Nora’s eyes were blazing and her face went red. I immediately felt guilty for accusing her of not taking proper care of her kids. “Don’t you dare insinuate that I left them with a stranger. I know Willa. I know Jameson. And I’ve met Mason a few times before. I trust them when they say he can look after them.”
I threw up my arms, unable to stop the shit from spewing out of my mouth. “That doesn’t mean he’s responsible and knows how to look after kids.”
Nora jumped up. “That’s enough. If you take a second to think about this, you’ll realize what a tit face you’re being. I’m going to bed.”
I was left sitting amongst the pieces of the cabinet, none of which we had put together. I managed to not only screw up at work today but also hurt the one person that was always in my corner. God I was such an asshole.
To redeem myself I started putting the cabinet together. It took me four hours, a hammer to my finger and painkillers for my arm. A few loose screws and two square wooden pieces still sat on the floor after I finished. But the glue had done its job, and the cabinet would be firmly held together by a few screws and a lot of glue.
I collapsed on the couch and my last thought was how I had to start apologizing tomorrow and stop alienating my friends.
“Whaaaas goin’ on?” I mumbled and sat up on the couch. The room was dark and my brain was foggy from sleep.
“Get up and let’s go,” an unfortunately familiar voice commanded.
I laid back down and buried my head under the cushion. “No. I’m sleeping.”
My blanket was ripped away and Mason lifted me off the couch, then dropped me to my feet right after. I stumbled but caught myself by holding on to his arm. As soon as I touched his smooth skin, my whole body locked up and I stopped breathing.
So that was what his muscles felt like. I guess all my fantasies didn’t do him justice.Stop it, Stella, the guy just manhandled you. That’s not cause to fondle him.Regaining my senses, I snapped my hand back and put a few steps between us, just in case I lost my mind again.
“How did you get in here?” I whispered, only able to see his silhouette in the dark room.
He held up his hand and shook it, revealing a key. “Nora gave it to me in case of emergency.”
“Well, this is not an emergency. And you can give the key back. I’ll watch Luca and Lena again from now on. You are not needed anymore.”
“No. Now get your shit and let’s go. I’m tired.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and backed up more. “You’re not the boss of me, and I think it’s better for everyone if I stayed here. Living with you is not working out for me.”
“When will you realize that you don’t have a choice in the matter? You are coming with me. Either you walk yourself or I’ll carry you. But the end result will be the same; you sitting in my truck.”
“Not happening.”
“Oh, princess, this is definitely happening. Stop underestimating me.”
“It’s impossible to underestimate you,” I whisper-hissed, done with this conversation and resigned to the fact that in order to avoid waking up Nora and the kids I had to go with him.
I stomped back to the couch and grabbed my discarded sweatshirt. My shoes were still near the door, and I stalked over, ignoring Mason, who followed me. I slipped into my boots that thankfully didn’t need to be tied up and opened the front door.
We made our way to his truck in tense silence and a lot of boot stomping on my part. I turned into a tantrum-throwing toddler every time I was around him. I hated it as much as I was unable to stop myself.
The drive back to his farm was just as uncomfortable, and neither one of us said a word. He opened my door for me but didn’t help me down this time. Which was just fine by me. It was likely I’d explode if he touched me again.
Loki greeted us when we walked up the porch steps, and I patted him when he nudged me with his wet nose. Once inside I went straight to the guest room and closed and locked the door behind me. I sat down on my bed and sent Nora a message to which she responded immediately, even though it was the middle of the night.
Me: I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it.
Nora: I know. And thanks for putting the cabinet together.
Me: That was the least I could do. But still, why Mason?
Nora: He is great with the kids.
Me: You said that before.
Nora: And I meant it then just as much as I do now.
