Rewind

Chapter 17

Since family dinner, things had only gotten better between Macy, Shane and most of the family. Even Tara liked him, in her judgmental kind of way, and despite Jax's annoyance as well as the optics surrounding Shane's job, he was around more often than not.

Macy looked at the date on her phone that morning, waking up before Shane, and felt her heart quicken. It had been three tears, to the day, that Opie started his sentence, and that meant he'd be up for parole. She wanted him home, she wanted him safe and happy and healthy but Macy really wanted Opie far away from her.

"Hey," Shane said with his gravely morning voice.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled, "Morning."

"What time is it?"

"6:30."

"Goddamn it," he complained.

"Mm-hmm," she laughed. "We should ditch work, go to the beach or something."

"Both of us calling out on the same day, they'd know that's some bullshit," Shane chuckled. "How 'bout this weekend?"

"Yeah," she said with obvious, albeit mild, disappointment.

"Don't pout," he said, pinching her chin between his thumb and first finger. "You could make me do just about anything with that pout," he said softly, his southern accent more prominent while still so exhausted.

Macy smiled sheepishly, "God, I hate you."

"That's a shame," he said sitting up. "Cause I've been thinking 'bout how hard I fell for you."

"What?" She asked, watching as he strolled toward the bathroom.

"You said you hate me, I'm not gonna go all mushy on you now."

"Shane," she snapped. "You are fucking mean."

He winked at her and disappeared into the bathroom. There was no way he would tell her that he'd fallen in love with her with Opie possibly coming home. Shane was attempting to protect himself from heartbreak by keeping the secret. Opie's possible parole was also a factor as he didn't want her to think he was only saying it to keep her.

--

That day came and went, as did the week, and Friday evening Macy was at the clubhouse while Shane worked overtime. They had plans to leave early the next day for Laguna Beach for a luxurious weekend courtesy of an associate of Shane's, or that was what he called the man.

"Mace," Clay called to her from the bar. He tapped on the wood and she knew that meant he wanted to talk with her.

"Hey," she smiled. "What's up?"

"Got word from Rosen," he said, "Opie got parole, he's coming home on Monday." Clay frowned deeply despite his own personal joy over the news. "I know this might be a problem."

"No problem," she said quickly. "I'm an adult. He's an adult. It's been three years since he cut off all contact and refused to speak to me. No problems from that at all."

Clay grimaced. "Macy," he grumbled.

"Dad," she shook her head. "I don't want to talk about it. I'll probably stay in Laguna longer. I don't want to get home the same time he is."

"Your mom and I think you should come back with us until you find a new place."

"No," she snapped. "It'll be fine. I don't wanna move and unless he asks me to leave, I'm staying. I've lived there for years, Dad. It's my home."

Nodding, Clay gave Macy a hug and hoped things would work out as smoothly as she suggested.

"I'm proud of you," he told her. "You really got your shit together."