Nothing was clear between them. Maybe he had never cared about her the way she thought he did. Perhaps he had decided she was too dangerous for him. After all, she could kill him by accident. Feeling like there was no hope, she decided at that moment to accept the fact that Mason would never care for her in that special way.
Skylar wanted to run, fast and far away from there, but no matter how far she might run, Mason was already etched in her heart like a tattoo that would be too painful to remove.
"Noah, would you mind taking me home?" She said it nice and loud, purposely wanting Mason to hear. She didn't know if it was her tone or that she had asked Noah instead of Amanda, but it froze Mason in his place momentarily. Then, without a word, he continued down the hallway, up the stairs, and out of view.
After the exchange of phone numbers, they headed out the door. Skylar didn't know whether to go back inside and confront Mason or let him be. Afraid of rejection, she got in the car with Noah and Tim. Just before passing the gate to exit, she turned and looked toward the upper windows.
Though she was unsure which one was Mason's room, she thought she saw a shadowed figure peering through the curtains in a second story window. What did it matter? As she desperately blinked her tears away, she turned toward the front and focused on Noah and Tim. Grief consumed her whole body and she felt drained, emotionally and physically. All she could do was leave with a broken heart. She had known this was a possibility, but she'd never imagined the pain would be this excruciating. It only proved one thing: she cared for him more than she'd realized or wanted to.
After Noah dropped her off, Skylar was absolutely exhausted and decided to skip her classes. Later that evening, she drove home to see her mom, knowing it was safe to see her again. Staying very aware of her surroundings, she kept one eye looking over her shoulder, just as Mason had taught her. Though she couldn't tell her mom the details of what she had been through, she just needed to be together with her for comfort.
"Welcome home, honey," Skylar's mom greeted, giving her a tight hug and a kiss.
"Hi, Mom," Skylar said, placing her overnight bag on the floor. Her plan was to spend one night and then go back to her dorm. She wanted to escape her roommate who would most likely ask her tons of questions about Mason. She also didn't want to put her mom in danger, so one night would have to be enough.
"From the look on your face, I'm guessing you studied late last night?"
Skylar looked confused, unsure of the question she'd asked. Thinking it was the perfect explanation, Skylar agreed, "Yup. We have exams this week." Guilt consumed Skylar, just as it always did when she lied to her mom, but she had no choice.
"Wash your hands and come to dinner. We have things to talk about."
"Okay." Skylar wondered what her mom had in mind as she entered the bathroom. She pumped soap into her palm and then ran her hands under the water. Thoughts of Mason washing her hands at the cabin rushed through her mind: the way his soft gaze had compelled her, his sweet caring tone, the way his touch had driven her crazy. Missing him, her heart pained and that was a reminder she needed to forget him. He hadn't even called or texted her to see if she had gotten home okay.
Looking in the mirror, she could see how swollen her face looked from all the tears she had shed. She had poured out all her fears, frustration, anger, and hurt, through those tears. No wonder her mom had looked at her strangely and asked her that question out of the blue. "Oh God." She hadn't realized how terrible she looked until that moment. She splashed some water on her face, hoping that would help somewhat, and walked out.
"Smells great, Mom." Skylar helped her mom set the plates on the dining table and sat down across from her. "My favorite." She smiled. Skylar's mom had dinner ready for her upon her arrival-pot roast, mashed potatoes, and broccoli. "Thanks, Mom."
"Anytime, honey. Whenever you feel like a home-cooked meal, just come home. So, how was your exam?" Gina asked and took a bite of the beef she had stabbed with her fork.
"Fine. Being an undeclared major has its benefits, I guess. I get to take various classes, but we have lots of quizzes," Skylar replied, emphasizing the word "quizzes" as she intently gazed at the mashed potatoes and patted them with her spoon.
"I see. So . . . boy problems?"
"Yeah." Skylar quickly looked up at her mother. "What? No, I mean . . . no. What makes you think I have boy problems? I'm not even dating anyone." Skylar's face flushed with warmth.
Gina flashed a huge smile. "Been there, done that. I just recognized some signs. We don't have to talk about it if you're not ready, but keep in mind, love isn't forced. Love is beautiful when it's mutual. Love is compromising. It's giving and taking. Sometimes it can be a lot of work, but you shouldn't have to try so hard. It takes two to make it right. There is no secret potion or remedy. It just takes two willing people, committing to communicate, taking the good with the bad. I'm sure you've heard some version of the saying ‘set him free and if it was meant to be-'"
"He'll run back to me," Skylar finished. She'd always shared her problems with her mom, but this one was difficult to talk about. Where would she start, and how would she explain? She just wanted to forget about Mason and move on. She decided the adage should be more like "don't set him free, he won't come running back to me," because that was exactly how she was feeling.
"Yes," Mom agreed, smiling.
"Is that what happened with Dad?" Though the topic of Dad was off limits, she needed to know. After what she'd been through and what she'd discovered with the Grand brothers, she had to get every bit of information possible, even if it meant Mom would shoot down the subject again.
"Why would you say that? You and I are trying to move forward, not backward. And no, that is not what happened," she said calmly, but Skylar could see the anger and sadness in her eyes.
Not wanting to upset her mom, she stopped pursuing her questions and changed the subject instead, "So, what did you want to tell me?"
"I'm thinking of selling our house."
"Why?" Skylar's tone was loud. She felt like a little girl, upset with her mom for not allowing her to have her way.
"Honey, I need you to understand. When Steven and I get married, I'll be moving into his home. You kind of figured that, didn't you?"
"Yes. No. I don't know, I guess." Though she had no right to be upset, she was. She felt like everything was being taken from her. Her dad, Mason, her mom, and now the stupid house. She had to stop thinking about herself. Her mom had sacrificed a lot for her. She'd vowed never to remarry until Skylar was old enough to be on her own.
Gina placed her fork down on the table, crossed her arms, and leaned forward. "Now that you're off to college and you're hardly home, I think it's time to sell the house. It's a seller's market right now and the return would be profitable. I would like to save a chunk of that for your grad school, or for someday when you get married."
What was there to say? Though she wished she could rebut her decision, she gave her mom the biggest approving smile she could muster. Skylar was old enough to live on her own, which she was doing already, but her home-her room-was her sanctuary. The room that held her memories, where she kept her secrets and wished upon the stars while looking out the window, the room where her dad had kissed her goodnight and tucked her into bed. It was the only home she'd known and loved.
"Oh, and something else I've wanted to mention. I would like you to be my maid of honor. Steven and I agreed we would have a small wedding. We're inviting our immediate family only. If it makes you uncomfortable, I'll understand."
"I would love to, Mom," Skylar mumbled with a mouthful of broccoli. Seeing her mom's eyes sparkle when she spoke of Steven confirmed she had moved on. At that moment, she knew that in order to heal like her mom, she had to let her dad go-and perhaps Mason too, but maybe not just yet.
Gina smiled, looking relieved. "Thank you for understanding. I told Steven it was going to be mother-and-daughter night, so he won't be stopping by. You know he really cares for you like his own daughter. He just isn't good at showing it since he doesn't have children of his own. So what would you like to do? The same as usual? Watch a movie and eat popcorn, or go have a wild night out?"
"Mom." Skylar cringed at her talking about "having a wild night." It was the same feeling as when they'd had the "sex talk." "Oh, before I forget, thank you for making me take self-defense classes."