“Come on, you can tell me.”
“It’s just…you think Jasper is going to do anything if it’s not what his dad wants?”
What is he implying?Yes, Jericho’s approval means a lot to Jasper. He cares way too much about what the pack needs. But he’s not a mindless drone.
“He’s not like that—I mean, not all the way like that.”
“I’m sorry. I know he’s your mate, but you have to be realistic. When it boils down, Jasper is a tool for his father to control.”
I want to hang up, flush my phone down the toilet, but I know Mason is probably acting out of some dark emotional place and not a place of truth. “That’s not fair.”
Mason takes a couple of breaths and when he speaks again his tone is noticeably lighter, like he’s trying his best to sound chipper. “I’m sorry. You’re right. That wasn’t fair to Jasper.”
I rub my neck, trying to adjust to the emotional whiplash. “Thanks.”
“Hey, listen, I’ve got to go,” Mason says, suddenly in a hurry to get off the call. “I’ll call you soon.”
“Yeah, okay—”
“See ya.”
Before I can say goodbye, Mason has hung up and I’m left in a daze. I sit in the cubicle, by myself in the quiet of the empty bathroom, until the bell rings and I need to head to class.
As I make my way to English I can’t help but wonder if Mason really does think Jasper is a simp for his dad. Does he really believe Jasper is just a mindless tool, an instrument his dad can use to manipulate situations? And if I’m with him, if I’m defending him, what does that make me? Does Mason think I’m a tool as well?
These thoughts plague me all the way through the rest of the day. I’m so preoccupied I hardly even notice the final bell ringing to release us.
On my way from the bus stop to my house I try calling Jasper, hoping he’s free and not in the middle of afternoon tea with some random wolf dignitary or cramming for an exam on human history.
“Hey!” he says, his voice like a balm, instantly calming me. “How are you?”
“I’ve had a bit of a day.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could chat but I’m about to run into a class. Can I call you later?”
I sigh, but understand. It’s not Jasper’s fault the world goes on spinning when I’m in desperate need of some affection.
“Of course.”
“Whatever it is,” Jasper says, “we’ll figure it out.”
And just like that I’m satisfied. Jasper cares about his father and about our pack but he isn’t a mindless drone, a hapless tool, he’s a person who cares and wants to make things better. And I’m not a simp for believing that. I’ve seen him in action.
“Thanks.”
“I’m excited for spring break. I’ll be coming back to the city. We can have our second date.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I can’t wait.” My heart does a little leap, sticking the landing and saluting the judges with a flourish. “I can hear birds. Where are you?”
“I thought you had class.”
“I can be a minute late. Answer my question.”
“I’m just walking down my street, about to—”
My feet come to a standstill as my house comes into view.
