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Banging on the front door had my heart leaping into my throat.
Mason himself practically jumped out of his skin. “Who the fuck is that?” Frowning, he released his hold on me and strode for the door.
He hunched low so he could check the peephole, and when he turned back, his eyes were wide. “It’s the guys,” he mouthed.
Shit. We’d been so careful to avoid each other at work. And Mason was sure no one suspected anything, but if I didn’t get out of here, they’d all know the truth. I spun in a circle, searching for a place to hide.
Mason pushed me toward the coat closet and shoved the coats aside, making room. “Stay here. I’ll get rid of them.”
I stepped in and shouldered my way between his coats and the wall. When I turned to face Mason, he was frowning. Neither of us spoke, and when his friends pounded on the door again, he shut the door between us, blotting out the light.
My heart sank to my stomach as I rested my head against the cold wooden door. We really couldn’t keep doing this. I was an almost thirty-year-old, hiding like a teenager. Maybe it was time to accept that I’d have to give up my job. Although disappointment washed over me every time I considered it, the idea of not being with Mason was so much harsher, like a lancing pain in my chest. I couldn’t give him up.
The brush of the weather seal against Mason’s wooden floors was barely audible when he finally opened the door to the guys.
“Dude, when did you get so slow?” I was pretty sure that was Emerson.
“It’s like he crawls to the door.” Hmm, was that Asher Price?
The next comment was likely from Kyle, and it had my stomach twisting. “Bet if it was one of his hookups, he’d get his ass in gear.”
Mason growled. “I don’t have hookups.”
“Exactly. We’ve left you alone since you’ve been dealing with the head shit, but it’s time to come out and rejoin the land of the living.” That was definitely Emerson.
I held my breath as footsteps echoed and the voices moved deeper into the apartment.
“Wren and Jana are coming. Maybe you can finally tap that.” That was definitely Kyle. “You’ve been sniffing around Jana forever.”
Uck. The twisting turned to rolling at the image that popped into my head. I had no idea who Jana was, but suddenly, I hated the woman.
A loud bang reverberated through the floor, making me jump. “I have no interest in her.”
My lips pulled up in a smile. I couldn’t say that didn’t make me feel good.
“Stop saying that shit, Streaks. I am never hooking up with anyone again. I’ve been telling you that for fucking weeks, so back the fuck off.”
My heart ached at the anger in Mason’s voice, and I wished more than anything that I could be out there with him, soothing his frustration.
“Jeez, dude. Chill out. Between you and Dragon, it’s like fire everywhere lately.” The chuckle Emerson let out was strained. “Although I wouldn’t break shit over it. I’m not looking to hook up either, so let’s go out and have fun. Leave it at that.”
“Either way, we’re not taking no for an answer,” Kyle said. “It’s our only off night. We need to let off steam.”
“No.” Mason’s tone was clipped. “I’m not feeling it.”
“That sounds like bullshit to me. You’ve been so tense lately. If anyone needs a night out to relax, it’s you.”
“Why aren’t you with your family, Price? Figured you’d spend all the time with them you could before we head out on the road again.”
“They’re in California, since it’s the kids’ break from school. Kylie’s set on taking up some work again. Apparently, the kids and I aren’t enough for her anymore. She needs something to give her fulfillment.” Asher Price spent most of his off time with his wife and kids, but his wife was a former Hollywood fixer. She’d handled bad press for the big names until she married Asher. Without seeing him, it was hard to tell whether he was supportive of his wife’s decision. Knowing him, though, I was sure he must be a million percent behind her.
A thud and a grunt came from the other side of the door, startling me from my thoughts and putting me on guard.
“Jesus, Bambi. Are you already drunk?” Mason said.
“No, why?”
I bit back a chuckle, but as the doorknob turned, my heart launched itself into my throat. No. No, no, no. This was not happening.
