Page 97 of The Change Up
Thirty minutes later and the kitchen spotless, I reach for my phone. Closing out the messages from Cody and a few of the guys on the team, I scroll my contacts until I find Macy’s name.
As great as it was to hash things out, I know our friendship isn’t where it once was. The idea of calling her leaves me with an anxious feeling swimming around my stomach.
After the third ring, Macy answers, “Chlo?”
“Hey, Mace, I’m sorry to bother you.”
She sighs. “You’re never bothering me. Is everything okay?”
“Long answer,absolutelynot. The short answer, it will be. But I was wondering if I could ask a favor?”
“Sure, girl, what’s up?”
“Do you think I could stay with you and Gregg tonight? I can totally crash on your couch.”
“Oh my gosh, girl. Of course, but you’re not sleeping on the couch. Come over whenever, I’m home all day.”
My shoulders sag with relief and a small part of the weight I’m carrying is released. “Thank you so much. I’ll probably be there in an hour or so.”
“That sounds great,” Macy says before pausing. “Chloe, you never have to thank me. I’m always here.”
The first smile I’ve had all day slides across my face as moisture gathers in my eyes, and the familiar lump in my throat grows.
Don’t cry, Chloe.
“See you in a while.”
“Oh my gosh, Chloe! I cannot believe she was there,” Macy gasps, her jaw dropping open, from where she’s sitting on the couch.
She and Gregg are wrapped up together on the couch while I’m sitting opposite them in a chair. Their Cavalier King Charles puppy, Boone, is curled up on my lap. And petting this sweet, brown and white puppy makes rehashing last night’s events so much more bearable.
The two are disgustingly cute. And even though I’m in the midst of heartache, I’m so happy for them. Gregg suffered from a stroke in the fall, and while he was fine for the most part, he had to go through some physical therapy to regain strength in the left side of his body. The doctors wouldn’t release him to live alone, which is why Macy moved in with him. The two weren’t even seeing each other, just a casual fling. Turns out, they were both fighting feelings for each other.
I’ve been at their apartment for an hour, and I’ve been busy filling both of them in on the last twenty-four hours. Gregg was more than accommodating with my arrival. He went out and picked up Chinese for all of us—knowing it was our favorite. He even offered to make himself scarce while the two of us caught up. It was sweet but unnecessary. He can hear my dirty laundry.
“Oh yeah, nothing like fifteen years of trauma smacking you in the face the same night you hear your boyfriend say you’re not wife material.”
Gregg cringes at that, but he never gives his opinion on the matter, which I appreciate.
“I can’t believe Cody of all people would say that.”
“Yeah, join the club.” Boone moves in my lap, and I run my hand down his soft fur. He nuzzles into my touch, and I’m instantly jealous that I don’t have a sweet puppy of my own. “He’s so cute.”
Macy chuckles. “He really is. He’s such a good boy.”
“Only the best for my girl.” Gregg leans down and kisses Macy’s forehead.
Macy radiates joy. She loves traditions, especially at the holidays. And since Gregg was anti-holiday, she challenged him to one season with her to see what the Christmas spirit is. Needless to say, she won by making him fall in love with the holiday season while making him fall in love with her.
My romance-loving heart freaking swooned when I heard all the details. I mean who couldn’t fall in love with someone after trips to the skating rink and Christmas light gazing? Not to mention a trip to a cozy cabin in the Midwest.
Snow, hot tubs, and charm—sign me up.
And now my heart hurts again.
Slumping in my chair, I turn my attention to the muted television where Gregg has a golf tournament playing. He’s a member of the CTU golf team, but hasn’t played since his stroke. He should be back on the green next fall, which is great for him.
It’s not long before the screen blurs, and white noise fills my head as my mind drifts back off. My thoughts won’t stop spinning as it replays the last couple of months.
