23. Chapter 23
Talmage
T his is it. The last big event before the last day of school.
I never thought I’d dread a dance, but something about it is making me feel like it’s the end of more than just the school year.
Not me and Mack, obviously. We’re solid.
She looks gorgeous in a fifties style, black dress. She has a little gray silk jacket over it which matches my tie—unintentionally.
Mack’s been a little sad after finding out she wasn’t cast in the musical with me and some of our friends. She’s been trying to put on a brave face, but there’s an inherent sadness surrounding her.
I’m hoping they play our song again, and it’ll bring a smile to her face.
I’m nervous to leave her this summer, but I need the money I’ll make from working at the camp to save up to go on my mission, so I couldn’t turn it down when I got in.
I know I won’t forget her after the present she gave me .
I just hope she doesn’t forget me.
She’ll be at a few different camps with other guys. What if one of them grabs her attention? What if she finds someone she likes more than me? Someone willing to do more than just kiss her?
I have to believe that won’t be the case. That she’s as committed to this—to us—as I am. She hasn’t given me any reason to think otherwise.
When we got home after grocery shopping—where I insisted on paying even though she argued she had the money—I started meal prepping for the week.
Cutting up vegetables and putting them in individual snack containers for easy access, marinating the steak for our dinner tonight, and mixing up some overnight oats.
Mack says she’s never had overnight oats, but they’re an easy, hearty breakfast I hope she and the twins will like. I don’t want to sound judgmental, but there’s no way they’re staying full very long with only a bowl of cereal in the morning.
I insisted on making vegetable and steak skewers tonight so we can have a proper meal with the twins, so I’ve been cutting up zucchini and onions while the wooden skewers soak in warm water.
I want to grill them, but Mack’s never touched the grill—her words, not mine—so we don’t know if it even works. She doesn’t remember the last time her dad used it, so it could be housing a family of squirrels for all we know. I plan to check it out as soon as I’m done chopping the vegetables.
“Really, Tal, this is too much. The girls will be fine with a frozen lasagna or spaghetti or—hell—even turkey sandwiches.”
I give her a get real look. “We’re celebrating! You all deserve a good, home cooked meal you don’t have to do any work for, so quit arguing with me and let me feed you, please.”
“I’m perfectly capable of making a good meal,” she grumbles.
I gently set down my knife and round the counter to where she’s standing with her arms crossed defensively.
I hesitate to wrap her in a hug, but the desire to comfort her and feel her in my arms wins out. I wrap my arms around her shoulders and rest my head against hers.
“You’ve been taking care of everyone else for so long, Firefly. It’s time you let someone else take care of you.” I pull back, and she tips her chin up so we’re eye to eye. We’re so close, it would take nothing at all to lean in and kiss her.
“You don’t need to take care of me,” she breathes.
I know I don’t need to. “But I really want to. Please, let me?”
Our gazes are locked, my pulse is racing, and I think about bulldozing over her no kissing rule. She looks like she wants me to so I slowly lean in and—
The front door bangs open, and the chittering of Harper and Kinsley—well, mostly Kinsley—breaks whatever spell we’re under .
The clomping of feet on the hardwood has me stepping back, feeling like a teenager caught with a girl in his room—not that I know what that’s like. I never broke the rules. The twins and Lizzie come in, looking between Mack and I.
“Eeewww. Were you two kissing in here? That can’t be sanitary.” Kinsley’s nose crinkles, and I catch the quick roll of Harper’s eyes.
I grin. “Nah. You’d never be able to tear me away from her if I were kissing her. We’re just working on dinner prep.”
Kinsley looks at her phone. “But it’s eleven in the morning.”
“I’m making shish kebabs. Takes time to marinate.”
Kinsley’s eyes narrow on me full of suspicion. “Why? Are you trying to bribe us or something?”
Surprise makes my eyebrows shoot up to my hairline.
“What? No. I’m making dinner because one, I live here now, so I’m doing my part.
And two, so we can sit down and get to know one another better.
We’re going to be seeing a lot of each other, so I want to make sure you girls are comfortable with me.
I know it’ll take more than one dinner to earn your trust, but it’s a start. ”
“Thank you for making dinner, Talmage, that sounds great. Let us know if you want any help. We need to go… do homework,” Harper pipes up, giving Kinsley a warning look before dragging her sister down the hall.
Mack shakes her head and lets out an exasperated sigh before she nods at Lizzie. “How was last night?”
“Oh, you know, the usual. I gave them matching princess crown tattoos on their asses and taught them how to shoot vodka without gagging. It’ll really come in handy at college, and I want them to be prepared,” she deadpans.
I’m not entirely sure if she’s joking. I look over at Mack with wide eyes, and Mack just grins and shakes her head.
“So you watched the first three Pirates of the Caribbean movies and fell asleep halfway through the fourth one after too much popcorn and ice cream?”
Lizzie snaps her fingers and points at Mack. “Exactly.”
Mack chuckles. “We can teach them to shoot vodka next weekend.”
Lizzie’s eyes land on me, and she gives me a sinister smile. “How was your night? Anything big happen?”
Her emphasis on the word big makes heat swirl around my face. Is she implying I’m big? Is that something you can tell by simply looking at someone? I’ve never really compared myself to other men, so I think I’m probably average. Should I be looking it up? I don’t—
“Tal here said his first curse word this morning at the grocery store,” Mack states proudly.
Lizzie does a slow clap. “My man! What was it? Damn? Shit? Ooooh, please tell me it was ‘fuck.’”
“I said ‘shit.’ You guys are acting like me swearing is a bigger deal than me not wearing garments anymore.”
Lizzie gasps. “Talmage! Not wearing garments is way bigger than swearing! Mack, lead with the important stuff next time.”
Mack shrugs. “I don’t want to talk to you about my husband’s underwear choices. That seems like a personal thing. ”
My husband.
I like the sound of that way too much.
Lizzie rolls her eyes. “You’re so boring now that you’re a married woman. You used to tell me about KC’s personal business all the time. Remember when his Prince Albert got infected and—”
“Lizzie!” Mack hisses. “We don’t need to talk about that. Besides, Tal is right here. If you want to know about him, ask him. Don’t be rude, bitch.”
This side of Mack isn’t one I’ve seen in our time back together. The more playful side. It’s both endearing and heart-wrenching because I want her to feel comfortable enough with me to open up and be playful.
Lizzie's phone beeps, and she sighs. “I’ll have to interrogate you about your choice in underwear later, Tally. There’s an emergency at the shop, and I need to head in. I’ll text you later, Mack. Love you, byyyee.” She blows us a kiss and heads towards the door.
“Love you, too!” Mack shouts at her retreating form. When the front door closes, Mack still has a small smile on her face.
“I like her,” I state, resuming my chopping.
“Yeah? I would have thought she makes you uncomfortable. Lizzie sometimes doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut.”
I shrug, removing the seeds from the last bell pepper. “I don’t mind. I’d rather someone speak their mind than keep things in, you know? Besides, she makes you happy. You seem lighter, more comfortable with her.”
Mack nods, examining her nails. “She’s one of the only people in my life I know I can count on. She’s been by my side through my lowest times. I wouldn’t be here without her. ”
I feel like she’s not just talking about her parents’ deaths. Something in the back of my mind whispers whatever it is, it has to do with the rumors circulating about her in high school.
Did something else happen? Something so bad, it made her run from home and go to Oregon? I’m racking my brain trying to remember something about it, but I tried not to get involved in high school gossip. Especially about her. My heart couldn’t handle it.
“I’m really happy you’ve had someone to help you. I hope you know she’s not the only one you can count on now.”
Mack gives me a sad smile, like she may not fully believe me. “Yeah. Thank you.”