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Her hands on his hand. Pulling on him to come back inside the house.
I couldn’t hear what they were saying. Not sure I wanted to. If anything, it just further confused me.
I thought she had chosen me. I thought she wanted what we were building.
Of course, I was further confused when Mason went up to his room, and Laney reached for me, wrapped her arms around my back, and put her head on my shoulder. Like she needed me.
But I’m not angry.
I’ve been taught by society to be territorial. To claim what’s mine. Because I’m a man. I’m supposed to be an alpha. I’m supposed tohaveandkeepmy woman.
Now, I could never have Laney like that, not entirely.
But I’m feeling the same way I did with Sonia and my dad. Besides the moment I walked in on them kissing, which angered me because it took me off-guard, the rest of it was easy. I accepted that Sonia was not mine. She never had been, never would be.
Sonia I let go.
Laney…I can’t. If she wants Mason, fine. But I need her to want me too.
A hand claps on my shoulder, and I yelp. “What the fuck!”
I turn to find Mason. “Sorry, smelled burning.”
Shaking my head, I look back at the grill, place raw shrimp skewers from the plate onto the grill, determined this time not to ruin them. “Scared me, man.”
Mason doesn’t reply, just seals his lips together and looks down at the grill.
I brace myself. “What do you need?”
He glances over his shoulder through the screen door.
I follow his gaze.
There’s a flash of blonde.
Laney.
My body bristles. Knowing he’s looking at her. Knowing we both want her. I am overwhelmed with swirling emotions. Feelings of want for Laney, fear she doesn’t want me quite the same way I want her, and grief knowing that Mason and I are at odds and will probably never come back from whatever her choice is.
I might lose my best friend in this.
Mason returns his gaze to me, placid and calm. “What’s happening between you guys?”
My eyebrows rise to my hairline.
Are we really doing this?
“I’m not mad. I just need you to be honest.”
I flip the shrimp on the grill. “We’re not together, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I saw the hickeys on her neck, man. I’m not an idiot.”
“I wasn’t finished.” I shake my hair away from my face, straightening my posture to look him in the eye without fear.
Mason is exactly one inch taller than me. It’s rare I feel that difference. However, I feel it now more than ever. “We aren’t together, but we have been…experimenting.”
Mason smiles. I’m not sure how to read it. “Experimenting, huh?”
