Page 39 of Body Checked By the Defenseman

“Damn straight.” Carlos nods adamantly.

“Hayden is my brother. It really isn’t that weird.” My gaze locks with Macklin and, somehow, I remember my first day in the house. I was coming out of the shower and my towel dropped.

Macklin gives me the faintest of smiles.

“Yeah, so do you both live on campus at Torresdale?” I ask looking between Vicky and Riley.

“Oh, I don’t go to Torresdale,” Vicky says. “I’m at Westfall.”

“Ah, that was my first choice, but I decided on Riverside because Hayden and Mack were there,” I explain. Again, my gaze pulls to Mack.

“We should say grace,” Mario reminds.

He goes on to say grace and we all dig in. Everyone compliments Abuela and Ana on the delicious food.

After dinner, Vicky and Riley are talking about going out. Vicky is full-on flirting with Hayden and Riley is pretty much the same way with Macklin, even though he looks stiff as a board with how awkward he is being.

“Do you want to go somewhere?” Vicky asks Hayden.

“You take your cousin with you, young lady,” her father, Carlos, interrupts.

“Stop treating me like a child,” she complains.

“This is a family weekend,” he reminds.

“Bro, would you mind tagging along?” Hayden asks Macklin because in the past I know he’s been his wingman.

Macklin’s gray eyes turn round.

“Ah, I’m kind of beat, bro,” Macklin answers, looking uneasy.

“Oh, come on, I don’t bite,” Riley jokes.

I hear Ana sigh off to the side. I also watch her down the rest of her glass of wine.

I don’t even know what’s happening, but I’m the odd one out.

“Mack,” Hayden chides.

Mack bites his lip. I almost feel bad for him but I’m too jealous right now.

“Yeah, okay, sure,” Macklin concedes, running his fingers through his hair. “Let me just go grab a hoodie from my bag.”

Macklin walks off.

I wait for them to invite me along, but the invitation never comes.

My phone buzzes in my pocket but I don’t take it out to check who’s calling.

Mario gives Hayden his car keys and tells him to drive safely, and then they all leave.

And me? I find myself watchingDie Hardwith all the adults. I am so bored I feel like I am going to lose it. I finally check my phone to see a message from Macklin.

Macklin:Sorry, Periwinkle. I am not interested in her. I won’t touch her. Promise.

His message makes me feel slightly better, but not really.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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