Forever Dark(70)

Steven’s parents still have that house on Cannon Beach they bought when we were kids. I’m not sure why but they gave us the keys this weekend and told us to go there.

I fall asleep on the way there, on Alexa’s shoulder, Madison on the other side of her. When we pull into the pebble stone driveway, we all sit there waiting to get out but none of us make the move.

Alexa pushes on my forehead and laughs. “You drooled all over my shirt, Cash.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and try to wake up when I hear laughter from the front seat. “I don’t understand. He drools so much.” Macy says, and then catches herself. I doubt anyone knows I slept in her bed once. She looks to Landon and then Madison feeling like she should explain. “He was drunk one night and I didn’t know what to do with him so he slept on my bed. Fully clothed.” And then she giggles. “Well, I was fully clothed, he had no pants on. And he peed on my plant.” She’s talking and getting herself in deeper and I can’t stop laughing.

I’m laughing so hard my shoulders are shaking and I can barely breathe. Neither can Alexa and Madison, only Landon is just shaking his head, but grinning.

“Never mind.” Macy sighs and gets out of the car stomping off toward the house with two bags of groceries.



December 9, 2013



It’s entertaining to me watching Macy get all riled up. It’s like picking on your kid sister. I make my way back to the kitchen where Macy is. She’s in there already making some hamburger patties for later.

“What are you doing?”

She rolls her eyes. “What does it look like?”

I watch. She’s mutilating that meat. “Looks to me like you’re handling meat.”

She wants to laugh. The corners of her mouth twitch up. “You’re such—”

“A child?”

“Yes.” She points at me with her hamburger covered hand. I cringe because the idea of raw meat repulses me. “Where were you when I was talking in the car? You could have helped me out. I sounded like a fucking idiot.”

I shrug. “It was funny. Seriously though, I came in here for a reason. I’ve got an idea.”

“Oh no.” She laughs, relaxing a little. “Are you going to show me your penis again?”

“No. Shut up.” I push her shoulder lightly and then smile, gesturing towards my penis. “Unless you want to.”

“No.” Macy crosses her arms over her chest after washing her hands, but can’t keep the smile from her face.

“Alright, so you’re always saying you want to do something that you’d never have the guts to do, right?”

She knows me too well. “Within reason, Cash.” Macy reaches for the bowl of meat, wraps some plastic wrap on it and then places it in the fridge.

“Don’t be a pussy.” I glare because she’s not even considering my plan.

“Shut up…” she rolls her eyes but she wants to know. Her hands fidget with her cell phone and then she glances up at me, still waiting for her to come to her senses. “Fine.” Again, she rolls her eyes. “What’s your plan?”

I’m pretty proud of myself as I say the next part. “Sing the national anthem at the bowl game.”

“What?!” her eyes bug out.

“You heard me. I talked to Coach last week about it and he said it could be arranged.”

She wasn’t even considering it. “I can’t do that.” Macy shakes her head starting to walk away. She gets to the sliding glass door and watches Madison and Landon walking with Alexa. Landon has his arm around her, holding her close to his side.

I stand next to her, my hands buried in the pockets of my jeans. “You have an amazing voice, Macy. You can do it. And Landon would have no idea.” I give a tilt of my head out the window. “Imagine his face when he sees you come out center field.”

She does, for a moment and I sense my victory.

“See.” I wrap my arm around her. “I’m a genius.”

Another eye roll before she reaches for the door to join them on the beach. “Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

I chase after her only to have her start running from me. “Give me hope at least!” I yell. “I’m proud of myself!”

The cool air hits me as I run down the beach and catch up with everyone. Macy is smiling when I knock her ass on the ground for running from me. Landon tackles me for doing so.

When he’s off me, we’re laughing and teasing each other, giving each other shit about it being a weak hit. It feels good. It feels like old times. I’m not even sure how either. You spend years building up this wall and it’s strange that by one weekend, it can crumble.