Page 35 of Don't Let Me Break

I can relate.

“Well, shoot,” Mama pouts. “Next time, we’ll have to all get together.”

“Deal,” Blakely agrees.

“Is your friend coming?” Mama looks around Blakely’s tiny frame in search of her friend as if she might be hiding in the foyer, but Blake shakes her head.

“No, Kate said she couldn’t make it. Thanks for letting me invite her, though. It was sweet of you.”

“Of course. You know everyone’s always welcome at the Taylor House. Now, come and sit down before the food gets cold.” Mama ushers Blake to the table and welcomes her youngest with as much gusto as she greeted the rest of us.

Chair legs scrape against the wood floor as Blake pulls out the seat across from me while Mama grills Theo about school, hockey, and his intentions with Blake.

“You invited Kate?” I ask.

“Yeah,” Blake answers, pouring herself a glass of orange juice. “She usually goes home on the weekends, but she was in the kitchen when I woke up, so I asked if she wanted to come. She claimed she had to study. I swear, the girl’s even more of a recluse than you are.”

Yeah. I have a feeling Blake has a point. And a girl like Kate shouldn’t be a recluse. Especially when she feels obligated to be one. Like she’s a burden or some shit. She basically told me that herself when I dropped her off at her place after the grocery store the other day.

“What would you do if you didn’t have to worry about it?” I asked. “If you could go out knowing you were safe? What would you do?”

“I dunno? Dancing sounds fun.”

Dancing.

“Does she ever date?” I ask Blake.

Her brow arches, and she drops the bacon, giving me her full attention. “Why? Are you thinking about asking her out?”

“Only curious if she has a secret boyfriend or something, and it’s why she keeps turning you guys down when you invite her places,” I clarify.

“Hmm,” Blake hums, unconvinced, her eyes tiny slits as she studies me while reaching for the piece of bacon again. “But no. No boyfriend. The last one was an ass who broke her heart, and the only other guy who’s caught her interest since is a bit of a recluse himself.”

“Are you saying I’ve caught her interest?” I prod.

“I’m saying she could use another friend. One who isn’t afraid to push her out of her comfort zone and treat her like gold.” The crispy bacon crunches between her teeth as she stares me down. “But if you hurt her, I’ll beat your ass, Macklin. Don’t think I won’t.”

I chuckle dryly and clear my throat as Mama and Theo head toward the table, cutting my conversation with Blakely short. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Then, we eat.

11

KATE

As the barista hands me my cup of coffee, I smile and thank her. Turning around, I almost bump into the person behind me.

My spine is rigid as I dig my heels into the ground, barely saving my pumpkin spice latte from drenching the poor soul in front of me.

“I’m––” My apology sits on the tip of my tongue as I recognize the culprit. “Oh.” I scowl. “Hi.”

Macklin smiles down at me. “Hey.”

“What are you doing here?”

He lifts his chin at the barista behind me. “Grabbing coffee. Speaking of which,” he turns to her and adds, “I’d like a black coffee, two Stevia. Thanks.”

As he digs into his pocket for his wallet, I try to walk around him, but he steps in front of me.