He memorised my schedule.
I always wanted this kind of attention from him. I craved it all my life. But now that I’m finally getting it ... it seems unreal. Like at any moment he’s going to turn around and tell me that I’ve been Punk’d, that he was just waiting for me to fall into his trap first.
The only sounds between us are our breathing and the light shuffling of our shoes on the footpath. I glance over at Mason, who is staring ahead and looking completely relaxed, as if we didn’t have a conversation yesterday that completely shifted the way we’re supposed to act around each other.
‘Why did you come back?’ I blurt, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag.
Mase turns to look at me, surprised at the question. ‘Why? Did you want me to stay away, Blush?’
‘Answer the question,’ I say, ignoring his deflection.
‘Well. I didn’t want to come back,’ Mason admits after a few moments. ‘Didn’t really want to face everything I left behind, but I had to.’
‘You had to?’
He exhales. ‘Yeah. Something happened.’
‘How awfully specific of you,’ I reply sarcastically. ‘Really painted a picture for me.’
‘I was held at knifepoint, tied up and robbed,’ he says flatly.
I stop walking. Mason’s shoulders sag as he turns, looking at me wearily. My mouth hangs open as I gape at him.
‘I didn’t really tell anyone,’ he continues. ‘Didn’t want people to worry.’
I close my mouth, then re-open it, but nothing comes out.
‘It’s fine,’ he says. ‘I’m fine.’ He swallows, his jaw twitching as he looks away. ‘It’s done now.’
‘Jesus Christ, Mase. I had no idea.’
‘I know.’ He runs a hand through his hair, looking a little agitated.
‘Are you okay?’
‘Yes.’
I blink at him, seeing him in a different light suddenly. Maybe this is the reason why he’s acting so differently. Maybe having a close call with death changed his perspective on life.
Reaching out, I touch my hand against his arm. ‘I’m sorry that happened to you, Mase. That must’ve been really scary.’
He looks down at my hand, then covers my small one with his much larger one. For a moment, I relish being this close to him.
‘I appreciate you telling me. And for being open about your feelings. I know that doesn’t come easy to you.’
His thumb runs a line back and forth over mine. He nods and gently removes his hand.
‘I’m trying this new thing where I don’t fuck things up when it comes to you,’ Mason says.
I smile. ‘So far, so good, Mase.’
He returns my smile, and we fall back into step with one another. I let go of some of the resentment towards Mason that’s been building inside me. At this moment, I just can’t hold on to it. I’ve always wanted him in my life. More of him. But after everything that went down, thinking about letting him back in scares the hell out of me. I can’t deny the change in him. The way he is, but also the way he acts towards me now.
Despite this fear, I feel my resolve crumbling inch by inch as each day passes.
17
MASON
