Of course, Mason’s issues with his parents differ from mine. For starters, they’re still happily married and run a successful real estate and brokerage company here in Oakridge. They live in a fancy two-story house and drive nice cars.
My mother has never been married and sells her body to the first willing man who crosses her path each day. She’s never had a real job or owned a car in her life. Come to think of it, I’m not even sure if she has a driver’s license. And our house is a dumpy two-bedroom with shitty single-paned windows and a leaky roof. If it wasn’t for the fact my grandparents paid it off before their passing, we would probably live out of a cardboard box.
Mason knows all about my mama drama, but he never holds it against me. He never judges me for it. He even lets me tell him about all my crazy dreams of becoming famous for doing makeup and hair for the stars someday, and he doesn’t laugh. With Mason, he doesn’t look at me like I’m the town whore’s daughter. With him, I’m just Everly Greene, his childhood best friend.
I knew when he told me to meet him here tonight it was about his parents. Since graduating from high school three days ago, they’ve been on him about getting his real estate license and joining the family business. It’s not a bad career, but it’s notwhat Mason wants to do with his life. Fact is, I don’t think Mason knows what he wants to do with his life, except be with me. It’s been our plan since we were in middle school to stick together no matter what.
Mason sees himself as my self-appointed protector. He’s gotten into several fights because the boys at school said hurtful things to me. He even broke up with Holly Henderson because he found out she and her little band of mean girls were bullying me in the bathroom one day. He lectured me for two solid hours on how I should’ve come to him and let him handle it. How it’s his job as my best friend to take care of me, to keep me safe. I think it was on that day I realized I was falling for my best friend, but I’ve never told him how I feel for fear I might lose him if I did.
We’ve never crossed the line of friendship between us, but I think we’re headed there. At least, I hope we are. I’m going to tell Mason how I feel about him, and then I’m going to tell him about my scholarship and ask Mason to come with me.
When I reach our spot, Mason is pacing back and forth, raking his hand through his hair as he grumbles to himself. I drop my bike next to a tree and walk the rest of the way to meet him.
“What’s wrong?” I ask. Mason spins to me, rushing to give me a hug.
Pulling back, he looks me in the eyes, his are narrowed and searching. “What happened?” he asks.
“Nothing. My mom. The usual. It’s … nothing. You were the one pacing. What happened to you?” I toss back.
“Yeah, but you have that look. The one you get when your mom does something to piss you off or worry you. So, let me ask again. What happened, Sprite?” I smile at his nickname for me.
“Nothing happened. I got some news, and then one of herfriendscame over, and before I could talk to her, she wasalready making plans for the evening, and we both know what that means.” I huff, rolling my eyes dramatically. I don’t want to tell Mason that Fred asked about me joining in again. The last time I mentioned it, Mason went off half-cocked looking to beat a grown man’s ass. Now that he’s eighteen, looking for a fight could land him in jail, and I won’t let that happen. “I left before it got too crazy. I don’t need to be a witness to any of that.”
Mason scrunches his face in disgust. “Yeah, I don’t blame you.”
It always amazes me how he agrees with me, but he never judges me for my mother’s behavior or habits. He doesn’t look at me with pity like so many others around town do. He’s always been my fierce protector whenever anyone has treated me like shit or made fun of me because of my mom. To me, Mason has always been nothing but sweet and caring.
“So, are you going to tell me why you were pacing? What’s got you so pissed off?” I ask, sitting on the cold grass, patting the spot beside me inviting Mason to join me, which he does.
“My parents,” he starts,
“Naturally,” I tease.
Mason lets out a long, frustrated sigh. “I told them I didn’t want to get a real estate license and I’m not going to join the family business for like the millionth time, and they both got pissed and began ranting at me about how they wouldn’t pay for college unless I was going for a degree in business at least, to which I said absolutely not. Which my mom then proceeded to turn on her waterworks and got my dad chewing my ass for making her cry. It was just a bunch of shit.”
“Sounds like it,” I tease, bumping my shoulder into his. “So, what do you want to do tonight that doesn’t involve our parents?”
“It’s your turn to pick. I chose fishing last time.” It’s my turn to scrunch up my nose in disgust.
“I still can’t believe you made me hold your fish while you took the hook out of it,” I whine, punching Mason playfully in the arm. “You’re so gross! I owe you for that!”
Mason turns on me, pinning me to the ground while tickling me. I squirm and twist, trying to get away from him as I push at his hands to no avail. “Stop, or I swear I’m going to pee on you!”
Mason relents, but he doesn’t get up. His hand brushes a loose strand of hair from my face, and his eyes lock on mine.
This is it.
Mason’s eyes fall to my lips, and I seize the moment, leaning up and kissing his lips softly, hesitantly. Hoping. Praying. Waiting. Then he does what I had wished he would do for so long. Mason takes over the kiss, devouring my mouth as if he’s been starving to do so. His tongue duels with mine. His hand comes up, gripping the back of my neck, deepening the kiss and holding me right where he wants me.
When he finally pulls away, he rests his forehead on mine, smiling. “I’ve wanted to do that for four fucking years, Ev.”
I smile back. “I wish you would’ve, but I won’t say I’m disappointed that you did it now.”
Mason chuckles. “No, me neither. It was the perfect moment and the perfect kiss. One I’ll be repeating soon.” He pecks my lips and then sits up, taking me with him. I’m a little put off he doesn’t want to make out some more, but maybe we should take things a little slow. I mean, crossing the friendship line is a big step.
Mason sits with his legs out, putting me between them and wrapping his arms around me. I lean my back against him, enjoying the warmth and feel of him around me.
This is my chance.
