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Priorities will come later. For now, I need to play pretend.
I sprint over to the couch, leap into a laying position, and lock my eyes so tight that even a children’s production ofRomeo and Julietwouldn’t want me as a dead body.
With my eyes closed, my hearing is enhanced.
Nate’s deep breath. His few steps to the door, creaking wood under him. His hand hitting the doorknob. The tumbler unlocking. The swing of the hinges.
“Mason! What the hell are you doing here?!”
Showtime.
16
MASON
I don’t havea good excuse for being here.
Jealousy and desperation aren’t a good look.
“I was in the neighborhood.” I tick my head, swishing some hair off my forehead.
“Come here, idiot.” Nate pulls me into a hug.
The hug is so genuine. After how we left things, I can’t help but be suspicious.
I survey the cabin over his shoulder. Everything looks about the same as it did the last time I was here, save the big difference of the pretty blonde girl curled up on the couch.
When we pull apart, I nod at Laney on the couch. “Wild late nights, huh?”
Nate laughs.
Is that a hint of anxiety I hear?
“Just a lot of quality napping time. We’re usually in bed by nine.”
Together?
“Are you just stopping by for the day or…”
I give him a placid smile. “I thought I’d at least stay the night.”
“Oh!” Nate nods. “Bag’s in the car?”
My friend starts to move past me to the door, but I head him off at the pass. “No way am I letting my formerly wheelchair-bound friend get my bags out of my truck.”
“Come on, I’m not an invalid.”
“I don’t think Laney would like that, Nate.”
For a split second, I swear there’s a bit of fire in his eye that melts the ice. A flicker that might be anger. Might be fear.
Whatever it is, it doesn’t lessen my guard.
“We just don’t tell her.”
Laney sits up. “Tell me what?”
Her face is far too awake to have been asleep. But I smile and play dumb. “Hey, Laney.”
