ACHILLES HEEL • TWILIGHT •

🐺 CHAPTER EIGHT 🐺

Mack ran outside as soon as she heard Billy and Jake pull up. She adored the two, as they were practically extended family. As she skidded to a stop in front of Billy, she notices the dent missing from Bella's truck and held back an amused laugh. She knew Edward was responsible for it.

"Hey. Come to visit your truck?" Bella asked, greeting the father and son.

"Looks good. Got that dent out." Jacob pointed out.

"Actually, we came to visit your flat-screen. First Mariners game of the season. Plus Jacob here keeps bugging me about seeing you again." Billy said, snitching on his youngest.  Mack laughed into her hand, trying to maintain herself so she didn't embarrass Jacob any further.

"Uncle Charlie should be back from the store." Mack spoke up, giving Jacob an apologetic smile. "And speak of the devil."

"Vitamin R." Charlie said as he walked up to the group.

"Well done, Chief. Harry Clearwater's homemade fish fry." Billy said handing the bag to Jacob, to which Mack stole with a grin on her face.

"You are seriously the best, Billy!" She said as she held the bag. Bella laughed at her cousin, knowing that nothing comes between Mack and her food obsession.

Charlie had begun wheeling Billy into the home, when Billy had asked about Waylon's case. Mack glanced at Bella with a worried look. Neither liked that Charlie was looking into the case. They knew the truth, and if you asked Mack it seemed so did Billy.

"Well, I don't think it was an animal that killed him." Charlie said, he was unsure as the evidence felt off.

"Never thought it was." Billy said, causing Mack to frown. She would definitely try to get answers from Alice and Jasper.

Mack nudged Bella before entering the home, she knew that her cousin felt like Billy's words were directed at her. And they were. Edward and Bella are a couple. Mackenzie is just friends of the Cullens, and it's not widely known.

Bella had stayed in room, while the others had stayed down to watch the game. Mackenzie loved watching sports with her uncle, but baseball was her least favorite. She always rooted for the opposite team to bug Charlie.

***

The following morning, Mackenzie had gotten ready to go with Bella to meet Edward's family. Alice had informed the red head that Esme had wanted to meet her in a more proper way. Bella was much more relaxed when she heard that Mack was coming along. In most ways, the girls are each other's safe havens, they understood each other more than anyone else.

"Oh! Please try not to speed so much while my cousin is in your care. You may indestructible but my baby cousin is very much a clumsy bad luck charm." Mack said, leaning forward to warn Edward as she remembered to finally do so.

"Yes ma'am." Edward spoke with an amused grin.

"Baby cousin?! We're literally born the same year." Bella said shaking her head at her cousin.

"And I'm older, so technically you are my baby cousin." Mack said with a matter of fact tone.

As Edward pulled up the home, Mack was in awe. Alice had mentioned how Esme loved designing homes and had a good eye, but this was amazing. She had tuned out Bella and Edward as she just let her mind take in everything in the home. Her senses were overwhelmed with the smell of food. She peaked behind Bella to see the Cullens cooking.

"Bella, Mackenzie, we're making Italians for you." Esme said, causing Mack to grin. She was right to not eat before coming here.

"Bella this is Esme. My mother for all intents and purposes." Edward said, knowing Mack has met her before.