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“That’s great! I can’t wait to see them again,” I say to him, trying to sound enthusiastic and not as nervous as I actually do feel.
Mac must have sensed my trepidation, because he grabs my hand and brings my wrist to his mouth. I shiver in response. It gets to me every time he does that.
“Stop worrying. I told you, everything is going to be fine. They love you, Pix.”
“Do they know we’re back together?” I ask, unsure if I want them to know yet.
“Yes, they know, and they’re ecstatic. You should have heard my mom when I told her. I thought she was going to burst my eardrums. Then she started sobbing over the phone. My dad had to take it from her until she calmed down. Believe me, Mia, they are both very happy that we’re together again.”
I smile over at him and feel a little better. Only time will tell if what he says is true. I’ve missed his parents so much and am genuinely looking forward to seeing them again, even if they are worried about Mac and me being together again.
“Do they know I’m staying with you, and the situation with Tessa?”
He sighs and releases my hand, but places it back on my thigh. His thumb moves slowly back and forth.
“They know that T’s staying with me because of his mother and that you’re staying with me for safety reasons, but they don’t know the details. I’ll probably sit down with them while they’re here and let them know what’s going on.”
That’s good. They have a right to know what’s going on with their son and grandson.
We pull up to the clearing by the lake a few minutes later. Jaxon, Bailey, Chris, and Andrew are already here. Nick said he may stop by sometime today. Ethan and Karyn are supposed to come by after Karyn gets off work from the diner after the lunch rush.
Instead of sliding over to my side of the truck to get out, Mac pulls me out with him on his side. As soon as my feet hit the ground, he grabs my hair and pulls my head back for a short but scorching kiss. I’m breathless by the time he pulls back. I give him the evil eye, because he knows he gets to me, even when it’s just a kiss. The little shit just smiles at me and taps the end of my nose, before walking off to the back of the truck. Just for that, he can unload the damn truck by himself.
I stand there watching with satisfaction as he takes everything out of the truck, until Jaxon ruins it for me by helping. I scowl at them both and turn around right as Bailey and Chris walk up.
“It’s so strange seeing the two of you getting along. For the past two years, I’ve watched you both giving each other shit or sending each other longing glances when one thought the other wasn’t looking. It’s a nice change.”
I look back over to Mac and Jaxon and see them laugh at something. I’ve missed him so much over the years. I never realized how much until we started talking again.
I turn back to Bailey and Chris and give them a small portion of the truth. “When we dated years ago, something happened tobreak us apart. What I thought happened wasn’t the complete truth. There was more to the story than what I saw.”
“I assume you know the whole truth now?” Chris asks.
“Yeah, Mac pretty much left me no choice but to listen to him. I just wish I had listened sooner. We lost so much time.” I finish with a sad smile.
Bailey leans over and hugs me before pulling back and looking me right in the eye. “Don’t dwell on the past. There’s nothing you can do to change it. You finally did listen. Think about the future now. I’ve never seen you so happy, Mia. Before, you tried to play it off, but I always saw sadness in your eyes. The sadness is gone now. Now, all I see is pleasure.”
Her words bring tears to my eyes. I pull her into my arms again for a fierce hug. Bailey is one of the sweetest women I know. She’s right. I tried so hard to make people believe I was truly happy in my life, but deep down, I always felt like I was drowning. Finally, after years of suffocating, I can breathe again without it hurting.
Chris gives me a small smile over Bailey’s shoulder, and then hugs me once Bailey and I break apart. In my ear she whispers, “I’m really happy for you, Mia. You deserve to be happy.”
I pull back and give her a watery smile. She smiles in return.
We make our way over to the blanket that is set out, while Mac and Jaxon start setting up the grill. Andrew’s sprawled out in all his hot and tattooed glory. He’s on his stomach so we all get a glimpse of the huge tree tattooed on his back. The base of the tree starts right above his butt. The trunk travels up his spine until it gets to his shoulder blades, where the leafless branches expand and start wrapping up and around his shoulders. Every so often, you see black birds sitting on the dead branches. It’s a beautiful piece.
“Get your lazy ass up and come help, Andrew,” Jaxon says, carrying the cooler of drinks.
“Hey, hey, now, no need to get snippy, hotness. I was just relaxing. If you wanted me to get up so you can check out my amazing chest, all you had to do is ask. You know I’m always prepared toplease you.” Andrew gets up and puffs out his chest, running his hand down his pecs and abs. He has both of his nipples pierced. All three of us girls stare in appreciation. Andrew really is a sight to see.
“No thanks, fucker,” Jaxon says. “If I want to see an amazing chest, I’ll just look at mine. Now, go grab the other cooler out of the truck.” He turns to Bailey, who still has her eyes on Andrew’s magnificent chest. “Bailey, if you don’t stop looking at him, I’ll be forced to take you in those woods over there and show you exactly whose chest you should be drooling over.”
Bailey’s eyes snap to Jaxon and a cute blush covers her cheeks. Jaxon smirks at her, which makes her narrow her eyes at him. He had better watch it. Bailey isn’t the sweet, innocent girl she used to be. It’s not very often, but when pushed, Bailey can be a force to be reckoned with.
I turn to look at Mac and see a calculated look in his eyes. I know he’s thinking the same thing as Jaxon. My silent stare back at him dares him to even try. Chris’s next comment interrupts our silent battle of wills and causes both Bailey and me to laugh.
“Well, I’m not attached to anyone, so I can look my fill.”
“At least someone appreciates my beauty,” Andrew mutters, walking toward the truck.
