“Yeah,” he said with feeling. He loved his brother, but lately, he didn’t like the guy much. He had no idea why his brother held him in such low esteem.
“I could see how they talked around you. Not trying to exclude you, I don’t think, but if you’re all always like that, it could get super frustrating.”
“You have no idea.”
She shrugged. “I don’t. My sister died when I was little, so I’ve lived as an only child for a long time. I’d like it if my parents spentlesstime on me.”
“I really liked your parents. They’re so proud of you.”
“They are. And you deserve more support than you’re getting from yours. Have you ever talked to them about how you feel?”
“No. Well, a little right after I joined the Air Force. It wasn’t the Army, and they didn’t like that. I’m the only Revere who goes my own way.” He thought about how much pleasure that gave him. “And maybe that’s my way of sticking it to them.”
“Serving your country and then serving your city. You big rebel.” She shook her head. “I’m kidding. I get what you’re saying. Look, I was wrong to tell you that you were being silly. You have every right to feel the way you do.”
“Thanks.”
“Right.”
They stared at each other, the moment growing more awkward before he blurted, “I missed you.”
“Yeah?” She looked at him with what he could only hope was more than mere affection. “I, um.” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry I told you to fuck off.”
“Are you?”
“Well, no, not really.” She smiled, and the glow of humor in her eyes had his heart racing. “I was mad. But I’m sorry you felt bad about that night. When I think about it, I’m sorry I missed understanding how the dinner affected you. They totally talked around not only you but Dean, Ashley, and Sasha too.”
“Sasha works 911, so she kind of fits in.”
“Your dad seems nice but clueless.”
“I think it’s more a passive clueless. Like, he knows it annoys me, but what can I expect since I didn’t join the police force like all the good little Reveres?” Mack snorted. “I deserve a lot of what you said. I am silly for not speaking plainly to my folks. Alec gets it. Dean too. But I don’t think the others care.”
“Or they honestly don’t see it. I didn’t until you pointed it out.”
“I guess, but how could you? That’s the first time you’ve ever met my family.”
She patted the couch. “Come sit next to me.”
“What if I don’t?” he asked as he drew near. “Will you tell me to fuck off again?”
She laughed. “Maybe.” He sat next to her, and she crept into his lap and hugged him. “I’m sorry, Mack. Mostly because I kind of believed Xavier’s bit that you might have been treating me as a casual hookup, even though we both pledged to be friends first.”
“I am your friend, Cass.” He kissed her, tenderly holding her while he showed her how much he felt. He couldn’t say it, fearful of scaring her away. But he wanted her to know in every kiss and caress. Loving or fighting or laughing. She had to know she meant so much more than anything casual. “But if you’d let me, I could be so much more.”
She lifted his sweater, and he let her take it off him.
He stroked her cheek. “Does this mean you forgive me?”
“I’m going to work off my anger with your glorious body.”
“I’m game.”
She stopped. “Mack, I’m not mad. Well, not anymore. I, uh…” She seemed to be having a difficult time expressing what she felt. Her cheeks turned pink. “I missed you a lot. Like, a lot-lot.”
He watched her, seeing the anger and the affection, not sure which emotion made more sense. “Were you mad because you missed me?”
“Yes.” She groaned. “You have been a huge pain in the ass from the beginning. But you do something to me I don’t understand. I like you. I mean, Ireallylike you, as a person. And I felt bad after I told you to fuck off, and normally expressing my honest feelings doesn’t bother me.”
