Page 57 of Jumping In

Taking a deep breath, I step out of the car and head toward the courthouse steps. I instantly spot MJ and her parents at the bottom of the steps. MJ says something to her dad, and he nods, taking his wife’s hand. They head up the stairs together while MJ looks at me and waits.

When I reach her, MJ hands me a tissue, and I quickly wipe my face and pocket it before taking in my girl. She looks gorgeous and professional in a navy pencil skirt and a white button-up blouse. Her hair is down and curled, all blonde and bouncy; she’s clearly channeling one of her inspirations, Elle Woods, especially in the second movie where she dresses all patriotic. But my girl is prettier, no doubt. No shade to Reese Witherspoon. I’m just a little biased.

MJ throws her arms around my neck and kisses me softly. My hand grips her waist to steady us both and for a moment, I get lost in her. We break our kiss as footsteps sound near us and both seem to realize where we are. She blushes, and it’s the cutest thing ever. We create distance between our bodies, but my hand doesn’t leave her waist.

“How are you feeling?” she asks, and I shrug.

“Alright, I guess. I’m as ready as I can be. I’m just—” I don’t know how to say this, but after Saturday night at the creek and having more time to think on Sunday, I decided I didn’t want her to wait for me.

MJ searches my face and when I don’t continue, she prods on, “Mac, you’re scaring me.”

I sigh and hold both of her hands in mine and rip the Band-Aid off. “I don’t want you to wait,” I say.

“Wait? What do you mean?”

“If things don’t go the way we hope in there, I don’t want you to wait around for me. Go live your life. Help Blake and Austin with the restaurant—or don’t. Stay here or leave. But don’t do it for me; do it for you.” I look up, expecting to see tears in her eyes, but I see steely resolve.Oh fuck.

“Nope,” she somehow shouts in a whisper, shaking her head. “You don’t get to do this again, Alexander Ryan.”

Fuck, my real name.

“You think you’re holding me back? Is that it? Well, you’re not. And I’m not missing out on another four years with you just because you’re too full of yourself to see I’m here because I want to be. Me. Not for you, not for anyone else, but me. I’m staying for me.” She stamps her foot and huffs out a breath before hitting me with another truth bomb. “You’re just a nice bonus.”

If I wasn’t so surprised by her outburst, I would probably laugh. MJ is not this outspoken. She’s always been a go-with-the-flow type, so to see her standing up, literally, and giving me hellright now is shocking.

“Okay, okay.” I sigh, looking down at the ground.

“Mac, I want to be with you. And I will decide if I wait for you or not. Not you. Do you understand?” She ducks her head so I have no choice but to meet her eyes, and it forces me to smile.

“Yeah, MJ. I understand.”

She shakes her head when I smile up at her. Taking a step toward her again, I slide my hand up her neck, pulling her toward me. “I don’t deserve you, but I’m so thankful I have you,” I whisper before pulling her lips to mine.

She kisses me softly, her breath hot against my lips as she whispers back, “Damn right. But you’ve got me. So deal with it.”

We kiss again, both smiling, and then I take her hand and we walk up to the courthouse together.

That did not go at all how I had thought it would. I tug her hand back, realizing what she said. “Wait.” MJ turns and looks at me. “Did you say you’re staying?” I ask.

A sly smile crosses her lips as she nods. “Caught that, did you?”

I throw my head back laughing and she giggles.

“Yeah, I’m staying. I’m going to talk to my parents, but I’m sure they already know I’m not leaving for law school. I should have already had an acceptance letter by now. But we’ll deal with that later.” She leans into me, kissing my cheek. “Let’s get today over with and get you taken care of first and we’ll deal with my crap later, okay?”

I nod, stealing a quick kiss and then we walk intothe courthouse, hand in hand, toward whatever future might be waiting for us.

Chapter 21

MJ

Isit through the entire trial, time flying by. Judge Matthis recaps what the charges are. Mac sticks with his guilty plea. I still feel conflicted about Mac taking the fall for his brother, but I understand it. It seems this is going to be a bench trial as there’s no jury. It’s just Judge Matthis listening to Henry’s lawyer and my dad. He’ll make the final decision and ultimately agree with Mac’s plea and sentence him.

I’m thankful we live in such a small town for once, because the trial could have taken a few days in a larger city. They will probably finish the trial and sentencing today rather than dragging it out.

Mac does great on the stand, looking sharp in gray slacks and a white button-up shirt with a navy tie. He’s not wearing a jacket, but neither is my dad. Even Judge Matthis isn’t wearing his black robes; instead, he has on a short-sleeved dress shirt with palm trees all over it. I had to stifle a laugh when he first walked in because it’s not at all what you would expect a judge to wear. But again, it’s Oakridge and things are always a little more laid-back here than in a larger city.

We get a short recess, and I meet Mac and my dad outside for a few minutes.

---