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I grab the shrimp skewers with my tongs and put them on the plate beside the grill. These actually look good, thank god. “We’ve been sleeping together, Mason. Is that what you want to hear?”
“Yes!” He gives me a frustrated laugh. “I asked you to be honest. Because it’s obvious, Nate. I’m not an idiot. I can tell there’s something between you two.”
I am silent for a moment, unsure what to say. Do I apologize? Do I defend myself? Defend Laney?
Mason and I have known each other since we were so young that we have a sort of telepathy between us. A wavelength that is understood by no one but us.
In this moment, though, I can’t hear what he’s thinking. Not sure how I can anticipate…how to care for him.
I don’t want my friend hurting, even if what he wants is what I want.
Isn’t there a world where we can both get what we want and not hurt each other?
“I told you, Nate. I’m not mad. I just want to know.”
I frown. “Look, man, if I could have kept it from happening–”
“Trust me, I get it.” Mason drops his gaze. “There’s just something about her. Isn’t there?”
I nod. “Yeah, she’s…” Irresistible. Captivating. Exquisite. Everything.
“I just want you to be happy. Both of you. And if that means you two are together, then–”
“Mase, I know you’re not over her. I mean, we’ve all known. Laney knows too.” I don’t filter my words. What’s the point? If it’s obvious, it’s obvious. Might as well lay it all out there.
Mason flushes, a funny look on such a buff guy with tattoos running up and down his arms.
“If you want her back, fine. I’m not going to stop you from trying. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop myself from going after what I want.”
“That seems…fair.”
I hate that I have to compete with him, but he needs to know where I stand. over her. “Laney’s her own person, right?”
“Is that rhetorical?”
“Don’t be an ass.”
Mason chuckles.
I’m glad I can still make my friend laugh even if circumstances are strange at best.
I cross my arms over my chest. “What I mean is…she is a person who can decide what she wants. So, let’s let her decide.”
My friend tilts his head to the side. “So, that would mean–”
“It’s not about us fighting. It’s about Laney getting to live her own life. And when it comes down to it, her decision won’t actually be about us fighting over her, it will be–”
“Totally in her hands.”
I try to maintain my composure, though the mere thought of being out of control in this situation is going to drive me crazy.
“I like that. Sounds…fair.”
I hold my hand out to Mason. “Shake on it.”
He takes my hand, and just like that, it’s settled.
Letting her decide isn’t going to be easy. Remaining passive, not begging, not doing everything I can in my power to make her choose me, want me over Mason sounds like it will be painful.
