She didn’t feel the tear escape—wouldn’t have even known that she’d started crying until he brushed a thumb over her cheek. Lacey let out an embarrassed laugh. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t ever apologize to me, beautiful.” Mack gave her a pointed look, then he pulled her close once more.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Anger wasthe first sensation Mack recognized when he’d heard Lacey’s confession. He released it just as quickly as it came. He didn’t know the whole story. She was a teenager. She’d likely needed to have help raising Bridger. There was no telling what she was going through and how her parents chose to help.
The only reason that anger came to the surface was the way Lacey had said it. Clearly, she’d been hurt or betrayed by her parents in this situation. Regardless, he’d spoken the truth.
Lacey was a good mother. She did everything she could to take care of her son. He might even say she was overly protective.
They finished their dance, and a faster song started playing. He didn’t want to yell over the music, so he led her toward the counter where they could order some drinks, and then he took her to a corner of the room.
She didn’t seem against the idea of sitting for a little while. He got the distinct feeling that she might even want to talk more about her past. But when they settled down in their chairs, she didn’t add to her story.
Mack could have pried. He could have asked her to tell him more so he knew whether or not he should be mad at her parents. Instead, he chose to share something himself.
He stared at his soda and spun the cup around as he gathered his thoughts. “My parents haven’t exactly been on my side, either.” Mack could sense her surprise. She’d likely thought that his folks were great. She’d been to the house and other events when she’d been invited by Sammie. Still, he pushed forward.
“I never made the best choices. To this day, they’re still trying to get me to follow a path they think is best for me.”
“At least they believe in you,” she murmured.
He snorted. “Not in the way you might think.” Mack risked looking up at her, and the world around them faded away. Her eyes seemed to be capable of looking deep into his soul. He wouldn’t be surprised if he added nothing to this conversation, and she would still understand him.
Lacey cocked her head, indicating she was curious what he meant.
This woman had the ability to pin him to his spot and make him feel like the most important person in the world, and he got the feeling she didn’t even know she was doing it.
Leaning back in his chair, he let out a wry chuckle. “I think I told you that I was interested in the rodeo.”
She nodded, but that was all.
“Well, my folks don’t think it’s a viable option for a career. To them, it’s a hobby—and a dangerous one at that. They don’t think I’d make anything of myself. If I had to guess, I’d say they’dwant me to take the money they saved for me and go to college, even though I’d be one of the oldest freshmen there.”
Lacey leaned forward. “So, you think that they’re not proud of you, and you’re just a big disappointment.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Sounds about right.”
“Well, what are you going to do? You’re not going to listen to them, are you? You’re going to chase after your dream, right?”
Mack stiffened. She’d practically said the same thing Caleb had. Chase his dreams. Do what makes him happy. And he needed to stop caring about what his folks thought. He swallowed the lump of emotion in his throat. “Actually, I was thinking about doing just that.”
She grinned, situating herself back in her seat once more. “Good. Because I think we should all be doing something that brings us happiness.”
He matched her smile with one of his own. “Yeah. We should.”
Silence fell between them again, and his thoughts drifted to the other elephant in the room—the reason she didn’t want to go on a date with him.
“So…” he drawled, “what about Angela?”
Immediately, she frowned.
“I know it bothers you that she liked me.”
Lacey huffed. “I’m pretty sure she’s obsessed with you. She still talks about you.”
“I can’t control that.”
