Hold Me Close

Chapter 2-3

Shane ran tape over the box as he packed the last of his things before moving in over O’Leary’s. He hated moving. His phone buzzed with a text.

Help! Need an escape. Family driving me crazy.

Nothing like a little Maggie melodrama to break his boredom. On my way.

He didn’t know what they were doing to make her crazy, but he didn’t care much either. He knew a lot of what she disliked was stuff she brought on herself. It was a little of the crazy she dished out coming back at her.

By the time he parked down the block from her mom’s house, the sun was long gone and the streetlights had clicked on. Most families were huddled in their homes having dinner. He walked toward the house, studying the neighborhood. He’d been here plenty over the years and it was comfortable, a home away from home. These neighbors were a little nosier than his, though.

Suddenly, something pelted his shoulder. Barely more than a sting, but enough to get his attention. He looked around for whatever kid had thrown the snowball, but saw no one. Then he heard the snicker and knew it had been Maggie. He bent over, scooped some snow, and formed it into a tight ball. Walking a few more steps, he listened for her.

She popped around from behind a tree, sailing a snowball past his head.

“Nice try.” Then he threw his, nailing her thigh.

Unfortunately, she had a small arsenal by the tree trunk. She must’ve been waiting outside for him for a while. She turned and then fired again, swinging wildly with double-fisted ammunition. He began throwing half-formed balls to slow her assault as he rushed her position.

When she saw him coming, she squealed and ran, abandoning her post and her cache. He took her spot and began using her own snowballs against her. As each one pinged off her back, she yelped. Two houses down, she raised her hands in surrender.

“Okay, you win.” She huffed and bent over, bracing her hands on her knees. “I quit.”

He approached with a wide smile. He liked winning. When he came up to her, he patted her back. “It’s okay, Magpie. Not everyone can be an athlete.”

In a blink, she rose up and shoved a handful of snow down the front of his shirt. Damn, it was cold. It immediately melted against his warm skin and dripped a cool river that pooled at his waistband.

She took off running again. This time, her laughter echoed in her wake. It was such a good sound to hear that he stood for a moment and just absorbed it, allowed it to captivate his entire being.

But her taunt pulled him out of his bubble of enjoyment.

“Sucker!”

He knew he was, but he’d never admit it to her. He ran after her again, quickly gaining ground. Her harsh “Oh, f**k” whooshed out just before he tackled her in the snow. He grabbed a handful of snow and rubbed it on her face. She yelped and squealed.

Shane kept her pinned to the ground but gave her a minute to catch her breath. She blinked rapidly, knocking snowflakes from her lids and lashes. Instead of being pissed, she smiled up at him. “Okay, you win.”

“Nice try.”

“What do you mean?” Her eyes went wide as if she were some innocent kid.

He held up another ball of snow and reached for her shirt. Her hand slapped down on her collar. “You wouldn’t.”

“Of course I would. Fair’s fair.”

“But I said you won. I give up.”

“And I know better.”

With her other hand, she shoved at his torso. “Get up, you’re squishing me.”

In truth, he probably was, but he didn’t want to give her an inch. Maggie was the type of girl who’d run away with a mile if he did. She finally flopped her arms out wide in surrender. “I give up. You win. For real this time.”

Watching her capitulate stirred some unwelcome feelings. He jumped off her and held out a hand to help her up. She eyed him through narrow slits. “What’s your game?”

“Nothing. Truce.”

She placed her hand in his, which felt natural, and tugged at those same unwelcome desires. He yanked her to standing. Her face was lit with a smile. Unfortunately for her, she was a little too smug. He scooped her shirt open at the top and dumped in a handful of snow. Her sharp intake of breath gave him great satisfaction.

“Never underestimate your opponent,” he said, and then turned to take off.

He’d only gotten a few steps when Maggie launched herself onto his back. She squeezed his neck tightly and wrapped her legs around his hips. “You called a truce!”

“Yeah, and you fell for it. Now we’re even.”

Instead of another jab, she rubbed the top of his head. “I’ve missed this.”

The friendly gesture settled him back to where he should be.

“Me too.” He continued to walk back toward his truck with her on his back. “You want to tell me what your family did now?”

As he unlocked his truck, she slid off his back. “Just the usual.”

“You’ve been in Ireland for over a year. How is anything usual?”

She climbed into the cab of the truck and waited for him to get behind the steering wheel. “They treat me like a little kid. They fawn all over me like I’ve just recovered from a terminal illness, but then they tiptoe around me. It’s annoying.”

He started the truck and asked, “Where to?”

“Anywhere but here.” She stared out the windshield. Her cheeks were red from the cold and the snow. Her laughter was gone, and he wanted it back.

“Dinner?”

“Sure.”

Because she didn’t offer an opinion about where to go, Shane just drove. She had something on her mind, something more than her family hovering. When he pulled into the parking lot of their favorite hot dog stand, she sighed.

“How’d you know?”

“Everyone knows you can’t get a decent hot dog outside Chicago. Plus, you look like you could use some fries and a chocolate shake.”

Her smile returned for a flash. As he reached to open his door, she grabbed his arm. “Wait.”

He stopped.

“Todd’s getting out.”

His entire body hardened. He despised hearing that asshole’s name on her lips. He said nothing because he didn’t want to lie about Ryan already telling him.

“Ryan got the letter informing me while I was gone.” The muscle in her jaw twitched, and she nodded as if to answer some thought in her head.

“Are you okay?”

“I guess. It’s not like I thought he’d be in jail forever. I knew this day would come. What really annoyed me is that Ryan knew—s**t, my whole family probably knew—and no one told me. They’re all so afraid I’m going to break. I’m stronger than that.”

“Mags, I’m sure—”

She shook her head. “Please don’t defend them.”

How could she not know how difficult it was for all of them? Todd had broken her. He’d stolen a piece of her. “They worry about you, but they don’t think you’re going to break.”

“Yeah, they do. They all take this placating tone with me. Damn, my mother still can’t say that I was r***d. Like saying the word itself gives it more power or something.” She squeezed his hand. “That’s why I needed to see you. You make me feel normal. We’re just regular friends hanging out.”

Even though a bit of guilt sat on his chest, he squeezed her hand in return. “I’m up for a snowball fight anytime.”