Chapter 22
Sadie
S adie had always been a light packer. She’d once gone to a softball camp with only a backpack. Her go-to summer clothes were shorts and tees, which, in theory, meant she usually was a light packer.
However, that wasn’t the case when packing for Cape Cod.
Not only did she have no idea what to wear, she was going to be there for a week. While Ellie and her family were planning to stay another week, Delaney had said she could only stay for a week. Her mom claimed the Mackenzies would want family time without her there. Sadie didn’t feel like arguing with her. After all, if for some reason the trip didn’t go well, she knew when her mom was picking her up.
That was if Sadie ever got her bag packed. Her duffle bag was currently sitting way too full for a six-day trip, and yet Sadie still didn’t feel she had anything to wear. Ellie had told her they usually just hung out around the house and to bring comfy clothes and a bathing suit. But Ellie had also mentioned they might go out to dinner—whether alone or as a group Sadie hadn’t clarified—so she wanted to be prepared for that too.
“Ugh,” she groaned as she stuffed a pair of khaki shorts into the bag. They would have to work for dinner out because she was running out of time to be ready.
While most of the Mackenzies had already gone to the Cape, Vera, Mason, and Chase were going a day later. They’d offered to pick up Sadie, as there wasn’t room in the other cars going. Sadie was glad Chase was going to be in the car, otherwise she knew Mason would hound her about her and Ellie.
Who am I kidding? Mason will still tease me.
Delaney knocked on the open bedroom door as she leaned against the doorway.
“Vera just texted. They’ll be here in about five minutes.”
“Does that give me time to get a whole new wardrobe?”
“You’re going to the beach,” Delaney chuckled as she walked over to the duffle bag. She rummaged through it as she talked. “You have bathing suits, shorts, tees, tanks, and sunscreen. I think you’re good, kid. And besides, there will be stores if you’ve forgotten anything.”
“Yeah, I know.” Zipping up the bag, Sadie looked around her room one more time. “I don’t think I’m forgetting anything.”
“You are.”
“What?”
“To kiss your mommy goodbye.” Delaney playfully pulled Sadie into a hug as she kissed her all over. Sadie giggled, loving the relationship she had with her mom. “I hope you have the best time, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
A car horn honked outside and Sadie assumed it was Vera. She gathered up her bag and headed down the stairs with Delaney close behind her. Sadie said quick goodbyes to her and Charlie before they headed outside. Mason was in the backseat of the Jeep, which had the top down. Vera was driving, with Chase in the passenger’s seat and three dogs in the back. They all had their hair pulled back and sunglasses on, which made them seem like they’d just stepped out of a music video.
“Get in, loser. We’re going to the Cape.” Mason lifted up her sunglasses and winked at Sadie.
“Ignore her,” Vera said with a laugh as she got out of the Jeep. “She thinks she’s Renee Rapp.”
“Apex predator, baby.”
Rolling her eyes, Vera smiled at Sadie. Vera opened the back for Sadie to put her bag in before Sadie said another round of goodbyes and got into the Jeep. She was only mildly nervous about being in a car with Mason for the next three hours. It was only a matter of time before the inevitable conversation came up.
To Sadie’s surprise, they were in the car for a whole six minutes before Mason turned in her seat slightly to face Sadie.
“So,” Mason held out the word longer than was needed.
“Mason,” Vera and Chase both scolded in unison, which made Sadie giggle.
“What?”
“You promised you wouldn’t pepper her with questions.” Vera’s glare in the rearview mirror was clearly meant to intimidate Mason. But Sadie doubted its effectiveness.
“I was just going to ask how things were going for her post-graduation.” She looked at Sadie, waiting for an answer.
“Um, good. I guess. It’s only been a few days, so I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet.”
“So, what’s going on with you and Ellie?”
“Mason,” Vera and Chase both scolded again. “Sadie, you don’t have to answer her,” Chase added.
“It’s okay.” Sadie smirked as she turned toward Mason. “I’ll tell you if you tell me why you all didn’t go out to the Cape yesterday like everyone else.”
“Oh,” Vera laughed, “she’s good.”
Mason and Chase exchanged glances, but Sadie knew what it was for. She’d pried the information out of Charlie that Mason and Chase were trying to have a baby. Charlie had assumed their delay had something to do with that, and Sadie had to agree. Even if she did feel slightly bad she knew such intimate details about Mason and Chase without it coming from them.
“Well, we’re trying to have a baby.” Mason’s happiness was undeniable. “Today was our first insemination day.”
Sadie squealed in excitement as she hugged Mason. “That’s so exciting! Congratulations!”
“Thanks. Everyone who’s going to be at the Cape knows, so it only seems right that you know, too. Just so you don’t think it’s weird that I’m not drinking.”
“Yep, all she’s allowed to do is relax and not drink for the next two weeks.” Vera merged the Jeep onto the interstate. “Doctor’s orders.”
“That’s one doctor’s order I can totally live by.” Leaning back into her seat, Mason grinned at Sadie. “So. You and Ellie.”
“Dude, come on. You already know.”
“We do.” It was Vera and Chase in unison again.
“Fine, fine. I’ll leave you alone. For now,” Mason added with a wink.
The rest of the drive to the Cape was fun and carefree as they listened to music and chatted about life. They asked about Sadie’s college plans and where she was staying and if she was excited. Sadie admitted she was nervous, but they all encouraged her it would be okay.
As Vera pulled the Jeep into the driveway of the beach house, Sadie took it in. She’d seen pictures from the house before but had never seen it in person. It was a large, two-story house with sandy colored siding and a porch that wrapped around in an L-shape. Due to the slope in the back, the backyard was expertly concealed aside from a small pathway that seemingly led down to the pool. Sadie grabbed her bag from the back as she walked up the stairs to the front door where she was immediately greeted by Ellie.
Who was wearing a black two-piece bathing suit that left little to Sadie’s imagination.
“Hey.”
“Hi.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.” Ellie hugged Sadie quickly before motioning her inside. She followed Ellie through the house to a hallway. “You’re staying in my room with me if that’s okay with you. There’s a trundle bed.”
Sadie tried not to overthink the last tidbit as she followed Ellie up the open spiral staircase to the second floor. Ellie’s room was the second on the left, with a nice view of the backyard and ocean over the trees. The walls were light pink and covered with posters from musicals and Playbills, most signed. She smiled at the poster of her aunt’s latest show framed over her nightstand. Ellie had eagerly told Sadie all about the show a few days ago, and Sadie loved listening to her talk about the things she loved.
The furniture in the room was sparse: a bed, nightstand, and dresser were all there was. And it was much cleaner than Sadie had anticipated. Not that she expected Ellie to be messy. It just didn’t have the feel of a normal teen’s room. But Ellie wasn’t just a normal teen. And they’d just gotten there the day before, so why would it be messed up already?
Stop overthinking, Sadie.
“So, this is it.” Ellie sat Sadie’s bag on the floor by the bed. She sat down, crossing her legs as she leaned back slightly onto the bed. “What do you think?”
“It’s very you.”
“Is that a good thing?” Ellie seemed unsure as she cocked her head at Sadie.
Sadie shrugged, a smile on her face. “I think so.”
Ellie blushed and Sadie couldn’t help but grin stupidly.
It’s gonna be a long week .
“So, the bathroom is there,” Ellie pointed to a closed door, “but it’s shared with Everleigh so be sure to keep both doors closed. She’s really great about not bugging me when I’m in there, though.”
“That’s good.”
“She’s the best.”
Not for the first time, Sadie wished she had a sibling. Ellie had not one but four amazing siblings and two equally amazing sisters-in-law. She was lucky, and Sadie hoped she knew that.
“Do you want a tour of the house?”
“Sure.”
Sadie followed Ellie through the three floors—Sadie was surprised there was a basement as well—for the grand tour of the Mackenzie house. They ended the tour by the pool, where everyone had gathered. And by everyone, it felt like everyone. Isla and Vera. Mason and Chase. Blake and Alexis and their kids. Brayden and Everleigh. Walker and Maddie. Even their Aunt Eden was there. Sadie felt overwhelmed as she waved at them all.
Thankfully, Ellie must have sensed Sadie feeling overwhelmed and suggested they take a walk on the beach. Ellie grabbed an oversized T-shirt off the back of a pool chair. Sadie tried not to study the muscles of Ellie’s stomach as she slipped the tee over her body.
Yup. It’s gonna be a long week.