The Special Girl Page 16

  When I arrive home, my entire family is there to greet us and help unload my belongings from the truck. My brothers are especially happy to see me. They each hold me tight when we embrace. I could swear Brendan has a tear in his eye as we break our hug. They have not seen me since my traumatic event. My brothers are also eager to thank Zack for all he has done for me. It is sweet to see my brothers convey so much love for me and respect for Zack.

  After we unload the truck and speak on the front lawn for a while, Zack, Dana and Brian go home. Zack asks me if I want to take a ride on his bike later. I agree excitedly as I love riding on his bike with him. My family and I enjoy a long dinner together. We stay at the table long after we finish eating, talking and joking with each other. Brendan and Liam catch us up on their school experiences and girls they have been seeing. Ava has a new boyfriend and we have fun grilling her about him. My phone starts buzzing as we talk. Zack is calling to see if I am ready to go, he is outside. “Sorry family, I have a date,” I say as I kiss them all goodbye and head out the door.

  Zack takes me for a ride around our sleepy little town. After about an hour, he pulls over to a playground. It is deserted at this late hour. He parks the bike and we sit on top of a picnic table. I sit leaning against his chest in between his legs. He has his arms wrapped around me and I could stay here forever. It is such a peaceful night. The only sounds came from the chirping in the surrounding woods and Zack’s heartbeat.

  “When I was a kid, my mom used to bring me here to this park,” Zack says. “I can remember her sitting over there on that bench talking intensely to a man,” he says pointing at a bench. “I was playing with another boy, but I kept looking over and trying to listen to their conversation,” he explains. “Their voices became louder as they argued. He wanted my mom to tell my dad something. She refused. I later found out she was sleeping with that guy and he wanted her to leave my dad for him,” he admits. “The boy I was playing with was his son, a kid in my class. He had already left his wife. His wife went to my father and told him what was going on. That was the end of their marriage,” he says sadly. “It has taken a long time for me to like my mother again. I never stopped loving her but now I like her again,” he grins. I turn towards him. “Oh Zack,” I say as I gently rub my palm up and down his cheek.

  “My dad and I had a long talk when I went home for Spring break. He admitted that he held some responsibility in the demise of their marriage. He said he didn’t give all of himself to her. He held some of himself back from her. But she wanted all of him. I knew that she didn’t want the divorce, but I figured she just wanted my dad for his financial support. Now I know that she really just wanted him,” Zack says sadly. “I want to give all of me to you Maura. I don’t want to keep anything from you. You are so special, and I know I don’t deserve you, but I will do anything for you and give you anything you want physically or emotional, it’s yours. I love you so fucking much Maura,” he gasps as he cups my face and kisses me hard.

  I am speechless from what he has just said to me. I take a minute to gather my thoughts. “Zack, I don’t ever want to know a day without you. You make me so happy. You have changed everything about my life for the better. You saved my life! No one is better than you,” I say as I surrender to him. He kisses me and nuzzles me for a long time. It is after midnight by the time he brings me home. I am reluctant to part ways with him, but I really have no choice.

  Zack picks up working at the family construction company and I return to Sprinkles. One night I am working with Cassie and another new hire. Cassie seats a very pregnant girl and a blue-haired girl at one of my tables. I recognize the blue-haired girl right away as Lindsey. I am excited to see her as I approach the table with some menus. “Hey Linds! How are you?” I say and then my face drops as I realize the pregnant girl is Piper.

  “Piper! Wow! You’re pregnant,” I say stupidly. She gives me a tight smile and says, “Well we always knew you were smart Maura!” I look at Lindsey, “Hi sweety! Good to see you,” I say as I give her a hug. She smiles and says, “I heard from the guys that you and Zack are back together!” “Yes! We have become quite serious,” I confirm. Piper rolls her eyes and mumbles, “For now.” “Oh, I’m fairly certain it will be forever actually,” I respond defiantly. She looks at me skeptically. “Why can’t you figure it out that you and Zack are an impossible match! He is too good for your snobby ass!” she spits out. “Piper!” Lindsey yells in horror. “No. It’s okay Linds, and who is good enough for him? You?” I ask Piper as I exaggerate my glare of her huge baby bump.

  Cassie comes over and asks if everything is alright. Lindsey tells Cassie it is and prompts Piper to shut up and order. Lindsey asks for their order to go with an apologetic look. After I get their ice cream orders, I bag it up, they pay and leave. Lindsey gives me a wave and a smile. Cassie comes over to me after they exit the store. “What the hell Maura! What kind of girls did you go to high school with?” she asks chuckling remembering my run-in last Spring with my other old friends. “Not nice ones!” I holler at her.

  Zack takes me out on his bike the next night. He drives to the tattoo shop Benny works at. I assume he is visiting Benny. When we get there, Benny is standing in the waiting room talking to the same barely dressed girl I saw here last time. Zack has his arm around me possessively. Benny’s face lights up, “Zack what’s up dude?” he says as they shake and man hug. Benny gives me a kiss hello. “Hi Maura, how are you? How’s your brother’s tattoo? Is he ready for another one yet?” he asks. I laugh, “I forgot about that tattoo. He keeps it covered around my parents. But it will certainly be discovered now that it is summer,” I say with a chuckle. The girl at the desk is glaring at me. Benny must notice because he says, “Rachel this is Zack’s girlfriend, Maura.” She gives me a fake smile and says, “Hi.”

  Benny asks Zack if he is ready. He nods yes. Benny leads the way to his tattoo station. As we pass by another room, the guy I met here before as Benny’s boss, Mick, is in there shirtless and making out feverishly with a girl in only a bra and shorts. Benny shakes his head and motions to his room for us to enter. He closes the door and says, “What a fucking douchebag!” “It’s one thing to know what he did to Piper, but I have to see this shit every day! I fucking hate it!” Benny screeches. I remember that this was the guy with Piper when I had that confrontation with her Thanksgiving eve. Was he her baby’s father? It sure seemed like it.

  Zack takes his shirt off revealing his perfect torso. I salivate at the sight. Then he sits down in the chair. I realize that he is about to get a tattoo. I look at him in question. He smiles, “Come here babe,” and pulls me down on his lap. “Are you getting a tattoo?” I ask. “Yup! It’s my turn. All the other guys have already let Benny ink them,” he says. “What are you getting?” I ask eagerly. “You will have to wait and see,” he says mischievously.

  I sit on his lap leaning into him as Benny gets to work on Zack’s upper left arm. They talk the entire time about how Piper is a licensed hair stylist now and her and Lindsey got a place together. Piper has the master bedroom in the condo they rent, and they are making an alcove in Piper’s room a nursery. She is due in a couple weeks and she will have to take some time off. Benny said Mick did agree to help support them when she is on maternity leave and will put the baby on his medical insurance. “So at least there’s that,” Benny says, “But Piper will probably go to court to get regular child support,” he adds. Now I feel sympathy for Piper and not hatred. She will be responsible for an infant in the next few weeks. I couldn’t imagine such an overwhelming obligation.

  After about two hours, Benny announces he is done. I jump out of Zack’s lap and eagerly look at the new tattoo. Benny wipes away some blood and I see it. It is the wording ‘My girl’ with the M in a large block letter done up in a calligraphy type script with intricate detail within the letter M. The wording is inside a shaded heart in the background on his left upper arm. I believe the M also stands for Maura as there are two brilliant blue eyes draw
n within the M along with bright pink roses and an Eastern tailed blue butterfly. Zack confirms this as he watches me looking at it and asks, “Do you like your tattoo baby?” My glare darts to him and I smile back at him, “Yes, very much!” I say as I press my lips to his. Benny clears his throat and chuckles, “Dude what would you have done if she didn’t like it?” “I knew she would,” Zack says confidently.

  Benny is extremely talented. He was able to fit so much beautiful detail inside the letter M. I am impressed. Zack shakes Benny’s hand. “Awesome job man! It’s great!” Zack tells him. “You two better go up and show Max. He will be pissed if you don’t stop to see him.” Zack agrees and we head out to the front desk first so Zack can pay. That same girl, Rachel, is sitting there giggling with Mick standing behind her rubbing her shoulders. Wow! This guy sure does get around. Piper is better off without this guy. He can’t seem to make up his mind who he wants. He was probably like that even when she was with him. I am starting to feel more and more compassion for her. I hope she can get over whatever grudge she holds against me.

  Zack pays Rachel and Mick asks to see the new tattoo. He is impressed as well. “Benny sure is a talented guy,” he tells Zack. Zack agrees. Rachel winks at Zack and touches his hand purposefully as she hands him his change. Zack quickly pulls away and frowns as he takes it. He immediately reaches for me and he guides me towards the back of the shop to a staircase. We go upstairs and he knocks on one of the two apartment doors. Max answers with a roar, “Zack!!” He pulls Zack in for a hug. Aidan yells from inside the apartment, “Yo bro!” Max then notices me. “Maura, how the hell are you sweetheart?” he asks me as he gives me a kiss on my cheek. I reciprocate and say, “Good and you?” “I’m good too,” he replies. He waves us in.

  The apartment is nice. The furniture is fairly new and there is a large flat screen TV on the wall with a paused military-style video game displayed on it. There is a faint smell of marijuana in the air. Aidan jumps up and comes over to greet us. He also makes a point of kissing me on the cheek. This is the most accepted I have ever felt in their presence. Max tells us to sit and he offers us something to drink. He disappears into another room and returns with a beer for each of us. We take them and start to sip. Zack shows them his new tattoo. They look a little shocked at first. Max and Aidan share a glance as they inspect it. “Benny is crazy good! Isn’t he?” Aidan asks. We both agree. Max and Aidan both show off their newly acquired ink as well.

  Max asks how I am since the attack. I am startled at first that he knows about it but then I realize of course he knows. I’m sure Zack told his best friends about the most traumatic event that probably ever happened to him. Max rests a hand over mine and apologizing for rattling me. “I was just thinking about you and I hope you are able to move on easily from that. I didn’t mean to upset you,” he says. Aidan chimes in also and expresses his support as well. I tell them I appreciate their kind words and concern for me. A little over a year ago, I don’t think they had thought much of me and now they were welcoming me into their little group. This was nice, I liked it. I smiled at Zack as he searched my face for a reaction to his friends’ comments.

  We stay there a couple hours. Benny joins us for the last half hour. Benny and Max are living here, and it sounds like Aidan is here a lot. They talk about their jobs and a little about girls, however I can tell they are holding back details for my benefit. I appreciate that. I laugh a lot at their silly banter and constant ribbing. They have a long history and they have each other’s backs. I like the easiness of their relationship. Witnessing their interaction makes me miss Kylie.

  Chapter 27

  Zack

  My dad and Dana went all out decorating our house for the 4th of July and their wedding weekend. They have planned to have their wedding ceremony and then a huge barbeque in the back yard. The home improvement projects have all been completed in anticipation of this event. Dad, Al and I just finished up the front porch area last week. The entire outside of the house is decked out in patriotic décor. American flag bunting hangs from every overhang in the front and back of the house. Small flags dot the landscaping and the smell of barbeque and the sight of smoke wafting from the caterer’s smoker in the back yard is heavenly.

  The wedding is casual, so I don’t have to wear a suit or tux. My dad and I dress in black linen pants and white button downed shirts with loafers. Dana took us shopping a few weeks ago and she decided on this look for us. I don’t usually dress like this, but I will do whatever Dana asks of me. This is their special day and I want to do whatever I can to make it good for both of them. I am very happy for them and want this day to be everything they want it to be.

  I was happy for my mother when she married David, but I hadn’t really known him. I knew she was happy, and I believed she was in love, but I didn’t have any ties to David prior to their marriage. This was due to the fact that I didn’t live near them and I only saw them a couple times a year. Now that I have gotten to know David better, I can honestly say I like him. He treats my mother well and they appear happy. David has also tried very hard to improve our relationship. His funding my education is an invaluable gift that I am forever grateful for.

  Dana and I have gotten to know each other these past few years. She is around a lot and treats me very well. She always makes sure I have what I need and makes sure my dad checks in on me even when he spent most of his time at her place. Now that we all live together, I feel like our house has become a home. Now I understand why Maura loves being with her family in her home. Dana has provided me with a glimpse inside that way of life in the short time she has lived here. I am very happy my dad met her and is marrying her today. He deserves happiness and she will give that to him.

  Maura comes over a couple hours prior to the wedding to offer help with the preparations. She soon discovers that Dana has everything covered so she grabs a seat in the living room and waits for me to come downstairs after I finish getting ready. I am in my room appraising my unconventional attire in the mirror. I even got a haircut and gelled my hair up off my face. I put on cologne and tuck my shirt in and descend the stairs to meet my girl waiting for me patiently.

  As soon as she sees me, her eyes widen, and her mouth opens. “What?” I ask nervously as I check my outfit and smooth my pants. Her face lights up and she comes towards me swiftly, “You look so hot,” she says as she wraps her arms around my neck and kisses me slowly on the lips. When we pull apart, I move away from her to get a better look at her attire. She is wearing a powder blue halter dress that hugs her amazing body and hits just above her knees with strappy wedges. The color of the dress matches her beautiful eyes and draws you to them. Her hair is hanging in loose waves and I just want to take her upstairs and lose myself in her. Instead I tell her how beautiful she looks and kiss her some more.

  Just then my dad comes out of the office on the first floor he has been assigned to get ready in because Dana and her sister Pam are upstairs getting ready in the bedroom. “Hey, how do I look?” he says as he approaches us. He gives Maura a kiss on her cheek. “Very handsome, “ she answers. “You look great dad!” I say with a chuckle. He laughs and responds, “We clean up good huh?” referring to me and him. “Maura you look stunning as always sweetheart,” he says. “Thank you! I can’t wait to see Dana!” Maura gushes. “Me too!” my dad says eagerly. We go in the kitchen and my dad pours himself a drink and starts to sip it nervously.

  My mom and David arrive and immediately come over to me and Maura. My mom excitedly greets Maura and compliments her dress. Maura reciprocates and they launch into a conversation about school and New York and how great the house looks. Maura and my mother definitely hit it off. David speaks to me about school. He asks me more than once if I need money or help with anything else. I thank him and tell him he has already done so much for me. He also compliments the improvements on the house.

  Maura’s family as well as my friends are also invited. They all filter in with the other guests and everyone is tal
king and laughing in the festive yard. The lawn is set with folding chairs lined up in rows facing a gazebo dad built for Dana just for this day. My phone vibrates in my pocket and I look to see it’s my dad. When I answer, he tells me to come inside because the wedding is about to start. I excuse myself and with a kiss to her forehead, I ask Maura to encourage everyone to find a seat.

  A few minutes later, I walk out of the house with my dad and stand in front of the huge gazebo. Maura winks at me when I find her in the audience flanked by her family. When Dana comes through the French doors and starts towards the gazebo, she is beaming as she keeps her gaze on my father. She looked radiant in her simple white gown. All eyes are on Dana as she makes her way to her place by my father’s side. I look over for a moment and see my beautiful girl smile brightly as she witnesses the two of them take each other’s hands and turn towards the minister.

  Suddenly, I have a vision of Maura making her way towards me dressed in a stunning white gown. I know we are too young now, but I really believe in this moment, one day I will make her my wife. I can’t look away from her as I imagine our future wedding day. She feels my stare and looks over to me and blows me a kiss. My heart soars and I smile back at her. I absolutely love this incredible, sexy, sweet woman and there isn’t anything I won’t do for her. She is my entire world and my future.

  After the ceremony, we eat great barbecue and drink lots of alcohol. The back-yard reception is a great time. The patio becomes a dance floor and almost everyone makes good use of it. My dad and Dana, my new stepmom, dance the most. Who knew my dad even danced? Even my friends dance. Maura and I had to intervene when her sister and Aidan became a little too frisky as they danced. We had to remind him that she was only 16. Of course, I danced with my girl. A lot of people stayed well after the caterers packed up and most of the guests left, like my mom and stepdad and Maura’s parents and sister. Her brothers stayed later with my friends and some of the guys that work for my dad. We finish off the alcohol and my dad and Dana leave for a hotel they are staying in tonight, their first night married.