Page 47 of Jumping In

A few hours later, Blake and Austin take a seat on the couch, and I grab the chair from the office.

“So, she knows?” Blake asks, not wasting any time.

“Seriously, who knows what?” Austin asks, still confused.

Blake rolls his eyes, and I shake my head. “I told MJ the truth about the robbery last night.”

“No shit?” Blake punches Austin in the arm, clearly annoyed his brother isn’t putting the pieces together quickly enough.

“How did she take it?” Blake asks, concern lacing his voice.

“Honestly, better than I expected. I think she was more pissed that you guys knew and didn’t tell her.” They both huff in unison. “I think she’ll be fine though.”

Blake nods in agreement.

“We can talk to her too if you want,” Blake offers, but I shake my head.

“Nah, I don’t want to pressure her. I think between last night, and what I’m thinking about for the Fourth—” I pause. “I think she’ll understand more and agree it’s best we just let it go the way I had planned.”

“Okay, just let us know. So, your idea, huh?” Blake prods.

I chuckle and then share my idea to make Thursday special for MJ.

“Dude, come on, we all know what you’re really trying to do with this plan.” Austin sets his plate down on the coffee table in the auto shop and leans back against the worn couch.

Blake nudges Austin’s knee with his. “So what if it’s obvious? MJ will love it. How can we help?”

I knew I could count on Blake to jump in and offer help. I can probably do most of it myself, but it would help to have more than one set of hands to set up the tent down by the creek.

“Are you guys free later this evening, or even tomorrow morning?” They both nod. “Do you think we can keep MJ away from the creek until the Fourth?” Austin tilts his head to the side and nods.

“Yeah.” He reaches for his phone. “Let’s get Shannon on it and she can keep MJ busy for tomorrow at least. She’s probably helping her parents set up though. Have they done that yet?”

“Actually, that’s where I got the idea. Think I should ask Mrs. Lawrence if she’s okay with me swapping out one tent for the one I had in mind?” I’m sure she’ll be fine with it, but it wouldn’t hurt to give her a heads-up as well.

While we ate lunch with Mrs. Lawrence yesterday, I could tell she was on board with our relationship. Wary, like any mother would be, but her eyes lit up any time I kissed MJ on the cheek or forehead. When I helped clear the dishes, I could still hear them whispering. I might have heard her tell MJ that she had missed having me around. If only we could get Mr. Lawrence on board, but that may be more work than I can manage right now.

I make a mental note to ask my mom for Mrs. Lawrence’s number so I can shoot her a text, and then I continue to talk with my two best friends.

July 4

Thursday morning comes quickly, and I’m up early to prepare the Thunderbird for the parade. It’s a vintage car my grandfather owned back in the sixties, with a custom baby blue paint job and two anchors on the back to hold flag poles. Today, I’ll be flying the American flag alongside one bearing the Macdonald Auto Shop logo through the parade today. It’s cheesy as hell, but such is life in Oakridge. At least it reminds the town they have a local mechanic available for all their automobile needs. Or so that’s what my dad always says.

Dad used to drive the Thunderbird in the parade with Mom. They’ve regaled me with stories of when they were young “cruising” through town with their friends. The car would be so full, their friends would end up sitting on top of the back seat.

In a way, I wish MJ was riding with me today, like Mom did with Dad. But I didn’t even ask her—and that’s on me. I’m not sure she’s ready to fully announce “us” to the whole town yet either.

As if she knows I’m thinking of her, my phone dings with a text.

MJ:Can’t wait to see you later! Have fun driving through town ??

I thumb out a reply, promising that after the parade, I’m all hers for the rest of the day. It’s going to be a fun day filled with lots of good food, swimming, and drinks with our friends. My phone pings again, this time from the BAMF group chat.

Blake:We dropped some stuff off at the campsite for later and your tent looks great! She’s gonna love it!

I smile, liking his message. The guys helped me set up the tent yesterday morning. and then last night, I went over and put the finishing touches on it. I hope Blake’s right—MJ loving it makes the effort worth it.

A few hours later, I’m parked in the Thunderbird on one of the town’s neighborhood streets waiting for the firetruck to pass—my cue to pull out and join the parade. Our shop’s car is always near the middle of the parade, behind the high school marching band and the homecoming float filled with past and reigning kings and queens.

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