Better Off Friends

“Well, I’m used to the good weather year-round,” I reminded her. “And I’m sorry I asked you to lie to Emily about when I was coming back.”

“Yeah …” She started cleaning up the counter. “Do you want something to eat?”

I’d never passed an opportunity to eat anything she made. Macallan put together a plate of fudge brownies, Rice Krispies treats, and a slice of pecan pie.

I reached into my bag and pulled out her present. “Merry Christmas, a week late.”

She hesitated before she opened it. “It’s not a Bears hat, is it?”

I laughed. She’d given me a Green Bay Packers knit hat to help me “fit in.” Everybody had gotten a big kick out of that, especially Adam. But after all the ribbing, she’d also given me a coupon for a homemade meal of my choice. It was my favorite gift that year.

She started unwrapping the box. She began laughing the second she saw one of the pictures on the DVD case. “I can’t believe you got me —” She stopped herself as she saw the inscription on the front. “How did you … ?” Her mouth was practically on the floor. This made me extremely happy.

“My buddy’s dad knew the producer on the show. I called in a favor.”

She stared down and then read the inscription on the Buggy and Floyd DVD from the actor who played Buggy: Blimey if I don’t fancy me a glass of Macallan.

“I couldn’t figure out if it was genius or dirty,” I confessed.

“Genius!” Macallan started laughing. I loved it when she laughed. She had two kinds of laughter: One was a normal chuckle, while the other was this boisterous, head-flailing-back laughter. If I had only one goal in life, it would be to make her laugh loudly every day. And that day, my mission had been accomplished.

“This is the greatest, thank you!” She flung her arms around me. “You can have as many meals as you want, whenever!”

“I’d like that in writing, please.”

Her head fell back again as she laughed and, I kid you not, my heart actually soared.

“So.” I started playing with her hair, which changed color depending on the season, like a tree. It was currently dark brown with a red overtone. “Tell me everything. How was New Year’s?”

The smile quickly vanished from her face. I should’ve known better to keep bringing up something that reminded her of her mom. “It was good,” she said. “Um, when are you seeing Emily?”

I checked the clock. “I told her my flight got in right about now, so I should call her soon.”

“Yeah, you should call her. I know she really wants to see you.”

This was why Macallan was the greatest friend in the world. I hadn’t seen her in ten days, yet she wanted to be sure I saw my girlfriend.

“Do you want to come with me to see her?” I wasn’t ready to say good-bye to Macallan just yet.

She shook her head. “No, you guys should have some alone time.”

“Come here.” I gave her a huge hug. “You’re the best. You know that, right?”

She gave me a meek smile. I didn’t want to leave, because there was clearly something wrong. But maybe what she needed was some time alone. She was trying to get me out of the room fast enough.

“So are you.” Her eyes were so sad.

While I walked the seven blocks to Emily’s house, I couldn’t get Macallan out of my mind.

My best friend needed me and I was going to figure out what to do to help her.

But first I had to see my awesome girlfriend.

“LEVI!” Emily screamed before I even had a chance to get to the door.

She ran out in the cold and kissed me, which helped warm me considerably.

“You didn’t call me when you landed; I was getting worried!” She held my hand and led me inside.

I’d been so preoccupied with Macallan that I’d forgotten to even warn Emily that I was coming. “I had to drop something off at Macallan’s first,” I said. I didn’t want to lie to Emily anymore.

“Oh, you saw Macallan?” She smiled widely. “What did you guys talk about?”

I shrugged. “Just the usual. Plus, I still needed to give her the Christmas present.”

“Oh, right, that DVD thing?” She led me to the couch and asked me all about my time in California. She hardly let me ask her anything about what she’d done over break. It wasn’t like we hadn’t texted while I’d been away, but she kept wanting to know every detail about my trip.

“Hey, how was the New Year’s Eve party at Macallan’s?” I finally managed to ask.

“Why?” she fired back quickly.

“Ah, only curious. Macallan didn’t say much.”

“Oh.” Emily looked relieved. “It was great, a really good time.” She bit her lip. “Um, there’s something I should probably tell you. It’s totally not a big deal. You know Troy was there and whatever. I was giving him the tour of the house and we were in Macallan’s room. I guess the door was closed …”

I felt a tightness start to form in my chest.

“Anyway, we were talking and it was getting late and we were lying on the bed talking and Macallan walked in. It obviously startled us, but Macallan thought we were doing something, but it was all i

I didn’t know what to say. Mostly because I couldn’t believe Macallan hadn’t tipped me off. Even if it was nothing.

“But it’s a new year, a new start.” Emily leaned in and was only inches away from me. “I shouldn’t have talked to Troy or given him a tour, but, like, I don’t know. I wasn’t even going to tell you, but I didn’t want to keep anything from you.” She started rubbing my leg. “Forgive me?”

She started to kiss me. At first I hesitated. Not because Emily was a bad kisser, but there was so much information to process. But I gave in. If it were a big deal, Macallan would’ve said something. There was no way she would’ve seen Emily cheating and not tell me.

I thought I could trust Emily, but I knew for certain I could trust Macallan.

Ahem.

You know you don’t need to say a single thing to make me feel bad about that.

I know.

But you’re going to anyway, right?

Nope.

No?

Oh, Macallan, one of us has to be the bigger person about such things.

You’ve got to be kidding. Since when are you the bigger person about anything?

Since I forgave you for your betrayal.

You’re right.

Wow! Did that actually work? I’m right? About something? It’s a Christmas miracle!

You’re pretty proud of yourself, aren’t you?

Well, it is nice to be right about something for once.

Don’t get used to it.

Oh, I won’t. You know I won’t.

It was torture. Complete and utter torture.

I don’t think I breathed the night Levi left my house to go talk to Emily. I stared at my phone, convinced I was going to get a phone call from a newly heartbroken version of him.

The phone did ring, but it was Emily.

“Please,” she begged. “I know I made a mistake and the only person the truth would hurt is Levi. You don’t want to hurt him, do you?”

No, I didn’t. But I wasn’t the one who’d cheated on him.

“I promise you that I’ll never do anything like that again, and if I do, you’ll never have to speak to me for the rest of your life. I wouldn’t expect you to, either.” I could practically hear her pulse over the phone. “I really like Levi and I don’t want him to break up with me. Please, Macallan.”