Chapter Eighty-Three

Kelsey

My gut was twisted and nauseous from the sudden change in Mack’s temperament. It wasn’t the normal cranky and grumpy mood swings I’d grown used to, it was sad and afraid, a face Mack Craft never wore.

I’d kept my composure while I laid on a lounger down by the lake with Mindy for the next few hours. Holding my tongue whenever Mack decided to make his appearance wasn’t going to be easy.

Space. I knew he needed it, but my grasp on his cliff was about to slip, and I desperately needed him to give me his hand. His pain was becoming mine, and although I’d pieced together the root of his hurt, details would give me perspective on why he was the way he was, and maybe I could help him heal.

“We should probably start getting ready for the party,” Mindy sighed, standing from her lounger. Cody was snoring next to her. She swatted his shoulder and startled him awake. “Come on, let’s get cleaned up.”

I desperately needed a shower but was worried I’d run into Mack when he still needed hi