Call Me Michigan (16 page)

Mason watched from Becca’s bedroom window as his friends hung strings of sparkling lights everywhere. The barn and every damn fence leading to it shone in a soft, warm glow. It was romantic, no doubt, but romance wasn’t what he wanted. Taylor wouldn’t come, and in fact, he was not ready to be among all those people, celebrating his special day.

“Daddy, Ima princess,” Becca announced, dancing circles around him. She had tried to replicate the braid Taylor had once done on her head, and it was a mess, but the little girl refused to let him touch her hair.

“Tay will make it right when she’s here,” she had told him, being so sure of the fact that his heart was breaking. No doubt, Taylor would come over if Stella called her, just because Taylor would never neglect the little girl, but she’d try like hell to avoid Mason, and that was probably why he hadn’t asked his mother to get Taylor over.

He missed her like crazy, and his mood had taken a turn for the worse. It killed him not to know how she was doing, or if she needed anything. He longed to take her in his arms and hold her tight. He wanted to whisper words of love into her hair and make her forget how bad they had fought in the last weeks. He wanted her to say that she was his. Instead, he currently faced the need to force a smile and thank each and every one who’d be dropping by that night. A local band would be playing, everyone and their mother had prepared food, and there certainly would be more than enough beer to go around.

Before Taylor had returned, he’d been excited and happy to celebrate his birthday at all, even had gotten excited about doing it big eventually, but now, he regretted that decision.

“Daddy, dance with me?” Becca inquired, holding out her little hands. So far, no music was playing, but she began to hum the moment he grabbed her little fingers and started to sway his hips. The door opened behind them, and his mother leaned into the doorframe, watching them for a moment. He could tell by her expression that she had something on her mind. Sadness tinged the smile on her lips.

“Rebecca, why don’t you go and dress your dolls in princess dresses so we can have a ball later on?” she suggested, and his daughter dashed off without saying a word.

“Usually, Becca manages to make you smile, son, but today, not even that worked. Are you that sure Taylor won’t show? She knows it’s your birthday, and I’m sure even if she had forgotten about it, Ashley most likely reminded her. By the way, it was a good gesture to invite her.”

Mason grinned sheepishly, and his mother’s eyes lit up. “You only invited her because you figured and hoped she’d drag Taylor along. You’re terrible!” She had to laugh, and he nodded.

“Besides that, though, I can’t believe how things have changed between us since Taylor came back. It’s as if Taylor’s return finally started gluing back who we were before everything broke apart. Ash’s pain slowly subsided, and I think we finally know that we both were at fault. Why did it take until Taylor for us to face the music?”

Stella shrugged and then walked into the room, sitting down on Becca’s bed while pulling a teddy bear into her lap. “Because she was the root of all evil, so to say. Now, all that’s left to fix is the way the two of you talk to each other. Did I mention I’m sure she’ll show today?”

No, she hadn’t, but it didn’t make a difference anyway. Mason was sure she wouldn’t turn up at his party, especially considering that her bruises would still be all too visible. Everyone would stare at her, and Taylor hated nothing more.

“If she comes, I’m gonna tell her I love her. Nothing else. It’s the only thing she needs to know.”

“Good plan,” his mother agreed, and Mason walked back to the window. “Is that Ashley?” he asked in disbelief, and his mother stepped to his side.

Even though from above they couldn’t hear the words exchanged down there, it was clear Brad was pushing all of Ashley’s buttons. The woman more than once reached for him, but he avoided her touch, laughing.

“She’s blonde again,” his mother commented. Mason very well remembered her blonde hair even though she had changed it literally an hour after they had split up. It was growing out again, too, and the new, or better said former, color seemed to be a sign that Ashley was slowly finding who she was again. At least, he hoped that was the reason and not the fact that she tried to copy Taylor.

“It looked better on her. Gave her a softer edge,” Mason mumbled, watching how his ex got into a car. Her truck was at Taylor’s, that much he already knew. Brad came over to the house, and it took only a few seconds until Becca told his best friend where to find him after Brad refused to dress dolls with her.

“Your ex-dragon ... oh, you saw. She turned her hair back blonde. I asked if she was going for Taylor Two, and she instantly got mad.” Brad grinned, clearly proud of himself.

“Ex-dragon. Shame on you, Bradley,” his mother scolded, and Brad had the decency to blush.

“Sorry, Mrs. S.” He pushed his hands into his pockets, and Mason leaned back against the windowsill.

“Well, what was her answer?” He couldn’t help his curiosity.

“She said she had changed it because blonde didn’t feel like her anymore back then. She wasn’t that girl. Now, she changed it back because she never had felt better than when she’d been blonde, no matter what had happened between you and her. She said, too, that Taylor had suggested the change and actually been right about it. And she added some words to describe me that I’d rather not repeat in front of your mother.” Brad winked at Stella, and Mason’s mother actually blushed, laughing.

“Then I’m gonna leave you boys alone. I need to check on my grandchild anyway,” she told them and walked to the door.

“You should; she’s glittering the carpet, saying it’s prettier now.” With a groan, Stella hurried outside, and Brad turned serious.

“Everything’s prepared, your Royal Highness. All we have left to do is get the elusive princess to show, being enchanted by the fairy lights and the soft melodies that’ll be playing tonight.”

Mason glared at him, and Brad started to grin. “If all else fails, I already hired a group to kidnap her, tie her up, and bring her over. Some women need it caveman style,” he added, and Mason rubbed his hands over his face, groaning.

He sure hoped it wouldn’t come to that because he knew Brad would definitely go through with it.

***

“Michigan, move your ass!”

Taylor didn’t want to. She had enjoyed the weekend with her sister and then the quiet week at home, hiding out and hanging with Timmy after he came home from school. They had done homework together, and it was probably the first time she realized how smart he really was and how great he had turned out even though his childhood had been everything but easy so far.

Focusing her eyes on the mirror and the task at hand, she took stock of her body. Ashley had brought her a dress and cowboy boots. While she was in love with the boots, the dress showed too much of her legs and arms. Bruises had turned her skin from black over purple to the nicest yellow-green colors. She looked hideous and knew it, yet Ashley was adamant when it came to her outfit.

Looking the way she did, like a badly worked canvas, Taylor had no intention to show at Mason’s party, no matter what Ashley insisted. If she wanted to fix things between Mason and her, it was best to remind him as little as possible about what had happened and where they last had seen each other.

She reached for a denim jacket, hoping that this way, at least, most of her would be covered. Damn, that dress was short. She pulled on the hem, hoping to maybe get it down to her knee at least, but no such luck. The soft white cotton reached down to the middle of her thigh. If she’d be fully healthy, this would actually blow her away, but as it was, she wanted to cry.

“Want me to put makeup on your face?” Ash asked, showing up next to her and placing her chin on Taylor’s shoulder. Tay’s eyes went to Ashley’s blonde hair, and she smiled.

“You look much better with that color. Less aggressive,” she mumbled, hoping to distract Ashley enough so maybe she could change into jeans without Ash noticing it and wear them under the dress.

“I never thought that could really influence me that much, but I feel calmer, too. Better with who I am. Thank you for convincing me,” Ash whispered, hugging her. Luckily, most of her aches had passed, and hugging wasn’t any longer uncomfortable. “So makeup?”

Taylor shook her head. All she’d put on was mascara and some lip-gloss. As she thought about that, she shook her head. She wanted to stay home, now more than ever. Mason would take one look at her and pity her again. “I think I’ll stay home.”

“I think you should go. You miss Mason. And it’s his birthday. You know, there is nothing sadder than when no one shows to your birthday,” Timmy explained, standing in the door. Taylor turned to him, furrowing her brow.

“Besides the fact that I doubt no one will show to Mason’s party, shouldn’t you be gone already?” She checked the watch on Ashley’s wrist and then gave Tim a questioning look. As much as Taylor had hated the idea of Tim sleeping somewhere else overnight again, she couldn’t fight Ashley and her brother on this. Ash had talked to Kelly, and they’d agreed to take Timmy in, and her brother had been excited about it.

“Max called. He’s sick. I’m gonna stay home,” Timothy replied, and it was exactly the excuse Tay had needed to chicken out of this evening.

Her brother walked over to where Ash now sat on Taylor’s bed and plopped down next to her. “Sorry, Ash, you can see I can’t –”

“I’m grown up, Tay,” Tim announced and warmth spread in Taylor’s body. Jesus, she loved that boy.

“She smiles; that’s a good sign,” Ash grinned, bumping Tim with her shoulder.

“She's smiling because he’ll always stay little in her eyes,” Taylor protested, resting her hands on her hips. “He’s not staying home alone. I’m sorry, Ash, I can’t go.” Oh, wasn’t that just awesome? Taylor had a hard time containing her smug smile.

Ashley rolled her eyes, mirroring her little brother’s gesture exactly. “Lucky me that I had already asked Stella earlier to make sure I had a plan B. Tim can go over and spend the evening with Becca and Stel; and the moment you’re ready to go, you can take him with you.”

Taylor suppressed a groan, walking over to her brother to kneel in front of him. “It’s your choice,” she stated softly, brushing a hand across his head. “You stayed there quite a lot during the last time.”

Timothy reached out and hugged her. She ignored the stab of pain as his head came against the cut on her eyebrow because she wanted to enjoy those precious seconds when he was so close.

“I want you happy, and you are always happiest when Mason or Ashley are around. Go to the party and tomorrow make me pancakes?”

Taylor leaned in closer. “I don’t want to go,” she whispered conspiratorially, and Tim gave her a grin.

“I know,” he replied, making her gape at him. “I love being over there. Becca is like a tiny sister. And Stella makes awesome food. Go, Taylor. I’ll have fun,” he reassured her, and Taylor sat back on her heels, staring at the two who had teamed up against her.

“Look at me.” Her voice broke.

“You’re pretty,” Ashley voiced, and as much as Taylor wished she could detect a lie, she heard nothing but sincerity in her best friend’s voice. “Tim, leave. We’ll be right down,” Ash instructed. She took Taylor’s hands in hers the moment he was gone. “You’ll still be the most beautiful girl in Mason’s eyes, and that’s what matters. He nearly died with worry when he saw the accident, and I know you two agreed not to see each other for a while, but honestly? Jump over your shadow and kiss him. What better day is there than his birthday?”

‘They’ wasn’t right; she knew that, but Ash didn’t.

“You know, maybe I should mention that we didn’t agree on it, but that I couldn’t handle any more pain. Being in a room with Mason clearly hasn’t worked out for us the way I had expected and …”

“Stop it, Michigan. How did you feel not seeing Mason? And don’t try to lie to me,” Ash needled.

It had been horrible. She had missed his voice, his smile, and the casual touches and hugs even more. Actually, she missed just being around him and taking comfort in his presence. The answer must’ve been clear on her face because Ashley framed it carefully.

“Now, get on the bed so I can put makeup on you.”

“Mascara, eyeliner, and something for the lips. No powder or foundation, Ash,” she insisted, and Ash nodded, getting to work quickly.

Later, Taylor’s stomach dropped the closer they got to Mason’s barn. She promised to drive, especially since Ashley had given her the truck. Tim chatted away, entertaining Ashley until her best friend suddenly reached out and touched her knee.

“Find him first and solve this thing or you’ll shatter,” Ashley pleaded, and Taylor parked the truck among a row of similar vehicles. Lights were strung up everywhere, and Taylor loved the decorations. Music reached her ears, and she realized that Tim had called out a good-bye and left to hurry inside the house.

“Tim!” She wanted to hug him and promise him that they’d leave if he didn’t feel like staying any longer. He had been her perfect excuse for a delay, but that had quickly gone down the drain.

Reluctantly, she got out, too, watching her best friend before turning her attention to the twinkling lights adorning the fences. Someone really had done a fabulous job.

“Oh, the ex-dragon and the fair princess,” Brad greeted them, earning a playful slap from Ashley. “You’re fashionably late,” he then added, scowling.

“Best comes last. Which, of course, means you were here first,” Ash jeered, and Brad made a face. Taylor’s stomach somersaulted, and she figured she needed to get going.

“Where is he?” she inquired, impatiently stepping from one foot to the other. She didn’t care the least about the banter between her friends.

“Actually, he vanished up the stairs to your little escape and our hangout within minutes of coming out here.”

She just nodded, touching Ash’s arm before moving forward with just one goal in mind. Only, when she placed her hand on the wooden banister to walk up to the changed hayloft, her steps faltered.