Chapter 14

MASON

I can’t stand that stupid woman!

Gemma told me that Mom was drunk off her face and trying to move a man into our house. But not just any man—one of her ex-boyfriends.

The last one she had before she decided to start marrying rich. The one who tried to fight me when I was ten because I told him to stop wearing only his robe around the house. The girls were only four and six then; they didn’t need to see that shit.

But I had Callum then to back me up. Sure, he was only twelve, but he was there to protect us. Now, I’m the protector.

“Mom’s causing some drama,” I explain, pulling on my lip. “Do you want to stay here, or can I drop you back to your dorm?” I ask Lily.

But in typical Lily fashion, she surprises me.

“Can I come?” she asks. “Then we could come back, and you can make your so-called famous chili cheesesteak.” Her voice is full of hope.

“It’s probably going to get ugly.” I sigh, wanting her to be prepared but not wanting to tell her how bad my mom actually is.

“I don’t care. Besides, I can be there for Tayla and Gemma,” she tries to reassure me.

“I’m not scared. I don’t actually give a shit,” she states.

I look at her, trying to read her. If I can see an ounce of fear in her, she’s not coming. But either she isn’t scared or is really good at hiding it. I nod, start up the car again, and drive toward Mom’s house.

I can’t believe Lily wants to come with me. I’m nervous and embarrassed that she’s going to see and meet my mother like this. It’s times like this that I just wish I had a normal family.

“I need to warn you,” I tell Lily as I pull into the driveway. “My mom. She’s ruthless. She will say things that she knows will hurt you,” I begin.

I don’t want to sugarcoat how bad she truly is, but I also don’t want to scare Lily. “Like, she will say things that will cut you up. She shouldn’t say anything to you, but she will say some pretty nasty things to me and the girls,” I explain.

“Got it,” she says, looking like she completely understands.

I watch her for a few seconds, wondering if she will waver. But when she simply raises her eyebrows as if to say, ~Are we going to go or what?~ I nod.

“I’m here for you, Mason. You don’t have to do this by yourself anymore. You have me.”

I take one more deep breath before I open the car door.

Lily and I head inside to be greeted with blaring music, and Mom passed out on the sofa. I look around and see the many empty beer cans, wine bottles, and half a bottle of rum on the coffee table. I haven’t seen her like this for years.

I turn the music off, sick of listening to this shit already.

“I’ll go look for the girls,” Lily says, her eyes glued to Mom.

“Thanks,” I say, pulling on my bottom lip.

I watch as Lily climbs the stairs, only glancing back one time. Once she’s out of sight, I grab Mom’s shoulder and shake her awake.

“What?” she slurs, sitting up and frowning when she sees me.

“What the fuck is going on?” I ask as she slowly sits up, clutching her head.

“What, I’m not allowed to have a couple drinks after work now?” she snaps, reaching for her packet of cigarettes.

“Why are you trying to move Calvin in?” I get straight to the point.

“He’s fun,” she says, lighting up her smoke.

“He’s also a fucking creep,” I snap. “If he moves in, the girls will be taken away. Do you really want to go through that shit again?” I question, reminding her of the time Callum was two and I was a baby, and we were taken away.

He told me about how nice the foster home was compared to living with a meth head who neglected us both. He would also tell me how he wished we never came back to Mom. I always thought something else may have happened when we came back, but he would never say anything. When I would ask, he’d make a joke and change the subject.

“Are you threatening me?” She smirks, blowing a puff of foul-smelling smoke into the air.

“Yes,” I reply without missing a beat. “If you put my sisters in danger one more time or keep them up all night with this shitty music, I will burn your world to the ground.” It’s not a threat. It’s the truth.

“I will call each and every one of your ex-husbands and tell them about how you defrauded them. I will help them sue your ass.”

“You’re full of shit, Mason,” Mom retorts, rolling her eyes. “You have never had the balls to do anything. You’re a little bitch that couldn’t do anything without Callum.”

I know she’s trying to provoke me into a rage, but I refuse to stoop to her level.

“Am I?” I say in a low tone. “You fucked me up. And Callum. You fucked him up so badly he fucking killed himself. You think I’m going to let you fuck them up?” My voice begins to rise unintentionally.

“I will ruin your life. Every time you try to work, I’ll be there to let them know you are a drunk and probably back on crack. Every time you try to find another rich man to scam, I’ll be there to tell them exactly who you are.”

I lower my voice again, and for the first time in my life, Mom seems to be actually listening to what I’m saying. She looks scared.

“Are we clear?” I ask, not really giving her an option. If she pulls this shit again, I will ruin her life.

“Fine. Whatever,” she brushes me off, but I notice her hand shaking.

“Clean up,” I spit out before turning on my heel and heading for the stairs.

Instead of going to the girls’ rooms, I find myself heading into my old room. I’m not surprised when I see my bed and desk gone. I’m surprised when I see sleeping bags and empty beer cans scattered on the ground. It looks like a homeless person’s been living here.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter to myself before walking out. I don’t care. I don’t care. I repeat to myself, trying to make myself believe it. Why the fuck is she like this?

Once I leave my room, I go straight for Tayla’s room, knowing that’s where they will be. I don’t bother knocking, just fling the door open, making all three girls jump.

“Fucking hell, Mason,” Gemma scowls, throwing a pillow at me.

“Hello to you too,” I mutter sarcastically, throwing the pillow back at her.

She gives me a hug, and Tayla wastes no time in joining in. I let them both hug me for a moment before pushing them off of me.

“You’re meant to be thanking me, kissing my feet, giving me all your candy,” I say, going to Tayla’s closet where I know her secret stash is.

“And why would we do that?” Gemma snaps as Tayla jumps to her feet and tries to push me away from her closet.

“Because I just sorted out your mother,” I say, pushing Tayla out of the way and grabbing a bag of Skittles from one of those girly baskets she has on the top shelf.

“How did you know that was there?” Tayla frowns as I fill my mouth up with candy.

“I know everything,” I say, opening my mouth wider than I need to so she can get a good view of the chewed-up candy.

“If she does anything again, call me,” I add, offering Lily some Skittles. She happily takes some.

We spend about twenty minutes talking with my sisters, making sure they’re okay before we finally leave. I’m starving and really want my chili cheesesteak.

When we get downstairs, I’m surprised to see Mom actually cleaning up her mess.

“Who’s this?” Mom asks, nodding her head to Lily.

“None of your business,” I state as Lily says her name.

“Got yourself a pretty little girlfriend, huh?” Mom smirks.

I give her the dirtiest look I can muster, which wipes the smirk straight off her face.

***

I love watching Lily play volleyball. She becomes so focused it’s like everything around her disappears. The way she moves, jumps, slides—just the whole way she plays is mesmerizing.

My favorite part of watching her, though, is seeing her ass in those tiny little shorts. She tried to tell me all the terms, but they confused me. I felt like how she feels when I talk about football.

I asked Liam to break it down for me, but it turns out he is just as clueless as I am.

“Are they playing doubles first?” Liam asks me. My eyes are glued to Lily as she warms up on the side of the court.

“Sixes…,” some random guy sitting in front of us answers, turning to face us. “I’m Sam. Zoey’s my girlfriend,” he explains as Liam and I awkwardly shake his hand. “The tall girl.”

Oh. Right. That makes sense.

“I fucking love volleyball.” He sighs, turning back around.

I mouth a “What the fuck?” to Liam.

He shrugs, looking confused.

I see Lily looking around at the small crowd, a smile breaking out on her face when she sees me. She waves happily at me.

I wave back before blowing a kiss, making a blush appear on her cheeks. Something catches my eye, and I turn to see Liam making a love heart with his fingers.

“You’re so whipped.” I laugh.

“Like you’re not,” he snorts.

“True.” I nod in agreement, making us both laugh again.

It looks like the game is about to start. I’m focused on Lily when someone stands right in front of me, blocking my view.

“Hi, Mason.” It’s Mandy’s friend. I think her name is Annie or something. She smiles freakishly wide at me.

“Hello.” I nod, craning my neck to see around her.

“I’m surprised you’re here,” she says.

“What?” I frown, wondering what she’s talking about.

“I didn’t think you would like volleyball. But then again, you must love sports.” She laughs—a laugh that hurts my ears.

“Would you sit down and shut up?” Liam snaps, making her jump.

“Excuse me?” she gasps.

“We’re trying to watch our girlfriends play, and you are blocking the way and being annoying,” he replies, giving her a death glare.

“You’re such an asshole,” she pouts but sits down.

“What the fuck is her problem?” Liam asks, not taking his eyes off the court where Brittany is doing the coin flip.

“No clue.” I shrug, watching as Lily fixes her ponytail before bending down.

We watch the game, not saying anything until after the last set starts.

“Are you going to get married?” Liam asks out of the blue.

“Huh?” I frown, wondering where the hell this has come from.

“Are you and Lily going to get married?” he repeats.

“I was thinking of proposing after we graduate,” I answer honestly. “But she seems to think I’m just going to leave her,” I add.

I’d love to propose when we’re young to prove to Lily I’m committed, but the stuff with my mom has me questioning if commitment is even possible. She’s never managed to commit to one man. Hell, she has four baby daddies.

I start to doubt myself but also try to fight it. I’m nothing like my mother, and all I want is Lily. I don’t want anyone else.

“Are you going to propose to Britt?” I ask. Liam and Brittany have been together since freshman year. I’m actually surprised they haven’t already planned their wedding.

“Nah. She doesn’t want to get married. She said one of her sisters went crazy when she got married and decided she was already crazy enough,” he answers casually.

“That doesn’t bother you?” I ask. I clap along with the crowd when the tall girl spikes the ball, earning their team another point. Huh, maybe something did stick in my brain.

“It did, but now I don’t really give a shit. I’m just annoyed she won’t move in until next year.”

“Can you two shut up?” Annie snaps, turning around to face us. “Some of us are trying to watch the game, not listen to you two talk about marrying those girls.”

Liam screws his face up at her. “Meh, meh, meh, meh. Turn around,” he mocks, nodding his head back to the court.

“She’s annoying,” he mutters.

I nod, getting annoyed with her too.

“Fuck, I have to work with her friend on a project,” I whisper to him, which makes him laugh.

“Sucks for you.”

For the rest of the game, Annie is silent, thankfully. Although I’m pretty sure she is still listening to every single word we say.

When the doubles game starts, Liam and I both play on our phones and talk some shit together while we wait for Lily and Brittany to start playing.

When they finally do, we both fall silent. We watch in awe as they play flawlessly, not making a single mistake.

“Fuck, imagine if they played together in high school too,” Liam says as we descend the stairs. “They would’ve never lost,” he adds, prompting a smirk from me.

“Well, Lily never lost,” I retort. This earns me a playful shove from Liam.

“Cut it out, boys,” the volleyball coach warns as we walk past her.

“Sorry, ma’am,” Liam responds. His unexpected politeness sends me into a fit of laughter. Since when does he say “ma’am”?

I mimic him. “Sorry, ma’am.”

He responds with a middle finger and opens his mouth to retort but is interrupted when a body crashes into him.

Then it happens to me. I instantly recognize the force of Lily’s body slamming into mine. I pretend to stumble, playing along to make her feel strong.

“You came,” Lily says, squeezing me tightly.

“I told you I would,” I reply.

I turn in her arms and wrap my own around her. “Besides, what kind of boyfriend would I be if you came to all of my games and I didn’t come to yours?” I ask, not really expecting an answer.

“And I mean, have you seen your ass in these shorts?” I tease, moving a hand down toward her butt.

She stops me by grabbing my wrist.

I grin at her. “It’s pretty spectacular.”

I adjust my hand so our fingers are interlaced between us.

“We have to tick something off our list tonight,” she says, looking up at me through her eyelashes.

“Oh yeah?” I ask, hoping it’s having sex under the stars.

“You can sneak into my dorm tonight.”