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"I know all I need to know. It’sallover the internet."
Daniel steps up behind me. "You shouldn't believe everything you read, kid.”.
My son's fists clench, and before the arm pulls back to take a swing, I jump in between the two men. "Mason, R.V. Now! I will deal with you in a minute."
"Mom—"
"Now!"
He bows his head and stomps off to the Entegra. Adult man or not, my son knows when not to challenge me.
I wait for the embarrassment to drain from my cheeks before turning around to face Daniel. "I apologize for my son. His comment was rude and unnecessary."
"Don't. He was protecting his mom. Comments like this come with the circumstances. Some people think I'm just as guilty as the man who fired the gun," he explains.
"Seriously?"
"Unfortunately, yes. It's what I was trying to protect you from. I'm the one who should be apologizing."
"Stop." I place my hand on his chest. "No more apologizing. Just be honest with me, and I'll be in your corner." Pushing up onto my tiptoes, I kiss his lips softly before retreating to my R.V. for the night.
Chapter Twenty
Rome
Lindsay joins me on the tailgate of my truck with her fancy Brazilian coffee. "You okay?" she asks, handing me a cup. "Mason was pretty rough on you last night."
"News spreads fast around here." I chuckle.
"He wasn't exactly quiet. I'm pretty sure the entire campground heard his rant. Mason's always been super protective of his mom, and it got even worse after Jason cheated on her. He's a good kid if you get to know him."
"Hopefully, he'll give me a chance."
"He will. Kid's got a fierceness in him like his mother. Give him time."
Andrea joins us on the tailgate, stealing the coffee cup from my hands and taking a sinfully long sip.
"I'll go grab another cup." Lindsay seems to understand Andi's unspoken signal.
"Hi,” Andrea whispers, watching me over the lip of the mug.
I smile. “Good morning, beautiful.”
She hops up onto the tailgate of my truck and settles beside me. “Mason and I talked for a while, and after reading things on the internet, he freaked out, jumping to all kinds of crazy conclusions. You said you'd be honest with me, right?" Her eyes plead for the truth.
"Of course. I have no reason to lie to you."
"Were you and Bailey part of a gang?" she asks.
I nearly choke on my coffee. "A gang?"
"Mason read that the attempted robbery was gang-related, and you're being investigated for your involvement in Bailey's shooting."
My breath leaves me in a rush. "I'm what?"
She bites her bottom lip, searching my gaze.
“I can take it.” I squeeze her thigh above her knee. Of the countless lies I’ve read about myself in the media, what’s one more?
