Mason stood behind me, leaning against the kitchen counter with one foot crossed idly over the other. He looked relaxed and carefree, but everything in me went on alert. The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight up and I knew he was anything besides relaxed.
When he didn't say anything, my insides clenched even further. So this is how we were going to be? Fine. I reached inside and pulled out some slices of meat. I was determined to ignore him or, at least, not let him bother me anymore than he already had. My stomach wanted a sandwich and I wasn't leaving the kitchen until I got one.
An arm reached around me and I jumped. My heart doubled in pace and I bumped against his chest as Mason reached for the water pitcher. He caught me from moving back into him with one hand on my arm. I held my breath as he held me in place. When his arm moved clear of me, I sagged in relief. Then my fingers deftly plucked out the tomatoes and a head of lettuce.
When I pulled out a cutting board and a knife to start on the lettuce, Mason placed a glass of water into my hands.
I stood there, dumbfounded, as he nudged me over with his hip. Then he picked up the knife and I watched in almost sick fascination as he started to cut the lettuce and tomatoes. A moment later, he pulled out cheese and arranged all of them with the meat between two slices of bread.
He put the sandwich on a plate and pushed it into my other hand.
I stood there, water in my left and the sandwich in my right. My mouth was open. I knew I needed to close it, but I couldn't.
He reached into a corner cabinet and pulled out some rum. After he mixed himself a drink, he sat at the kitchen table and kicked out a chair for me. I sat, but I didn't remember doing it.
He leaned back and sipped his drink. It was early in the morning so the sunrise peaked into the room more. The bass from the music was muffled through the windows and then the air conditioner kicked in. We could barely hear the party still going strong outside.
He raked a hand over his face. "They're going to be out there all weekend."
I didn't hide the grimace that came to my face.
"Logan said you went down there."
I gulped down half of my water. "You went to see your mom?"
He jerked a shoulder up. "It's not her fault my dad's a prick. I'd want to know."
"She didn't know?"
He gave me the first grin I'd ever received from him. It was a soft and I knew it had more to do with his mom than me. "They divorced last year and haven't talked since. James probably didn't feel she was worthy of this information."
My eyes went wide. I couldn't stop them. When I realized I was staring, I shoved the sandwich in my mouth. Then chewed.
His eyes narrowed, a gleam of anger glittered in them. His mouth drew shut and his jaw tightened.
My stomach clenched again and something burst in my body. I shifted, uncomfortable, on the seat. I shouldn't be there. I shouldn't be hearing this, talking to him. It wasn't right. When a full blown alarm started to sound in my head, he shoved back his chair and stood.
He took my now-empty plate and glass to the sink. As he passed, he tapped my shoulder lightly. "You should come down. I think Nate got some jet skis." Then he was up the stairs and gone.
It was like he'd never been there. I still sat at the kitchen table.
I never went down to the beach. I didn't want to chance a run-in with Jessica, Lydia, or Jeff. I didn't care about the others, but a headache had started. It grew as the day progressed. When the evening came around, it had lessened dramatically. I felt a bit more human and checked my phone.
There was a text from Becky. 'Adam likes you. You should go out with him.'
'You like him.'
I waited a minute. 'He doesn't like me and I'd rather he were with you than someone else. No one's good enough for him.'
Oh Becky. I groaned, but replied, 'Maybe.'
'Good. I gave him your number.'
And sure enough, I saw an unknown number had texted me. 'This is Adam. Dinner?'
I stared at it. What the hell was I doing?
He sent another. 'Please? I'm being a loser here.'
I smacked my forehead with my palm. 'I'll meet you at Mastoni's, 830.'
It wasn't even thirty seconds before I got back, 'See you then!'
Again, what the hell was I doing?
Mastoni's was a nice restaurant. I'd been there once with my parents, or my mom and my fake father. Analise wanted to dress up so we did. I wore a simple dress while hers was blaring red. David wore a dress shirt and khakis. It'd been good enough for me, not for her. As I walked inside the cool interior, heard the fountain gurgling, and saw all the foliage around, I remembered the fight that had happened that night.
It'd been my first two-hour run.
This time I wore jeans and a black top, nothing special. This wasn't going to be special. When I spotted Adam at the bar, he waved, and I saw he must've felt the same. He had on khaki cargo shorts and a blue polo. He looked good, but not the dressy that my mom had wanted so long ago.
I preferred this night already.
He held out a drink for me as he drew near. "Hey, I got this for you."
"You're twenty one?"
Perfect white teeth flashed me. "The manager's a friend of the family, plus, I used to work here awhile ago."
Oh. I took the drink from him. Great.
"I already got a booth for us, it's kinda in the back if that's okay?"
It was. Privacy was always good, but it wasn't long before a group of girls took the booth beside ours. When we waited for our food to come, they sent flirty looks and smiles Adam's way. I was sure they talked louder for his benefit too.