Not Broken: The Happily Ever After(102)

I turned around and wrapped my arms around his waist. He responded without hesitation, encasing me in warmth and security.

“This is my favorite place.”

“The closet?”

“Your arms.”





Chapter 53


Calida





Macy and Mitch were waiting in the parking lot at Midtown Tavern when we arrived. She smiled and waved at us. Malcolm wasn’t overly thrilled about the karaoke night, and that made Macy even more excited about it. I had to admit, the idea of karaoke wasn’t my favorite either, not if I had to sing, but watching other people get drunk and sing badly would make for a fun night of entertainment.

“This place is packed. Think we’re gonna get a table?” I asked, pulling her into a hug.

“I think so.”

“Hey, Mitch.”

“Hey, Lee, how are you?” he asked, giving me a quick squeeze.

Malcolm gave his sister a warm embrace before giving Mitch a bro hug.

“Let’s go in and get a spot while we can.” Mitch took Macy’s hand and headed off toward the entrance.

Mal placed his hand on the small of my back as we followed behind. “I meant what I said in the truck. I’m not singing.”

I smiled up at him. “Aww, come on. I think you’d be great singing a little J. Lo or maybe some Lady Gaga.”

Mal’s face contorted into the funniest look of total appall. I nearly choked on laughter.

Macy gave an inquisitive glance back. “You okay?”

I nodded. “Mal was just telling me he can’t wait to perform ‘Hips Don’t Lie.’” I could barely get the words out before I erupted into more giggles.

“You’re not funny,” he said, frowning at me.

“I kinda am, though.”

Macy pressed her lips together to hide a smile. “Wow, Malcolm, we’ll have to get a table up front so I can record that.”

“Why don’t ya’ll pick on Mitch?”

“Don’t drag me into this. They’d plot to force us into a duet of ‘I Got You Babe’ or something.”

“Oh, that’s perfect.” I said.

“Man, don’t give them ideas.”

“Too late,” Macy stated.

Mal groaned, shaking his head, but I saw the smile tugging at his full lips. Music and multiple excited conversations filled the bar. It was busy, but luckily not too packed. We weaved through the crowd. Malcolm held my hand, leading me through. As we passed two women, I looked back when I heard one make some snarky comment about being with a white woman. My eyes made brief contact with one of them before the gap filled with people as we continued on. We managed to find a four-seater, high-top table near the back. I glanced back in the direction of the bar but couldn’t see the women.

“You okay?”

I turned my attention to Malcolm and nodded. “Yeah, just checking out the crowd.”

Macy and I got settled, and the guys headed to the bar after getting our drink orders. I watched Mal’s retreating back until he disappeared from sight. That nagging self-doubt part of me wondered if those women were still there. Wondered if they’d say something to him. I shook off the idea. I couldn’t let negative thoughts take over. For all I knew, they could’ve been talking about someone else, but then that look the one gave me made me believe the comment was about us.

“Done checking out his ass?”

I turned back to Macy, wide-eyed. “I wasn’t.”

“Uh-huh, sure. I saw you watching him mighty hard.”

“Well, if I was, I’m more than allowed to,” I replied, and stuck my tongue out at her.

She scrunched up her face, which made me laugh. “Anyway, you’re looking good. Is that new?”

Macy smiled and looked down at her outfit. The cute light pink, off-shoulder, peasant shirt matched well with the dark wash skinny jeans. “Yep. First night out in months, and I’m feeling a shit ton better, that was a cause for retail celebration.” She ran her fingers through her hair. “I even made it to the salon.”

I ran my hands through my own hair. “I need to do the same.”

She reached over, letting some of the strands run through her fingers. “I like that you’re growing it out.”

“You sound like your brother. And here I thought my cut was cute.”

“It was. Really. Not everyone can pull off a pixie cut, and you did it beautifully.” She sat back in her chair and frowned. “What did Mal say?”

“Nothing. He’d just asked me a while back if I was ever going to grow it out.”

Malcolm and Mitch returned to the table before she could say anything.

“Here you go, baby, one virgin daiquiri,” Mitch said, handing Macy her drink. “And your chili cheese fries should be out shortly.” She gave him a quick peck on the lips.

Malcolm slid onto the stool beside me, pushing a glass in my direction. “Got you this red wine the bartender suggested since you didn’t know what you wanted.”

“Thank you.”

He stretched his arm out along the back of my chair. His thumb moved in gentle strokes across the top of my back, and I leaned back into his touch. I slipped my hand under the table, placing it on his thigh. He looked over at me and smiled before taking a drink of his beer.