Page 9 of Mac
“You said she’d be here.”
“I saw her an hour ago. She said she would be.”
“Well, as you can see, she’s not.”
Jaz gave him a quizzical look. “Have you had a beer yet?”
“No.”
“Go get one. Or three.”
“Fuck you,” Mac snapped.
“Not my type, but seriously, man. What the hell is up with you?”
“I … I don’t know. She’s got me all turned upside down. I laid it out last night. What if she calls my bluff? What if she says no?”
“I don’t think she will, but if so you keep tryin’. Don’t give up on her.”
Mac wouldn’t. But he would need to get a grip before he lost his shit all over everyone. His friends gave him a wide berth as it was. Jaz, so far, was the only one left speaking to him.
“You and Mandi should both have a few drinks to calm your nerves. She’s pacing and nervous, which I don’t get. I’m the one who should be nervous. I’m the one meeting her brothers. I’m the one who has everything to lose if they put up a fuss.”
“Really?”
“Who wants an ex-con dating their sister?”
“Get over it. She’s an adult and can make her own choices.”
“I know. Believe me. I’ve had this argument with myself for weeks. Doesn’t change anything. I’m still nervous as fuck.”
“When are they supposed to be here?”
“Now.”
“I’m sure they’ll show—”
“No. Now.” Jaz pointed to a spot beyond Mac’s shoulder. Mac turned. Two men, twins walked around the side of Vinter’s small house. Mandi squealed and hopped up from where she sat beside Carrie and Elise. She was quickly enveloped in a hug with the two men.
Tattoos covered their arms. They were big and broad and from first glance, appeared that they’d fit right in.
Then, they fixed their gazes on the spot where he and Jaz stood. His friend tensed.
“I think you need a beer,” Mac muttered.
“I think I need something stronger.”
“I’ll go grab a couple bottles.”
“Don’t you move.”
Mac chuckled and shook his head. “Chicken shit.” Though, he understood to a point. He knew Jackie, but was nervous and scared, too. He’d been full of confidence and defiance last night when he confronted her in the club. Now though? He was as chicken shit as he’d accused Jaz of being.
He didn’t want to experience the rejection Jackie could deliver when she arrived. He didn’t want to feel that heartache. But they’d been dancing around each other for far too long.
The walls around her heart were high, but she the type of man he was. She knew his character.
A grinning Mandi fairly bounced toward he and Jaz, sandwiched between her brothers. Neither of them grinned or even so much as cracked a smile.
