Page 41 of Nick: His to Claim

“Honey, are you ill? Do you need to go to the doctor’s or urgent care? What do you think it is?”

“Hangover.”

“Oh, well then give me my cloth back. You obviously brought this on yourself,” Mason told her somewhat judgmentally.

“Nick gave me my last drink,” she informed him smugly.

“I see.” That changes things, Mason thought.

“Right before I threw up on him,” Maggie continued.

Mason laughed. “Then I guess you both got what you deserved. Why the hell would he allow you to drink to that point?” he asked, genuinely confused. “He should have put a stop to it long before then.”

“I’m pretty sure I was drunk before he got there,” she said truthfully, “although I can’t be positive. Everything that happened last night is pretty much a blur.”

Mason wondered what Nick had been thinking. Maggie’s color was coming back slowly, and he got her a glass of ginger ale from the fridge.

“Here, sit up and sip a little of this,” he ordered, sliding his arm behind her for support.

Gratefully she complied. “Thanks,” she sighed, lying back down.

“Better?”

“Yes, a little.”

“Maggie, why do you think Rory is on his way here?” he asked squatting beside the couch.

“I don’t think. I know,” she replied sadly.

“Do you want to tell me about it?” he gently inquired.

“No, I don’t think so. I have a horrible headache, and besides, if I know Rory, it would be like stealing his thunder. He’s pretty pissed at me, and maybe he’ll blow off some steam telling you and cut me a little slack, although I can’t be sure. Rory angry is a sight to behold, and if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to skip that part,” she told him yawning.

Mason saw the sadness in her eyes and wasn’t sure how to respond. He could tell it was serious, whatever it was, but he couldn’t help feeling sorry for her.

“Why don’t you try to take a little nap,” he told her. “I’ll take Rory in the back and we’ll get this straightened out.”

“Mason?” Maggie called softly, before he could turn away. A tear slipped down her cheek. “Wake me up when you’re ready to fire me.”

* * *

Maggie woke to Nick gently shaking her.

“Come on, honey, wake up,” he told her softly. “I’m here to take you home.”

“What time is it?” she asked him with a yawn as she sat up gingerly. Her stomach had stopped revolting, and the headache seemed a little better.

“Three o’clock,” he replied. He knelt, slid on her boots, and helped her up with an arm around her waist.

“Why are you here?” Maggie inquired as she stood swaying slightly for a moment before she got her balance.

“Mason called. Said he thought you could use a… friend about now.”

“Are you my friend, Nick?” she asked softly looking into his eyes.

“I’m whatever you need me to be, darlin’,” he sighed. “But we’ll talk about that a little later. For now, we need to get you home.” Nick kept his arm around her and guided her towards the door.

“I can drive myself,” she informed him a little coolly, not liking the tone of his voice. Was that pity she heard?