Call Me Michigan Read Online Free

already, and all she really needed was a friend. He was ready to be just that for her until they figured out who she was exactly. Plus, he had his hands full with his own life, especially because Taylor didn’t realize yet that Ashley might not be very fond of her any longer.
    He parked the truck at the end of the driveway the way she’d asked. She shivered next to him, and he reached to his backseat for his college football jacket. It was his everything, the one piece of clothing he never let go of, but since football jackets had somewhat been their thing in high school, he hoped that this would offer her some sense of comfort and home.
    She slipped her skinny arms through the sleeves and then freed her hair from the collar while a small smile graced her lips. She grabbed her bag, making him wonder if it was a keepsake from one of her ex-boyfriends. She got out of the truck after wordlessly squeezing his arm. She had crossed only a few yards before her steps faltered.
    He watched as Taylor stared at the house that used to be her home, and Mason was glad that her father had at least kept it well maintained. She froze where she was, and Mason slipped out, walking around the truck.
    “Michigan?”
    She spun back around as if he had promised to take her away again. “My cell number hasn’t changed. If you need me, call me,” he ordered and then watched as she took a few fortifying breaths before hurrying back to him. He caught her in his arms, watching her bag in the mud where she had just dropped it. As much as it killed him, he was glad that he couldn’t feel her bones as much through the leather of his jacket and held her tighter now than he had dared to before.
    “Stop bein’ a wimp,” he reprimanded. “Put on ya big girl panties and rock that family thing.”
    She laughed, but her voice hitched at the end. “I just need to step inside. I’ll be fine,” she promised, and he had no doubt about it. Taylor had always been strong. She pulled back, nodding before walking up to her bag, grabbing it, and marching to the house. Now, that was more the Taylor he recognized. The moment she vanished inside, he got back into his truck and finally began his way home again.
    He wished he could go to Brad’s house and have a few beers to sort his thoughts, but obligations were calling. He drove straight home, finding his mother on the front porch. Dusk had settled over the farmhouse, and she had lit only a few of the decorative lanterns.
    “I was gettin’ worried, son,” she stated, crossing her arms in front of her body. Stella Stiles still was a beautiful lady and his savior most days. Her dark hair hung in a braid down her back, her figure womanly and showing traces of age. On her face, it was obvious that she’d had a good life so far; laughter lines around her eyes and her lips made her seem younger. Her blue eyes were hooded, a silent accusation in them.
    “I got in a storm and then picked up a girl on the side of the road. Mom, Taylor Collins is back.” His voice was barely above a whisper, the shock at seeing her finally hitting him. His mother knew all about his regrets of never having told her how he really felt. To his surprise, Stella nodded, her face suddenly laced with sadness.
    “I met Ashley in town, and she mentioned that it was likely to be today. I had no idea how to tell you, so I didn’t. I hoped you’d have some time before meeting her and … I know it was the chicken way out, but I couldn’t let myself see the hope on your face before realization would crash in, ruining it all,” she admitted. “How do you feel?”
    “She’s not the same girl she was when she left.”
    His mother nodded again. “She gave up everythin’ in Michigan, including her event management business. I know you avoided hearing about her life away from you, but she did very well there. The girl who left turned into the woman who returned. Plus, you aren’t the boy you used to be,” she reminded him, and he