says stepping back as I shut the bathroom door. 

“Yeah. I’m ready and Thank you. You don’t look to bad yourself.” I smile. “Good to see I’m worth showering for.” I laugh. 

Dax chuckles and follows me as I walk to dads office to grab my bag and say goodbye. 

I knock and step in as my dad hangs up on a call. “Hey Maisie. Heading out for the day?” He asks sitting down his pen and stretching in his seat. 

“Yeah. There’s no cars right now and the paperwork is caught up. Dax and I were gonna go see a Comedian in the city.” I say as I walk over and kiss him on the head as I grab my bag and swing it over my shoulder. 

“Hey Lotto.” Dax says as he steps into the doorway behind me. My dad gives him a smile as he takes in what he’s wearing. Dax tried to look nonchalant but it’s very obvious that he dressed up for me. 

“Just make sure she gets home safely son.” My dad says as he looks between the both of us. 

“Of course. Don’t worry she’s safe with me.” Dax says as he steps aside to hold the door to the office open for me. 

“Bye daddy. See you tonight.” I say as we leave. 

“Bye baby have fun.” He calls out behind me. 

As soon as we are outside Dax takes my hand and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding. 

“Long day?” Dax asks as we get to his car. Which apparently he has three of. This one is A blue mustang with black leather seats with a white stripe down the middle. He calls her ‘Darla’ which I think is hilarious. 

“Kind of. It was pretty boring so it just seemed to drag on forever.” I said as I climbed into the passenger side and he let go of my hand to close the door behind him. 

He gets into his side and starts the car. I’m amazed at the cool air that hits my face. 

“Hey you got the AC fixed!” 

He chuckles. “Yeah. I didn’t want you to sweat the whole 45 minute drive to the club.” He says as we pull away. 

I relax into the seat and stare out the window. Dax reaches over and takes my hand back into his own, Rubbing his thumb over mine as he drives. I smile and curl into myself.

“Hey… can I be weird for a second?” He asks a bit nervous. 

I look at him with a smirk. “You’ve never asked for permission before, so there’s no reason to start now.” I chuckle. 

“ Ha Ha.. I’m serious tho. I want to ask you something. Does this..” He says squeezing my hand, “weird you out? I realize we never really talked about it.. but, this is more. At least it is for me.” He says eyes trying to focus on the road. 

Well crap. I didn’t expect us to actually jump into this conversation. 

“I.. uh..” I stumbled trying to find the words. “I mean.. I just thought it was one of those things we understood and didn’t really have to ask..” I say trying to laugh it off. I could feel myself turning red. I’m completely afraid of saying the wrong thing but I also know that we are both kind of trying the same thing.

Dax sighs a relief and then chuckles. “Thank god.” He says. Then pulls my hand up to kiss the back. I watch him and melt. 

He’s never kissed me. Not even a peck on the head. He sees me watching him and suddenly becomes unsure. “To much?” He asks. 

“No!” I laugh and squeal. “If having this super awkward conversation was all you were waiting for we should have had this weeks ago.” I said leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. 

I flip back to my seat with a total smile on my face and I feel like an i***t. Dax smiles from ear to ear and starts switching lanes lightning fast causing people behind us to honk. 

“Dax!” I yell grabbing for my ‘oh s**t bar’ 

He pulls the car over to the curb on the side of the road and jams it in park. A second later his hand is on my cheek pulling me softly to him. I can feel the happiness in me exploding. My heart knows what’s about to happen. 

His lips push against mine. They are soft but determined. At first it’s nervous, but soon Dax shifts his lips and moves with me. I can’t help but smile at how perfectly in sync we are. It’s like these lips were made to move with mine. And that’s it. I’m home.

When he pulls back he leans his head against mine and smiles trying to catch his breath. “Good. Because I’ve been wanting to do that for weeks too.” He laughs

“I've been waiting weeks.” I say as I pull him back to me.