Page 51 of Run to Me

“Find your happy place, Marcus. You deserve it.”

He smirks at me. “You first, baby girl. I hear you’re in for a mega good time in Walford.”

“Ugh! Graham and his big mouth!” I hit Marcus in the head with a throw pillow, which does nothing to stop his laughter. But I let him laugh because he doesn’t unwind like this often, and the sound brings a much-needed smile to my face.

17

MAISY

Pam Wakefield should be classified as a national treasure or one of the world’s wonders. She’s like the mother figure or favorite aunt to our band of misfits, and she loves each of us without judgment, which some of us never experienced until Tatum pulled us all into her orbit.

In high school, I spent a lot of time with Pam—especially while Tatum was at Jake and Jensen’s house—to avoid being at home. Aside from Jensen, she’s the only person who knows how unseen I felt around my family.

When Marcus and I enter her kitchen, she says, “Marcus, would you mind putting her bags in Tatum’s room?” Then she pulls me into a hug. “I guess we should call it your room now.”

Damn this woman for making me cry. “Thank you,” I say.

“You’re going to be just fine, sweet girl. Stay here as long as you need,” she says, swaying us side to side. “How about some tea to make you feel better?”

I laugh through my snotty tears, grateful she knows me well enough to lighten the mood. “God, please no.”

Chuckling, she opens the refrigerator. “I ran to the store and bought you some of those flavored waters you like. Raspberry or peach?” You’re a peach, Pam Wakefield.

“Raspberry sounds good.”

Marcus returns as she hands me the can of sparkling water. We settle on the couch, and of course, he takes a seat right next to her. Like I said, we all adore her.

“How are you?” she asks him.

He answers through the severe frown on his mouth. “Pissed.”

Pam clucks her tongue. “Language.”

His large frame sinks further into the cushions, and he scrubs his tired face. “Sorry. All these years, I worried about keeping Tatum safe and out of trouble, and it turns out Maisy’s the one who almost gave me a heart attack.”

“It’s not like I planned it,” I argue.

“I know.” He sighs. “I’m not blaming you. Of course I’m not. But how am I supposed to keep everyone safe if we’re not together?”

My eyes light up at the opportunity to turn all this frowning upside down. “Oh my god. Marcus Ames, do you miss us?” He glowers at me when I give him a bratty smirk. “You do. You love us and miss us. Who knew could you be so soft and mushy inside?”

“You need a break, Marcus,” Pam says while rubbing his shoulder. “Take a vacation with that nice girlfriend of yours and reset. You’ve more than earned it.”

He quirks the scarred eyebrow and asks, “And who’s gonna babysit Judge?”

Judge can’t be trusted when left to his own devices. One time, Marcus left him behind for a pop-up show Tatum put on in San Francisco, thinking he didn’t need the extra security. In a single day, Judge stenciled and painted a fleur-de-lis pattern on the dining room wall.

“He’s welcome to stay with me,” Pam says.

“I’ll think about it. A hiking trip sounds good right about now.”

I scrunch my nose at the thought of hiking. Marcus’s idea of relaxing while burning calories does not appeal to me. I’m more of a nap on the beach with an audiobook kind of girl.

“I better get going,” he says, sticking out a hand toward me. “Give me your keys. Judge and I will return your rental car. You’ve had it long enough.”

It’s true. Paying for a rental car this long hasn’t been kind to my bank account. Now that I’m in Walford, I can borrow cars when I need to drive somewhere. Pam has an old truck she’ll let me use. I hand over my keys, and we walk him out.

He gives her a hug before turning to me with his typical stern expression and pointed finger. “Never again.”