Is she suggesting I look like someone who would deny fruit? Does my hourglass figure present the image of a woman more likely to choose carbs over the healthier option? Who am I kidding? Bring on the carbs. “Pancakes sound delicious. Thank you.”
I sense Macy watching me, though I don’t acknowledge her. She only has the fruit on her plate, no doubt trying to watch her weight. I couldn’t care less about my figure. I do what I can, but I don’t obsess over it. I’m not about to deprive myself of a tasty breakfast because of it.
I butter my pancakes and pour over some syrup. As I cut through the first piece, his mom asks, “How did you sleep?”
The bed didn’t meet my expectations by a long shot, but I’m still refreshed. “Great, thank you.” I’m grateful she gave me a place to sleep.
“The mattress didn’t bother you too much?”
“It was fine. I slept on the floor the first few nights I lived in my condo. I consider that bed an upgrade.”
“I could never sleep on that bed.” Macy takes a piece of toast and bites into it, plain. Gross. Plain toast tastes like dust.
“I know, Macy. You’ve made us well aware many times before.”
I really don’t think his mom cares for her that much. She doesn’t seem to make many positive remarks.
“You prefer to sleep in our son’s room.” His mother grimaces, refusing to look at her.
Wow. I didn’t see that coming.
“Anyway, we should start on the road soon, honey. The game is in about four hours.” Macy is as antsy as I am to leave this place, no doubt for the same reason. I’m sure she doesn’t want to be in close quarters with me any more than I do with her.
“It’s only an hour drive.” Kellan grabs two more pancakes and fills his plate with sausage. “And I’m hungry.”
Macy leans back in her chair and folds her arms. “I don’t want to get caught in traffic.”
Kellan’s face reddens as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “You’re not driving, so don’t worry about it.”
“Are we all taking one car?” I hoped Macy would drive herself.
“We might as well. We have to come back through here on the way home, so I’ll pick my car up then.”
His mom stifles a small laugh before his dad jumps in. “You guys drive safe. The roads are still a little slick out there, even though the plows came through.”
“I can drive, Dad.” Kellan eyeballs him.
“I’m only saying.”
He pops a piece of sausage in his mouth. “Okay, let’s go.” He stands up and wipes his hands on his pants, leaving us all at the table.
••••••••••
I can't believe this is happening. I'm not surprised, though. Of course less than 24 hours ago, Kellan and I nearly kissed and now I'm sitting in the back of his car while his significant other sits in front, stealing glances of me in the rear view mirror whenever she gets a chance. I wonder if these are child-proof locks. Would they notice if I whip open the door and jump out? That’s a reasonable response, right?
"So, Kate, are you any closer to finding a house for us?" Macy barges into my brain, stopping my irrational thoughts.
Ugh. Their house. Yeah, I'm doing the best I can, lady. Did your fiancé mention yet how you don't even share the same tastes and he really doesn't even want an elaborate house like you do? "Um, yes, actually." I wish I could garner enough courage to say something else.
"You are?" The mirror catches Kellan’s wrinkled forehead.
Shoot. Mental note to set up a couple of showings. ”Yep. When we arrive back in town there are a few I thought you may like."
“That’s wonderful news!” Macy spins around and makes eye contact. I jerk my head away at first, as though she caught me doing something inappropriate, then meet her gaze, refusing to let her win. "Why don't you take me? I want to view some in person and, honestly, I’m beginning to think Kellan is stalling." My heart shrinks when she touches her hand to his shoulder.
How could I be so dumb? Now I have to house hunt with both of them? I’m trying to eliminate how much time I spend with the two at the same time, now I’m only extending the life of this Hell I’m in.
"Kellan, sweetie, you take a break from all this house stuff. I'll take the reins and take some tours with Kate."
Scratch that. I’m going with only Macy? Kill me now. Please. Do it. I’ll provide the weapon.
He rubs the back of his neck. "I don't know, Macy. Kate and I work so well together." He tips his head toward the window and shifts his weight in his seat. He enjoys working with me. I agree with him. When we visit these houses, he’s open and honest with me. I sense Macy doesn’t understand what Kellan wants.
"Do you? Is that why you’re still living in that cramped apartment?" She turns so she’s sitting on one side and able to look at me when she talks. “I’m sure you haven’t seen his place, but it is so tiny. We barely fit in the shower together, right, dear?”
She tosses her head back and laughs as my body temperature rises. I don’t need to hear this. No one does.
"Let's not discuss this now." He keeps his eyes focused on the road as he tries to silence Macy.
"Why not? If Kate's as good as you say she is, why hasn't she found us anything?"
I’m happy Kellan told her I’m good at my job, even though I’ve yet to discover their perfect property. She’s probably only asked about how the search is going, but I like he’s not afraid to talk about me with her.
"It's not that she hasn't found anything. She's shown me six or seven places. I just don't like them."
"Well, I don't like that you're doing this without me. I should be a part of this." The seat rattles as she rearranges herself and slams her back into the chair.
This is something the two of them will have to work out together, preferably in my absence. I'm staying on the sidelines, up in the nosebleed seats to lessen any chance of getting involved. My original plan of hopping out of the car is more appealing with every mile.
"Do what you want, Macy." He mumbles something, which I'm pretty sure was "You always do anyway." She doesn't argue, and this doesn't shock me in the least. This way she gets what she wants.
"How's your wrist doing?" I kick myself for starting a conversation with her, but this is more than awkward.
“Fine. I wish I could bowl today, but the doctor said not yet. A few more weeks. We won't need you anymore after I’m healed.”
“I think you’re probably okay to bowl, Macy.” Kellan doesn’t look at either of us. “Your wrist is fine.”
“He told me to take it easy. Doctor’s orders.”
Kellan looks at me in the rearview mirror. “Everything is back to normal. She is afraid when she throws the ball she’ll snap her wrist again.”
Macy crosses her arms. “Well, it’s not unlikely that would happen.” She turns toward me. “Anyway, you bowl this game, and I’ll start back after this one.”
“Sounds great.” Okay, so even though I got the impression they didn’t need me to bowl, I’m still in. Good. But after this game, I’m done. The team is awesome and Gretchen has become my best friend, and I love seeing Kellan every week, but she's right. Once she can bowl again, I’ve filled my role. My sole purpose for them was to fill Macy's void.
“I still need you to find my dream house!"
Macy states this irritating fact. I press my nails into the leather seat. Scratching it crosses my mind, but this is Kellan’s car. Why? Why is she here? I bite the inside of my cheek to stop myself from screaming. How did she come into my life set to destroy it? Why must we exist beside each other? The truth slaps me in the face.
I'm the one who doesn't belong.
••••••••••
”Kate! Kellan! You made it!" Gretchen barges toward the door as we enter the bowling alley. She wraps her arms around me and stiffens. "Macy?" She slowly pulls away from me and steps aside. "I'm a little surprised to see you here."
She smirks at Gretchen and slide
s her arm around Kellan. "I'm glad I was able to come to support my man."
"Are you bowling today?" Gretchen clasps her hands together. Pins crashing down echo in the background, and I'm sure we're both imagining Macy as the ball.
"No. I want to, believe me, but the doctor said another few weeks."
"I should warm up." Kellan releases Macy's arm, but she stops him.
"A kiss for good luck!" I want to gag as she plants her lips on his.
"Okay. See you after the game." Kellan waves at us and rushes away, greeting the others at the lane we've been assigned.
"Macy, so nice to see you."
"Sure," Macy crosses her arms. "I'll be at the bar."
She doesn't extend a goodbye, and, honestly, I'm relieved. Watching her head off in a different direction is the best part of my day.
Gretchen takes a hold of my hand and pulls me aside to the lockers. "You did not just drive here with Macy?"
"I sure did. She showed up at your parent's house last night."
"Wow." She covers her mouth with her hand, shaking her head. A locker slams to the left of me and a short, petite woman scoots past us. "That must have been ..."
"Horrifying, embarrassing, uncomfortable." I count the list of emotions on my fingers. Meeting Macy in person one day was inevitable, I just hoped for more time to prepare when the time came. Her showing up was quite the surprise, not only to me, but to Kellan and his parents as well.
"Hey ladies, let's stop gossiping and get on with this!" Tiffany bounces into the small area and urges us out. "We've got a game to win!"
Gretchen lets her hand fall and gives a lopsided grin. "Let's do this!"
Am I ready for this? I'm faced with a few hours of bowling with Macy burning her eyes through my back, probably plotting how to stick a knife through it as well. This tournament isn't a big deal. Sure, we can win some cash and bragging rights, but it doesn't affect our standings in our division. Still, I want to do well, even more so with Macy watching, and now all I can imagine is falling flat on my butt or tossing the ball into the wrong lane.
"Kate! Come on!" Gretchen waves me into the action. I don't have a choice but to bowl.
Macy is situated at the bar, as she indicated she would be, a mixed drink of some sort in her hand. It's unfortunate I'm forced to walk past her on the way to our lane. I try not to make eye contact, but as I step past her, her lips are stuck on her glass, her eyes glued to me, moving with me each step I take. It's sure hot in this bowling alley. I fan myself once I'm past her and with my teammates.
"You're second, Kate." Kellan is posting our names on the board. I glance back and Macy is still watching me.
"Okay, thanks." I switch out my shoes and sit back, watching a few of the other teams before it's my turn to go.
When I stand up to get my ball, Macy has now moved and is standing right outside the lane before street shoes are no longer allowed. Her arms are crossed and her eyes squinted, her nose crunched up. I look over at Gretchen, who is mouthing something to Kellan. What's going on? He clenches his jaw and glances back at Macy, who smiles at him. Is this some secret code between them?
All eyes are on me, even the ones I don't want, and we have to get a move on. Macy can stare all she wants and give Kellan a thousand kisses. I'm not about to let this bother me. She can act like we're in high school if that's what her heart desires. I don't care if she doesn't like me, because I don't like her, and she's not someone I need to impress.
I puff out my chest and take a deep breath before taking myper stance. My feet are planted onto the lane and I lock my target. I can be fast or I can be accurate. With cash on the line, I want to try my best to spin the ball and hit all the pins, helping set the tone for the tournament. I step forward and the ball flies out of my hand, crashing down nine pins. Not a strike, but a solid start.
My team cheers and offers their share of high fives, including Kellan. I can't help but notice Macy in the corner of my eye stick her tongue out in disgust. I'm not even going to acknowledge her immaturity, and I'm not subjecting myself to hours of it on the way back to Madison. After we win this game, I'll have Tiffany and Taylor drop me off at the nearest Rent-A-Car and enjoy a peaceful drive home.
Chapter
Twenty-Five
I manage to make it through Thanksgiving and I survive Christmas by visiting my brother. A full week with him allowed me to regroup. I must admit staying at the B&B as a guest did prove a tad strange, but I think it helped me realize I made the right choice by leaving. My life isn’t there anymore. It’s here.
Bowling has been over for a couple of weeks now. I miss the rush, the team, and most of all Kellan. I don’t miss Macy. At all. But, as promised, I'm meeting her today to view a house on Sycamore Lane. She and Kellan put off the house hunting until after the holidays, which allowed me more time to search for the perfect property. I drank three cups of tea and practiced being civil in the mirror, hoping I can pull this off without becoming a bitch. I’m not in the mood to be given accusatory stares and deal with demeaning remarks. The last time I saw Kellan that wasn’t through my television was a few days after the event in Illinois, which, by the way, we didn’t win.
I refuse to drive in the car with this woman again, so we agree to meet at the house. This way I’m not already irritated by her when we arrive. I want to make this a quick showing, but one she may want to offer on. Even if my client is Macy, I want a happy customer.
When I pull into the property, she’s already there, and I wonder how long she’s been waiting. She stands on the patio, rubbing her arms to keep warm. Most people would have waited in their heated car. Macy isn’t most people, though. The little bit I’ve known her, she always seems out to prove something.
The patio is all stone, and I imagine, in the warmer months, flowers fill the walkway. Now dirty snow covers the railings and the outdoor furniture is stored away.
"Good morning, Macy. Thanks for meeting me." Not the greatest morning if we’re together, but the sun is shining. That’s a plus, I guess.
"I would have rather we met a little later, but here we are." She shivers in her jacket, which ironically may be the warmest coat I have ever seen.
"Let's go inside." The longer we stand out here and discuss this, the more numb our faces will become.
"Thank you," she mumbles.
I open the door and allow her to step in first. This way she can gather her own first impression without mine altering her opinion. I take my time walking in behind her. Her face doesn’t reveal much. Most clients either widen their eyes and smile or nod their head if they aren’t quite certain they like what they see. Her expression is stale, but she’s not cringing her nose, so I’ll mark this as a win.
"This place just hit the market and will sell fast." Homes are more difficult to move in the wintertime, but this house is immaculate. The owners are proactive and paid for a house inspection on their own, and the report is spotless. And, the price is spectacular.
"Is this some scheme to push me to make an offer today?”
I can understand why she thinks this. People assume when a realtor advises a home won’t last we’re using a scare tactic, but we’re not. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it. ”No. Just stating the facts." Will this be over soon? My colored pencils are calling my name with every minute I’m with Macy. The stress level in my body is heightening to uncomfortable levels. Deep breaths, Kate. Move through this.
"This home was built in 2012, so it’s fairly new. The original owners are selling due to a relocation out of state. Three bedroom, two and a half baths, and a finished rec area. Almost three acres of land sit behind the house, some open and some covered in trees."
"Great. I'm going to look around. You stay here." She raises her palm at me so I don’t move forward.
I'm perfectly fine with her demand. The last thing I want to do is spend more time with her than required. The owners still live here, and the house is stylishly furnished. I sit on their couch, grabbing at the
end of my binder as I wait for Macy to tour the home.
This really is a gorgeous home. Move-in ready, like Kellan said Macy wants. I’m sure Kellan could make a few changes like swapping out hardware on the cabinets or a fresh coat of paint to put his spin on it. This may work out for them.
Ten minutes pass before she wanders back into the living room. I stand as she enters. What, is she a queen or something? I suppose she thinks so.
"What do you think?" The pounding in my chest echoes through my body until I feel it in my ears.
"What do I think? Well, I like it." She rubs her hands together. "I actually love it."
"That's great!" Finally we can move on from this. I desperately need this sale, too, and the house is a decent price. Linda will be happy with the commission. I still haven't sold Janice’s house, so I'm ecstatic. Janice originally gave me a ninety-day deadline on selling her house, but rather than deal with switching realtors, she decided to keep the house listed with me. She’s not in a rush but I am. A sale will give me more confidence with Janice’s house. I know it.
Macy puts her finger to her lip. "Here's the thing."
Great. There's a thing. My enthusiasm drops to the pit of my stomach.
"I see the way you look at my fiancé, and I won't have any of it. You’re crazy if you think he could fall for someone like you.” She steps forward into my personal space. “We don’t need you anymore. I'll be putting an offer in on this house, but with a different realtor and agency all together." She swooshes past me and opens the front door. "You're fired."
She marches out and I'm left unable to move, my eyes glazing over. I'm trying to grasp that she fired me, but at the same time I can't get her words out of my head. Someone like you. Like me? I’m a much better person than she is. She’s threatened by me. She says Kellan could never be interested in me, but she’s scared of the very opposite.
Her car door slams, jolting me out of my trance. She’s gone. She’s going to my boss. My lips quiver as I pick my mouth up off the floor. Tears trace my chin and trickle down my neck.
Sparing the Heart (Pastime Pursuits #3) Page 14
