Page 68 of Boys Like You

“It sure does.”

He takes us to a small café down by the beach. Mac goes to order our milkshakes, and I go find us a seat. My phone is going crazy in my pocket. I take it out and read the messages, all in the group chat.

Maximus:Plz don’t leave with him

Levi:JD, come back right now

Mercer:She just got in the car

Rocky:I will call Mac, JD, and make him drag you back.

Rory:What is going on?

Mercer:JD saw the pics of you and Cindy

Levi:And found out we saw the pictures and didn’t tell her

Rocky:Thanks a lot Rory, screw up the one good thing we have.

Rory:Baby please, it isn’t what it looks like, let me explain, I’m almost there.

Levi:You need to grovel better than that asshat

There are some other messages but I’m too angry to read them. I put my phone away when Mac hands me my milkshake.

“They’re blowing up your phone?” he asks, taking a seat across from me.

“Yeah but they can just give me a minute to breathe.”

So much has happened. This is overwhelming. I love being around the guys and they have made me feel like I’m part of their group, but then something like this happens and it makes me realise I’m really not one of them at all, and I never will be. They have their history, a bond that is so tight they automatically look out for each other first. I understand it, but it doesn’t mean I like it.

He takes a long sip of his milkshake. “They care about you, and I’m probably the wrong person to hide out with.”

“Why? You seem nice enough.”

He laughs, making me feel like I’m missing a huge joke. “Being nice isn’t the issue.” He sighs.

“Care to elaborate? If you don’t tell me I will just ask them.”

He puts his glass on the table and sighs. “Last year, I had sex with Savannah.”

I snort, milk coming out of my nose. I grab a napkin to clean myself up. “I would be grateful you’re still alive.”

I expect him to laugh but he gives me a half smile. “I really liked her, but I was too afraid to tell her. We hooked up at a party. We were both virgins, but I had a reputation of being a player because I tuned a lot of girls. In my defence, who doesn’t like messaging girls? Naomi made it seem like her and I were more than what we were, and Savannah hates me now, so the guys don’t trust me. Rocky tolerates me because of his dad but if I try to explain, he tells me to drop it and move on.”

I nod, knowing this makes it abundantly clear he’s lucky he is still able to do any kind of training. As much as she annoys them all, like a little sister naturally would, they are very protective of their own.

“Have you tried to explain it to her?”

He runs a hand over his head and leans back against his seat. “What’s the point now? I have dreams of going to the Olympics; she doesn’t need to compete with my sport. She deserves someone who will put her first and that isn’t me.”

I never imagined there would be more to Mac than what he shows on the surface. I figured he was one of those transparent guys; what you see is what you get. How wrong was I?

“Aww, that is so damn sweet.”

His face screws up. “Don’t tell anyone, you will ruin my street cred.”

I laugh before finishing off the last of my milkshake. “I don’t know if I would be proud of your street cred, especially if everyone thinks you’re a player.”

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