I freeze, staring at a photo of me.
Me and Mason.
On his bike.
Kissing in front of the Fort cinema.
The photo is Mason’s Instagram post.
Caption: ‘Taken’
29
EVA
I’m goingto kill Mason Grant.
My pulse won’t slow down as I pace the small storage room—stocked with bottles and barrels and God only knows what else—hiding from the nosy gazes and answering texts for the last hour, including the one I was dreading.
Daniel
I was hoping you’d changed your mind. Apparently not.
Damn it.
Now, I wish I hadn’t ignored Mason. I should have known he isn’t capable of a reasonable response. Last time, he had a gun to Caden’s face. This time, he’s painted a target on mine.What the hell was he thinking?
In a way, I’m glad Penny knows. I’ve been feeling guilty, keeping it from her. Especially since she doesn’t keep a single secret from me. But as for the rest of the world… I’m terrified.
God, Jack is going to kill me.That is, if he hasn’t maxed out on stress and exploded already.
My hand hesitates on the doorknob as I draw a long breath,steadying myself before I step out into the music pulsing through the walls.
I slip out the back door into the pitch black, into the haze of smoke. In complete contrast to the inside, it’s tranquil out here, under the moonlight, stars peering through thick clouds. A massive bonfire crackles at the center of the wide circle, flames hissing and spitting, smoke curling upward and drifting through the space. All around it are rough-cut tree trunks, serving as makeshift seats. But no one is using them.
I search through the football-pitch-sized yard that stretches endlessly, merging into adjoining fields until darkness swallows the horizon. People are scattered through like ghosts in the faint firelight. But I can’t make out any faces.
“Looking for me?” A strong arm snakes my waist from behind, tight enough to squash my resistance. I look him in the eye and give him my best glare. “Where have you been hiding?” Mason grins. Smugness overload.
“I had a lot of messages to get back to,” I spit as eyes everywhere zero in on us. Something that doesn’t seem to bother him at all. I don’t understand that. This affects him, too.How can he be so brazen?
“You had no right to do that,” I bite out.
“Haven’t we established my rights already?” He raises a brow. “Or did you want to remain my dirty little secret?”
No. I’m relieved to have that weight lifted. Even elated that the pack of girls in the corner aren’t all over him. But what now? Mason doesn’t think as far ahead as tomorrow, forget weeks or months away. Or what this means for our families. I’m still trying to decide whether I should call Kate and make sure Grandpa didn’t see it. Though I doubt it; he still dictates texts to his assistant.
“No, but I didn’t want any more heat on me, either.”
His thumb grazes my lower lip, gently, testing how far hecan go. “You can’t cry about something and expect me not to do anything about it.”
My lips part, but no words come. Only the wild flutter of my heart against my ribs. Everything Mason does is so selfish; I didn’t recognize his impulse was purely for me. Still impulsive and reckless and stupid. But forme.
“Now, stop overworking that pretty little head of yours and kiss me already.” He smirks. My eyes squint, but I don’t move. “Theyare watching.” He cocks his head toward the cluster of girls.
They—because he can’t remember any of their names. And I like that now. If that’s what comes out of this, I’ll take it. Mine is the only name he should remember.
Jesus! I am starting to sound like him.
