“What?” My heart started pounding all over again. “Who’s out getting fitted for tuxes?”
“All of them,” she repeated, sounding extremely pleased with herself. “Daddy, Brody, Callum, and your brothers. They came to pick Brody up when we got back from the library and took him with them.”
For the first time since they’d left for Michigan, I exhaled fully. At least my brothers hadn’t run him off. That was something.
“Does he know yet?” Mom asked gently, her voice softer now.
My stomach flipped. I didn’t have to ask what she meant. My throat went dry as I shook my head, even though I knew she couldn’t see it. “No, he doesn’t. Not yet.”
“Oh, Maisie.” The mixture of motherly concern and quiet reproach in her voice made my chest constrict. “He deserves to. You know that.”
“I know.” The words came out sharp and defensive, but my anger wasn’t aimed at her. I was mad at myself. “I know he does. I just haven’t been able to tell him yet.”
“Do you want me to do it?” she asked quietly.
My heart lurched, panic rushing in fast. “No, please don’t. I have to, Mom. It’s got to be me. I’m going to tell him. In Scotland. As soon as we have a minute alone.”
There was silence on the other end of the line. Then she sighed. “Okay, baby. You don’t have to keep carrying it alone, though. Callum might be shocked at first, but he’ll want to help.”
“I know,” I half-whispered. “I’m already not carrying it all by myself anymore. I just need it to come from me. He deserves that much.”
“Alright.” She didn’t sound convinced, but she let it go anyway. “Just promise me you won’t wait forever. Secrets don’t stay buried. They have a way of coming up when you least want them to.”
“I know,” I murmured, my eyes drifting to the open suitcase. Scotland was only a day away. “I’m going to tell him as soon as I get him alone, face to face.”
“I’m here if you need me,” she said. “I should go get dinner started, but I’ll have Brody call you as soon as he gets home, okay?”
“Okay,” I agreed and hung up with her a moment later, then just sat on my bed for a few long minutes after that.
My phone felt heavy in my hand, my chest tight. Scotland was looming ahead of me like a finish line I wasn’t ready to cross. My brain spun out with every version of how it could all go wrong. Callum might look at me differently, and that was the best-case scenario. Worst case was that he never looked at me again at all. Brody might hate me for keeping it from him. Everything I’d built could be torn apart.
Finally, I forced myself up and kept packing. My suitcase was filled with jeans and sweaters, the travel toiletries still scattered around my bed. None of it mattered much right then, though. It felt like the foundation underneath me was about to give way.
A knock on the door jolted me from my swirling thoughts. I frowned, breathing through my inner spiral as I headed downstairs to answer it. When I pulled the door open, I was surprised to see Sadie waiting on the other side, her vibrant red hair pulled up into a sleek ponytail and her eyes bright.
She breezed in, all sunshine and chatter. “Your house is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. I love it. It’s like a Pinterest board,but lived in.” She spun in slow circle, either ignoring or not noticing that I was practically hyperventilating. “Also, and this is a totally random question, but do you want a dog? I could get you hooked up before the end of the day. Your backyard is perfect for a medium-sized breed.”
I let out a strangled laugh. “A dog?”
“Yeah, a dog.” She collapsed on the couch and planted her hand on her growing baby bump, kicking off her boots like she’d been visiting here for years. “Brody would love one and you’ve got the space. Kids and dogs are the perfect combo. Unless you’re allergic? That would be tragic?—”
Her words faded as she finally took a good look at me. “Maisie? What’s wrong?”
Her tone was gentler now, her eyes brimming with concern. I shook my head, swallowing hard and hoping I could keep it together until she’d achieved whatever she’d set out to with this impromptu visit.
“Nothing. I’m absolutely fine. I was just packing, so I might’ve zoned out a bit.”
“Uh-huh.” She arched an eyebrow at me. “That’s the universal excuse for ‘I’m very much not fine.’ You can tell me, you know. We’re about to be family. Whatever this is about, I’d like to help you if I can.”
I stared back at her, seeing the gentle compassion in her eyes and thinking about everything I’d learned about her. Sadie was a genuinely good person and I doubted she would judge me if it hadn’t been for the fact that she’d been Callum’s friend for years.
After hearing her and Jameson’s story, I knew they hadn’t spoken for a long time even if they had essentially grown up together. When they re-entered each other’s lives, Callum had been there for her. So much so that he’d gone dress shopping with her.
Plus, she was a Westwood now. However new, she was still one of them. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes before I could stop them. “I can’t tell you. You’ll hate me.”
Sadie leaned forward, her expression soft and her gaze steady. “Try me. I guarantee, I’ll surprise you.”
I shouldn’t do it and I knew it, but I also couldn’tnottell her. This secret wanted out and though Callum was the person I most had to tell, he was also the person I was most afraid of being honest with.
