“You’re fucking disgusting. That’s like cheating on me right in front of my face,” she sneered.
“Better than behind your back,” he retorted. “I’m not a fucking cheat. In any form.”
April crossed her arms and sat in silence.Was that a dig? Did he know?
“Sorry, I’m just so tired,” she said, trying to inject softness into her voice. Things were uncertain with Mason right now. She couldn’t lose Shane yet.
“Of course you are,” he ground out. “You’re stretched acrossso muchright now.”
Did that have a double meaning? This was getting too risky. She needed out. She needed Mason to commit. Shane seemed to know something and if he did, she’d be out on her ass with nothing. Time to jump ship.
Shane turned up the radio and they sat in silence all the way home.
Mason
“That was weird. That woman April was so rude,” Anna said.
“She can be like that. Catty and jealous. That’s why I stuck up for you,” Mason offered desperately. It was all about to hit the fan. He had to get through this. He’d never go to drinks again. He’d cut April off and threaten her with any means necessary to keep her quiet.
He loved Anna. He was a fool. A skinny, short, flatulent, sharting fool. Only an idiot of the highest degree would have had the beautiful life he had and thrown it all away for four months of fun with a demanding woman like April.
“Even you sticking up for me was weird. I can handle myself Mason. Is anything going on with her?” Anna asked.
“Like what?” he wheezed. It was happening. His blood froze. She was asking him point blank. He had to lie. Or he could confess and beg and grovel for the rest of his pathetic life. He crossed his fingers that even if Anna found out, the Hulk would remain in the dark. He liked his head very much attached to his neck.
“Like a rivalry, a la you and Lilah,” Anna replied.
Phew.
“Nah, she’s just inappropriate. She’s always like that. And youarehotter. She’s almost got a man’s body. Thighs like tree trunks.”
Anna shrugged and began humming along to the radio. That was odd given Anna was against any form of body shaming. Usually if he made a comment like that about a woman, she’d call him out on it and give him a lecture about the beauty of the human body. Some crap about expressing yourself with your body being a beautiful thing or something. No doubt a dance philosophy. He’d take the win though, without even questioning it.
Bullet dodged.
Chapter 17: Shane—Weekends away and new feelings
Shane: Last night was entertaining. My morning check showed they were blowing up each other’s phone in the early hours.
Tinkerbell: Yeah, good times. With what?
Shane: She’s pushing him hard to leave you. Planning a weekend away. He agreed so prepare for some bullshit excuse. He seems off though. Like he’s trying to defuse a bomb.
Tinkerbell: I hope it explodes in his cheating, lying face. I think I’m done. I’ve had my fun and now it’s just disgusting, and I want out.
Shane: I’ll find out weekend details. We should have our own weekend. Same hotel. Same place, but way better chemistry. You bring your A-game, and I’ll bring the divorce papers.
Tinkerbell: Sounds like a plan. Chemistry? Are you flirting with me, GI Joe?
Was he? Definitely, but was it wise to confess? There’s no way she could want him. All he’d do would alienate her and end their time together prematurely. But he’d lose her after this anyway. He took a deep breath.
Shane: If I am? What are my chances?
Those damn dots appeared, disappeared, and reappeared.How starved of a woman’s affection and attention am I? No, that’s not it. I’ve been starved for a long time and been just fine. It’s Anna’s attention and affection I want.
Tinkerbell: I don’t know how to answer that. I’ll agree with the chemistry thing. But maybe that’s like a trauma bonding thing?
Shane: You’re sweet, Tinkerbell. Kind and beautiful. Definitely not trauma on my end but fully respect any feelings you have about it.
