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“Hey—wait.” I was practically running now and the heels didn’t help. I walked around him, placing my hand on his chest, and he stopped, stepping away from my touch. I retracted my hand. “Why wouldn’t you want to change that perception of you?”
Mason scoffed, “Are you done?” He stared at me with a scowl. I averted my eyes from his stare and nodded. It irritated me and I wanted to get to the bottom of this but I decided to let it go. For now. As we walked to the car, he turned off the alarm and got in.
I definitely had hit a nerve because he went from charming to asshole in less than sixty. I cursed under my breath as I opened the passenger door and climbed in. Mason was staring out the windshield, his rubbing his thumb across his lips. I remained silent, not wanting to upset him further, but when he didn’t start the car, I felt the need to apologize.
“I’m sorry, Mason—”
“Just—don’t talk anymore,” he replied so sharply that I choked back a breath, holding it for a moment before letting it go. Then he started the car. He drove out on the main road, squealing his tires. I had to hold the door handle as he took corners. The roads were slick from the occasional rainfall that day. His driving made me terrified to be in a car for the second time in my life.
“Could you slow down, please?” I gasped. Mason ignored me. “Mason.” My voice shook. His eyes were so focused on the road and on shifting gears that he didn’t hear me begging for him to stop. “Stop the car!” I screamed loud enough that he slammed on the brakes, and we skidded down the road for what felt like forever before the car came to a complete stop. Tears flooded my eyes as I scrambled to get out of the car. My legs were so weak that I fell as I got out of the car.
“What are you doing, Lauren?” Mason called out. I crawled away from the car, crying. My body shook so bad I thought I was going to pass out. “Lauren?” Mason knelt in front of me.
“Get away from me,” I growled and shoved him back.
He caught his balance before falling back. “What’s your problem?” He asked.
“I almost died in a car crash, you idiot!” I shouted tears were streaming down my cheeks now.
“I—I didn’t know,” Mason stuttered.
“How could you? You are such a self-absorbed asshole,” I cried, stumbling to my feet, brushing off the dirt and gravel from my pants.
“Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?” he scoffed. I screamed in frustration and walked away. “Hey—stop. I’m sorry. Okay. I’m sorry.” Mason tried to help me, but I shoved him away again. I looked around once I had my wits about me again. My house wasn’t that far from where we had stopped. A few blocks, maybe more. I started walking away from Mason and his car.
“Lauren—where are you going? Lauren?” He called out. I quickened my pace, hopping up the curb to the sidewalk, and made my way home. Mason got back in his car, but he followed me down the street, pulling up, parking and getting out. “If you won’t get back in my car, then I will walk with you.”
“No!” I snarled.
“I’m sorry.” He jogged around me, blocking my path, but I walked out to the road to get around him. He grabbed me and pulled me in. “I said I was sorry.” I let him hold me, waiting for the moment that he let go. “I didn’t know.” He held me at arm’s length. “I swear.” His hand caressed my cheek. I closed my eyes, concentrating on my breathing, the way my therapist suggested.
“It’s not okay,” I replied, opening my eyes as a tear trickled down my cheek. His lips became a thin line across his handsome face, his eyes on mine as he agreed.
We walked the rest of the way to my house. As we approached the front lawn of my mother’s house, I didn’t rush to get away as I should have. I found myself waiting for him to do or say something despite what he had done.
“Thank you for walking me home,” I said rather callously. “ It was the least I could do,” he replied, folding his arms across his chest.
“Good night,” I said.
He nodded. Slowly, I turned on one heel just as he caught my hand. I turned back but pulled my hand away.
“I want to apologize again. If I’d known—”
I interjected, “Just stop apologizing. I don’t have to like who you are, Mason. It’s clear you have issues,” I replied, turning and walking up the path to the front porch. It was a little harsh, I know, but he deserved it. He needed to know that I wasn’t someone he could walk all over, and despite what I felt for him, I wouldn’t let him either.
When I turned around before going in the front door, I saw that Mason was still standing there at the edge of the lawn, watching me. I waved him off, and then slipped in through the front door.
CHAPTER FIVE
Getting ready for the club was more of a hassle than I thought. I had never before changed my outfits so many times in one day. And for what or who I should say. I hated that I was drawn to Mason’s and as much as I would hate to admit it, there were many reasons to be attracted to Mason. His eyes were a mesmerizing crystal blue with a hint of green that I could stare into for hours. He had this sexy crooked smirk that made my heart skip. I was foolish to think I had his attention and would be able to keep it. Just thinking about him made my heart flutter and my breath catch in my throat. I forced Mason out of my mind and turned to my closet. I grabbed a new dress that I had not worn yet, a red midsleeve tunic pencil mini. It was cute, and I could wear my new redand-black skyscraper heels with it, and wear them in a little before the masquerade next weekend. After my shower, I dried my hair, left it curly and clipped up the sides. Then I applied a dark, smoky look to my eyes, a touch of lengthening mascara to bring out my eyes and a hint of rouge gloss before getting in my dress. Once my ensemble was complete, I grabbed my purse and left.
When I arrived at the club, Gravity, I parked my car a block away because valet was out of my price range. I made my way to the club, avoiding a few creepy stares along the way. What put a damper on my night was the bouncer. He kept telling me to get in line. Cassie was not answering her phone either.
As I dialed her again, I tried to talk the bouncer into letting me in. “Look, my best friend is Cassie Harper. I’m supposed to meet her here tonight. Her boyfriend is Charlie, the owner.” I emphasized owner.
“ Your name is not on the list, so back it up, lady. You think I haven’t heard that excuse before?” He chuckled and crossed his arms, ignoring me again. I cursed under my breath and turned around to find Mason Foster walking towards me. I made a last attempt to reach Cassie before deciding to leave, and unfortunately she didn’t answer. Mason strolled towards me, with two voluptuous women on each arm. He grinned at me when he noticed I was standing there.
“Ugh, creep ,” I muttered, stepping out of his way. Then I realized he was my ticket in. “Mason.” I reached out to grab his arm. He let the woman walk ahead of him before actually turning around to face me.
