Misery Company

Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Mac was getting annoyed. If Dean kept doing nice things that was going to make it harder to hate him. Well no that wasn’t fair she didn’t hate him, she wouldn’t marry someone she hated but she did strongly dislike him. She showed that beautiful dress to Mrs. Chandler and silently dared her to find something wrong with it. Dean had good taste; it was the perfect simple yet elegant gown. She didn’t know how to thank him or express any emotion toward it so she ran out of the room.

Thankfully Mrs. Chandler gave her nod of approval and moved on to the next subject. Mac left her to it in the kitchen and took the dress back to the room. “She didn’t hate it.” Dean still sat on the bed where she left him. Mac went to the closet and hung the garment up. “She’s calling flower people now; she said it would be better if they were local.” She shrugged, she didn’t get it and didn’t want to, wedding plans were something she had no interest in.

“What do you think of the dress?”

Mac found herself staying hidden in the closet. “I said it’s nice.”

“So you’ll wear it?”

“That’s what that means yeah.” Slowly she stepped out of the closet once she was sure he wouldn’t ask more questions. “Your mom is like a bottle rocket with these plans. She doesn’t need or want help, this is better then I thought it would be. Now we just need the actual day to come and go.”

“I’ll be relieved once the court date comes and goes and I know Megan is staying here.”

Mac leaned against the frame of the closet door and didn’t know what to say to that. She would do everything in her power to keep Megan safe which meant staying with the only parent she’s ever known but nothing was written in stone and it’d be foolish to make promises she couldn’t keep, there was no guarantee the marriage would grant them full custody. “We should get back out there before your mom thinks we made a break for it out the window.”

“Or maybe she’ll think we’re fooling around.” Dean chuckled as he took in her horrified expression. “Don’t look at me like that; we want this to be believable right?”

“I guess but it’s pretty gross to think about.”

“Gross?” Dean questioned as he stood from the bed. “Maybe weird considering our history but us having sex wouldn’t be gross.”

Mac could slap herself for opening that can of worms. She rolled her eyes instead. “Give it up Chandler.”

He moved closer to where she stood near the closet. “I would,” he whispered, meeting her eyes. “in a heartbeat.” there was no mistaking the sexual undertone.

Old habits died hard, she reached out and hit him across the arm. “You’re supposed to be less annoying with age.”

“I’m not annoying, you’re just uncomfortable because deep down you do want to see me naked.” He smiled, bringing a light to his green eyes.

Mac couldn’t let him get the best of her and certainly couldn’t show any reaction even if her heart was beating a little too fast for her liking. “No you’re confusing me with your dreams.”

“No I admit it,” he tugged at the hem of her shirt and pulled her closer to him. “I really, really wouldn’t mind seeing you naked.”

Mac avoided his eyes and tried not to grin even though she was tempted to knee him in the groin. “You were right; you should’ve gone back to school. Let me go Dean.” Her heart raced widely as a wave of nervousness bubbled around her body.

He had her cornered against the wall and wasn’t letting her go easily. He pressed his lips to her cheek and down to her neck. His mouth was warm and wet creating a burst of desire. Mac felt as if a ping pong ball was going back and forth inside her at rapid speed, nothing made sense and it happened so fast. She couldn’t let Dean get the wrong idea and if she stood there and let him kiss her that was definitely the wrong idea.

Reacting quickly she stomped on his foot and pushed him back. “I don’t think so.” Dean said around a grunt as his arm around her waist held on as he went tumbling back to the carpeted floor. “You’re strong, grown men on the court can’t push me to the ground.” He said simply as if they weren’t sprawled out on the floor.

Mac tried to stand or at least get off his chest but Dean wasn’t playing easy this time. Everywhere her hands touched was warm and hard with muscle. “You must have a death wish. I’m gonna make you wish you’ve never been born.” The more she tried to pull back the harder his grip became around her back. “I thought we agreed Megan was more important then these stupid little games.”

“We wouldn’t have to play these little games if you’d let yourself be honest. I’ve admitted I was a jerk to you and that I was sorry and all of that changed. The last thing I want to do is ever hurt you again. I tried to let it go and look at this like a business deal but it’s not working.” He explained with his tone soft.

Again she avoided his eyes and her own racing heart beat. “I don’t care. Why can’t you get that through your head?”

“Because I don’t believe you.”

Mac caved and looked at the man under her. She was scared to believe him but at the same time she wasn’t sure he was lying and that nagged at her. His green eyes looked as truthful as she had ever seen them laced with the same care he used when he looked at Megan. It was too complicated to think of Dean having any type of feelings for her and what that could all mean. The fact was the past was hurtful and she wasn’t ready to forgive or forget.

She was saved from having to say anything but in exchange came a wave of embarrassment. “I should’ve guessed when you two disappeared.” Alicia Chandler said from the doorway with her arms sternly crossed. “We have the guest list to go over if we want these invitations to arrive in time.”