“I can understand that. Sometimes you just need to get back that control and have something normal for once instead of the grief you feel. Just know if you ever want to talk I’m always here for you. Have you heard anything else about the person who broke into your house? I asked Lucas but he told me not to worry about it. I don’t know why they think we can’t handle hearing shit.”
“No. Mason said the exact same thing to me and said they are handling it, whatever that means.”
“Have you thought about what you're going to do with the house? Do you think you’ll sell it now that everything is packed up?”
“I thought about this while staying with Mason and I don’t think I can go back. I was so excited when we moved into that house. Mom said this was our time to start over and that we were going to make amazing new memories and we did. I had the best times in that house. But now that she’s gone and the house was broken into it’s like it’s tainted somehow. I’ll always have my memories but the thought of stepping in that door doesn’t feel right. I don’t know, maybe I’m just over thinking this. What do you think?” Rhylie gives me a look, not of pity but understanding.
“I think you should follow what your heart tells you. If it doesn’t feel right then I think you should sell it. You know you're always welcome at my place until you find something. But by that display this morning with you and my brother, I don’t think you have to worry about finding a place. Because if that didn’t scream you’re his I don’t know what will. Holy shit if you guys get married you’ll be my sister oh I can’t wait.”
She’s lost her damn mind. Yes, we’ve said we loved each other but we have kissed once and that was just this morning. I need to slow her down before she has a full wedding planned by tomorrow. “Ry, I love you but you need to slow down there. No one said anything about marriage. I mean this morning was the first time we even kissed and tonight’s our first date.” She’s pouting as if I’ve kicked her puppy. She's such a nut.
“Okay fine. But I want details on how the date went. Just keep the other stuff to yourself because that’s my brother I don’t need that mental image stuck in my head.”
“What mental image is stuck in your head?”
Shit, these guys need to walk around with a bell around them. We both jumped in our chairs. We didn't hear Mason walk in at all. Shit, looking at the time I realize it’s after five. And of course, Ry being Ry has to give her brother shit.
“Fuck Mason, you guys need to start announcing yourself, you scared the shit out of us.”
“Ya well if you guys paid better attention to your surroundings you would have noticed that I walked in, I didn’t exactly mask my noise. I’ve told you guys this before but you don’t listen. Lucas is out front waiting for you.”
“Whatever. Faith, call me later. I want details but only some. Love you guys.”
I watch her walk out and that just leaves Mason and me. I slowly look up, all nervous now since we shared our kiss. Mason’s standing in the door with his arms crossed and a soft smile on his face.
“You ready Faith?”
Why do I think he’s talking about more than just this date? Blowing out a breath I get up and walk over to him so I’m standing in front of him.
“Yes Mason, I’m ready.” It's time I start making new memories and living my life and I can’t wait to start them with him.
Faith
Mason took me to my favorite Italian restaurant, Mario's. It's a place mom and I frequented a lot over the years. We both had a love for pasta. Anytime we had something to celebrate we would come here, so for Mason to remember it's my favorite means a lot to me. We're currently sitting in a back booth, almost secluded from everyone here. Mason said he wanted a quiet place so we could talk. Waiting for our waitress to come over, I decided to start talking. I never did like the silence. “How was your day today? Anything exciting happen while on shift?'' He knows exactly how I am with silence so he's giving me a smirk.
“I was wondering how long it was going to take you to say something.”
This jackass is laughing at me. Narrowing my eyes at him, I ask “Are you laughing at me, Mason? Just don't forget that I have a certain picture you don't want the guys to see, so just remember that the next time you decide to laugh at me.” His eyes are bugging out because he knows exactly what I’m talking about. When we were kids, Rhylie and I begged him to sleep in the tent in the backyard because we got scared of being alone. So like the good big brother he is to Rhylie, he agreed. What he didn't know was that we had a plan that involved a lot of makeup, a teddy bear, and a single polaroid. To this day we have no idea how he didn’t feel us putting it on him but it became one of the best pranks we played on him. He was so mad at us the next day that he refused to ever stay in the tent again. I kept the picture at my house so he couldn't find it. We were such shits growing up. “You wouldn't dare.”
“Try me.” Giving him a big smirk because he knows I've won this round. Does that mean I still won't show the guys? No, it doesn't, but he doesn't need to know that.
“That's just cold Faith. I'm definitely not feeling the love here. But to answer your question, besides pulling over an old lady speeding, my day was pretty boring. Being a cop, that can be a good thing. How was your day? You didn't call, so I'm assuming it went well.”
Our waitress takes that moment to come over. “Hi, welcome to Mario’s, I’m Lina and I'll be your waitress for tonight, can I start you off with drinks.”
“I'll have the lasagna with a Bud Light please.” The lasagna is to die for! It's what I get every time I come in.
“I'll take the spaghetti with meatballs and a Bud Light thank you.”
“I'll put your order in and be back with your drinks.”
I wait for her to walk away before I start talking. I noticed the whole time she was making googly eyes at Mason, hoping she would catch his eye. I don't blame her, he's hot. Especially sitting here in his work uniform but he didn't even acknowledge her. The same way he kept his eyes on me the whole time, which put a smile on my face. I've never had someone look at me the way Mason does; it's as if he only sees me. “My shift started well until so many people came in to give their condolences again when they saw me. It became a little overwhelming, so Rhylie sent me to the office to catch up on some paperwork. It was a much-needed break from everyone. I know they meant well and I appreciate their concern for me but I couldn't deal with it anymore.” Mason grabs my hand and kisses the back of it and I know what he's going to say before he even says it. He's always been the type of person to think they can fix everything.
“Why didn't you call me? You know I would have come and got you. Don't you know by now I would do anything for you?”
“I know you would Mason and I love you for it but this is something I needed to do. I needed some sort of normal in my life. Staying at your place looking at the same walls day in and day out was starting to get to me. It wasn't all bad and with Rhylie and the girls because I knew that they would have my back if I needed a moment. I also decided to sell the house. I can't go back there with everything that's happened. So I’ll start looking for a new place this week. It just might take me some time so I can get everything in order since everything was trashed.” Before he can say something our drinks and food are being brought over.
“Here we go, if you need anything else let me know. Enjoy your meal.”
