“Long day at work, honey?” I greeted him and popped the last marshmallow in my mouth.
“Something like that,” he said and collapsed on the couch next to me. The cushions gave way under his weight, and I was thrown to the side a bit.
“How are Nora and the kids?” I asked and held up my cup of tea to stop it from spilling. The health freak didn’t even have hot chocolate, so I had to raid his stash of herbal tea.
“They’re good. Luca didn’t want to go to bed and I had to stay up with him until Nora got there.”
I knew what that was like. It took me a while to get him to go to bed when it was time. I was secretly glad Mason wasn’t good at everything.
“What are you eating?” he asked and gave me the side eye.
“Marshmallows.”
“How did you get to the shops?” He was sitting up now, a scowl on his face, ready to yell at me. I could feel him gearing up for it. He was even taking a deep breath in when I interrupted him.
“Relax. Geesh, I was a good little girl and stayed on the farm. I found them in the back of your cupboard.”
“I didn’t buy them. Did you check the expiration date?”
I waved him off. “They’re all sugar. Basically impossible for them to go bad.”
He sank back into the couch, mollified. “Just don’t throw up in bed. The smell is a bitch to get out.”
I snorted at the thought. My stomach was made of iron. I could pretty much eat anything. “Don’t worry, your precious linens are safe.”
He didn’t respond and stared at the TV instead. I didn’t even know what show was on, having zoned out a while ago and had instead scrolled through bodybuilder memes on my phone.
“I’ll be out of your hair tomorrow. Things should be settled down by then.”
Mason didn’t seem to like that thought and got up. “I told you before, and I’ll say it again: you can stay here for as long as necessary. I have plenty of room.”
“And I said that I was fine and didn’t need to stay here.”
“Right, just like you were fine last night?”
“That was just a stupid coincidence. Won’t happen again.”
“For fuck’s sake, how can you be so naïve?”
I got up as well, not liking sitting down while he was standing over me.
“I’m not naïve. I just don’t like being told what to do.”
“I noticed. Too bad you make shitty choices and need someone to tell you when you do.”
I balled my fists and got up on my toes, making myself taller. Not that it made much difference, since Mason was a giant and over six feet tall. Must run in the family since his brother was tall as well.
“Because you don’t agree with my choices, doesn’t make them shitty,” I yelled. Damn it, and I was doing so well not shouting at him. Guess there was more calming tea in my future.
“Damn it, Stella, he could have taken you,” he yelled back, running his hand through his hair, then yanking on it. “Your mother owns this town, and you know it. Once she has you, there’s no turning back. The cops are in her pocket and nobody would dare stand against her.”
I was surprised he knew how far my mother’s reach extended. I guess it wasn’t as much of a secret as I thought.
“Don’t you think I know that? I’ve had to live with her for most of my life. I know her better than anyone. And I know there’s no way I’ll go back.”
The last part was delivered rather dramatically, my voice high, my eyes wide, and my arms waving around wildly.
“Then let me protect you, instead of running the other way every time you see me.” He was getting right up in my face, his voice still raised, his body tense.
