Chapter 7

Alexandria

Now, I was in Macklin's car, watching San Jose blur past through the windshield, the morning sun stabbing at my eyes like it had a personal vendetta.

I adjusted my sunglasses that macklin let me use in the meantime and slumped into the seat. Macklin glanced over at me, his lips twitching into a smirk as he drummed his fingers against the steering wheel.

"How's our patient doing?" he asked, way too amused for my liking.

I groaned. "Like I just survived a war."

He chuckled. "You don't look that bad Lexi."

I lifted my sunglasses just enough to squint my eyes at him. "Liar."

He laughed outright at that. "Okay, fine. Maybe a little rough around the edges. But you're still standing, which is impressive."

"Barely," I muttered, rubbing my temples. "How are you functioning like a normal human?"

"Hydration. And I guess I just can hold my alcohol well," he said with a shrug.

I sighed dramatically. "Not all of us have that level of self-control.. or is 6 feet tall."

"Noted. Next time, I'll be your responsible drinking coach."

"Please do," I said. "And as a thank you, especially for last night and making sure I'm safe, I'm introducing you to the best pancakes of your life."

Macklin pulled into the parking lot of The Breakfast Club, one of the best spots near campus. The second I saw the line wrapping around the entrance, I sighed. "Sunday mornings. Everyone's got the same idea."

"Worth it though?" he asked, raising a brow.

I nodded. "Beyond worth it."

We got in line, the scent of coffee and syrup already making me feel more alive. Macklin stuffed his hands into his hoodie pockets and turned to me. "So, I feel like I know of you because of Will, but I don't actually know you."

I raised a brow. "Oh yeah? And what's Will been telling you?"

He smirked. "That you're terrifyingly good at trivia, you get way too competitive over board games, and you somehow convince him to do the dumbest challenges when you're bored."

I gasped. "First of all, I am not terrifying. I am simply well-informed."

Macklin gave me a knowing look. "Will said you made him try to memorize the periodic table for fun once."

I shrugged. "I was helping him expand his knowledge for chem, plus we were in middle school, he just can't let me forget that moment."

He chuckled. "And the board game thing?"

"I take Monopoly very seriously."

"Noted," he said, still grinning. "But yeah, I know Will pretty well. Just don't know much about you."

I tilted my head. "Well, what do you wanna know?"

He thought for a second. "Where's home for you?"

"Lexington, Massachusetts," I said. "Born and raised. Will and I grew up there together—our moms have been best friends since high school."

"That makes sense," Macklin said. "You two have that sibling kind of energy."

"Yeah, he's basically my annoying older brother," I said, rolling my eyes. "But don't tell him I admitted that."

Macklin smirked. "Oh, I definitely will."

I groaned. "You're already a menace."

He laughed, then nodded for me to continue. "So, still close with your family?"

"Yeah, I try to call my parents every other day. I don't have siblings, but I grew up really close with my cousins, so it never really felt like I was an only child."

"That's nice," he said. "I talk to my parents a lot too. They're super involved, especially with hockey. And I've got three siblings—Aiden, RJ, and Charlie."

I perked up. "Oh, I heard Aiden plays too. Does RJ?"

"He's starting to get into it more seriously," Macklin said. "Charlie's more into gymnastics, though."

"That's impressive. Gymnasts are insanely strong."

"Right?" Macklin shook his head. "She can already do flips and stuff. Meanwhile, I almost wiped out on some stairs last week."

I snorted. "Athlete by profession, hazard to yourself by accident."

"Pretty much." He grinned.

Our conversation paused as we moved up in line, the smell of fresh pancakes making my stomach growl. Macklin glanced at me. "Okay, next important topic related to family—dogs."

That got my full attention. "I have a white terrier mix named Clover."

"Solid name," he said approvingly. "I have a golden retriever named Cali."

I gasped. "A golden retriever? Please tell me you have a million pictures of her."

He pulled out his phone, scrolling through his camera roll before turning it toward me. The screen filled with photos of a golden retriever with big brown eyes and an energy I could feel through the pictures.

"Oh my god," I cooed. "She's perfect."

"She's a handful," Macklin said, shaking his head. "But yeah, she's the best."

I quickly pulled up a picture of Clover, his white fur making him look like a tiny cloud. "Here's my little guy."

Macklin grinned. "He looks like he's got opinions."

"Oh, so many," I said. "He judges me daily."

"I respect that."

We finally got inside and grabbed a booth. The second I sat down, I sighed dramatically. "This place is my favorite sweet treat place."

Macklin chuckled. "Glad I get to experience it."

Our waitress came over, and we put in our orders. Macklin went all-in with a stack of cinnamon roll pancakes, eggs, and bacon, while I got my usual. Once she walked away, he leaned forward. "So, I heard you're a good cook?"

I blinked. "Who told you that?"

"Will."

I huffed. "He would."

"So, it's true?" Macklin grinned.

I shrugged. "I mean, I think so. I like cooking."

"Now I gotta try something you make."

I smirked. "Oh? You're requesting a home-cooked meal from me?"

"I mean, if you're offering..."

I pretended to think. "I guess I could make something. But you have to help."

He raised a brow. "Help? Like, actual help, or just stand around and look useful?"

"Actual help," I said, pointing a finger at him. "I will not let you take the easy way out."

He grinned. "Deal. But I get to pick what we make."

I narrowed my eyes. "Within reason."

"Obviously."

"Then we have a deal Macky," I said, sticking out my hand. He shook it, his grip warm and solid.

Our food arrived, and as we dug in, the conversation kept flowing—easy, effortless, like we'd known each other way longer than just a short while. The more we talked, the more I realized I actually really enjoyed his company.

-=+=-

Hmmmm do we like their banter? Sorta filler chapter lemme cook rq

CALIIIIIIIIIII