Chapter One
“Maci! I know you’re in there.” The husky alto accompanied by rapid thuds pulled her from sleep.
“Jesus Christ.” The hollow noise continued, and Maci placed a hand over her face. She’d been out of the house for five years, but she could never truly escape. Not in a town where you could spit and hit someone you were related to.
“Maci Lou Long!” Her mother’s voice rose an octave.
Maci threw off the sheet and stumbled from bed. Unlike most sane people, her mother would camp out until she finally left her house. That’s what an addiction would do to you, and Traci had a jones for alcohol so severe, she’d garnered the label “town drunk”, which was impressive in a sick, sad, way. Their town had a lot of problems. Most men worked two jobs to make ends meet. The door to her room slammed against the wall of her trailer as she stomped to the front door and yanked it open. Her mother’s body hit the stairs hard as she lost her balance, landing palms out to keep from smacking her face against the pavement. Narrowing her eyes, Maci judged her level of intoxication. Buzzed.
Her head tilted back. Lank, black, hair fell back to reveal glazed, bloodshot red eyes. Thin veins stood out against murky white. High cheekbones stood out all sharp edges leading up to a set of large eyes. Her heart-shaped face bordered on skeletal. Her once voluptuous, five-foot nine frame had been ravaged from neglect and abuse. Once upon a time Maci would be kneeling on the floor helping her mother up, and bleeding over her pain and anguish. Now she couldn’t go there. Her mother did a damn convincing impression of a black hole. Drift too close and she’d suck you in, swallow you whole, and end life as you knew it.
“Mom, what are you doing here?” Maci crossed her arms over her chest.
A goofy smile spread across her chapped lips. “Hey, baby.”
Pressing her lips together Maci forced herself to remain aloof. No matter how nicely she spoke, an ulterior motive always rested at the center.
Her mom scrambled to her feet. “Did I wake you?”
“Yes, Mother, I’ve pulled doubles all week.”
“Oh … I’m in a bit of a bind.”
Of course you are.
“What do you need?” A part of her protested the proposal. The only way to break the cycle would be to walk away. But this was her mother. The woman had worked two, sometimes three jobs, to give her everything she needed. Even when the alcohol took precedence the cupboards were always stocked, and money was available. The day to day Maci could do on her own by the time she turned eight.
“I’m short on the rent.”
Maci took a deep breath, held it in her lungs, and released it out of her nose. “Are you lying, Mom? You know I don’t like giving you money to drink away.”
“No, no, it’s legit. I just lost track of the money in my account—.”
“I’m sure your boy toy, Craig, helped you with that one.” Scowling she turned on her heel and walked over to the table where her purse rested. “How much do you need?”
“Three hundred … I’ll pay you back.”
“Uh huh.” Digging out her check book she wrote out three hundred dollars and ripped the sheet loose. She turned and met her mother’s gaze. “Take this directly to the bank, cash it, and go to see Mr. Lawson to pay the rent.”
“I will.” Her hand shook as she took the square piece of paper. “Thank you, Mac, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Me either.
Her mother wrapped an arm around her shoulder. The powerful scent of alcohol, mint, and perfume threatened to choke her. Holding her breath she gave her mother a few pats on the back before she pulled away. “Can I get you something to eat?” A heartbeat passed. Her pulse kicked up a notch. Say yes, prove me wrong for once.
“No, honey, I don’t want to put you out. This is plenty.”
“Right, because I don’t mind being woken up at the crack of dawn after working long hours.” The bitch vibe rolling off her made her wince. Her mother always brought out the worst in her. Suitcases full of issues and resentment tasted like bitter ashes in her mouth.
“You’re mad.”
The child-like voice took the bite out of Maci’ anger. A stab of guilt wrenched her gut. She was an extremely sick woman. “Just disappointed, I never see you unless you need something, Mom.”
“I invite you over all the time!”
The self-righteous indignation made Maci snort.
“You know how I feel about Craig.” The sleazy, heavy-handed, bastard who had driven her out of her own home at seventeen.
“I wish the two of you would get along. He doesn’t have a problem with you.” Exasperated, her mother shook her head.
“Fuck him.”
“Ugh. This is why I’m never around.” Her mother shook her head. “You don’t have to like him, but the least you can do is respect my feelings.”
“I’m sorry I can’t bring myself to play nice after all the things he’s put you through. I don’t respect little boys stuck in adult bodies who put their hands on women.”
“I’m done, Maci.”
“I wish you were,” she muttered.
“Thank you for the money. I’ll get it back as soon as I can. I love you, Maci, but I love him, too.”
You love him more. That’s always been the problem between us, hasn’t it? You want a man’s attention more than you want a relationship with your daughter. Even If the bulk of what he gives you is negative and oppressive.
“One day when you have someone special, you’ll understand.” Smoothing the hair down on the right side of her face her mother moved in and kissed her cheek. Her mother turned on her heel and walked out of her life, yet another slap in her face.
Jaw clenched Maci shook her head. The door slamming echoed in the empty house. “You’re wrong. I’ll never let a man control me.”
Five hours later she was dressed in the drab, soft pink, dress with a hot pot of coffee in her hand as she glided through the busy diner. The first shift of roughnecks had gotten off work. That made for insanity and gratuitous amounts of eye candy. Refilling another cup she offered a smile. End of shift was always her favorite time of day. Roughnecks were the perfect solution to her problem. Miles of sun-kissed skin, muscular bodies, calloused hands, and a natural aversion to commitment fit in line with her plan to remain independent and unattached. Not to mention, she didn’t mind a little dirt.
Licking her lips she snuck a glance at a table in the far right corner. He was there. Her mouth went dry, and a puddle formed in her underwear. Thick, chocolate-brown hair fell over the left side of his broad forehead. He pinned her with his puppy dog brown eyes. A wicked set of dimples appeared as he smiled and nodded his head in acknowledgment. The smudges of dirt peppering his face were a stark contrast to his clea
n hands. It made her want to climb into his lap, unbuckle his belt, and pull out the cock she just knew would be thick and long. Face flaming she returned his smile and turned away in a half-hearted attempt to refocus her attention to tending to the hungry masses.
Ty Price had a direct line to her pussy. If he wanted to take her right now in front of everyone, she’d let him. A dull ache started in her core. The muscles in her belly pulled taut, and her breasts plumped. Finishing off the pot she smiled at the curly haired blond.
“I’ll go get some more going for you guys.” Returning to the coffee station behind the counter she turned to Bethany. Six months of lusting after Ty, and getting to know him better than she needed to, had her ready to spill her guts and do unmentionable things that’d get the town talking about her worse than they all ready did.