Page 47 of Unburied

Mason stayed quiet, and Knox’s gaze took on a calculating gleam that sent his insides tumbling. “Me or her?”

Was he seriously going to make him choose between them? One of his best friends or the woman he... cared for? “Don't do this.”

Knox’s gaze hardened. “Shouldn't be a difficult choice.”

“Knox—”

“Me or her?”

Mason blew out a breath. “Her.”

It would always be her. The single word fell between them like a steel curtain, seeming to freeze time and everything around them.

Knox stared at him for nearly a minute, his expression still furious and conflicted. Finally he spoke. “Good answer.”

Mason watched as Knox spun on a heel and strode toward the driveway. What just happened? “What does that mean?”

Knox didn't turn around, just waved one hand over his head before hopping in the SUV and cranking the engine. Mason stood rooted to the ground long after Knox disappeared down the street. He still didn’t know where they stood, but he guessed it could have been worse.

He threw one last look at Vivi's house, then hopped on his bike. He would give her a little while to cool down, but he and Vivi were far from over. She was upset now, and he would give her the time and space she’d asked for… Then he was coming for her. Because there was no way he was ever letting her go.

He headed back toward town, disappointment curling in his stomach along with a mixture of guilt and dread. He cursed himself for the way things had gone. He knew that she had wanted to tell Knox on her own, but part of him still wished he could go back and tell him. Then they could've avoided this whole thing.

Vivi seemed furious, but he wasn't sure if she was more mad at him or Knox. He still felt like absolute garbage for putting her in harm’s way, and the need to turn around and go back to her pulled at him. Knowing Vivi, that would only exacerbate the issue. If he pushed too hard, she would just push right back out of spite.

He needed some advice. But from who? Knox wasn't exactly inclined to help him at all right now, and asking his brother for dating advice wasn't an option. He pulled into the parking lot of a drugstore and cut the engine, then dug his phone from his pocket. He felt terrible for bothering Jaxon right now, especially after everything that happened recently with Adalyn, but maybe he needed a break too. He hit the number on speed dial and waited for him to answer.

“Hey, man. What's up?”

“Wanna grab a beer?”

On the other end of the line, Jaxon laughed. “It's 3 o'clock in the afternoon.”

Mason grimaced. “Yeah, I need something right now, though.”

“Why don't you come over here?” Jaxon suggested. “Addy is resting, so I’m watching Jaclyn.”

“Nah, I'm sorry,” Mason replied. “I won't bother you.”

“Come on, man. I've got beer in the fridge, and I could use some stimulation other than the Disney Channel.”

“If you’re sure,” Mason relented. “I'll be there in twenty.”

He stowed his phone in the saddle bag, then turned toward Adalyn's house. Jaxon opened the door before Mason had a chance to ring the bell, Jaclyn propped against his chest. Once they were back in the living room, Jaxon set Jaclyn down, then grabbed two beers from the fridge and passed one to Mason. Mason cracked the top and took a long pull, acutely aware of Jaxon’s curious gaze on him.

“You good?”

“I don't know yet,” Mason said. “I think I need some advice.”

“What's going on?”

Mason blew out a deep breath. “I've been seeing this girl.”

“Yeah.” Jaxon grinned. “I got that impression. You've been acting shady the last few weeks.”

Mason scowled at him. “Yeah, well, we've kind of been keeping it a secret.”

Jaxon’s brow furrowed. “Why?”