My tongue had never felt heavier than it did at that moment. “My mom used a wire to perform her own abortion. She threatened to turn Mason in for having sex with me so he’d be classified as a sex offender when we were in high school. There’s nothing that makes me better than you. Trust me.”
“I know. I do. And I know you don’t think that at all, but…” She paused, sighing heavily. “Sometimes it’s intimidating.”
“What is?”
I was getting whiplash. I’d never expected any of this from her.
“Watching how far you’re going to go with Mason and Logan, and knowing I’m going to be in the same place can be…humbling sometimes.”
Humbling? I was honestly floored. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” She gestured to the guys beginning to gather together. Channing broke off to join them as Mason headed our way. “The first fight must be starting.”
“Heather.” I touched her arm.
She hopped off the truck’s bed as Mason arrived. “Nothing. Forget what I said.” She gave Mason a smile. “I’ll give you two some space.”
Matteo stood behind Mason, and she clasped him on the shoulder. “Come on, lover boy. I’ll introduce you to some friendly girls you can get to know.”
“I knew there was a reason I was attracted to you.” He looked her up and down again, but the lecherous gleam was gone. “You’re a home girl, aren’t you? You get guys, in here.” He gestured to his chest.
Heather tipped her head back, her dirty blond hair rippling, and she winked at him. “More like down there.” Her eyes dropped to his groin. “I grew up with my dad and two brothers. I understand guys.”
Matteo groaned, his hands coming to his chest. “I’m feeling the ache right here. Why do you have to be taken, and by someone who seems cool as shit?”
She laughed. “Come on. You like the name Tiffany?” Her voice faded as she pulled him around to the front of the group.
I knew she did that to give Mason and me more privacy, and the humbling feeling she’d mentioned now landed smack on my chest. I felt grounded to the steel of the truck beneath me. I reiterated some of what she’d said to Mason.
“She’s a good friend to you. Loyal.”
“I don’t feel good enough for her. Not anymore.”
“And that’s why you’re a good friend to her.” He dropped a kiss to my forehead, his hand curving around and resting on the small of my back. “Come on. We can talk later. Just stick close to me.”
I angled my head back to stare up at him. “We’re staying? I thought you wanted to go right away.”
He shrugged, glancing to where Channing was standing. “I kind of want to see him fight.”
There was no ‘kind of.’ He wanted to. I could hear it in his voice, and I knew a part of Mason missed those days. It felt simpler back then. They could fight and not care about the consequences. Things were different now. Futures had to be considered. Decisions made now could harm someone’s career.
I slipped my hand into his and squeezed. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For coming here and not thinking about what I was going to be walking into.”
He shrugged again. “It’s okay. I got Matteo here and we’ll deal with whatever happens.”
I saw how he was watching Channing. He wanted to support his friend and I glanced to my friend from the reminder. I didn’t feel like the good friend to her.
“Come on.” He pulled me off the truck and his hand rested snug on my back.
He started for the fighting tent, but I stopped him. “Heather doesn’t talk a lot about Channing or even about Roussou with me. If there’s any part of you blaming her for bringing me here, don’t. It’s my fault. I should’ve known, and a part of me didn’t because I don’t talk to her about this part of her life. I haven’t been a good friend to her.”
Mason’s eyes held mine, sparking a different feeling inside. The nerves were still there, but they mixed with another kind of tension. We’d returned home, and now that we were here, we needed to face the music. It didn’t make sense to me, but what I’d said was true. I couldn’t be friends with Heather if I only got half of her. That wasn’t being the true friend I thought I was.
My mouth felt dry, and I didn’t say any of those words to Mason, but he’d been watching me. And as if he’d read my mind, as I was sure he could, his eyes softened.
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I know, but I can’t lie. I don’t like owing someone else for covering my back. It’s nothing against Channing. I like him. I respect him, but he’s not family. Logan and Nate are, and neither one is here.” His fingers laced with mine. He started forward, leading me. “And I have to be very careful what I do. Any leaked video could be the end of my career.”