The Thorne at My Side

CHAPTER 32

CHAPTER 3 2

No Takesy-Backsies

MAGGIE

TalkShopGirl: I imagine it is possible, although, I have to admit I don't share your devotion to your throw pillow. I have a preferred bed pillow I guess. But for the most part, I see my things for the purpose they serve. There are a few mementoes around my apartment, pictures mostly, but I've never been one for collecting things.

I've heard of people collecting key chains or snow globes everywhere they travel but for me a picture does it. As soon as I see an image, I'm thrown back into the memory.

I sit back against my headboard and look out the window. It’s a rainy night and I'm glad to be home and snuggled under the covers.

Things have felt different these last few weeks. First, the messages from DCFox have been frequent. And light hearted. I mean, emotional attachments to pillows? C'mon. But, then there's also Austin asking to be my friend. Him showing up and being endearing and looking delicious. It feels different, new, and it feels good .

There is a lot of history between us but we've only known each other for six months. We've managed to cram in a lot of drama in that time.

The Austin of this past week has been different. He's been goofy. He's been immature. Like the serious and pulled together version of him from last fall was work-hard Austin and this is the play-hard version.

I don't know what to make of it. I feel like I did right before the election where I had to choose between DCFox and Austin. Not that Austin wanted to date me back then but now that he's my friend I guess it feels like we could possibly move from friendship to something more. I know we’re good at the sex part of something more.

But still that leaves me wondering what to do with DCFox.

I snuggle in and reply to students. I told them I’d be willing to talk about career paths and planning for their early careers. I was surprised at how many kids reached out asking for guidance. I’m also surprised by how much I enjoy working with them. I might not have the famous kind of notoriety but I can tell I’m making an impact on their lives.

At the top of the screen a text notification comes up.

I click over to my messages and see one from Austin.

AUSTIN: Can I walk with you to campus tomorrow, friend?

I snuff out a laugh because "friend" feels like an inside joke.

MAGGIE: Sure, friend, I leave at 8:15.

AUSTIN: It's a date, friend.

◆◆ ◆

At 8:15 there's a knock on my door. He's right on time, as usual.

"Good morn-" I'm cut off as I open the door fully. In front of Austin's face is a Saks Fifth Avenue shopping bag. "What's that?" I ask.

Austin lowers the bag and seeing his face is like dunking my head in ice water. It's a shock and refreshing all at once.

"Open it and find out," he says as he steps into my apartment.

"You're really trying to buy me, aren't you?" I joke as I set the shopping bag down on the coffee table.

"I’ll do whatever it takes, MC."

I gasp as I feel the little flutter in my stomach when I hear the nickname. He hasn’t used it since the fall. When there was so much more between us. It’s sweet, and personal, and, dare I say it, friendly .

I pull away the tissue paper and uncover a beautiful tan leather Prada bag. I know immediately that it will fit my laptop and the notebooks I’ve carried with me for years. I slowly lift it out and my breath gets caught in my chest as my fingers brush against the butter smooth leather.

"Austin, this is too much," I say as I sit down with it on my lap. It's beautiful. For the first time I understand DCFox's attachment to an object. I would go to war for this bag.

"Okay, then I'll return it."

"Nope, no takesy-backsies." I hug the bag to my chest and turn away from him to protect it.

He laughs and I feel it between my legs.

"Wanna use it today?" He asks.

"Yes, I think I do."

He chuckles again and hands me my old bag. As I start to transfer everything I pick up the SMS Connect phone and slide it into place.

"Is that an SMS Connect phone?"

I freeze. "Hmm?" I ask like I didn't hear him.

"I asked if that was an SMS Connect phone you slid into your new bag."

"Oh, ha ha ha," this is awkward. "It, umm, yes it is an SMS Connect phone," I admit as my shoulders slump. New laid-back, college class teacher Maggie still can’t think on her feet.

"Are you looking for love, MC?" He asks gently, there's a hint of a tease but more respect to his tone than mirth.

"I might be," I admit. "I signed up last year and have been talking to one guy."

I stand and slide the new bag on my shoulder and make my way to the door. Austin follows and steps out into the hallway. He doesn't say anything, just waits for me to lock up, drop the keys into my new bag after attaching them to the built-in lanyard, and I realize he's waiting for me to continue.

"He, uhh, actually, was the person I was waiting for when you showed up at Lapis."

"Ah, that explains the hair then."

"What?" I laugh.

"You had your hair down. At work it was always up. I got to let it loose when we were together but I’d never seen it done like that. I almost didn't recognize you."

He holds open the door for me as we head out to the sidewalk.

"So, what happened after that night?" He asks.

"Nothing," I shrug.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he never showed up that night, then I sent him a message saying I needed space. Which he gave me until he sent a message at Christmas. I didn't respond to it."

"Wanted to give him a taste of his own medicine?"

I let out a little laugh, "Maybe. But mostly, I just didn't know what to say. I didn't know what I wanted."

"So tell me about him, friend ," Austin says as we cross the street. He grabs my arm to pull me back as a bike comes zipping around us. Sensations travel throughout my body from the spot where his fingers graze my skin. His touch, however innocent, is making it hard to think. I am overwhelmed by the memories of what it felt like to be in his arms and feel his touch everywhere.

"Thanks," I mutter finally while my mind wanders to what holding hands with Austin Thorne would be like.

"Wouldn't want to see that new bag covered in tire marks," he jokes as we continue our walk.

"Right, the bag," I bite back my smile as it tries to grow. He wanted to protect me.

"You were about to tell me everything about your digital soulmate," he says as we cut through the park.

I laugh, "I was?"

"Yes, as your friend, I need to approve of this guy."

"We're that close of friends that you get boyfriend approval rights?"

"Absolutely. And who would be a better judge than me? I'm the total package. Since you have turned me down, if I'm not good enough then I am the only one to judge a man who is better than me."

"You're unreal," I laugh. "Okay, let's see, he's thoughtful."

"In a philosophical way or in a I-noticed-your-work-bag-sucked-and-got-you-a-new-one way?"

"Philosophical," I retort and narrow my eyes at him.

"Okay, fine," he responds and lifts his hands in the air in surrender.

"He's open, he tells me about his feelings towards things."

"What things?"

"Oh gosh, I don't know. We've talked about music, books, I know he likes to cook but not clean up after himself."

"So, he's lazy."

"No," I chuckle, "he's honest, it’s sweet."

"I see," he says thoughtfully. We pause at a corner and I turn to study Austin's face as he watches traffic. His eyes move as he follows different cars or pedestrians, jumping every so often to the next thing. He's perceptive, I never really noticed that about him before. If I’m honest it feels like he can read me like a book.

But then again, DCFox has too. “There are times when it feels like he knows me better than I know myself." I admit right before the light changes.

I start to move into the crosswalk but after a few steps I turn to see Austin still standing on the sidewalk.

"Austin?"

"There's no way to compete with that," he says soberly and then blinks quickly like he's coming out of a trance. "C'mon, time's running out."

And he reaches down for my hand and pulls me quickly through the intersection before the light changes because now it’s my feet that are stuck in place.