I tug him closer. “Does that answer your question?”
“I was concerned I pushed it too far riding the high. I was just tired of hiding,” he confesses.
“Baby, the only reason I lied was to protect you. Like you said, they can’t talk now, and even if they do, let them. I don’t care, and neither do those who matter to us.” Taking his hand, I kiss it. “Come on, let’s get you changed. I’m sure Sky will catch up when he’s finished with his adoring fans.” He follows my gaze to Skylar, who’s holding phones and signing things. He leaves that to Skylar and heads inside with me. Once in our backstage area, it’s quiet, and he can finally relax, though he doesn’t stop smiling. I know that feeling. Thehigh of winning is something I never thought I’d experience again, but watching him achieve it feels like that.
Some of my happiness disappears when I see who is waiting for us. Amanda swallows nervously as we stop in front of her.
“You won,” she says, looking at Mackie, “but I’m not giving up.”
“Amanda.” He sighs, stepping before me, clearly fed up. “Why are you doing this? Enough is enough. This is Noah’s business, but you need to know you almost killed him. Noah has a condition, and he needs surgery. He hid it from everyone, even me.”
“Mackie,” I admonish, but he ignores me.
“The stress and everything you are putting him through isn’t helping. It’s killing him. Is that what you want?”
She’s pale as she swings her gaze to me. “Is that true?”
I nod carefully. “I kept it a secret, but I have a bleed in my brain. They didn’t know when it would kill me, but the blow you gave me has made it worse. I’m having surgery soon, but they don’t know if it will work. I want to enjoy my life while I can, and I don’t want to spend whatever time I have left fighting with you. I love Mackie. It’s as simple as that. I’ll ask once more, leave us alone.”
Tears fill her eyes. “I didn’t know. I just—” She looks between us. “I lost anyway, didn’t I?”
“You were never in the race,” I tell her.
“I guess I knew that. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I just . . . I guess I don’t like to lose, but I never wanted to hurt you. Take care, Noah.” She looks at Mackie. “Take care of him.” Spinning on her heel, she walks off, her head held high.
“You really think that’s the last we’ll see of her?” I mutter.
“Not a chance.” Mackie laughs. “She’ll be back to annoy us soon enough. Let’s just enjoy the peace where we can.” Turning to me, he grins wickedly. “And about my prize for winning . . .” He slides the zipper down on his suit. “I’ll be waiting in the showers for it.”
He leaves, and I chase after him, following him anywhere just like I always will.
Screw the celebrations with everyone else. It’s time we had our own.
SIXTY-TWO
Two days later . . .
“Mackie, what is all this?” I ask, looking around curiously. The entire backyard has been transformed. There’s a huge tent, and when I peer inside, it has a double bed with blankets, pillows, string lights, and even a rug. Outside are chairs and a grill. There are containers as well, and I peer inside, seeing cakes and cookies, the ones Mackie makes.
“For us. Noah is staying out for the night so we can spend it together. We are going to grill, camp, and have a night just us. I’ve been practicing some vegetarian recipes, and I thought we could just be together,” he says, looking worried for a moment.
“I love it,” I tell him as I cup his cheeks. “That’s so sweet, but you must be tired after all the hours you put in. You didn’t need to do this.”
Covering my hands with his, he smiles softly at me, searching my face and laying me bare.
“Yes, I did. You’ve been so understanding of all my work hours, moving in with us, and watching me announce my relationship live on air. You’ve been so fucking understanding, but I never want you to think you mean less to me than him. I love you, Conan, so much, and I plan to show you thatbecause if I don’t, you wouldn’t mention it. You’d be understanding, even if it hurt you, and I don’t want that. You’re my life, you’re the man I’m in love with, and I want you to know that, even when I’m busy.”
“I never thought I was. We both need different things, and you both needed that?—”
He covers my mouth with his hand. “Let me do this, okay? I know we aren’t each other’s first love, but let’s act like it. Tonight, it’s just us. Let’s be young and stupid and think of nothing else but being with the person who makes us so happy. Is that okay?”
My heart aches as I look at Mackie, the sweetest sunshine there ever was. It doesn’t matter how busy or tired he is. He always thinks of the people around him. Even leading up to his last race, he checked on me and sent food to my work. It’s who he is, and the fact that he thinks he’s anything but utter perfection makes my chest hurt.
I love him so much, it scares me.
It doesn’t bother me that we are sharing our lives with Noah, but having nights with just us . . . I love it.
“Oh, I brought your camera too. Evan helped me.” He points at my bag, which I didn’t even see sitting to the side. “You’ve always mentioned wanting to take our pictures, so I figured why not tonight?” Leaning up, he kisses me quickly. “Now go sit your pretty, old ass down while I cook.”
