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“He may not care.” He shrugged, turning away.
“What?” I hissed. “Why would you say that?” I grabbed his arm. He shrugged, dismissing my question, then had the nerve to ask me to dance like it was nothing.
“May I have this dance?” he asked loudly. A smirk curling his lip, he held out his hand. As I made the attempt to reject him, everyone turned to stare. I cowered from their glares and took his hand in mine. He took me onto the dance floor, purposely brushing his hand against the bare skin on my lower back.
“Have you seen Nick?” I asked, looking around the room.
He looked away, eyes scanning the crowd. “He’s around.” His eyes stopped, and I followed his stare. There were too many people around for me to see who he was looking at. Then his eyes fell on mine again, his stare intense. “I don’t regret it,” he said.
“You should,” I replied, looking around, feeling shameful.
“Well, I don’t, and neither should you,” he said, bringing his face closer to mine.
“When did you get back?” I asked, changing the subject.
He shrugged. “Two nights ago.”
“What brought you back?” I replied.
“Do you really want to know?” He looked down at me, but I looked away, shaking my head.
“I should go find Nick,” I said, and tried to let go but the grabbed my hand and pulled me back.
“You,” he said, eliminating the space between us. “His eyes searching mine but I couldn’t look at him. He bent down he craned his neck to try and make me look at him.
I raised my hand to stop him from saying anything more. “Mason—”
“I wanted you to know.” He grabbed my hand and placed it on his chest over his heart. “I needed you to know. I didn’t know about you and Nick,” he said, leaning closer. “I was coming home to be with you.”
I shut my eyes, pulling free. “No . . . I’m sorry—”
“Don’t be.” He scowled. “It’s my fault. All of it.” He stepped back and turned, staring. His arms folded across his chest, he nodded in the direction of the bar. I followed his stare and saw Nick in a charcoal-grey suit with a cobalt-blue shirt and tie. I felt the love swell in my heart, until I saw the beautiful woman with curly golden hair clinging on his arm. My head tilted, confused, and my heart stopped as I watched her touch him affectionately.
“W—who is that?” I choked. I watched a little longer. Nick laughed along with another couple, and the woman placed her head on his shoulder, lacing her fingers with his.
“Oh my god! Who the hell is that?” I gasped and turned back, glaring at Mason. He was half smirking when I looked at him. “You knew?”
“Lauren,” Mason touched my arm, pulling me towards him. The apologetic look on his face said more than his words. “I’m sorry.” My lips began to tremble, and I shook my head in disbelief. I turned and started walking away, then stopped. The anger building inside, I turned and started towards Nick. I had been beating myself up all night feeling so much guilt, and for what? He was not being honest with me either. As I approached, Nick’s head turned and he spotted me. Fear filled his face. I shook my head furiously. He slipped away from the woman, and came towards me, taking me in different direction than where she was standing. When we were alone, I spun around, staring him down, waiting for an explanation. Then Mason walked in.
“Why are you in here, Mason?” I asked.
“Should I tell her, Nick, or are you going to?” Mason snarled, turning to face his brother.
Nick shook his head, and sneered, “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
“What the hell is going on?” I demanded.
“It’s just like you,” Nick growled.
“This one’s on you.” Mason scowled, turned on one heel and walked out.
“What is going on? Who is that woman you are with, Nick?” I asked, fighting the impending tears.
His eyes shut and he started apologizing. “Lauren—”
“Nick?”
“I’m sorry, Lauren. I should have told you.” He pressed his thumb and index finger against his eyes. “She wasn’t supposed to come here.”
