25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lee
Mac’s been sober for three months now. He’s settled into a new normal, which consists of working, therapy, meetings, hanging out with his sponsor or brothers, and spending three nights a week with me. It took him three hard, grueling weeks to work through his moral inventory, but the change I’ve seen in him since then is colossal. He seems lighter, like the weight of the world has been lifted off his shoulders. Even in the way he talks and carries himself, it’s like he’s taken a huge step forward. I thought sober Mac was a whole new person, and he is. But post fourth and fifth step Mac is even more different. It’s like writing it all down and then baring his soul to Davis has allowed him to lay it down and move past it.
We’re still constantly at my apartment, but I’ve been feeling amazing the past week. I’ve had no bad days, even on the dayswhen I have dialysis. I mean, I still sleep a lot, but I haven’t been as sick.
It’s taken a lot, but I’ve finally convinced everyone to let me breathe and make my own decisions for today. It’s mine and Mac’s twenty-third birthday, and I want to have a huge family dinner with both our families. Everyone’s made sure they’re in tip-top health and that there won’t be any alcohol present. The Byrnes have insisted they host. Apparently their backyard is ‘every kid’s dream come true.’ Rowan’s words, not mine. I’m putting the finishing touches on my outfit as I look myself over in the mirror.
“Annie!” She comes flying into my bathroom the next second.
“Holy shit you scared me. Damn Lee, you look hot!” She checks me out in that obnoxious way only sisters can.
“Are you sure it looks okay?” I’m wearing a calf length floral dress. The April breeze still brings a chill in the evening, and I’m self-conscious of my fistula, so I’ve opted for long sleeves. I’ve tamed my curls the best I can, and my makeup is natural but pretty. Sliding on my brown strappy sandals to complete the look, I look up to see my sister staring slack jawed, “What?”
“You look hot for one, and for two, your titties are tittying. Mac’s going to swallow his tongue.”
I look back in the mirror to make sure I’m not showing too much cleavage. I think it looks fine, Annie just has no boobs, so she’s always pointing out how great mine look. The dress is a V-cut, but it isn’t an obscene one by any means. With the weight I’ve lost, it’s hard to find things in my closet that still fit right, but I found this dress in the back of my closet and it fits perfectly. I don’t remember ever buying it, but I’m glad I did.
Mac’s already at his house. He said he had a surprise he had to finish up for me, but he’d see me at his house. After triple checking myself in the mirror, I grab my bag and Annie and I head out. She’s decided that she’ll drive because my plan is to stay at Mac’s. I’m done with dialysis for the week, and there really is no reason I can’t hang out at the Byrne’s estate.
The drive over to his house is only about ten minutes away. After getting our name cleared by the guards, we start the trek down the long paved driveway to the white brick mansion.
“Jesus, who are these people? Kennedy’s? “ Annie’s eyes are as wide as saucers while she drives down the driveway. As we pull up behind the other cars, I quickly realize we’re the last ones here. If the amount of cars here didn’t give it away, Mac standing on his front steps, arms crossed over his chest, grinning like a fool, sure did.
Mac makes his way to my door and opens it before I even have a chance to unbuckle my seat belt. He looks so handsome. I’m so used to him in sweats or casual wear at this point that I forgot how good he looks a little dressed up. Today he’s in a pair of black dress pants and a blue button up shirt. His boyish smile always catches me off guard. He looks so much like the seven year old who was my best friend, but at the same time couldn’t look more different.
“Hey, Beautiful.” He holds his hand out to me.
“Hey, Handsome.” I smile back at him as I place my hand in his and let him help me out of the car.
Annie obnoxiously clears her throat. “Hello MacQuillian.”
He smothers his grin and gives her a curt nod, “Annie. There’s some kids you may know from school inside.”
Her eyes narrow into dangerous slits, “Who is here, Byrne? I was told this was just family.”
“Yes, well. They think they’re family. The twins brought their group of friends.”
She scoffs in disgust, “Just perfect. I’m going to find my brothers.” She walks by us and heads into the house.
Mac calls after her, “Jake’s out back with Hannah. Dieter’s in the living room talking to Kieran.”
We watch her walk in the house, attitude on full display. “Sorry, I think she may have had it out with one of them. She gets all twitchy when the twins or their friends are brought up.”
“I don’t want to talk about Annie right now.” His voice comes out low and dangerous, making me shiver from the inside out. He pins me against the frame of the SUV before pressing his perfect lips to mine. After a minute or two of us getting lost in our kiss, he reluctantly pulls back and rests his forehead on mine.
“We have to get in there before they send the cavalry after us.” He smiles and kisses the tip of my nose before pulling back completely and grabbing my hand.
“Lead the way, Quill.” He squeezes my hand three times as he leads me into the house.
Walking in the front door, I note that the entryway is large and open. After looking around the expansive space, I realize the entire downstairs is open. I don’t remember the house looking like this, but I haven’t been inside of it in fifteen years so my memory isn’t anything to put money on. I can see the old stairs from here. They’re large and curve up to what can only be assumed is the second story. There’s a grand piano just to the left of the base of the stairs. Kieran sits in front of it playing quietly while Nix sits beside him, leaning her head against his shoulder.
The kitchen is completely open, and I can see Clara cooking while Rowan leans against the counter beside her and says something that has her laughing before playfully smacking the back of her hand to his chest. My parents and Dieter are in the living room catching up with Declan. Through the sliding glass door at the back wall, I can see Jakob and Annie sitting on a patio couch with a man and woman that I haven’t met yet, watching Hannah play with Rhett. Leaning a little to get a lay of the backyard from here, I can see the twins and their friends standing farther away watching over Rhett like they’re scared he’s going to vanish.
Mac obnoxiously clears his throat, drawing the eyes of everyone in the house. “We’re here!” He shouts dramatically. I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me. I’ve got to see more of his true personality in the past few months, and I love it. Mac’s quiet a lot of times. He’s thoughtful and likes to weigh his words before he speaks. But he’s also fun and silly. It’s a side of him that most people don’t get to see, and I’m so glad it’s coming out more and more as time goes on. This dinner is going to be amazing, a celebration of both Mac and me with the people we love most.
