Page 63 of Jumping In

Mom whispers, “I knew it,” to Dad, who smiles.

“I’m not quite ready to talk about it just yet. Soon though, okay?” They both nod and then Dad returns to the library. Mom fixes me up with a plate of leftovers and sits with me at the island, asking me to fill her in on all the things that have been happening between me and Mac.

July 20

I wake before the sun, my body feeling rested and relaxed after an emotional night with my parents. A weight has been lifted off my chest, but I know I still have some more work to do to feel completely free. I scroll through my phone, checking my messages and almost drop it when it starts ringing in my hand. Mac’s picture fills the screen, and I swipe to answer the call.

I’m greeted by a tired-looking Mac. “Hey, did I wake you?” he asks.

“No, I was up,” I mumble through a yawn.

He chuckles and I look him over through the screen. The bags under his eyes are almost purple and his dark hair is sticking up at all angles, like he’s been running his fingers through it.

“Are you home?” he asks.

“Yeah, I talked with my parents last night.”

“Oh,” he sounds defeated.

“It was good, honey. I promise. How’s Jake?”

“He’s okay. He thinks someone set him up or something. But he didn’t get arrested or anything, just might have lost his job. And then the halfway house has a no tolerance policy. Didn’t even give him time to explain. I’m trying to see if I can help him keep the job or get him set up somewhere else. I just—” he hesitates and sighs, running his fingers through his hair. “He’s been doing so good, and I don’t want this to be a setback for him, you know?”

“Of course. I’m so sorry. Do you need me to do anything? Do you know how long you’ll be gone?”

“Nah, hopefully just another day or so. I closed the shop since I won’t be around. You can see if Beck will give you the spare key so you can come and go at the shop if you want. I don’t mind at all.” I smile softly and he looks off the screen, nodding. “I gotta go, but I’ll text you and try to keep you updated.”

“Okay, I—” the call disconnects before I have time to tell him I love him. I stretch my legs in the soft sheets and groan. I should probably take a shower and start the day.

Gravel crunches under my tires and thunder cracks overhead as I park in front of the auto shop. The black clouds release giant droplets of water, pounding against the roof of my Jeep. Great, the storm decided to hit early. It’s been cloudy most of the day, but I was hoping I’d be able to grab a few things at the market and then get the key from Beck before it unleashed. I wanted to do something nice for Mac to come home to and his loft is seriously lacking snacks and a woman’s touch.

I wait in my car, letting the rain pelt the roof. I nearly drop my phone when there’s a knock on my window, and I see a hooded figure standing outside with an umbrella.

“MJ!” the figure yells and makes a motion with their arm for me to roll down the window. I roll it down a few inches and lean closer to the door to hear them better over the pouring rain.

“MJ, what are you doing out here?” I recognize the voice and raise my phone up to the window, lighting up Beck’s features under her hood.

“Beck, you scared the shit out of me!”

She motions for me to come with her across the street to Spoon. She waits for me to grab my bag and then we huddle under the umbrella, making a run for it together.

The bell dings overhead and the heavenly smell of coffee and pastries assaults my senses. “Sorry for scaring you. I watched you for a few minutes and when you didn’t get out, I figured I’d make sure you were okay.”

“Thank you. I was actually coming to see you but did not plan ahead with the umbrella.” I make a mental note to add one to my emergency kit in the Jeep.

“Coming to see me, huh?” she asks, heading behind the counter. I rub my arms to rid my skin of the goosebumps just as Beck tosses me a sweatshirt. I hesitate.

“It’s Sophie’s. She won’t mind.”

I nod and tug the sweatshirt over my chilled body. Beck hands me a cup of warm tea and then gestures for me to sit down at the table. “Whatcha need, sugar?”

“Mac said you have a spare key to the shop,” I explain.

She nods and gets up, heading behind the counter again. She comes back and slaps the key down on the counter. “It’s all yours.”

“Just like that? No questions asked?”

She smirks and shakes her head. “No questions asked. It’s you and Mac, dollface. If he told you I had the key, he must want you to have it. Maybe keep this one and I’ll get him to make me another one sometime soon.”

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