Page 39 of Jumping In

“What’s this?” I yell to Shannon.

“Just taste it! You’ll like it!” I sniff the drink. Shannon knows me pretty well, and she rarely steers me wrong with drinks or food. I take a sip and a moan slips from my lips. “Told ya!” She winks at me and then works her way down the bar, helping other customers.

I sip on my drink, still not knowing what’s in it, but it tastes good. Watching Shannon work and taking in the bar crowd around me, I sink into my seat, getting comfortable. Shannon stops by here and there, plopping drink number three in front of me and we take a moment to chit-chat. Mostly she gives me pointed looks and asks me how Friday night went after Mac and I left. I tell her about the creek and kiss but leave out the dry humping in his car. That part can wait until I’m not sitting at the bar surrounded by too many people who would be quick to spread the word.

A few hours pass, and the crowd dissipates. Shannon is wiping down the bar and I’ve switched to water with lemon so I can sober up before heading home.

“My dad is pissed at me,” I share, no longer needing to yell over the music and voices. Shannon looks up at me, tilting her head as she rinses out glasses. “He thinks I shouldn’t be spending my time with aboy like Mac.” I make air quotes with my hands for the last part.

Shannon rolls her eyes and walks toward me, drying the glass she just finished washing. “Girl, you know he’s just salty because of the trial.” I nod, taking a sip of my water. “It sucks too, because we all know Mac’s not a bad guy. Hard to believe he robbed the liquor store, really,” she adds.

“Right?!” I yell and Shannon snorts.

“I get it, though. Your dad just wants what’s best for you.” I roll my eyes dramatically. I’m so tired of everyone thinking they know what’s best for me and not trusting that I know that. “So, what are you going to do?”

My phone pings with a text.

MAC:When do I get to see you again?

Smiling at my phone, I look up at Shannon. “I’m gonna do what I want.”

ME:Whatcha doin tomorrow? ??

June 23

I park my Jeep in front of Spoon early Sunday morning and climb out. Peaking across the street, I see Mac working in the garage. As if he feels my eyes on him, he turns and smiles at me. He grabs a rag to wipe his hands off and picks something up off the workbench before jogging across the street to me.

“Hey,” he breathes when he gets close enough.

“Hi,” I whisper. He places his hand on my hip and pulls me to him to kiss my cheek, which is now flushed.

“This is for you.” He hands me a worn paperback and I instantly flip through it hunting for his handwriting. “No, no, read it later. Not out here.” Though I’m not sure why he wouldn’t want me to read it out here, I still nod and plop it into my tote bag. Mac turns us toward the door to Spoon and slides his hand down my arm to lace his fingers with mine. Holding the door open but not letting my hand go, he guides me inside.

The bell dings and Sophie turns toward us. Her eyes widen as she takes us in, standing there hand-in-hand, before she squeals so freaking loudly that Beck comes flying out from the back, her face filled with panic. “Is the baby coming? Are you okay?”

Sophie smacks her with a towel she previously had draped over her shoulder. “Dude, I’m only five months pregnant. This baby better not be coming yet, crazy pants.” She nods her head toward us as we walk toward the counter with our fingers still interlaced. Beck turns to look at us and her face splits in two. She side-eyes her best friend and they share a conspiratorial smile.

Sophie and Beck turn back to the counter without another word to us. I look at Mac, but he shrugs, not knowing what they’re up to either. The whir of the bean grinder fills the space while the espresso machine hisses next to it. Sophie and Beck are busy making something back there.

They turn to us together and display our usual drinks, except each is topped with little whipped-cream hearts. Mac barks out a laugh as he reaches for his wallet.

“No, no.” Beck stops him. “Not today. It’s on us.”

“Are you sure?” we ask in unison.

“Consider it a fucking-finally gift from us.” Beck laughs and Mac shakes his head, but we both accept our drinks, smiling ear-to-ear.

“I gotta get back to the shop.” Mac leans into me, pressing his lips softly to mine, and I swear Beck is going to need to pull out the mop bucket because I’ve officially melted into a puddle. He pulls away and smiles. “I’ll text you.”

“Later,” I whisper breathlessly. My eyes burn into his back as he walks out the door, the bell dinging overhead.

“Girl, you need to spill. Right now.” Sophie gives me a pointed look when I turn back to her and Beck. I sip my chai as I fill them in on my Friday night with Mac.

“So, are you guys officially together now?” Sophie asks. I shrug in response because honestly, I’m not sure. I want to be, but I also know with the way things went with my dad and how the town seemed to react to us just out together on Friday. We might need to keep things quiet for a bit. I say as much to the girls, rubbing my lips together and looking down at my feet.

“Sugar.” I look up at Beck. “Don’t you dare let what other people think keep you from happiness. You two—” she sighs. “You two have been on this cliff, too afraid to jump for so long now. What’s stopping you, really?” Tears flood my eyes, and I have to take a steadying breath to keep them from falling when I shake my head. Really, nothing is stopping me besides what other people think. And that’s not a good enough reason; I know that. Beck walks around the counter, standing in front of me.

“Okay then.” She places both hands on my shoulders. “Jump, baby girl. Jump in with your whole heart and see what happens.” Her smile is genuine and eases the doubts that were swirling in my head. I nod as she pulls me into a hug and I see Sophie smiling, with tears in her eyes, behind her.

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