Call Me Michigan Read Online Free PDF Page B

we please hurry with the rest?” Timmy asked as they stepped out on the street. “I want to be done soon and … Mason!” The boy jumped excitedly at Mason, strong arms catching him while Taylor’s heart did a flip-flop.
    “Hey, buddy! Hey, Michigan!” He winked at her, making her involuntarily smile.
    “Look, there’s Max!” Tim, barely back on the ground, ran off, and Taylor groaned. She’d have to talk to Kelly next while she wanted nothing more than to forget about the shopping and return straight home.
    “Hey, Mason.” She wanted to say so much more, but she got caught up in his stormy eyes, being thrown right back to senior year, when her crush on him had been the strongest. She noticed differences between now and then, though; his smile was more serious, his eyes less carefree, and his face more man than boy. He had a scar on his upper lip that hadn’t been there before. She found herself almost reaching out, wanting to touch it, when something bumped into her side.
    “Tay, can I stay at Max’s until Sunday?” Tim wanted to know, another time pulling on her sweater.
    “That’s three nights! I don’t think Max’s mom will be too happy with that,” she protested, the prospect of being alone terrifying her. Too many ghosts haunted those walls.
    “Oh, honey! Actually, having Tim around will gimme a break. Hey, Taylor! Mason?” Kelly joined them, another high school friend hugging her without prompting, and Taylor couldn’t get around noticing that her behavior toward Mason was a lot less affectionate.
    “I gotta go, Michigan. Keep that pretty head of yours up. Kelly?” He politely tipped the visor of his hat and then vanished inside the bank. Taylor watched Kelly look after the cowboy, thoughtfully shaking her head before focusing back on her.
    “As I was saying, it’s not a bother at all. Tamara always brought him over, so he even has clothes at our place to tide him over.” She then smiled.
    Taylor felt like cold water had doused her. Tammy surely had tried to get Tim out of the house so she could study for finals, or because their dad and the little boy were too much to handle for a twenty-one-year-old, yet Taylor was fine with having Timmy around.
    “You know, Kelly, I’m not Tamara. I can handle my baby brother just fine, so no need to take him off my hands if that’s what you’re thinking. Should you, though, have offered because you know it’ll make them happy, I might be okay with him staying that long. I do have conditions. First, it won’t happen during school weeks anymore, and second, they have a sleepover at our place next.” She forced herself to finish the words with a smile to take the edge off her words as she waited for Kelly’s reaction.
    Surprisingly, the other woman teared up, hugging her. “It’s so good to have you back,” Kelly claimed. “I’m gonna take the boys and see you at the game tomorrow. If someone can handle whatever life’s throwing her way, it’s you. Tim’s excited to be at the game with you.”
    Taylor glared at her brother, reminding herself that everyone shared everything right away and without hesitation in a small town.
    “I’ve been bullied into going.” She grinned. “But I’m excited to go.”
    “How about before I drop them off Sunday, I grab lunch, and we hang out and talk? We’ve missed you here,” Kelly emphasized, and Taylor found herself nodding.
    “Sounds like a plan. Well, I have to go.” It was true; Taylor was anxious to be back home and out of the town that had eyes on her. She didn’t turn to check who it was this time.
    “Bye, Taylor.” Timmy hugged her, making her bend down so he could kiss her cheek.
    “Bye, Tay,” Kelly added, and Taylor waved before walking back to her truck. She nodded at a few people who greeted her. Once inside the cab, she started the engine, intent on finishing her errands so she could get back home as soon as possible.

Mason had a hard time not turning back to the window to see if