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My heart constricts because I never expected Mason to reject me like this. He has never asked me to leave or for us to stay away from each other. I bite my lip and then I get angry inside because how dare he push me away when he has done so much worse.
My eyes sting because I’m going to walk out and never look at him again. He wants me to leave and stay away from him. I’ll do just that. Maybe he is right. It’s best I stay away from him and leave him alone. I need to let him go. He has probably realized that it is best for him to let me go.
My brother’s friendship always meant more than whatever we had. I see that now.
“There is one thing I need from you first.”
My eyes sting and I know I have little time before I cry. This is the last time I stand in front of him, giving him the power to reject me.
“What’s that?” he quips.
“My book. I need that back.”
He motions to the chest of drawers in his room where it sits on the surface.
I walk over and retrieve it, sliding it inside my overnight bag. With my hand on the handle of his bedroom door, I turn around before crossing the threshold. “Goodbye, Mason. I wish you the best of luck.”
He doesn’t say anything. He just stares like he could not care less, and I accept that it’s the end of us.
There is nothing left.
Not even friendship.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Lucy
It’s Friday, and it’s been three weeks since the night I left Mason’s room. I thought it best to stay away from Mason and that includes changing the one class I have with him. Khalani said the therapist letter worked when she needed to change her schedule because of her depression at Hillside Academy.
I spoke to the dean of the business program and requested to withdraw from the class. I was relieved when the dean granted it for health reasons. I went to a therapist, and they submitted a note to the dean. They granted the change, but I had to pay out of pocket for the class. Since money isn’t a factor and I have plenty without asking my brother or father to fork it over, I was thankful.
I thought of transferring to another university, but my father would question it and my brother would refuse and cause a fuss.
I’m walking out of my statistics class when Gabe saunters down the hallway. He called me the day after the frat party and asked me to accompany him to his swim meet but with everything going on and me alienating Mase, I turned him down. I think he secretly wants me to watch him swim in only his short shorts, but I’m not into swimming. He smiles with his messy hair that looks great without even trying. His blue jeans hang low, and he’s wearing a long-sleeve black T-shirt that’s molded to his sculpted frame.
“Hey, Lucy.”
I give him a grin. “Hey.”
He runs his fingers through his hair, making his biceps flex and I’m not sure if he is trying to impress me or if he is nervy around me. “Do you want to go out with me tonight? There is this college bar in town, and they have great food and drinks.”
“That’s cool.” I lower my voice and lean toward him. “There is one problem.” He flinches like he doesn’t get it. “I can’t drink. I’m not twenty-one.”
“Oh, shit. I forgot about that. You don’t have a fake ID?”
“Nope. Sorry. Maybe another girl that has one might go.” I move to walk past him. “We can go somewhere else,” he blurts.
He isn’t giving up. I’ll give him that.
“Why do you want to go out with me so bad? We obviously don’t hang out with the same people or go to the same places. I’m not part of a girls’ fraternity and I don’t play sports. There is honestly nothing interesting about me to someone like you.”
He walks closer. “Because there is nothing I wouldn’t do to get to know you. I really would like to take you out. You can choose. Hell, we can go to a hot dog stand as long as… it’s with you.”
His eyes soften and I feel like a total bitch for turning him down. But I can’t say yes. It wouldn’t be fair to him, and he should go out with someone who isn’t me. I have a lot of secrets and issues to deal with right now.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
He looks deflated. “If you change your mind, call me.”
