-1- Present day
A groan came from the corner as Taylor slipped his leather jacket over his black sweatshirt. It was colder outside, the year was coming along towards September and the air was chillier. Soon the leaves would be turning a mixture of yellows, reds, and oranges and the wind would whip them off the trees and pile them in the streets. Fall was gorgeous in New York City and it was nice getting to bundle up and walk the streets, watching all the people.
At least it's nice walking the streets during the day. Taylor smiled. Otherwise you run into people like us. He stepped out into the street and lit up a cigarette. He was on his first inhale when he noticed that his knuckle had split open and was bleeding.
"Shit," he grumbled and pulled out a handkerchief. He wrapped it wound his fist and tied it off and kept smoking. It was cold out tonight. People had themselves wrapped in about three layers and they were walking at a slant, hoping to keep the chilly breeze from hitting their faces. He chuckled a little bit and looked back into the doorway. Matty was still kneeling over the guy they just handled. He was whispering softly, no doubt telling the guy to get his payment to Matty yesterday.
Taylor just rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck. Matty walked out a few moments later and Taylor flicked his cigarette into the open window of the small warehouse and the room exploded into flames.
"I don't know if he's getting up boss." Taylor smiled.
Matty turned to him and opened the door, he shrugged, "Then at least we'll collect on insurance for the building."
Taylor rose an eyebrow, "You own the building?"
Matty nodded as Taylor opened the car door and Matty slid in. Taylor followed and Matty continued, "Signed it over to me as collateral if he couldn't make the payment."
Taylor smiled and pulled the door shut. He looked around the interior of the town car and smiled at Marbles who was wiping his hands on his pants. "You'll never stop smelling like gasoline Johnny." Taylor said.
Marbles looked up and smiled, "Its not gasoline. Its some sort of fucking gunk that was on that guy's floor. It smells rank."
Chris's nose wrinkled, "Open up the windows a crack, I wanna smoke anyways. He pulled out an expensive cigarette brand and handed a few out to the guys. He extended one to Marbles and then paused, "You wont burst into flames, will you?"
Marbles grabbed at the cigarette, "What do you think I am? Some sort of idiot?" He looked around at all the men in the car and they gave him speculative looks as they lit up their smokes. "Fine, don't answer that." He growled.
"Where we going?" Taylor asked, Chris and Marbles directed their attention to Matty.
"Back to Scarpa's. I want some fucking food." Matty said.
"Sounds good." Chris smiled and took a long inhale on his cigarette.
When they reached Scarpa's restaurant the lights were still blazing, but they knew that only Mario Scarpa and his cooks were inside. They were probably shooting the shit, smoking cigars, drinking wine and playing some poker before making their way home. When the boys walked in, they were greeted by a few muffled grunts and a wave from Mario.
They all smiled and waved back, making their way into the back booth which was reserved especially for them. Someone quickly brought over wine and breadsticks before the boys were even finished taking off their jackets. They all sat down and took a glass of wine each. Taylor liked wine well enough, but not as much as a nice cold beer. He sighed and pulled out his pack of cigarettes placing in on the table along with his cell phone. One of the cooks came over and asked what the boys wanted.
"Surprise us." Matty smiled, "Make a lot of it, though. This one," He pointed to Taylor, "Can eat a whole horse and still have room for more." Taylor just smiled. The cook laughed and turned back to the kitchen.
"So what are you gonna do for your birthday Scarpa?" Marbles asked taking a sip of wine.
Beer materialized in front of Taylor and he took a long drink, "Its not till fuckin' November."
Matty just smiled, "Yeah but you know this guy. He has to have a fuckin extravaganza for every party he throws. He's been planning it since July."
Chris shrugged coyly, "I mean we're in New York. Gotta keep it classy." He smiled.
Marbles chuckled, Matty laughed and Taylor just shook his head. "Keepin' it real, right?" Marbles added.
"That's right." Chris responded.
"You gonna have those live dancers again like last time?" Marbles asked.
"Maybe." Chris said vaguely, "Maybe not."
"What kind of food?" Marbles said nonchalantly. Everyone sort of stared at him like he was stupid. "You never know." He shrugged, "You could do like a sushi bar or like a fuckin' barbeque. Its not like you have to eat Italian morning, noon, and night." He rolled his eyes.
"Well anyways," Matty smiled, "Benny is having a grand opening for one of his new Hotels downtown. Its gonna be some sort of pool shin-dig and he wants all of us to be there and represent the family."
"Pool party?" Taylor grimaced.
"Well, swimming for beautiful half naked models only."
"Half naked models?" Chris perked up at that.
"It's starting to get cold." Taylor commented.
"Indoor pool and game room." Matty rolled his eyes. "If my dad could get any flashier he'd be fuckin' Liberace."
"Retirement does have some advantages." Taylor smiled. "How old's his new wife again?"
"Younger than us." Chris said.
"Even younger than Maggie?" Marbles chimed in.
"Yeah. I think she's much younger than Maggie." Matty said shaking his head disdainfully.
"Well if I can get it up at your dad's age, I'd do the same." Chris smiled and tipped his glass back. Taylor just laughed and tipped his back too.
"You should call her," Marbles said, "I haven't seen her in ages."
"She's probably busy." Taylor grumbled.
Matty chuckled softly, "Well if you wont call her, I will." He smiled pulling out his phone. Taylor gave him sideways glance that Matty could tell meant no way asshole.
"Yeah me too!" Marbles said.
"Phones already ringing." Scarpa smiled, with his iPhone to his ear. The rest of the men scrambled for their phones and plugged in her number as fast as they possibly could.
Maggie rolled over slowly and opened her eyes. She looked at the clock next to her. In about three minutes her alarm would turn on, so she reached over and switched it off. She sat up and looked over at the figure next to her and smiled. The guy was cute, she'd admit that, but he left a lot to be imagined on the conversation side. He was lying on his stomach and sleeping peacefully, his spiky hair was a bit disheveled from the evening's activities. She brushed her hand through it and tugged a little. He groaned and she laughed.
"Wake up sleepy head, I have to get ready for work." She smiled.
"Already?" He grumbled sleepily. "It felt like we just went to sleep."
She laughed, "Basically. But I'm gonna go shower and if you aren't up and ready to get out I'm gonna pour water on your head."
He shifted, "You wouldn't risk ruining your bed."
"I'd just drag you out by your feet first." She hopped out of bed and walked into her bathroom. She flipped on the light, closed the door and started the shower. She looked at herself in the mirror and dragged her fingers through her tangled curls. She brushed her teeth and then hopped into the shower.
She came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, her damp hair hanging to her waist and already starting to form loose waves. She looked at the bed and the man in it was sitting up, rubbing his eyes. She sighed rolling her eyes heavenward and switched on the light to the room. It was instantly bright and the man groaned.
"Let's go big boy." She smiled, walking over to her closet and pulling out some fresh clothes for the day. She heard him stand up off the bed and rustle around on the ground for his clothes. When she looked back, he was already in the pair of khaki pants from the night before and he was sliding his arms through his button down shirt.
He walked over to her and kissed her lightly on the lips. She smiled at him kindly and patted him on the shoulder, "So this was fun." He smiled. Maggie just nodded. He trailed a few kisses along her neck and tried to pull at her towel. She had it grasped firmly in her hands. "Come on baby, call in sick."
She rolled her eyes and pushed him back softly, "Sorry Mark, but I need to get to work."
He looked slightly miffed but simply sighed and dropped his hands. His lips formed a thin line and then he spoke, his voice devoid of the passion that was there a few minutes ago, "So when will I see you again?"
Maggie smiled, "Soon maybe. If I'm not too busy." She said, "I don't want to get your hopes up or anything, but I'm not really into relationships and you know that. We've talked about it."
"I just don't like being used." He growled.
Maggie rolled her eyes, "I'm not using you. If anything we're using each other. We go out occasionally, have a good time and come back home and have more of a good time. What's not to like?"
He looked slightly hurt, "Are you dating other guys?"
She rolled her eyes, "Mark. We're not boyfriend and girlfriend. I don't get mad for you being with other girls. So please, just drop this." And she turned and went back to pulling out clothes for the day. She heard him grumble something unintelligible and clomp out of the room, slamming the front door on his way out. She rolled her eyes and remembered why she hated relationships.
She pulled out a pair of black slacks and a quarter sleeve white gossamer shirt with vines embroidered in black along the bottom hem that traveled up to an empire waist and a modest neckline. She grabbed some clean underwear and a white bra and dropped her towel. She pulled on the underwear and walked over to her bedside table and turned on her stereo that had her iPod docked. She flipped it onto her new favorite song and looked down at her cell phone.
4 New Voicemails.
She picked up the phone took it into the bathroom with her. She took out her blow dryer and tried to dry her hair a bit more before she put on her clothes. When she was done with that, she looked into the mirror and grabbed some anti-frizz serum and dragged it through the curls. She washed off her hands and grabbed the phone and hit the dial voicemail button on the screen. She turned it onto speakerphone just as the automated voice told her that the call was left today at 3:35 a.m.
"Hi ya beautiful," She smiled, recognizing the voice of Scarpa. "We were all here at my place sitting around, drinking wine and abusing ourselves thinking about you. We're wondering when you'll be in town next since we all miss your fine ass. Call me."
She laughed and started applying her make-up, the next message came on, "Hey! I've always been your favorite right?" That was Marbles. "Call me back, we have a party we need you to come to!"
"Hey Maggs." It was Matty, "My father is opening yet another wonderful Hotel this weekend. If you have any plans, cancel them and bring a swimsuit. I'm sending a car to pick you up at seven on Friday. He also wont be taking you home until Sunday, so be prepared. By the way, Taylor has been in a mood. He's all grumpy and shit since he hasn't seen you for like a month. So no refusals allowed. " She could hear the smile in his voice.
The next message was silent for a few beats, "Call me back." Was all the rumbling voice said, what he forgot to add was the or else I'll punch the first guy you call in the face.
She laughed, deleted all the messages and finished up her makeup. She tied her hair back into a loose ponytail at the base of her neck, the sides of her hair covering her ears, but letting the dangling black pearl earrings she wore peek through. She walked over to her bed and slipped on her clothes with a pair of modest boots. She hung some simple jewelry around her neck and on her wrists and was ready for work.
She grabbed her cell phone and the headset and plugged it into her ear punching in a number as she made her way into the kitchen and popped a bagel into the toaster.
"Hello?" The voice sounded tired.
"Goooooooood Mornin!" She said brightly. She heard him groan on the line and she laughed, "Party hard big guy?"
"I'm the first one you called, right?"
"Sure." She said vaguely.
She heard him growl and then he said, "I'm going to kill Marbles."
Maggie just laughed, "Oh stop it. Of course I called you first. How's mom and dad?"
She heard him shifting around and he was talking quietly, "Mom's good. She has a job at a florist down the street from her place. Not like she needs a job, but she needs to be busy or else she'll go nuts. Dad's good. Still puttering around at Scarpa's, helping out and serving the bar most nights. The Scarpa's love the new wine by the way. It goes perfect with their manicotti - I had it last night."
"You? Wine? Manicotti? Ohmigod! You've become civilized and I missed it?!" She smiled. Her bagel popped out and she started slathering on butter and cream cheese. She heard him chuckle and then a door closed in the background. Judging by the background noise, she guessed he stepped outside for a smoke. "Still killing yourself slowly?"
He chuckled again and she heard him exhale, "Oh yeah? You've quit?" Accusing.
She smiled, "Never." She laughed, "Just wish you could pass me one through the phone. I'm out."
"You come this weekend and I'll buy you a carton." He smiled.
"Matty's got you beat. He is sending out a car so I don't have to drive." Maggie smiled.
"Shit." The low voice growled. "How about I take you for breakfast and shopping at Victoria's Secret on Saturday?"
She laughed, "Yeah right. You'd go underwear shopping with me?"
He paused for a second, "Maybe if you modeled a few."
"Pig." She snorted.
"Slut." He laughed.
"Oh yeah, you're one to talk." She smiled, taking a bite of her bagel, "So, what's this thing for? Am I supposed to dress up? Casual? Skirt? Jeans? Blah Blah Blah?"
She could feel his smile across the line, "Nice casual. Cute top and jeans would work. But since all of us studs are in shape, we'll be lounging by the pool mostly, oogling attractive models Benny's paid to swim around in next to nothing."
"Ha! I bet. How old is his wife? Is her sophomore class coming to tour behind the scenes at the hotel?"
It was Taylor's turn to snort, "Probably a few of her friends, yeah."
"I don't want to see you in jail Taylor Reese. Stay away from the little girls." She smiled.
"You're little, do you count?" He smiled, teasing.
"Little meaning young, douche bag." She said, cleaning up her mess in the kitchen.
"You're young....ish."
"Fucker." She growled. In the background she heard his door open.
"Tay-Tay?" A high pitch voiced sounded. Maggie felt herself frown.
"Company?" Maggie asked sweetly.
Taylor chuckled, "Yeah." You could tell he tilted his head away from the phone to speak, "Be in, in a sec. Go relax"
"Is that code for 'get naked'?"
He chuckled lightly, "Yeah, so we'll see you around 8?"
"See you tomorrow."
"Love you babe."
Despite the years that had gone by and how many times Taylor had said it, each individual time he told her that he loved her, her body responded. "Love you too Tay."
She disconnected and finished grabbing all of her stuff and made off for work.
The drive there was about an hour long but she didn't mind it at all. She actually enjoyed driving. Of course, this wasn't the jam-packed streets of New York, where it took an entire hour just to get across three streetlights. She lived about an hour outside of the city in Long Beach.
When she was in California receiving her Bachelors Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management she got to live near the beach in San Diego. It was probably one of the greatest places she's ever visited inside the U.S. It was almost always sunny, except for the four or five days a year where it actually rained, and even then it was still pretty glorious.
She still entertained dreams of moving to California, especially because there were plenty of vineyards and hotels in California that she could run pretty easily. But mostly she just wanted to lay on beaches all day and drink margaritas until she couldn't see straight. However she did return to New York at only 21, finished with her schooling and decided to attended a Culinary Arts institute for a few years. She'd been at her current job for about two years now.
Her current job was being an assistant to the owner of the vineyard. She did random day-to-day duties like organizing files, planning meetings, and observing the production of different wines on site. She also traveled frequently to different restaurants and hotels around the nation and spoke to them about using her vineyard's wine in their bars.
She enjoyed her job. She was close enough to come home and see family but also far away enough to keep everything separate. Maggie had always been rather independent, even as a child, and she liked to be on her own. It sort of explained her view of relationships as well. She didn't want to be with someone when her heart wasn't really in it. What she liked to pretend was that rather than her heart belonging to someone else, she was simply not ready for anything serious.
But either way, she was enjoying herself. She was determined to enjoy herself. She was young, she lived in New York City, she was well established, and she had her best friends, her health and her family. How could life really get any better?