Ineededhim.
Heneededme.
That was the problem.
“What’s wrong? Is Charlotte okay?” Mason asked, instantly sounding concerned. I loved how that was the first thing he asked. I loved that he accepted Charlotte as an integral part of my life.
This was going to hurt.
A lot.
“No, Char’s fine.”
“Good. Maybe we can go see her this week. We could bring cheeseburgers this time. She mentioned she liked them,” he suggested.
“Stop it, Mason,” I said softly.
This was it.
I ached for him. He had burrowed under my skin. There would be blood and tears, but I would remove him. I had to. For both our sakes.
Toxicwrath was right.
“Stop what?” He was confused. He had no idea why I was acting this way.
He couldn’teverknow.
“I think we need to take a break,” I let out quickly before I lost my nerve.
Mason was quiet. So, so quiet.
“A break,” he said evenly.
“Yes. I have a lot on my plate right now with Charlotte and work….I just don’t have time for a relationship.” It was the lamest breakup excuse ever. He would never buy it.
“You don’t have time for a relationship.” He was parroting me. It was unnerving.
I expected him to argue. To plead, maybe. He wasn’t giving me any of that. I wanted it. I needed it to be messy. My guilt required it.
“I’m sorry, Mason.”
There was a deep, impenetrable silence that seemed to go on and on forever.
“No you’re not,” he said after a while, finally sounding angry.
“Yes I am.”
I was so, so sorry.
“I don’t know why you’re doing this, but it has absolutely nothing to do with me. This is all about you. So no, you’re not sorry. Not at all.” His anger was mixed with something else. Resignation? Sadness?
“I don’t want to hurt you, Mason, and that’s exactly what will happen if I let this continue—”
Mason let out a short bark of laughter. “You act as if I have no say in this. That you’relettingthis happen. That it’s all your decision. Well, fuck that, Hannah.”
“Mason, it’s for the best.”
“No it’s not. Because the best would involve us together. I make you happy. You make me happy. How is there anything wrong with that?”
