Blame It On The Carols (Sugarplum Falls #6)

Four | Makayla

Four

Makayla

“T his is a terrible idea,” I hissed as my mom locked her arm in mine and practically dragged me through the parking lot.

“No, it’s not.”

“Yes, it is,” I insisted. “Aiden does not want to see me. I don’t know why you would think it was a good idea to come here tonight when he clearly said he wasn’t excited that I was back in town.”

“Yeah, well, people change. Besides, it’s not about Aiden tonight.” She stopped and looked me square in the eyes as we stood outside the door. I could hear the bass as the music blared inside.

“Seriously?” I tilted my head to the side, calling her on her bullshit.

“Seriously. I don’t care about what he thinks or how upset he might be having you here tonight. We only have a few weeks until the caroling competition, which means we need to squeeze in as much practice as possible. The rest of the group is meeting here tonight, and we’re going to get up there every chance we get. Since you’re taking over Brenda’s spot, we need to make sure you’re ready. The only way to do that is to rehearse as much as possible.”

“You do know that I sing for a living, right?” I teased with a wink. “I have a few albums out and have been on tour for the last ten months, traveling the world and performing for people who pay to see me. Oh, and I’ve won an award or two.” I gave her my biggest grin and ducked as she swatted at me.

“Yes, you smart ass. But singing on stage by yourself is different than singing with a choir. Plus, this is soulful Christmas music. You can’t be popping your hips out or trying to grind while you sing songs about Jesus.” She pointed a finger at me, which only prompted me to lean forward to try to bite it.

She shook her head and sighed before pulling the door open.

I stepped inside, feeling the knot in my stomach grow harder as I quickly scanned the room, looking for Aiden.

“Over there,” my mom said, pointing to a large table in the corner.

I followed her lead, keeping my head down as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I had debated pulling it up but decided that it looked better down—not that I was trying to impress anyone. Keyword: Aiden.

He didn’t care that I was back in town, so why would he care what I looked like? I could come in wearing a garbage bag and have maggots in my hair, and he would be just as unimpressed to see me as he was last night.

I took a seat in the back, hoping to hide in the shadows while my mom took her time saying hi to everyone. It wasn’t like they didn’t see each other a few times a week, but it was still nice to see her with her friends.

I picked up one of the menus from the table and held it in front of my face while my mom started waving someone over to the table. I knew it was Aiden before I saw him because my body immediately began buzzing with electricity the way it used to.

“Hello, ladies. Nice to see you again. You all here for karaoke?” he asked, his voice unusually calm, which meant he hadn’t seen me yet.

“Yes, we thought we could use the time to get in a few more rehearsals before the big competition,” my mother said, reaching over to lower the menu from in front of me. “Makayla is taking Brenda’s place since she’s recovering from surgery for the next few weeks. We want to make sure she has time to learn the songs before then.”

I slowly looked up to find green eyes locked on me. He rubbed his lips together, his jaw incredibly tight as he clenched it. His hair was shorter than it was when I saw him last night and I couldn’t help but wonder if he had gotten a haircut this morning, knowing how I used to prefer it short like it is now.

“Well, Ashley will be over soon to take your drink orders. I’ll bring over the songbook and request forms so you can get yours in. Karaoke will start in twenty minutes.”

“Thank you. Should we place our food order with Ashley, or can we give it to you now?” my mother pressed, keeping him there longer. I knew what she was doing just as much as Aiden did, yet being from a small town, he smiled and appeased her because that’s what people in small towns did. They were friendly, even when they didn’t want to be.

I could feel the tension radiating from his body as he pulled a notepad from his back pocket.

“I can take the food order,” he said, his smile tight as if it pained him to be there. “What can I get you ladies?”

They started at the other end of the table, making their way around until I was last. I shook my head, trying not to pull anyone’s attention to me as I declined to order.

“You need to eat, Makayla,” my mother insisted. “She’ll have the—”

“Cheeseburger and fries, no salt, extra cheese,” Aiden said, meeting my eyes again.

My heart fluttered in my chest, making me squirm in my seat from the overwhelming emotions that were threatening to take over me. Of course he knew my order. At one point, Aiden knew everything about me, and that was something I used to take comfort in.

I nodded and looked away, not bothering to watch as he walked off.