Page 18 of Mac Meyers Needs Me

“Want me to dial it back?”

I pretend to contemplate that for a moment. “I don’t mind the flattery when it’s aimed at me.”

“You two match-ish.” Cammie motions to our trays.

I reluctantly drag my eyes away from Mac. His tray consists of a chicken salad sandwich, side salad, carton of chocolate milk, and slice of carrot cake.

“I love carrot cake,” I blurt.

His pretty smile widens. “Same.”

“Aww, you’re twinning,” Brody teases.

A group of girls pauses at our table. “Hi, Mac! Hi, Brody! Hi, Gage!”

“Hi, Chase and Cammie!” the one in the back pipes up.

“Hey.” Mac automatically puts his arm around me.

I wish I didn’t like it as much as I do. I also wish it wasn’t entirely for show and a shield.

The two at the front of the pack move aside and nudge the one sort of hidden behind them to the front.

“Ask him,” the pack leader hisses.

The poor girl’s face is beet red. Her eyes bounce around the group and land on Brody, her face turning impossibly redder. “Um, uh, um…”

I want to hug her and tell her to get nicer friends.

Brody looks about as comfortable as a bunny in a lion’s den.

“Good luck at the game this weekend, Brody!” she stammers and rushes off.

Her friends cringe and watch her disappear into the bathroom.

“Sorry, she gets nervous.” The one in the back shrugs and follows them.

“Well, that was awkward,” Gage notes cheerfully.

“Why didn’t you put your arm around me and save us both from it, then?” Brody deadpans.

“That’s a strategy. Or you know, you could just ask E⁠—”

Brody digs a finger into Gage’s side. “Fuck you.”

“Fuck you back.”

Gage lets it go and slaps a piece of paper on the table. “The SAC club is hosting a fundraiser movie night and we should all go.”

“What’s SAC?” Chase asks.

“Student accessibility club,” Gage explains. “My sister is on the committee, so I want to support her.”

“That’s cool. I can go,” Brody says.

“So can we.” Cammie pats Chase’s cheek then looks pointedly at me. “You don’t have class tonight.”

“I have a psych quiz later this week, but I could take a movie break.” I glance at Mac, fighting to squelch my hopeful lilt. A couple of hours in a dark room, tucked into his side, sounds like heaven. “What about you?”