So call me a whore, a home wrecker, whatever you want…but I lay back and let this man take me to places only he could. I’ll just feel guilty about it later. Maybe if I can be strong enough, I can prevent this from happening.
“Holy shit, Mason!”
“I know, baby.”
Cocky bastard.
When I got out of the shower, he still had a satisfied smirk on his face. I tried to ignore him. But no matter what, he has some type of effect on me. I sat at the island and watched as he made me breakfast. I turned my head and looked at that door to Kat’s room. I haven’t been in there since I took her to the hospital, and I really don’t want to go in there at all.
Mason placed eggs and bacon in front of me and went to grab two pieces of toast from the toaster.
“Don’t worry about that yet, okay? Whenever you’re ready, I’ll go in there with you.”
I stared at him blankly. How and the hell does he do that? He placed the toast on my plate and then went to get me a glass of orange juice. I thanked him and tried to get something down my throat.
“I have a few errands to run today, but I plan to leave you in capable hands.”
He made himself a plate and sat next to me at the island.
“Mason, we really need to talk.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I agree. I’ve pretty much went commando in you three times now.”
I waved my hand dismissively. “I’m not worried about that.”
His eyes grew wide. “You’re not?”
“No…I mean, I am…but that’s not what I want to talk to you about.”
“You don’t want to talk about us having unprotected sex?” He mused.
I shook my head in frustration. “Mason, you’re confusing me, okay? Yes, I want to talk about us having unprotected sex and that we shouldn’t do it again; unprotected or not. But we need to really talk.”
He watched me for a second while we ate.
Finally, he said, “I agree we need to talk, Allura, and we will. There are just a few things I have to deal with first, namely your father and him staying away from you to keep you safe. And well, we need to make sure Kat gets a proper home-going, you know? So yes, while I agree we need to talk, I just don’t think it’s the right time.”
Confused, I said, “What? Wait, what do you mean keep me safe? Should I be worried?”
He wouldn’t answer me. He just started eating the food on my plate. I barely ate anything. For some reason, my throat wouldn’t let anything down. I touched his arm.
“Mason, should I be worried?”
He stood and put the plates in the sink. When he turned back to me, there was no expression on his face. That told me I had a lot to be worried about.
“Listen Max, I know I’ve fucked up with you. I don’t have any right to ask you this. But I’m an asshole, so I’m going to ask anyway. I need for you to trust me.”
“Mason…” I started, but he cut me off with a wave of his hand.
He moved in front of me and lightly touched my cheek with his finger. He moved from the side of my face down to my chin, sending chills all through my body.
He said firmly, “I would never let any harm come to you, I’d give my life before I let that happen. So, I need you to trust that I will do what I say. I will not let anything happen to you, okay?”
Okay, I’m officially speechless. All I could do is nod my head. He leaned in and placed a light kiss to my lips. He then left the room, leaving me wanting more than just his lips on me. I shook my head. This is ridiculous. It’s just like it was when we were together. I couldn’t get enough of him then, and I can’t now.
I went to sit on the couch, trying to get my senses back in order, when my mind drifted back to the day I lost my best friend. We were just sitting on this very couch watching TV. Kat had been asleep off and on all day. She had a headache, and she was pregnant, so sleep was her best friend right now. It was one moment when she just sat up and looked at me.
She said simply, “I love you. You have been more than just a friend to me—you’re a sister. I’m just so glad you’re here.”
She hugged me, and I just told her I loved her too and that I was glad I was here too. She meant the world to me and, when I think back, I just hoped she knew that.
It was seconds after she got up to use the restroom that I heard her fall. I got up, and she was lying in the hallway by my bedroom. I freaked out and went to her, and she just looked at me and her eyes closed. I tried to do CPR and talk to 911 at the same time. When they arrived, and I told them I was a nurse, I helped as much as they needed me to. But by the time we got to the hospital, she was gone.
I couldn’t believe it. I demanded to see her. I wanted to check her myself, but they wouldn’t let me. Cory came shortly after, and he had to hold me. But it wasn’t him who I wanted. I had called Mason and left a message on my way to the hospital. I called him many times after that, and the phone went right to voicemail. It was that moment that I felt like I was all alone. I had no one else I could hold on to, and I panicked.