AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Like Seth.
Like her father.
How can she forgive me? And now I want to be in her life more than I have ever wanted anything else.
“Do you know who the father is?” I ask, looking away from Scar’s house and back to my parents.
Dad shakes his head solemnly. “No, and she keeps a pretty tight lip about it.”
I glance back to the house and notice Shaun sitting on the porch swing, sucking on a popsicle while Scar pulls her guitar from the case and plays for him. I see her lips moving, which means she’s singing. He looks so entranced by his mother, just like how I used to be whenever I heard her play without her knowing I was present.
I would do anything to feel that once again.
TWENTY-SIX
MAVERICK
While raking my parents' yard on a cool fall day, I see Mason pull into the driveway with his truck. Stepping out of his vehicle, he wore a suit and high-top Vans. I chuckle and lean on the rake, waiting for him to approach me.
"What's up?" Mason said, and I tip my chin in greeting.
"Nothing. What are you doing here?" I asked, curious about his unexpected visit.
Mason unbuttoned a button on his suit and tucked his hands into his pockets. "Just came to see your ugly mug," he shrugs with a grin.
I toss the rake on the ground and pull him into a bro hug. "It's good to see you," I said as he patted my back.
"You too," he responds, and I invite him in for a beer.
We sit on the back patio, enjoying the sun's warmth. I lift my beer to my lips and take a refreshing sip, feeling the coolness of the liquid against my tongue. As I lowered the bottle, I caught a glimpse of him to my left, his gaze focused intently on the house next door.
"Have you spoken with her since you’ve seen her?" He asks.
"No, and I don’t think she wants to see me." I respond.
He threw his head back and barked a laugh. "You fucked up already?"
"Fuck off," I mutter, taking another drink. I can’t help but think back at all the times it was easy to talk to Scar or how comfortable she was around me when we were younger.
"I just wish things would be easier between us," I admit.
"Don't be too hard on yourself. Things were rocky after Seth left," Mason said, his voice filled with sadness.
"Nah, it was before that."
"Oh, you mean when Skylar decided to crash the party."
I scoff. "Yeah, she was like an infestation that refused to leave."
Mason laughs at that, and I couldn't help but feel regret for letting Skylar into our lives. Sure, she was related to them by blood, but as soon as I smiled at her just to be friendly, she dug her claws into me too deep.
"I get it, man. She was a class-A bitch to Scar. You did what you thought you had to do to keep her from attacking her. I would've done the same thing," Mason said, trying to make me feel better.
As soon as I saw what type of person Skylar truly was, I knew I had to do what I could to keep her from hurting Scar, even if it meant I ended up hurting my Tink in the process.
We stayed quiet, taking in the fall vibe, until Mason spoke up. "Do you remember the summer before senior year of high school when we stayed at the cabin for the weekend?"
I nodded and smiled, remembering how life was simple and Seth was still alive.
