Page 46 of Jumping In

The blood rushing in my head drowns out whatever he said next. Mac is going to be a criminal. He’s not actually a criminal, but on paper, he will be. Even if he gets community service, he’ll have a misdemeanor on his permanent record.Shit.

“MJ?”

“Sorry. Yeah?”

“We should probably get you back home.” I nod and stand up on shaky legs to head back to the car.

The gravel crunches under the tires of Mac’s car as he pulls into the driveway at my house. The ride home was filled with conversation, and while I’m still upset that he didn’t tell me the truth right away, I understand why.

Ever the gentleman, he gets out and races around to open the door for me and the butterflies in my stomach do a little dance. We grab the bags from the trunk, only a few each, and then he takes my hand and walks me up the stairs to the front door where we stand staring at each other for a few moments. He squeezes my hand three times, and I look up at him with a smile on my lips.

“Are you doing that on purpose?” I finally ask. He’s done it a few times now, but I don’t know if it means the same thing to him as it does to me. Maybe he doesn’t even realize it means something, especially to a Swiftie like me. His eyes sparkle with mischief and he shrugs.

“Thank you for letting me take you out to Cedar Bend. And for listening to my side of things. I feel . . .” He takes a deep breath. “. . . lighter now that you know the truth.” I nod, words caught in my throat.

“Please keep it between us, though. I have to take the fall, no matter the consequences.”

Squeezing my eyes shut, I shake my head.

“Please?” he asks again.

After a moment, I nod and agree.

“Better get inside and get this stuff to your mom,” Mac says. He leans in and kisses me tentatively at first, but I open my mouth and slide my tongue across the seam of his lips. He lets me deepen the kiss. We stand on the front porch, barely breathing, as our lips and tongues tangle until the porch light flickers on and off.

Groaning, I take a step back. “I think that’s my cue.”

Mac shakes his head with a laugh. “Thank you. I had a great night.”

I lean into him to steal one more chaste kiss before turning toward the stairs.

Picking up the bags, I’mjust about to step inside when I hear it: Mac humming and then singing. “I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day.”

I throw my head back, laughing, and glance back to see a smirk on his face. Yep, he knows.

Even I’m not sure where it started, but squeezing someone’s hand three times is saying a silent “I love you.” It was referenced in a line of the Taylor Swift song Mac was just humming. It’s adorable and sweet and a sneaky way to tell someone you love them.

Wait.

My eyes meet Mac’s as he reaches his car and looks back at me. He winks as he ducks into his car. I watch him pull away before heading inside with a stomach full of butterflies.He loves me.

Chapter 18

Mac

July 2

Me: She knows

Austin: Huh?

Blake: Finally!

Austin:Who knows what? I’m confused.

Mac:Come down to the shop later and I’ll explain. Both of you. I also might need your help with something for MJ.

Ismile at my phone like an idiot as my best friends text me back with heart emojis and kissy face GIFs making fun of me and calling me whipped. I don’t care though. It’s all fun and they’re happy for us. Yesterday could have gone one of two ways, and I’m thankful things played out in my favor. MJ understood my side of things and why I did what I did to protect my brother. I just hope this doesn’t sway the work she’s doing with her dad on my case. We have to keep moving forward as planned.

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