Page 40
Chapter Forty
FALLON
As the sun began to rise, there was no way I wanted to let Mackenzie leave the bed. I wanted her to spend the day worshiping my body, until I carved my name into her back. I didn’t care if the neighbors heard me scream her name until I lost my voice.
But unfortunately, we had a flight to catch, so we couldn’t stay in bed all day. “Come on, Kenz! We have to leave now, or we’re going to miss our flight.”
We were almost to my car when she stopped walking, and I could have sworn I was going to run her over. “Mackenzie?!”
“Fallon, my love.” I couldn’t help but smile every time she said that word.
She was in love with me, and I was madly, head-over-heels in love with her. Except when we were trying to leave. “We need to go! Now!”
“Honey, please relax. If we leave now, we’ll still have three hours before our flight takes off. We’re not going to be late,” she said with a laugh.
I didn’t find it funny, but I was thankful she kept walking. “You never know how traffic will be or how long the security line will take!”
I knew we’d have plenty of time. I was just anxious for this trip. I sighed. “I’m sorry. I know you’re right. I’m freaking out again, aren’t I? I’m just nervous. I haven’t seen my family in months, and I miss them like crazy. Not to mention, I’m bringing someone home this time.”
The last person I brought home was my ex, and they didn’t like her from the start. I should’ve taken that as a sign. I really hoped they loved Mackenzie as much as I did.
“I know, baby. Just relax, okay? Here, I’ll drive, and you can overthink peacefully.” I rolled my eyes but smiled because she knew me too well. That was exactly what I would do until this trip was over.
My feet were frozen on my parents’ doorstep several hours later. I knew I needed to knock sooner or later, but I couldn’t get my hands to move.
“They might not know we’re here until you knock, sweetie.”
I sighed. “I know, I’m just nervous. I want everyone to get along. I’m not saying you won’t, I’m just…” I shook my head and knocked on the door. It was now or never.
My stepdad, Brandon, answered with a wide smile. “There’s our girl!” He pulled me into a tight hug, and I had to beg him to let go.
“I missed you, too, Dad.” I cleared my throat. “Uh, Dad, this is my girlfriend, Mackenzie.”
He looked between us, confusion written on his face. “Girlfriend? Your mom didn’t tell me you were bringing someone home. Either way, it’s nice to meet you, Mackenzie.”
“It’s nice to meet you, sir.” Mackenzie held out her hand, but he waved it away.
“Sir? That makes me sound old. Please, call me Brandon. Well, come inside—your mom and Caleb are in the living room.”
When we got inside, he set our luggage by the stairs. I took Mackenzie’s hand, and she squeezed it three times before we started walking to the living room. I looked at her and smiled as I squeezed hers four times in response.
“Sissy!” Caleb threw his cars down and ran over to me, almost knocking me over.
I smiled, and Mackenzie let go of my hand so I could pick him up. “Caleb, you’ve gotten so big. I missed you, little buddy.”
“I am big! I’m five now, didn’t you know? I missed you!”
I smiled. “I did know. That is so big—wow.”
He let go of me and hugged Mackenzie’s leg. She stood still for a minute, but patted his back cautiously. “Hi, buddy.”
“Momma, Sissy is here, and she brought a friend. Momma, who’s her friend?” He ran over to my mom, who was staring at us with tears in her eyes.
“Hi, Mom,” I said, clearing my throat. I was trying not to cry as I walked over and hugged her.
“Hi, baby,” she said through a sob. Apparently, she didn’t care to keep it together, which made me lose it in return.
“I’ve missed you so much, honey. I’m so happy you’re here,” she whispered.
“I’ve missed you, too, Mom. So much.” I gave her one last squeeze and forced myself to let go.
She wiped her tears and turned toward Mackenzie. “I’m so sorry, where are my manners? You must be Mackenzie. Fallon has told me so much about you. I’m Marie, Fallon’s mother.”
“And I’m Caleb. I’m five, and my sissy is the bestest sissy!” Caleb shouted.
We all laughed and my mom walked over to Mackenzie and said something I couldn’t hear before she hugged her. By the look on Mackenzie’s face, I assumed it was something good.
“Momma, who’s sissy’s friend?”
She picked Caleb up and held him as she walked to show us to our room.
I told her we could sleep in separate rooms if that made her more comfortable, but she insisted she wasn’t oblivious to “young love,” as she called it. I wanted to vomit, but decided not to argue.
“Why don’t you ask her yourself, honey.”
“Sissy’s friend, who are you?” I laughed, and Mackenzie looked at me for reassurance. I nodded, finding it adorable how nervous she looked.
“My name is Mackenzie, but you can call me Kenzie.”
“Okay. Hi, Kenzie. I live here. Let’s go upstairs.”
She laughed. “Hi, Caleb. It’s cool that you live here. Can I come upstairs, too?”
He scratched his head and thought seriously for a moment. “Well, upstairs is only for family, but momma always said if you’re welcome here, you’re family. Momma, is that okay? Can Kenzie come with us?”
My mom looked at me and smiled. “Of course, baby. She is welcome here.”
After Caleb demanded he show Mackenzie his room, we got settled in before meeting everyone downstairs for dinner.
We were unpacking when I stopped and turned to her. “I can’t thank you enough for coming with me.”
She walked over to me, giving me her signature grin, and I had to remind myself that my parents and innocent baby brother were downstairs. I couldn’t jump her in my childhood bedroom. “Of course. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
I smiled and gave her a hug, wrapping my hands around her neck. “I love you.” I kissed her. “So, so much.” I kissed her again.
“I love you, too, baby.” She smiled, and we finished unpacking before heading down to dinner.
“Remind me to never bring you near my family again!” I shouted as soon as we got back upstairs.”
She rolled her eyes and laughed. “Come on, it wasn’t that bad. I think your parents like me.”
“That’s the problem! They like you too much… probably more than me. Not to mention, Caleb! Listen, you can have Brandon and my mom, but leave Caleb alone!”
She came up behind me and kissed my shoulders. “Baby, they’re like me—they could never love anyone more than you.”
I turned around, still pouting, but a faint smile lingered despite my best efforts to get rid of it. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. I’m glad everyone’s getting along, though.”
My parents adored Mackenzie, which I was happy about. I wasn’t happy, however, when they decided to show my baby pictures. Why do parents do that?! Babies are cute and all, but I looked like a fluffy Michelin baby—so embarrassing! My mom insisted on giving Mackenzie a copy, and I’ll probably never hear the end of it.
Table of Contents
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- Page 40 (Reading here)
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