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Another loud crash of waves brought me back to reality. First, I needed to find out if Aria was having my baby. Then I could worry about the finer details.
No matter what, though, I had to win Macy back.
Whatever it took.
27
MACY
Even though I knew I’d regret not having the money later in the month, I called in sick to the diner. I couldn’t bring myself to go in and make small talk in the harsh light of day. Plus, I looked like death warmed over—puffy eyes, pale skin, dark shadows.
Nope.
I’d get way too many questions if I rolled in like this. Best to hide out in the apartment until nightfall, then drag myself to the Rowdy. At least the neon lights would give me a nice glow.
Well, only if you dug Smurf coloring.
I stayed tucked in, buried under my covers, until well past nine a.m. Everly’d left long ago and I lounged (read: wallowed) in blissful silence. Eventually hunger got to me and I crawled out of bed and shuffled to the kitchen. Where I found exactly nothing to eat.
Even though Everly made noise about being an adult, I was apparently still the one running this household. I didn’t know what Everly had eaten all weekend, but the fridge was a barren wasteland.
“Well shit...” I grumbled, staring at the empty shelves, save for a bottle of ketchup and a container of milk with barely two swallows left. Now I’d have to leave my cocoon or starve to death. Tough call.
I scrounged up a pair of denim shorts and a T-shirt, scraped my hair into a messy ponytail, and threw on a baseball cap and sunglasses, completing my incognito look. Not that it mattered a lick in Peachtree Grove; everyone would recognize me from my silhouette alone fifty feet away, but it was worth a shot.
Trudging out to my car, I debated driving to the next town over in order to avoid the general store. Which was stupid because Liam definitely wouldn’t be there. Besides, I needed to save the gas; gas cost money, something I was woefully short on.
I parked my car in front of the store, took a deep breath. I didn’t even know if Liam had told any of the McCauliffes about the baby. Best to just get in and get out, acting as natural as possible.
Ring, ring.The door chimes signaled my arrival and I dropped my gaze to the floor as I entered, hoping to avoid conversation.
“Hey, Macy.”
So much for that plan. And the incognito get-up.Should have spent the gas money...
“Hey, Delaney.” My brain searched for more to say. Best I could come up with was: “Why aren’t you at the bakery?”
Not that I didn’t already know the answer. Liam was in Malibu dealing with his baby mama and Pops was home recuperating from a heart attack, with Gigi supervising his recovery. Ryder, Quinn, and Bree all had to work, leaving poor Delaney to cover the store.
“Mars is in town for a few days, so I’m helping cover the store while Liam’s away. Question is—” and Delaney leaned over on her elbows, chin resting in her hand, “why are you here? Thought y’all were out there together. Is Liam back here already? Is he playing hooky?”
I shook my head. “No. He had some business to take care of,” I said. I mean, technically not a lie. Aria and a baby could qualify as business, right?
“Everything good?” Delaney asked, staring me down.
I nodded. “Yep. I’m fine. Need to pick up a few essentials. Apparently Everly can’t live without me.” I turned down the row of canned goods, Delaney’s eyes on my back.
Walking down the aisle, I grabbed a box of macaroni and cheese, a can of black beans, some dry pasta.
“You need a basket?” I jumped two feet up in the air as Delaney thrust a dark green basket in my direction.
“Uh, sure. Thanks.” I took it, shoving my items in. Delaney trailed behind me to the next row.
“We’re having a sale on peaches. Overflow from Peach Fest. Get ‘em while they’re ripe!” she said, a bright smile on her face.
“Thanks.” I crossed to the produce section, bagging up a few peaches, plus tomatoes, a head of lettuce, and some broccoli.
“Also, paper towels are on sale. Need any?” Delaney tipped her head at me, swiping a stray hair out of her face.
