27. Chapter 27

"We need to talk."

Four words that no one ever wants to hear. Especially as they walk in their front door. Closing the door, I make my way into the living room where Chloe and Macy are both sitting. Tension hangs around the girls like a fog on a morning in the fall. Standing in the doorway, my eyes bounce between each girl.

Chloe and Macy have been my found family for two years. Ever since we met each other freshman year, we've been inseparable.

Going off to college, especially in a new state, is terrifying. You're no longer in the comfort of your hometown where you've been surrounded by the same people since kindergarten. Now you're on this huge campus—alone—trying to make friends, declare your major, find hobbies, and get good grades, all while trying to find yourself along the way. It's freaking hard, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

My feet lead me into the living room while my mind swims with all the potential things the girls would want to talk about. Replaying the last week in my head, I don't recall any time that I would've pissed them off. But that's the thing with women, we don't need much to set us off. Coming to a stop on the opposite end of the couch from where Chloe is sitting on, I sit down, bringing my legs underneath me. Macy is to my right in our recliner.

Once again, my head swivels, searching for some kind of answer. "What's up?"

There's a long pause, neither girl wanting to speak first.

What the hell?

Clearing her throat, Chloe speaks up first. "Macy is moving out."

My head snaps to Macy. "What?!"

Eyes narrowing, she stares Chloe down. I'm seriously so dumbfounded right now. Not only at the fact Macy is moving out because—what the hell is up with that?—but that these two look like they're about to fly across the room and go all "lioness fighting over their territory."

"I'm moving in with Gregg," Macy announces, turning her attention back to me.

"Mace, I'm happy for you, but you guys haven't been dating that long. Is this what's best for you?"

A sigh leaves her lips as the corners of her mouth tip up. "Yeah, it is. Gregg and I moved fast, but it feels right."

Getting up, my feet carry me over to where Macy is sitting. Reaching down, my arms wrap around her, pulling her in for a hug.

"I'm happy for you. I really am. It's not going to be the same without you being across the hall."

She squeezes me back. "I'm going to miss you. But you have Quinton."

Pulling back, I smile at her. Because she's right. I do have Quinton. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that my heart would be opened up for another man. Especially with Quinton, but thinking about it, the signs have been there this whole time.

"Mace, just because Q and I are dating doesn't mean that I don't still need you guys."

"I know, and I still need you guys too. But things just feel right with Gregg. We want to explore our next step."

Squeezing her hand, I get up and return to my spot. I look over at Chloe, who is staring at the black screen on the TV. "What's going on with you two?"

Chloe's shoulders deflate at my question. Her eyes leave the TV, glancing over at me before finding Macy's.

"We're just agreeing to disagree."

My eyebrows form a V, confusion lacing my face. "About?" I draw out.

"I have feelings for Cody," Chloe rushes out. "Macy knows. Apparently, she's figured it out from watching me."

I can't help the shock that comes over me. Okay now, never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed she has a crush on Cody.

Hesitantly, I respond, "Chloe, that's great. But I'm having trouble figuring out why you're mad at Macy?"

"She's mad at the way I called her out on it. I mean, it's so freaking obvious," Macy responds to the question before Chloe. Standing, she turns her entire attention to Chloe. "You stare at him like he hung the moon but you're too childish to say anything. You act like a lost puppy. Either man up and tell him, or get over it."

"How about you just worry about your relationship with Gregg and stop worrying about me?" Chloe snaps.

My head ping pongs between the two. Clearly, I've been blind to the relationship between the girls. Macy hasn't been around a lot. Between her classes, working her part-time job, and spending her free time with Gregg, we haven't seen her much outside of family dinners.

Now I'm wondering if there was more than just her being busy. But I'm not asking now. Not with the animosity in the air ready to detonate.

I'm too hungover for this, my inner voice whines.

The way these two are fighting brings me back to my childhood. There were many times when I'd be woken up in the middle of the night by my parents screaming at each other. I'd hear vases hitting the walls as my mother's voice would carry throughout the house. When we were younger, Bryce would come into my room, and the two of us would sleep in the same bed—a reminder that we were safe together. After Bryce was gone, my headphones were the only thing that would drown out the noises.

"Just go pack," Chloe yells, dismissing Macy, and snaps me out of my thoughts. "I'm done with you acting like you're so much better than me because you're in a relationship."

Macy's hands are planted on her hips, chest heaving as she stares Chloe down. It's really intimidating how she's standing over Chloe, like a parent scolding their child.

"Whatever, Chloe. Keep standing on the sidelines looking like a psycho stalker. I'm not the only one that's noticed."

As those words leave her mouth, Macy storms out of the room while Chloe sinks onto the couch.

"Chlo?"

She just stares down at her clasped hands that are resting on her lap. "Not now, Brynn."

Stretching my arm out, I place my hand on her arm, giving it a light squeeze. "I'm always here for you. I love you." Standing from the couch, I move around the table toward the stairs.

I faintly hear her say, "I love you, too."

There's a shift in the atmosphere. Chloe and Macy—who were the closest between us three—now can't stand each other. And I'm falling in love. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm fully in love. With Quinton.

Here's to hoping his feelings are as strong as mine.