Page 72 of Coastal Rewind

Maggie

Nolan you literally have one task. Suck it up.

Nolan

You’re all so mean to me.

I shook my head and threw my phone down onto the kitchen counter. I grabbed a beer from the fridge and walked out front into the sunshine where Nolan was peering up at a basketball net with his hands on his hips.

The moment he noticed me, his mouth morphed from a frown into a beaming smile.

“My savior!” He took the bottle from my hands and started chugging it.

“Don’t be too grateful. I really just wanted to say hi to Marnie.”

Luke covered his laugh with a cough as he sauntered over to me with the most adorable little bean on his chest. She was wearing a little pink hat to shield her from the sun and there was a little bit of drool on the corner of her mouth as she slept.

Keegan and Luke weren’t staying for the party since it would be a lot for a baby who was only a few weeks old and not vaccinated yet, but they refused to miss out on the opportunity to help. Something about my family was that they always showed up, I just wasn’t usually around to see it.

When the party was mostly set up, I headed upstairs to change. I brought another outfit with me so I didn’t sweat through it before the guests arrived. I walked into one of the guest rooms and stripped out of my leggings and tank. I would assume MJ was going to drag me into the pool at some point so I settled on a bikini, covered with a pair of jean shorts and a long lace kimono. I tied my hair into two Dutch braids and threw on a little makeup to look presentable, but not enough it would completely sweat off the moment I stepped outside.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, the front door swung open and MJ came bolting inside.

“Happy birthday, little man!” I yelled as he launched himself into my arms. I scooped him up and spun him in a circle.

“I’m so excited for my party!”

I placed him back on his feet and was met with a brooding Mason with his arms crossed over his chest.

“Why don’t you go see what the girls are setting up outside and get a snack.” I nudged MJ toward the door and he took off outside. When I turned back to Mason, I put on my sweetest smile.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, but he didn’t put his hands on me like usual.

“Explain this.” He looked around at the basketball decorations.

I bit my bottom lip. “It just sort of happened. Don’t be mad.”

“He told me this morning he wanted to change his name to Michael Jordan so he could be named after a professional athlete,” he mumbled. “He is named after a professional athlete.”

“Aw, Superstar, is your ego bruised?” I teased.

He dropped his head to my shoulder and placed his hands onto my hips. “Yes.”

I laughed so hard tears threatened to spill from my eyes. A grumpy Mason pulled back and frowned down at me. I blinked up at him as my fingers played with his hair. “I missed you.”

That made him break a fraction as he fought his smile. “I missed you too, Sunshine.” He dipped his head and kissed me.

When Mason and I first started exploring this relationship, I was nervous to be outwardly affectionate in front of other people in fear they would pass judgment or somehow know I didn’t deserve him. Mason didn’t share that sentiment. He was always touching me somewhere or sneaking little kisses when my family was around. One Sunday at my dad’s house he straight up groped me in the pantry like we were teenagers.

It made me feel wanted.

Like I wasn’t making this all up in my head. The constant reassurance was good for me.

“Gross, get a room.” Nolan gagged dramatically as he passed us.

I broke away from Mason’s mouth and dropped my head to his chest.

“We better see what still needs to be set up before I drag you upstairs.” Mason chuckled, dropping a kiss to my head and moving to walk outside.