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When I woke up again, it was early the next morning, but it was still dark outside. Cassie and Mason had left. Nick was fast asleep in the chair next to the bed. His legs were crossed and up on the bed, his arm alongside mine. I laced my fingers with his, and he jolted awake. His head turned, and he looked up at me.
“Hey.” I whispered.
“Hey.” He replied giving me a sweet smile then removed his legs, leaning forward. “How are you feeling?” he asked brushing the hair from my face.
“Better.” I choked back the tears. “Thank you for staying. You didn’t have to.”
“Don’t mention it.” His voice was soft. “I wanted to make sure you weren’t alone.” He kissed my hand.
“Are Cassie and Mason still here?” I asked.
“I think they went home. Mason mentioned coming back, though,” he said, clearing his throat. Just then there was a soft knock on the door, and Mason walked in. Now when I looked at him, I saw a different man. No matter what he had done in the past, I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to hide what I felt for him. He was going to know. Whether he liked what I had to say or not, I was going to say it.
“Can you give us a minute, Nick?” I asked.
“Sure.” He stood, kissed my forehead and caressed my cheek. My heart fluttered like crazy, and I was suddenly confused again. What was going on here? Nick stirred something in me that I didn’t want to admit. I watched Nick leave, and then looked over at Mason.
“What?” he asked, looking at me funny. I stared at him for a long, silent moment. His attitude changed quickly.
“Why do you do that?” I asked.
“Do what?”
“Put your needs aside.”
“I don’t put my needs aside.” Mason pulled his hand away. “Trust me.” He laughed.
“There you go again,” I chuckled, “hiding your real feelings.”
“And what are my real feelings, Lauren?” He sat in the chair next to the bed. “Please enlighten me.”
“You tell me, Mason,” I replied.
He shook his head angrily. “I should go so you can rest.”
“Why can’t you just admit that you have feelings for me? That you aren’t the jerk that everyone thinks you are,” I demanded.
“You’re being ridiculous.” He stood.
I scoffed, “No, I’m being serious, Mason.”
“I have to go.” He stood.
“Fine—go. But I want you to tell me that you don’t care about me. Tell me you have no feelings for me.” I stared at him. He wouldn’t look me in the eyes. Instead he fidgeted and shifted nervously. “If you don’t care, then I’ll leave you alone.” I sat up. “Say it!” I demanded.
“No.” He shook his head and turned away from me. I could feel the nerves rattle in me.
“Then I need to hear you say it, Mason,” I replied, relieved.
“Why? Why do you need to hear it? You already know. Why do I have to say it?” He said keeping his voice quiet, he looked down at me, eyes narrowed, lips pressed tightly together.
“Because it doesn’t feel real unless you admit it.” I grabbed his hand. His eyes started to water, but he never said anything. “Why can’t you let everyone see the good in you? Why do you always play the bad boy?” The tears were about to win. “I know that you were the boy who saved my life that day at the river. Why did Matt take the credit for that?”
“Because.” He pulled away gasping.
“That’s not an answer, Mason,” I replied.
“Stop!” He turned away.
