Free Charitable Hearts by EJ McCay Page B

Strawberry Yoohoo.
    “All right,” Gary said and gently placed a headset on Maggie. He handed her a controller. “This will let you talk to us and other players. Now, we’re going to make a few practice runs so you can get a feel of the controller. You want something to drink?” He went over to the fridge and opened it. “We have Strawberry Yoohoo, of course,” he said and glanced back at her, “soda, and water.”
    “We have wine upstairs.” Levi added.
    “I’ll just have a water.”
    Levi jumped up. “I think I’ll run upstairs and get a glass of wine. You sure you don’t want any?”
    Maggie looked at him. Levi looked so relaxed and at ease. Like telling her about Amelia and Rachel had released him from all the pain he’d held onto. It made her envious and the thoughts which were trying to bubble to the surface made her flustered. “You know what? I think I do.”
    “And color preference?”
    “Nope, just as long as it’s wine.”
    “Okay, be right back.”
    Levi jogged to the steps and took them two at a time. It had been so long since he felt so free. He only wished Maggie would learn to trust him and let go of whatever it was she was holding onto so tightly.
    Maggie took a seat on the couch and adjusted the headset Gary gave her. “So,” she said and look at the stairs. “Levi told me about Amelia.”
    “Awesome. You didn’t tell him I’d told you anything, right?”
    “No. He told me about Rachel too.”
    Gary’s eyes bugged out and looked to make sure Levi was still upstairs. “That’s huge. He never talks about that.”
    “I was surprised. Not sure why he told me, though.”
    Gary looked her in the eyes. “Sure you do. Look, I’m not saying you guys are meant for each other or that you should date or whatever, but just promise me you won’t hurt my friend.”
    “You have my word.” Maggie looked away. “Pinkies.”
    “Okay, you have to explain that now.”
    “Explain what?” Levi asked and walked to the couch holding two glasses of red wine. He handed one to Maggie and sat next to her.
    “Pinkies. What does that mean?” Gary asked.
    Maggie took a deep breath and let it out. “When Laura and I were in college, anytime we promised something, we would say pinkies. It meant that whatever we promised, we would do whatever it took to make sure we kept that promise. For us, it was a solemn oath, that until this day, we still haven’t broken.”
    “So, what were you saying pinkies to?” Levi twisted to look at her.
    Gary spoke up. “She promised to be a regular at game night from now on.”
    Levi knew Gary was lying, but he decided to let it go. “Oh yeah? It’s the snacks, right?”
    Maggie laughed. “Oh yeah. Who in their right mind would turn down this smorgasbord of…heart attack?”
    Gary and Levi looked at each other and busted out laughing. It was infectious. The ease of their friendship. Maggie couldn’t help but join in laughing. Levi wasn’t kidding when he said it was game night. Between the snacks, the games and the banter between Levi and Gary, Maggie couldn’t remember a time when she’d had so much fun.
    It was sure better than the party Levi had thrown where there were so many people she couldn’t even breathe. After her second glass of wine, the jokes became funnier and her aim in the game became less accurate. Not that she was all that accurate to start with, but after the wine she wasn't sure she could even throw the controller and hit the television.
    The last thing she remembered before falling asleep was Gary arguing with Levi about some magic power and whether or not it was fair for him to use it against some wood creature in their game. She must have felt very comfortable with them because she didn’t typically sleep well when she wasn’t home.
    When she woke up, the first thing she noticed was that Gary was gone. The next thing she noticed was that she had her arm across Levi and she was lying next to him on the couch. Her head was resting on