No Regrets


written by Mackenzie

Chapter 10

"Who was on the phone?" AJ called, bounding down the stairs.

"Oh, wrong number," Marissa told him. Alex hugged her. "I'm really glad you stopped by this morning. I was dreading telling you about Mack. I'm glad we've got that behind us now. Thanks for being so understanding," he told her. Alex had been relieved that Marissa had taken the news so well. He never liked to end a relationship on bad terms and he was glad that he and Marissa could still be friends. Maybe in time, she and Mack would also come to be friends.

"I just want you to be happy," she said, "and if that means losing you to Mackenzie, well, then, I hope it works out for you." She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Can you still take me to the wrap party tonight?" she asked.

"Oh, wow," Alex said. "Is that tonight?" Marissa had had a small part in a Disney film and had been looking forward to this party for weeks. Alex really hated to disappoint her, especially after she'd been so understanding about Mackenzie.

"Um, I understand if you and Mack already have plans," she said, "it'll just be hard to find another date on such short notice. I really hate to go alone, though," she said, smiling pleadingly at him.

"Yeah, sure, "Alex told her. "I'll still go with you. I told Howie I'd come by his house for dinner this afternoon, though. Why don't you come with me and we'll leave for the party from there?" he suggested.

"Are you sure that'll be okay?" Marissa asked. "Mackenzie won't mind?"

"Nah," Alex assured her. "Mack'll be cool with it," he said confidently.

* * * * * * * * *

Mackenzie had had butterflies in her stomach all morning. She was nervous about seeing Alex, especially after her conversation with Marissa. She knew there had to be a reasonable explanation. Alex wouldn't treat her that way, not after last night.

"Earth to Mackenzie, Earth to Mackenzie," Pollyanna called, using her hands as a megaphone.

"What?" Mack said, looking up at her cousin.

"Did you even hear a word I said?" Pollyanna laughed.

"Well, that depends," Mackenzie hedged. "What did you say?"

"You're impossible," Polly told her. "I said I can't believe you didn't bring a bathing suit with you." Mackenzie pushed her hair back out of her face. "I just had a lot on my mind this morning. I forgot. Have you got one I could borrow?"

"Do I!" Polly exclaimed. She crossed the bedroom to her dresser, pulling open a drawer. "Here," she said, tossing a black scrap towards her cousin. Mackenzie caught it and held it up. "Where's the rest of it?" she asked incredulously.

"Just put it on," Polly told her. "It'll look great on you!"

* * * * * * * *

"Has your father ever seen you wearing this suit?" Mackenzie asked Polly skeptically as they came down the stairs. "Hell, no!" Polly exclaimed. "And I can't wait to hear what he has to say to you either," she said, doubling over with laughter. Before Mack could reply, she caught sight of AJ pulling into the drive. Her heart sank as she saw who was with him. She watched as Alex, ever the gentleman, opened Marissa's door and helped her out. He said something to her and she laughed, reaching up and stroking his cheek. As Alex and Marissa came in the door, Marissa slipped her arms through his. When he glanced down at her curiously, she gazed up at him adoringly.

"Hey, AJ," Polly called out. Alex turned his attention to the girls on the stairs. When he saw Mackenzie, he let out a low whistle. "You look," he began, "just. . . . . . wow!" Alex thought she looked every bit as sexy as she had last night when she'd been wearing nothing but candlelight. He wished he hadn't promised to take Marissa to her party now. Maybe he could slip out early, he told himself, eager to be alone with Mack again.

Mack couldn't believe how nonchalant he was, standing there with Marissa clinging to him. She stalked past him, doing her best to ignore him. When he reached out and grasped her arm, she pulled away from him giving him a reproachful look. "Mackenzie!" he called after her. "Damn it!" he swore beneath his breath, knowing exactly what to what conclusion she had jumped.

"Oh, Alex!" Marissa said sympathetically. "I think my being here has upset Mackenzie. Maybe we should just go," she said.

"No, it's just a misunderstanding," AJ told her as he freed himself from her grasp. "I'll straighten it out," he said, following after Mack. Marissa smiled with self-satisfaction at the turmoil she had created. Polly, still standing on the stairs, had watch the entire event with great interest.

"What's going on with AJ and Mack?" she asked.

"Does anybody ever know what goes on with Mackenzie?" Marissa said contemptuously. "Have you got a bathing suit I can borrow?" she asked the other girl.

"Yeah, sure," Polly said, mulling over the scene she had witnessed as she led the way up the stairs.

* * * * * * *

Mack lay on a float in the pool, soaking in the sun, along with Pollyanna. The smell of steaks cooking on the grill drifted through the air. "So," Polly said, "What's Bone like in bed?"

Mackenzie opened one eye and looked at her cousin. "Are you talking to me?" she asked.

"Who else would I be talking to?" replied Polly.

"Well, considering the question," she said, "I thought maybe you were talking to Marissa."

"Oh, come on Mack! Howie told me AJ stayed last night after he left," Polly grinned.

"And from that, you've decided that we slept together?" Mack said.

"Well, we are talking about AJ. Oh give over, girl! I want details!" Polly laughed.

"Nothing happened," Mackenzie told her.

"Well, it must have been something," Polly probed.

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you haven't spoken one word to him since he got here," Polly answered, "yet you can't keep your eyes off of each other."

"Not true," denied Mack. She maneuvered her float around in the water until she couldn't possibly see AJ. "He's been eating you with his eyes ever since he saw you in that suit," Polly continued. Mack raised up. "Pollyanna Dorough! Tell me you did not insist on me wearing this suit just for AJ's benefit," she hissed. Polly just grinned at her.

Mack leaned over and flipped Polly off her float. A full-fledged water fight between the girls followed. AJ grinned as he watched the two girls playing in the water. He hadn't been able to speak to Mack yet. Howie had intercepted him earlier and dragged him down to the basement studio to listen to a new song. AJ sighed. He was glad baggy pants were in style, otherwise he'd be terribly embarrassed. He'd had a hard on since the moment he'd seen Mack in that bathing suit. He sighed again and looked over at Marissa floating in the shallow end of the pool. She was keeping her distance from the other two girls. He assumed she was trying to keep her hair from getting wet, although why she had even taken the risk by getting in the pool he couldn't figure. AJ saw his chance to corner Mack as she and Polly got out of the pool and began to dry off. As he started towards her, Marissa called out to him. "Could you hand me my drink, please?" she asked him.

As Mackenzie was toweling off, she heard Marissa call AJ's name. She looked up to see AJ walk over to Marissa, a drink in his hand. As he bent over to hand it to her, the float drifted away from the edge of the pool. AJ bent over farther in order to reach her. Mack couldn't help it. She knew it wasn't the smartest thing in the world to do, but AJ deserved it. She quickly walked over behind him, gave him just a little push, and hurried over to hide behind her uncle and cousin, John.

AJ felt the push that sent him teetering towards the water. He tried to recover his balance but in the end, he fell fully dressed into the pool. As he fell, he landed on Marissa's float flipping her off and completely submerging her, hair and all. AJ pulled himself from the water, leaving Marissa squalling like a wet cat. He looked over at the last place he'd seen Mackenzie, but wasn't surprised to find her gone. He narrowed his eyes, searching for her until he finally spotted her peeping around John's shoulder.

"Girl," her Uncle Hoke said, "I think you'd better run now."

Mackenzie took off into the house, AJ hot on her heels. If she'd had just a few more steps on him, she'd have made it to the safety of Polly's bedroom. As it was, he caught up with her in the hallway and shoved her against the wall. "What in the hell is your problem!" he demanded.

"How could you bring her here?" Mackenzie cried.

"Mack," he said, trying to calm down. "Just give me a chance to explain. I broke up with her this morning."

"Was that before or after your shower?" she retorted.

"After," AJ said, confused by the direction the conversation had taken. He turned to the side quickly as Mack tried to knee him in the groin. He pinned her to the wall with his body, grasping her chin and holding her face still. His kiss was harsh and hurting at first as he meant it to be. Despite Mackenzie's struggles to free herself, she couldn't deny the slow warmth she felt curling in her belly. And when AJ softened the kiss, she was lost, entwining her arms around his neck and pressing her body against his. A tremor ran through her and she heard someone moan. AJ laughed and she realized the sounds came from her. She was beyond caring though. And when AJ slipped his hand inside her bathing suit and rolled her nipple between his thumb and forefinger she thought she would die from wanting him.

"Ahem."

"Go away, Howie," AJ said.

"I just thought you might want to know that Marissa's on her way upstairs," Howie replied. Howie had followed the two of them in order to make sure Mackenzie didn't get hurt. He hadn't expected to find them in a lovers' embrace.

"I've got to take Marissa to some party tonight," AJ said against Mack's mouth. "But afterwards I'll come to your place and we'll finish this."

"Ow!" AJ shouted, pulling away from her and rubbing his lip. He looked down at the blood on his fingers. "You bit me!" he exclaimed in disbelief.

"I don't want Marissa's leftovers!" she shouted, pushing past him and running to Polly's bedroom. She slammed the door behind her.

"Bitch!" AJ yelled after her.

"AJ," Howie said, shaking his head. "You always did know how to sweet talk the ladies."

"Fuck you, Howie," replied AJ.

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