Page 104 of Play Fake
“So I don’t know what’s going on. Why you won’t talk to him, or why you keep going over to Ally’s. But that man is haunted by you. I really think he loves you Mac, and frankly, being honest, he’s like ten times the guy Ezra ever was.”
“Mmm, have to say I agree, bestie.” Olivia nods along with Wren’s sentiments.
“I’m not getting back with Ezra,” I shake my head in frustration.
“No? So, you’re just torturing Waylon with the idea of it?” Wren gives me a pointed stare.
“I’m not trying to torture him. He just… he has so many women around him, and we’re nothing alike. I don’t fit into his world. The football. The parties. The people.”
“The people? You mean me? Ben? Liam?”
“No, I love you guys. I mean the rest of it. The Hollys and the Laurens…”
“Holly, I’ll give you, but it sounds like Lauren even went to bat for the two of you, so maybe be a little less judgmental, yeah?” Olivia honestly looks hurt, and I feel like an asshole.
“It’s just been a huge change for me. I love you both. You know that, but I spent so much time with the band, at shows, around them writing music and all of that. Losing all of it overnight because of Ezra, it’s been a lot.”
“I know. And it’s why I’m cutting you slack on this. But we love you, and we’re always here for you and want you around.” Olivia chimes in again.
“But you can’t keep judging Waylon based on who you thought he was. You need to judge him on who he has been, especially to you. He volunteered to go with you to the show that first night. He tried, albeit stupidly, to break Ezra and the evil temptress up. He kept helping you try to make Ezra jealous, even long after he had feelings for you. He pulled you out of that party when you were too drunk for your own good and brought you home and walked away. Texted me to make sure I gave you Gatorade and checked on you—what fucking kind of fuckboy does that, Mac? Even the night you guys fought, he’d been out of town playing a game and drove here straight after to wait for you on the porch.”
And suddenly, framed inthatperspective, I feel like the biggest bitch in the world.
“I really fucked up, huh?” I say after a long pause.
“I’m just saying I would kill to have a guy like that.” Wren gives me a look that makes me feel impossibly more guilty than before.
“Me too. I mean, Mason is great, but not that great.” Olivia nods.
“I heard there’s a guy… what’s his name again? Lee? No, wait… I’ll remember. Liam?”
“This is your intervention, missy. Not mine.” Olivia looks down her nose at me.
“Consider me intervened upon.”
“Good. When you realize you want to thank me later, after you have amazing makeup sex, I would like six chocolate cupcakes from the bakery on Pearl.”
I laugh and nod my okay. The two of them hop off their barstools and envelop me in a hug, and I am so fucking thankful to be this lucky.
THIRTY-TWO
Waylon
As I walk upthe steps to Mac’s house, I feel nervous as hell. This is my one shot to win her back, and if it doesn’t go well, I don’t know what I’ll do. I double check my shirt’s tucked in and I’m not too wrinkled from the drive. I have zero idea why that’s a thing that’s important to me in this moment, but anxiety is a bitch.
I hold the small bouquet of wildflowers in my hand. Hoping she likes them well enough when I rap my knuckles on the door. I hear voices in the house and then Olivia pops the door open.
“Come on in,” she smiles.
“Thanks,” I step in hesitantly, looking around for Mac, but I don’t see her.
“She’s finishing getting ready. Should be down any minute.”
“Got it.”
“For the record, I’m one hundred percent Team WayMac or MacLon. But if you ever hurt her again, I will come for you.” Olivia pins me with a look I’ve seen her give Liam a lot lately, one that tells me I’m treading a thin line.
“Understood.” I nod.
