Misery Company

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The baby store in the mall was nearly empty when they arrived that afternoon. Dean held the car seat as Mackenzie held Megan in her arms. Dean watched the two and wondered if the twilight zone did exist and he was trapped in an episode. Mackenzie was actually nice and soft around the baby, almost pleasant and likeable. And his daughter liked her, she hadn’t cried once since they left the house. “Are you going to be cheap or pick something nice?” she asked.

“No unlike you I have style.” It felt good to banter with Mac, that was normal. “Just pick something so I can get out of here.”

“Oh excuse me I forgot you don’t like to participate in anything involving the kid you abandoned.”

“Shut up Mackenzie.”

They were out of the store in twenty minutes but the fun didn’t stop there. The crib needed putting together. Mac started to laugh. “You Mr. All Man and Ego doesn’t know his way around a screwdriver? I have so many new things to make fun of you with.”

Dean grit his teeth, he’d kill her if he didn’t need her. “There’s basketball and then school and note I said basketball first, my father wouldn’t have it any other way. Everything else comes in last.”

“Lucky for you I pride myself in being able to handle everything. But you so owe me, I have to come up with something big and embarrassing.”

When they got back to the house Dean’s father still hadn’t returned and it wasn’t nine yet. The house was empty, making it easier for them to get everything upstairs. Megan slept in the car seat while Dean tore open the box and Mac raided the garage for tools. Mr. Chandler may not want his son to focus on nothing but the sport but the man sure did have a nice tool collection. She walked back upstairs and found Dean staring at the baby. He looked in awe and terrified. “She won’t grow horns and bite.”

“It’s not that, I just don’t want to screw her up.”

Mac had a one liner ready for that but stopped herself. It was surprising to see Dean vulnerable and, for someone always cocky, insecure. “Let’s get this done before my Aunt realizes I’m gone.”

Dean sat back and watched along with Megan at his side. It wasn’t until Mac was screwing in the last paneling he asked. “Why are you so quiet? I was expecting you to use this time to ride on me some more.”

“Bad choice of words, riding is what got you into this problem. Speaking of; who is Megan’s mother?”

Dean cracked a less then humorless smile. “Yeah that’s what I was expecting. She’s none of your business.”

“She must be pretty pissed to leave her child with you or just selfish and tired of taking care of her. She wouldn’t be the first mother to be.”

He noted the edge to her voice. “What about your parents, what happened to them?”

“They died in a crash. The crib is done.” She began piling all the trash back into the box. “What are you going to do about school?”

“My father wouldn’t let me miss practice. We’ll find somebody to watch her.”

Mac kissed the baby on both cheeks before nearing the window and leaving without saying another word to him. She made it back to her room without Kate ever noticing. Six in the morning came quick; her aunt was in bed for the night. After a shower Mac did the same.

The next morning the whole school knew about her punishment involving the basketball team. “You’re the talk of the school.” Kira said as they met up in the hallway.

“Oh goody. Just wait until today’s practice the school will be on fire with gossip.” She was actually looking forward to practice and Dean making good on their deal. Everyone’s face would be priceless.

Like always she avoided Dean but it felt different now that they were sharing a secret. It wasn’t until lunch time she caught him alone. “What did you do about Megan?”

“My mom is staying with her until she has to go to work then we hired a sitter until I get home.” he pulled her farther into the empty hall. “My mom made it clear the sitter wouldn’t stay an extra minute to help out.”

“So you need me?” Mac smiled. “You stick to your end of the deal and you have nothing to worry about.”  His face drastically fell. “Did you hope I’d forget? No chance. I want major ass kissing at practice today.”

“Fine you evil woman.”

“Uh huh save the insults for someone who cares.” She walked away to join Kira for lunch.

IIII

Dean knew what it felt like to fall down the rabbit hole. Now he was a teenage father going to the least likeliest person for help. Strangely enough he didn’t want to get rid of Megan. It was hard to deny something that was never real inside your mind; now looking into her eyes, his eyes, she was real, and she was his. Dean sat with his buddies at their table outside but today his attention was diverted from the daily talks of basketball, girls and the rest of their high school days.

He was watching Mackenzie Ashby.

She sat with her only friend and ate French fries. Mac wasn’t the type of girl to care about something like carbs. Not that she needed to, she was in good shape. Dean closed his eyes and mentally punched himself. He should not be noticing her shape. She irked him like no other human being and the worst was yet to come. If he could find something to blackmail her with and even the fields maybe he could save himself but it would be impossible before practice.

“Hey.” Christy waved her hand in front of his face. “What’s wrong with you? You haven’t said one word.”  

“Nothing.” Christy would kill him if she knew he had a deal with Mac even if it was through blackmail. “Just thinking practice it’s going to be a bitch.”

“Yeah.” One of the guys said. “The coach is losing it adding a girl to the team.”

“But she was good.” Eric added. “He’s not putting her on the team, just using her for pointers.”

Christy made a face. “You’re defending her? She punched me and she’s rewarded.”

Their deal flashed back in Dean’s mind. Like Mac had said she wasn’t going to forget the details. “You probably shouldn’t have mentioned her mom. It’s a hot button with her.”

“Seriously what is going on with you? Mac is the biggest bitch and you used to agree now you’re defending her and she was at your house.” Christy face grew red and her voice louder.

“What?” the whole table asked.

“She was helping me with my baby cousin who’s staying with us for awhile.”

“You could’ve called me.”

“She was right there and I didn’t know you knew anything about babies.” There were times he wanted to throttle her, now was one of those times.

“Well I don’t but we could learn together. I don’t want you around her.”

Dean scoffed. “Why?”

“Because she is my enemy and you love me so you’ll so what I ask.” Christy stormed away from the table.

“You’re in serious hot water man.” Eric said laughing.