Craigslist Lover Page 5

  Her parents had called her at the crack of dawn singing “Happy Birthday”, and Shawn had sent her an edible arrangement the day before, which she had already eaten. Wayne just looked at it when he’d come home, and asked who the hell had sent it. He’d calmed down when she’d showed him the card, and read it out loud.

  Happy birthday, sis… from your big, bad brother Shawn.

  “It’s your birthday?” Wayne had asked the night before. McKenzie hadn’t even answered the question. If it was his birthday, she was required to bake him a cake from scratch and join him at his parents’ house for an intimate birthday party, but when it came to her, she received shit.

  It was her birthday and everyone she cared about was miles away. Then she smiled, thinking of Tee. He was starting to inch his way into the certain few she cared about. McKenzie sipped on her freshly brewed coffee, and her cell chimed.

  She opened the app and a picture of a singing cupcake popped up, backed by the familiar tune, and below the picture was a caption: Happy Birthday, beautiful.

  McKenzie stared at the small screen. Her heart began to race. How did he know it was her birthday? Who was she really chatting with? Was it Wayne playing a sick game with her? And then she willed herself to calm down. It couldn’t be her husband, because he would’ve killed her. No, it couldn’t be. How would he know that she would search the personal ads that day? She was being paranoid. Only one way to find out.

  How did you know it was my b-day?

  You mentioned it last week.

  McKenzie chuckled to herself, remembering their conversation. Oh. Thank you for remembering my special day.

  How could I forget? Are you celebrating?

  Maybe later.

  When was the last time you had a birthday party?

  When I turned twenty-one, and that was years ago.

  That had been when McKenzie was happy and full of life. Her college friends threw her a surprise party.

  You’re over twenty-one, good to know lol. I have something for you, hold on.

  What could it be? McKenzie twitched in suspense. Was it a picture of himself? She had to admit she wanted to see him, place a face to his words. But she wouldn’t ask of him something she wasn’t willing to do herself. They had agreed to keep it platonic: no photos.

  B8GG-ET2HHF-DLY6 and A5SU-DVZFY5-8S2Q

  ?

  Before I tell you, you have to agree not to say no. I did this because I wanted to, if we were in a different situation I would have handed it to you beautiful. Agree?

  McKenzie smiled. She had nothing to lose.

  Agreed.

  Promise you won’t turn it down.

  I promise.

  The first one is a gift card number to the Apple Store. I want you to order an iPad and the second one is a card to Netflix.

  I can’t accept that.

  You agreed, beautiful. It’s kind of a selfish gift. I want someone to share my addiction with a couple of shows lol. You can watch a few of the shows I watch and catch up with the episodes. And you can add the kindle app and read all those romance novels you said you like. Come on beautiful, it’s a gift. No one has to know. You deserve the best.

  But…

  But nothing. I know it’s partially selfish of me.

  No it’s not. It’s so sweet of you to think of me.

  A tear rolled down her face. Tee was a sweetheart. He wanted her to feel special on her birthday and he’d accomplished it.

  Thank you so so so much…

  Don’t thank me, Kenzie. Use the cards on you. I will find out if you didn’t. I’ll give you a week, beautiful. I have to go to work. I hope you have a wonderful birthday with your family.

  Thank you!

  McKenzie wiped her tear. This stranger had her feeling so many emotions at once. Who would give a stranger a combination of over four hundred dollars in gift cards to someone he didn’t personally know? She smiled, opening her laptop. McKenzie browsed the web and bought herself a rose gold iPad, engraving Tee’s name on the back. Wayne wouldn’t see it because she also purchased a cover. Now she had something to look forward to: she was super-excited to share something else with Tee.

  Later on that evening, McKenzie was in the kitchen, singing and dancing with Caleb in her arms. “I love you, Peanut.” She blew raspberry bubbles on his tummy, making him giggle loudly. “You like that!” She kissed his cheeks one by one. “It’s Mommy’s birthday!”

  “Yes it is.” Wayne walked into the kitchen with a bouquet of grocery flowers in his hands and a box of chocolates—a kind she didn’t like. “Feliz Cumpleaños, McKenzie.”

  She tried to keep the smile on her face. “Thank you,” McKenzie forced herself to reply.

  “That’s all I get?” He placed the items on the table. “Did you bake a cake?”

  She stared at him. Once upon a time, Wayne had been everything to her. She would have defended him to anyone, even family, but now when she looked at him, all she saw was fucking regret. If only she could turn back the hands of time.

  “I made cupcakes.”

  “Yummy.” Wayne glanced behind her and took several strides, grabbing a vanilla cupcake and biting into it. “Woman, you are one heck of a cook.” He ate the cupcake in a few bites. “I’m going to take a shower and then we can eat dinner together. Happy birthday.” He surprised her with a kiss on her lips. He was going to try to take the kiss deeper, but Caleb pushed him away with his small hands. Wayne chuckled. “Oh I see,” he said and gave their son a peck on his head. “He’s starting to resemble me.”

  Wayne was in a very good mood.

  “Yes, he is.” She swallowed. No time like the present. “Um…Wayne? My brother sent me an iPad for my birthday,” McKenzie wasn’t a liar but when it came to her husband it seemed natural now. “It should be here in two days. I just thought you should know.”

  Wayne stared at her. “That was nice of your brother.” He slipped off his jacket and headed up the stairs.

  McKenzie grinned. “Mommy’s getting a birthday present!” she whispered in her little boy’s ear. “Are you hungry?” She caressed his chin, then walked up to the table and grabbed the floral arrangement, smelling their sweet scent. At least he bought me something. McKenzie placed them back on the table and strolled down the hall to baby boy’s nursery. Today had turned out better than she’d thought it would.

  ***

  One week later

  Reading Tee’s message, McKenzie laughed out loud.

  I can’t believe they killed doctor McDreamy. Why the fuck would they do that?

  She taunted him a little.

  It’s just a show. And I haven’t seen that season yet.

  Just a show. Grey’s Anatomy is more than a show. Just like that book you finished reading the other night. Didn’t you tell me you hated that it ended and you wanted more?

  Really lol.

  Lol, I’m just messing with you. I’m glad you used the gift cards.

  Tee… I promised, and I never break my promises.

  Are you happy?

  Without thinking, McKenzie replied.

  Yes.

  I mean are you happy with your life?

  Are you?

  She wasn’t ready to answer that question. McKenzie twisted her lips, knowing what his response would be.

  I asked you first.

  I’m content.

  That was another tiny lie.

  Just content?

  Why are you asking me so many questions?

  I only technically asked you two, and why are you avoiding them?

  I’m not. My son makes me happy. I never knew I could love someone the way I love Caleb.

  McKenzie gasped, looking at the words she just typed. Oh no, did I just type Caleb’s name?

  Caleb is a biblical name. I like that. My brother’s name is James, but he’s far from biblical lol.

  She chuckled. Tee always found a way to make her smile. Even with the simplest things, like a stupid joke.

  You haven’t shared one of your jokes today.

  Lol, let me see what I can come up with… Just changed my Facebook name to ‘No one’ so when I see stupid posts I can click like and it will say ‘No one likes this’.

  McKenzie rolled her eyes.

  Really.

  Do you have a Facebook page?

  I don’t anymore.

  Oh. Hey what do you think I should get my parents for their anniversary?

  How many years?

  They’ve been married for thirty-nine years.

  That’s a long time. My parents have been married for thirty-six. I often wonder how they made it work that long?

  Growing up, she’d prayed for a marriage like her parents’. It wasn’t always cheery, but they always worked through their issues, just like Shawn and Angela. She could see them being married until the end.

  How long have you been married?

  McKenzie hated talking about her marriage. This was her time, her space, and she didn’t want to mess it up with mention of Wayne.

  Five years.

  And counting. How long did you date him?

  Eleven months.

  Damn, that wasn’t long.

  I wish I would’ve waited.

  Never regret anything you’ve done, beautiful. We learn from our mistakes.

  Was he implying Wayne was a mistake? Because if he was, he wasn’t mistaken.

  Do you ever think about getting married?

  One day, but when I do. It will be forever.

  I once felt that way.

  Not anymore?

  No, forever is too long of a time. I wish you find your forever.

  I think I’ve found my special person, but she belongs to someone else.

  McKenzie couldn’t help feeling a little tinge of jealousy.
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  So sorry to hear. But there’s always a second chance at love.

  Is there?

  I hope so.

  When you find that special person in life no one else will do… Did I tell you about the chick I met at the market?

  No.

  She seemed sweet, but only time will tell.

  McKenzie just stared at the iPad screen. Why was she feeling like this? He was free to date whoever he wanted.

  Hey, beautiful, my lunch break is over. Chat with you later if you can.

  Later.

  ***

  A week later

  I can’t believe you convinced me to watch that stupid movie lol. McKenzie typed.

  What? That was an epic movie.

  Low budget.

  Maybe that’s why I liked it.

  McKenzie felt like shit.

  You know what I meant. I could hear the people in the background. It sucked.

  Lol… Well now I know you do watch my recommendations.

  She laughed, making Caleb look at her from his bouncer as he ate his Cheerios.

  Really. You didn’t watch it, did you?

  Nah, and thank you for stopping me from watching a terrible movie lol. Eric actually recommended it.

  Eric?

  My big head cousin.

  He’s like your brother?

  Yes. That’s my closest relative here.

  I thought your parents and brother lived close by.

  My parents live in Oklahoma, Noah lives up north, and James lives about thirty-five miles away from me.

  Oh.

  Eric lives two miles down the road.

  I didn’t mean to impose with my questions.

  Kenzie, if I didn’t want to answer then I wouldn’t. I’m comfortable sharing anything with you.

  McKenzie heard the garage door open and Wayne’s car pulling in.

  Tee, I have to go.

  Why do you always have to log off around this time?

  It had taken him months to ask that question. McKenzie’s fingers worked as fast as they could.

  My husband comes home from work.

  Oh okay, but you’re not doing anything wrong, Kenzie. You’re just chatting with a friend.

  I can’t… Good night, Tee.

  Chapter Seven

  Chatting with Tee became the highlight of her days. His greetings made her smile first thing every morning, their lunch chats made her feel like she was actually having conversations with a true friend, and in the evenings, she yearned for the words “good night, have sweet dreams”—from Tee.

  What she was starting to feel was so wrong. McKenzie would get sad if he couldn’t chat during lunch, or over the weekend when Wayne was home. She couldn’t help being happy every time her husband left the house: it gave her time to chat. If Wayne went out for a run, it usually took him an hour or so. She had time to chat for a bit.

  Tee hadn’t said good evening the night before, and she had to admit she was worried. He’d said good night for the last three months, every night, even if she didn’t have a chance to reply. And this morning she’d woken up to no message. Why was she so disappointed?

  She sent a message.

  Good morning… :-(

  Good morning, beautiful. Why the sad face? Did you miss me?

  McKenzie couldn’t help but smile.

  Did you miss me?”

  Actually, I did. You were on my mind while I was on a date last night.

  You went on a date last night?

  Her heart started racing. What was wrong with her?

  Yes, I told you last week about this woman I met at the market. The brunette.

  How was it?

  Awful.

  Why?

  She just wasn’t my type. All our conversation was about her. She is a know it all, about everything. I wasn’t really feeling her.

  Maybe she was nervous.

  Nah, she was full of herself. I don’t like an overly confident woman. Don’t get me wrong, I love a woman with confidence, but not one that thinks she’s better than everyone else.

  Did you… You know?

  McKenzie blushed even though he couldn’t see her. She held her breath, knowing he didn’t have to answer if he didn’t want to.

  Did I sleep with her? A man doesn’t kiss and tell, but since it’s you. Yes, yes I did.

  Her heart sank.

  You said you didn’t like her?

  You’re right, however she is very good looking lol.

  I don’t understand men.

  There’s nothing to understand. We are simple creatures. We can sleep with a woman and have no feelings, it’s just physical. She knew what she was getting into, or I hope she did.

  I hope you enjoyed it.

  Nope…

  McKenzie couldn’t help but laugh.

  She wanted me to do things to her without her taking a shower, hell nah. We were out all night, sweaty and shit. And then she just laid there and I had to do all the work. It wasn’t something I would brag about and I never talk about women with anyone else. I’m so fucking comfortable with you. I feel like I can tell you anything.

  You can.

  Beautiful, you can tell me anything too. When was the last time you made love? Being married that’s like a given…right? almost every night.”

  Tee had passed the line asking that personal question, but she had, too.

  I haven’t been touched in months…

  She heard Wayne outside, talking to the neighbor.

  I have to go. Chat with you later.

  McKenzie turned off her cell.

  Wayne came in the house, sweaty from his afternoon run. “You need to start exercising, so you can get rid of some of that baby fat.”

  McKenzie touched her barely-there belly. He’d thrown the fact that she’d gained weight in her face multiple times. “I burn calories, and breastfeeding has helped me lose the weight I’ve added on from having your son.”

  “Don’t get me wrong.” He passed by her and smacked her ass. “You’re still the only woman for me, but…” Wayne pinched her side handle.

  She moved away from his reach. “Your lunch is in the microwave. I’m going to go grocery shopping.”

  “Fine, take Caleb with you,” he said, opening the microwave.

  “I didn’t know that was an option.” She sarcastically said, biting her tongue before giving him her famous smile. “Did you transfer the money?”

  “Yes.” He began eating his sandwich. “Don’t take too long. I miss you when you’re gone too long.”

  McKenzie chuckled. “If you say so.” She went and got Caleb ready.

  She went into the grocery store with her calculator. McKenzie couldn’t go over two hundred dollars that was given to her for food. After she was done spending three hundred thirty dollars, she sat down in her Lexus. McKenzie had her own stash of money from when she’d worked an account Wayne knew nothing about. She placed the other allowance he gave her every month in her account. Now she had a hundred and thirty less in her account.

  McKenzie looked in her rearview mirror. Caleb was out like a light, totally asleep. She grabbed her cell, and continued her conversation with Tee.

  Are you busy?

  Nah. Just came from the gym. I didn’t forget our last conversation. What do you mean you haven’t been touched in months?