Page 10 of Jumping In

I quickly cut him off. “Dad, you know this town. Everyone is in everyone’s business.”

He nods his head, running his fingers through his hair. “I know. So, I don’t know if I could argue a conflict of interest. Maybe, conflict of the heart.” He looks at my mom again and then back at me. “We know you’ve been friends with Alexander since you were little.”

Alexander . . . I take a moment to process who he’s talking about. “You mean Mac?”

“Yes, I believe that’s his nickname.” No one really calls him Alexander, even my parents used to call him Mac when we were younger.

“What does Mac have to do with the case?” My heart beats erratically, and I glance between my parents.

“Mac got into some trouble while you were gone. You know how he was before you left for school,” Mom shares. I nod, because I knew, kind of. He was definitely not spending time with me anymore. Instead, he was hanging out with his brother a lot and his brother has always been bad news. I always thought it was just a phase. He would come around and nothing serious would become of it. Apparently, I was wrong.

“What did he do?” I yell. I look at my dad, whose eyes have softened. “Daddy! What did Mac do?” My lips are trembling now, and I don’t know if I want to cry or scream.

“He robbed Henry’s liquor shop a few weeks ago,” Dad explains.

“What? No way. There’s proof?” The words barely escape as a whisper, as if they can’t be true if not said aloud.

Dad nods but my mom answers, “He was wearing a mask, but it’s his build on the videotape. Plus, he was seen leaving town in his Chevelle.”

I stand there in disbelief for a moment—my brain unable to comprehend what this could mean. Robbery, that’s at least a misdemeanor. Depending on what he stole, even a felony. That could mean jail time.What the fuck, Mac?

“Tell me more. I need to know more.” I inhale, looking up at my dad.

“He didn’t carry any weapons. It was really a petty theft, just a carton of cigarettes and a case of beer,” Dad tells me.

“He doesn’t even smoke!” Or at least he didn’t.

Dad shakes his head and shrugs his shoulders like he doesn’t understand it either. “His getaway car was noticeable,and he got picked up hopping on the freeway. I think Sheriff Clayborn is trying to make an example out of Alexander, to deter him from going further like his brother has.”

Dad leans forward and pulls me into a hug as my eyes fill with tears. “It’s going to be okay. I’m doing everything I can to see if Henry will drop the charges or take a plea deal. Anything to avoid jail time. While I agree he needs to have consequences, the Macdonald family can’t afford Alexander going to prison for any amount of time.” He lets me go and squeezes my shoulder.

I take a deep breath as I stand and grab my keys, turning for the garage door. “I need some time to process this. I’ll be back for dinner.”

Chapter 5

Mac

Sunday morning, I walk diagonally across the street from the auto shop over to Spoon to grab some coffee. I’ve been working for a few hours already and since most of the town is at church, I shouldn’t run into too many people I don’t want to see. I open the door and am greeted with a warm smile from Beck.

“Well, good morning sunshine,” she says cheerfully.

“Hey, Beck,” I reply as I walk up to the counter. As I expected, the place is empty of patrons. The hum of a coffee grinder fills my ears, along with the soft music playing overhead. It’s not your typical coffeehouse jazz music though. Clearly Beck chose the music this morning because it’s more of a funky lo-fi mix.

“Was wondering when we were going to see you again,” Beck says with a light laugh.

I deserve that dig, though. I was not expecting to see MJ yesterday, let alone have her right behind me. When I heard Beck say her name, I turned around, expecting to see an older version of my best friend from six years ago. I was not expecting to see the smoke show that is now, Emmalynn Jane Lawrence. She’s definitely grown up over the last few years.

Looking up at Beck behind the counter, I give her a lopsided grin and say, “Sorry for running out of here like that. I just . . .” I just what? Wasn’t ready to see MJ? I guess that’s true.

She swats her hand at me like it’s no big deal. “You are going to have to talk to her eventually, you know?”

“Yeah, I know,” I say with a sigh.

“You want the usual?” Beck asks, as she turns to the counter behind her to grab a to-go cup for my hot coffee before I even answer. I take a deep breath, inhaling the scent of coffee and pastries. As if on cue, my stomach growls. “I guess you also want a little something to eat, too?” Beck asks, obviously hearing my loud stomach.

“Please. A cinnamon roll, maybe? I could use the sugar,” I reply with a grin.

Beck pours my coffee and fetches a cinnamon roll from the back. She gives me a wink as she rings up the items. “All set,” she says.

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