Michael or Mac Ep. 02

Welcome to the second installment of Mac's life. Thank you for your kind words and scoring of the first part.

As always, all characters in this, in a sexual relationship, are over the age of 18 years.

Just a quick review of PT.01

Mac, or Michael, is a young man who lost his parents at a young age, leaving him the heir to a large fortune and head of a vast corporation.

After his parents passed, he was pushed around in a family that didn't want the responsibility. But, in the end, his grandparents, who had retired, took him in and gave him the stability he needed.

His new life lasted until his Grammy became sick and passed. During her long illness, Mac moved in with a teacher from the local high school, Miss Susan Harper. He became friendly with the girl who was in his class and also lived next door, Emma. They spent a lot of time together and even went on holiday to the family beach house together.

Mac's grammies death affected him badly, and he got into his head that people he got close to died. So Mac distanced himself from people, including Emma, the girl next door. Then, after a year of being away living at the family ranch, he returned. Since he returned, he has lived a strange double life.

When Mac returned, he had changed to such an extent that Emma didn't realize who he was. He hides behind a mask at school of a hoodie, beanie hat, and wrap-around tinted glasses that he initially used for an eye condition called Photophobia.

In his final year in high school, Susan Harper engineers it so Mac and Emma once again find each other. The one big worry for them is Emma's best friend and Mac's next-door neighbor, Donna. Donna has had a crush on Mac for years, and although she has tried many things to get his attention, he has chosen to ignore her.

Emma is now in the position of living in both of Mac's lives. They have restarted their friendship and are falling back into their old ways. This time though, they are old enough to understand their feelings.

******

Monday morning dawns, Emma can't wipe the smile from her face as she bounces down the stairs towards the kitchen. As she walks in, her father and mother are sitting at the kitchen table.

Emma sits down next to Kim, her mother, and picks up two halves of toast and a glass of orange juice. "Wow, I can't remember the last time you two were sat here together on a Monday morning," Emma says, taking a bite out of her first slice.

"Good morning sunshine, yes it doesn't happen often enough," her mother retorts, giving her husband the eye as she says it.

"You seem rather happy today," her father remarks, trying to deflect Kim's slight dig. "It wouldn't happen to be because of a certain kiss I saw you receive outside last night?" Ron says over the top of his paper, waiting for a reaction from his two favorite ladies.

Kim turns to her daughter, "hmm, missy, what have I missed?"

Emma squeals with excitement, "okay." Emma says, exasperated. "I was going to tell you last night. Mac yesterday hugged me before he left to meet his mates. Then when I went over there yesterday evening, he hugged me again, which made me start to cry with happiness. He kissed away my tears, but the last one was on my lips." Emma looks at her mum for any disapproval. She sees none and carries on, "then when he walked me home last night, he kissed me goodnight, which was what dad saw." Emma's face is beaming, and her parents can't help but smile at her excitement.

The morning's calm is ruined by a car horn outside, "that must be Donna." Emma picks up her last piece of toast, takes her last gulp of orange juice, and kisses both her parents goodbye.

She opens the front door to acknowledge Donna before picking her bag up and making her way down the steps. "Hey Donna, how's your dad?" Donna doesn't say anything and waits for Emma to get her belt on before pulling away at speed. "Are you okay, Donna?" Emma asks, a little worried.

Donna stops outside the nearby Starbucks for their morning coffee and to pick Mia up. She turns the engine off and then looks at Emma. She waits for a moment, "well?"

"Well, what?"

"Well, is there something you would like to share?"

"Well, I guess someone's told you they've seen me with someone?" Emma says, a little uneasy. She wanted to tell Donna on her terms, and this wasn't the time or place. But, to tell Donna, she has rekindled her friendship with Mac, and by the way, he's the same Mac that you've been drooling over.

"Well yeah, come on, spill." By this time, Mia has come out to see what the holdup is. "Emma was in the arms of a man," Donna says as Mia looks through the passenger window.

"Oh really? So who is this guy then, Emma?" Mia says, all excited that her friend has finally shown interest in the opposite sex.

"Oh, come on, you guys, you know that if I am with someone, it's only going to be one person."

Donna didn't get what Emma meant at first, but Mia's eyes doubled in size. "When did you meet up with Mac again?" As soon as the words left Mia's lips, Donna gasped.

"Look, guys, it is early days yet, and I don't want to say too much. But, you know, I don't want to jinx it." Emma is looking from Donna to Mia, hoping her friends will ease up on her.

Donna sighs and gets out of the car, she's desperate for her morning fix of caffeine, and with this revelation, she needs that extra kick for her to be able to process things. Donna is not happy; she had been hoping that Emma would get with Josh White. He is the school's quarterback and has been trying to go out with Emma since year nine. It would also help her have someone to double date with and with a person her boyfriend likes.

They sit in their usual booth. Donna has bought the drinks as normal after going to see her dad. He always gives her a couple of hundred dollars to spend. "So, how did your Mac contact you after all these years then, Emma?" Donna asks after her first sip of coffee.

"Oh, Miss Harper introduced us again."

"How does Miss Harper know your Mac?"

"She was his guardian for a while. That's how we originally met; he lived next door."

"I remember you two together always holding hands," Mia says. "You was the talk of the school for quite a while."

"Talk of the school? Christ, we were only eight or nine. What was there to talk about?"

"Can't remember, but you know what children are like." Mia feels like she has said too much, "anyway, Emma, has he developed well?" Just one look at Emma's face gave her the answer. "Oh shit, you go, girl." Mia exchanges an 'I'm happy for you' glance with Emma. That quickly changes when she sees the look on Donna's face.

"So, how long has this been going on?" Donna asks, "and I'm not talking from the start. How long have you been seeing him since his return?"

"We first met a couple of weeks ago, but it wasn't until this weekend that we managed to get some quality time together." The girls get up and make their way back to Donna's car.

Emma quickly jumps in the back and wonders if she should mention where her Mac lives yet. But she feels nervous and chickens out. She knows that the longer she leaves it, the harder it will get, though. It's another ten-minute drive to school from Starbucks, and Donna has her music up, so Emma doesn't get a chance.

As they walk into the first lesson, Donna stops at Susan Harper's desk. "Good morning Susan, I hear you put Emma back in touch with her old friend Mac."

I'm sat at the back and hear this. Susan quickly glanced in my direction, shortly followed by Emma. Miss Harper is taken back a little by this, but it takes a lot to ruffle her feathers. "Yes, Donna, that is correct. They were very close friends when he lived with me."

Donna didn't say much else, but Susan got an apologetic look from Emma when she moved towards her seat. As soon as they are seated, Susan stands, "right, class, these next two weeks, we are looking at Trigonometry, but you all know that because you are all checking the schedule I gave you." A collective groan goes up, and the class quietens down for the lesson.

Just before the third lesson of the day and I get to my locker. As usual, I check my phone before disappearing to the pool. There's a couple of messages from my PA, Olivia. She wants me to phone her as soon as I have a moment. So I take my phone with me, and as soon as I enter the pool complex, I press the call button.

Olivia picks up on the second ring, "Hi Mac, how are you doing, sweetie?"

"Hey Olivia, not too bad."

"Yeah, Paps did mention you are back with Emma." Olivia takes a breath. "Right, Mac, the reason I asked you to call me is that old man Parker is in the process of selling his ranch."

I have to sit down on the bench in the changing room. This is big news; that farm hasn't been on the market for a hundred and twenty years.

"Couldn't persuade either of the twins to take it on?" I ask, knowing the answer.

"Nope, you know them. Neither like doing manual work. Serves him right for giving them such a privileged upbringing."

"So, do we still have the same problem?"

"Yeah, he still doesn't like Buck, but I think we can persuade him to sell to us."

"Do you want me to have a word with Paps?"

"Yes, if you don't mind. Paps still sees me as the little girl who hung around with your Mom and is a bit cautious with what I tell him, but this is too important."

"To be honest, Olivia, this is news that would make him sit up. You know how long we've been looking at buying Parkers place. It will open out the whole west side of the ranch to a new water source. Okay, Olivia, leave it to me. But he will be phoning you this afternoon, you realize."

"I won't hold my breath, Mac. Is there anything you need from me?"

"Not at the moment, but I need you to keep Buck away from the Parker Ranch until I say different."

"I'll try Mac, but you know Buck."

"Yeah, but he's a brilliant manager and has turned the ranch around since he took over. So if you need me to phone Buck, just let me know."

"Oh, I think as soon as he hears, he will be on the phone to you."

I laugh, "okay, Olivia. I've got a swimming pool calling my name. I'll give Paps a quick call now, so keep your phone close. Have a nice day, Olivia."

"Yes, bye, Mac, speak to you later."

I hang up and instantly ring Paps. He is both shocked and happy with the news and says he will get straight onto it. He also has the same concern about Buck. Buck is my Ranch manager and a good friend. He is a good man but is a 'you get what you see' type and doesn't beat around the bush. His direct talking has caused run-ins with the Parkers over access to the river that runs through his land.

I finally get into the pool and am doing my lengths. I see a figure walk around the pool's edge and towards the end that I am swimming. Whoever it is, has sat in the row of seats in line with my lane. The curiosity gets me, and I stop when I get to the end.

I pull my glasses up, "Emma?"

"Hi Mac, sorry I needed to talk to you quickly." She came and sat on the starting block on my lane.

"Are you okay? I heard what Donna said to Susan earlier."

"Yeah, that's why I'm here. Someone saw us last night when we got to mine, and Donna jumped on me this morning about it." She takes a breath and looks around to check we are alone.

"It's okay; I never see anyone in here this time of year."

"My problem is that I have no idea how to break the news to Donna. Donna seems unhappy about us seeing each other. I'm sorry, you are about the only one I can talk to other than Susan. Are you sure she doesn't know you are my Mac?"

"Well, I never talk to her, so I can't be certain." I think for a moment, "I would wait until after Donna tells you she can't make it to your party. That way, she will find it harder to turn up, but knowing her that won't stop her." We both have to laugh at that. "Emma, it's not going to be easy, but if you do it after she does the 'can't make it' speech, it will make it harder for her to be upset with you. Especially if you lay on the, it's my 18th Birthday guilt trip."

Emma looked a little relieved at that and smiled. "Got to go, I'm already late. I'll tell the coach that I felt a tweak and warmed up in the gym." I can only shake my head. Emma gets up to walk out but then does a quick U-turn. She kneels, "can I have a quick kiss?"

I looked at her in disbelief and then slowly pulled myself up and half out of the pool. Just high enough to reach those soft lips. Before our lips touch, Emma runs her finger across my abs and groans. The kiss only lasts a second, but I feel its effects for some time once Emma has headed towards the track.

The rest of the day is uneventful, and Tuesday shoots by. The only good thing about Tuesday is that Emma and I share Music and Performing Arts. It's the one lesson we can get away with interacting a little and the one time Emma is not with either Donna or Mia.

I take Emma out for a Birthday dinner with Kim and Paps on Wednesday evening. We go to a little Italian place that is family-run and has excellent food, that's around fifteen minutes drive from Emma's. I give Emma my gift for her as we sit and wait for dinner. I got her an 18 karat gold necklace with a heart-shaped stone pendant made from pink Tourmaline. Tourmaline being Emma's birthstone and also the stone of love. I was initially going to get an opal, but the color of the Tourmaline stone persuaded me in the end. So I asked Olivia to find the best example she could. We had it shaped into a heart and mounted onto the chain. When I opened the box, I couldn't help but smile. The jeweler has done a great job mounting the stone, and it seems to accentuate the light reflected through the cut of the stone.

I handed Emma the gift with a bit of trepidation. I am scared she will not like it. But, instead, the moment she opens the box, her eyes doubled in size, and she nearly hyperventilates.

"Oh, I guess you don't like it then."

Her eyes instantly lock on mine, "are you joking?" I see the tears starting to pool at the bottom of her eyes, "it's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." Her eyes then lock back on the open box.

I get up and move around the table until I'm behind Emma. I reach forward and remove her gift from its box. The chain unravels, and I deftly unclip the claw catch. Then, making sure the stone is sitting the right way round, I put the necklace around Emma's neck. She looks down and squeals that little noise she makes when no word will do. I take a quick look to see how it looks but have to cut it short because I don't want to get caught looking down her top.

The rest of the night goes just as smoothly, and the time passes way too fast. Too soon, and I find myself stood on the front porch, being hugged and thanked for a perfect night.

"Mac, thank you for a perfect night. Saturday night will have to go some to better this in my mind." She gives me a slightly awkward smile before moving closer for her kiss goodnight. I run my finger down the side of her face while I look into those incredible eyes. I leaned forward the three inches between us and touched her lips gently with mine. This time I let the kiss linger a lot longer, I feel the hairs on my head stand on end, and my heart fights to get out.

As I move my head back, Emma does her little squeak for the second time tonight before burying her head into my chest. "Mac, that........." She didn't finish what she was saying because I pulled her in tighter as the passion rises and my body starts to wake up from its years of slumber." Usually, this would have me running down the road as fast as possible, but the feeling of belonging floods my senses once again, and all I want is for it never to end.

It took Kim coming to the door to break us apart. We both glance at her smiling a little embarrassingly but are still holding hands.

Kim looked down and couldn't help but smirk. "Thought you two might want to know that it's gone eleven."

We were both a little shocked at the time and quickly said our goodbyes. Emma disappears into the house as I turn to walk home. As I walk, I find my mind once again churning over my relationship. But, unlike before, I have a confident smile on my face, and what I found scary a week before now gives me that warm sensation inside.

That night's shower turned into something different as well. It's unusual for me to feel the urge to masturbate, but tonight my body seems to be alive with unfamiliar sensations.

Emma and I met up Thursday night to make up the hours lost for her birthday. We have become so comfortable together, although I still can't believe how relaxed I feel with her, as we both sit entwined on Emma's bedroom windowsill. There's still this nagging voice at the back of my head when we are apart, but I think I am keeping it more under control as time progresses.

The one thing that is going around in my head is what Emma is to me. Is she my 'girlfriend' or just a friend? Our kisses are still short pecks but are nearly always on the lips. The thing is that I'm happy with the way things are, and it scares me. So I don't want to start that conversation, especially if it's not what Emma wants.

The other concern is that Donna's still not said that she can't make it on Saturday for Emma's birthday, and Emma's not told her about me. So things are getting complicated, and Emma has suggested I help set up for the party. She says we can talk about my participation on Saturday.

******

It's Friday afternoon, and I'm waiting for the rush home to dissipate. Susan Harper has asked Emma back to tell her she is impressed with the sudden change in her understanding. On her trigonometry test, she scored a 92% and only dropped marks because she didn't show her working out. As Emma leaves, she looks back at me with a huge smile.

Susan comes to sit next to me, "I'm not sure what you did, but if she continues, I will suggest she gets put into the AP class. Do you think she could handle that?"

"She's more than capable if she applies herself. I will support her if you choose to put her up to the AP's." I know in myself that Emma has it in her to achieve a lot more than she is at the moment.

Susan puts her hand on my shoulder as she gets up. "I will have a word with Mr. Rutledge and see what he thinks." Susan makes her way back to her desk, and I pack my books away.

Walking to my locker, I'm a little thankful that most people have made their quick escape. Just as I have finished retrieving my stuff from my locker, I hear raised voices. I'm not sure who the second male voice is, but the female is Emma.

As I get closer, I hear Emma saying, "no, Josh, I'm sorry, I'm already seeing someone. I can't go out with you."

Shit, she is talking to Joshua White, the school's football team quarterback. I slow a little as I doubt that I should get involved. I stop for a moment and wonder if Emma would appreciate me getting involved. However, it would also put me in the spotlight, something I am still keen to avoid. So I choose to listen and only intervene if Emma needs me.

"Oh, come on, Emma, we all know you're not seeing anyone," Josh retorts.

"Sorry Josh, I am." She says in a sympathetic voice, trying to defuse the tension.

At this point, I think of walking away, but Josh changes tact. "Is it that guy I saw you with the other night?"

"What guy?........ Hang on, have you been spying on me?" Emma sounds angrier. She is a little like me when it comes to enjoying her privacy. She must be the only girl in our year that doesn't have a Facebook account.

"Sunday night, I saw him walking you home."

"Then you would have seen him kiss me goodnight then," Emma pauses. "Look, Josh, you must have noticed I haven't been interested in any of the guys here?"

"Well," Josh says, trying desperately to get the conversation going back his way. "Emma, I've always liked you, and let's face it, I have far more to offer than he has." I can tell Josh is getting a little agitated. He is used to getting his way. "Come on, Emma, you're just playing hard to get."