“I can get my own, don’t worry.” He climbs out before leaning back in. “Good night, son, and tell Mackie good night for me.”
I watch him until he’s inside, then I go to call Mackie before hesitating. Am I allowed to call him when he’s with Conan? Would it be awkward?
I hesitate before finally hitting call, waiting anxiously as I pull away from my father’s house. “Hey!” he answers cheerfully, his voice filled with genuine happiness.
“Hey, sorry, I know you’re with Conan. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed?—”
“What? You can always call me,” he scoffs.
“That Noah?” I hear Conan’s voice and a TV turning off in the background. “Tell him I say hi.”
“Conan says hi. You okay?” he asks carefully.
It’s strange hearing their domestic night. I think I will always feel jealous, but I also feel . . . grateful. Conan is important to him, and he makes Mackie extremely happy. One day, I’ll make him extremely sad. Mackie needs him, so I push away those petty insecurities.
“Yeah, I had dinner with my father,” I reply.
“Shit, what was that like?” I can hear him getting comfortable.
“Awkward.” I chuckle, and he laughs. “But he wants to mend our relationship.”
“And is that something you want?” he asks curiously.
“I think it is. I don’t know how it will go, but we’ll see, I guess. He told me to tell you good night. I don’t know what you said to him, but he likes you,” I grumble.
“I just called him on his shit.”
I smile. “I better leave you to it. Good night, baby.”
“Night, babe. See you tomorrow?” He sounds unsure, as if hearing him with Conan changed my mind.
“Tomorrow,” I promise before I hang up.
I know I’m heading home to an empty house, but for once, I don’t mind.
FORTY-TWO
“Is Noah okay?” I ask carefully. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to or not. Noah may never like me, but we have a reluctant friendship, and he’s a big part of Mackie’s life.
“Yeah, fine, just telling me about his dad.” He drops his phone to his chest and cranes his neck back to look at me from his position. His head is resting on my knee, and I’m playing with his hair. “Sorry, I should have asked before answering.”
“No, you don’t have to,” I assure him as I lean down and kiss his head. “We don’t have to fully divide our time. You two can speak and text when you’re with me. I don’t mind.”
Sitting up, he spins around and cups my face. “You are the most amazing man ever,” he murmurs before kissing me. “Now, about that roller skating place . . .” I groan, which makes him laugh. “Come on, old man, get dressed and let’s go have some fun.”
“It’s late,” I grouse. “Can’t we just fuck and go to bed?”
“After,” he teases as he straddles me and drapes his arms around my neck. “You can feel me up and flirt with me in public while we skate though.”
“I’ll fall on my ass,” I mutter, but I’m giving in. I shouldn’t havementioned that new place. Evan was telling me about it because he’s trying to convince Alek to go.
That’s the problem with having a young boyfriend, but he sure as shit is cute.
“Then I’ll kiss it better,” he promises, brushing his lips along my earlobe. “And then you can make my ass ache just like yours will.” Before I can grab him, he’s up and moving, making me chase after him.
It worked. I find myself dressed in slacks and a loose, half-unbuttoned green shirt as Mackie skips by my side in his baggy jeans and band tee, looking far too happy. There’s a line outside of the venue, but it moves pretty quickly, and once we’re inside, I watch his mouth drop open in awe. Despite the fact that I’ll be on my ass, I can’t help but be glad we came for his expression alone.
There is a huge disco ball in the middle of the rink to the right, reflecting rainbows across the tiled ceiling. The rink itself is a circle with people dancing and having fun around it. To the left is a seating area with a bar and a restaurant, since it’s for adults only. There are photo booths along the back wall, and next to them is a wall with signed pictures. It has a cool eighties vibe, and I’ll admit the Fleetwood Mac music makes me happy as I look around.
