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I rush out of the dining room, down the hall, and into the bathroom, locking the door behind me. Then, I turn the sink on full blast, cold water streaming out of the faucet, and splash it on my face.
5
MASON
The dining roomremains silent for a long moment after Laney’s sudden exit.
You can almost hear the ice cream melting.
I start to get up. “I’ll go check–”
“I’ll get–”
I freeze.
Nate and I have just stood up at the same time.
My eyes narrow on him for just a moment.
This guy is supposed to be my best friend, and now he’s going after my girl?
That’s not fair, though. She’s notmygirl. Not anymore.
But he knows how the breakup ripped me apart.
For god’s sake, I still wear the necklace she gave me because I’m fucking pathetic. Because I still want her. Still love her.
So, who the hell does he think he is, getting up to go after her?
Nate’s face is blank and then he starts to laugh. “It’s alright, I’ll go.”
I start to laugh too, albeit more forced than his. “No, you sit and rest. I’ll go.”
“No, really,” Nate replies and starts to walk toward the doorway.
I match him with casual urgency. “Seriously.”
“I want to practice my walking,” Nate runs his hand along the back of one of the chairs.
“And I insist you continue to rest.”
The two of us arrive at the doorway at the same time, almost chest to chest.
It’s an even match, other than Nate’s injury. We’re about the same height, the same build. If we wanted to scrap, we could, though I wouldn’t feel good about it in the morning.
An arm darts between us. Sonia. “I’llgo check on her.”
I’d almost forgotten Nate and I weren’t alone.
There’s a whole room of people watching this dick-measuring contest. And I’m sure they all have an opinion on it.
Sonia clears her throat. “Boys…”
It would be funny if it weren’t for the primal aggression building up in my chest.
When Nate and Sonia met, she was sweet and wild. Now, she’s assumed a role as a sort of matriarch.
Nate backs down first, implores me with his eyes to do the same.
