Chapter 28: Twenty-seven

Confession #26: Even I was a sucker for those three little words.

I skipped my last class of the day. There was no way I would’ve been able to concentrate through a lecture with thoughts of Reese and Riker floating through my head.

I wondered how much she liked him. Did she really go for the new-age geek type? What did he have that I didn’t? Did it matter? Because the real question was… Could I honestly just stand aside and let some clueless dick take the girl I was crazy about?

Fuck, I was going to have to. She’d made her choice, and it wasn’t me.

I went home and watched ~Hawaii Five-O~ with Sarah until I needed to get ready for work. I didn’t want to go to the Country Club either. I just wanted to zone out in front of the television with my sister and pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist, forget I was the kind of person who could never ask Reese out, forget everything I’d ever done, forget what I could never be.

Once I had my brown shoes on and my pale blue collared shirt tucked into my pleated khakis, I sat on the edge of my bed and began to scroll through old messages between Reese and me. I was playing a video she’d sent me of herself on repeat and loving that mischievous twinkle in her eye and quirk in her lips when I felt a presence at the open doorway of my bedroom.

I glanced up, and my breath caught when I saw her there, leaning her cheek against the doorjamb as she watched me watch her on the screen of my phone.

I jumped to my feet. “Reese! What’re you doing here?”

“It’s Friday,” she answered, squinting at me as if confused why I would even ask such a thing. “I always babysit on Friday.”

“Yeah, but...” I usually left before she showed up. Glancing down at my watch, I realized I’d totally lost track of time. “Shit. I’m running late.”

Scrambling to collect my wallet and keys, I put off meeting her gaze until I turned toward the doorway where she blocked the exit.

God, she looked sad. And beautiful.

A glorious kind of maudlin.

“I thought you might like to know,” she said softly, “I canceled my date.”

Oh, fuck. Oh, shit. About a million emotions roared through me. She’d picked me after all. Didn’t mean we could be together, but still… She’d thrown him over for me.

Yet, even as a part of me cheered, thrilled by this news, another part of me grew cold with dread.

I clutched her elbow. “~What~? I told you that you didn’t have to do that. Why did you cancel? Did he do something to you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She blinked at me as if I were crazy for even asking. “I just… I can’t go out with him.”

“You…” Damn, I wanted to kiss her. Or hug her. I wanted to claim her as mine. Unable to help myself, I stepped close. “Why?”

“Now who’s playing dumb?” Averting her gaze, she pulled her elbow free from me.

“Jesus.” Realizing this was not a good thing after all, and she was pissed and blamed me for manipulating her, I spun away and ran my hands through my hair. “I ~knew~ I shouldn’t have said anything to you. I swear to God, I’m sorry. I was a jealous tool, and you deserve to date and be happy and…and live your life however you want.”

Or maybe she wasn’t that mad at me, because an instant later, her expression softened and she actually smiled at me as if pleased by my rant.

“Well, thank you, Mason,” she said. “I’m so glad I have your approval to live my life however I want, because I plan to do ~just~ that.”

Ah, shit, nope. She was still pissed. I just got hit with the ultimate punch of sarcasm.

When she tried to walk away, I caught her arm.

“Why do I have a bad feeling there’s a hidden agenda behind that statement?” Like she was going to go off and do something just to spite me.

“I don’t know.” Her voice was saccharine sweet and oh-so fake. “Maybe you’re paranoid.”

Worried she might call Riker and set up another date with him after all, I opened my mouth to apologize for being an ass, but she cut in, asking, “Where’s Sarah?”

“Right here.” Sarah rolled her chair into the open doorway of my room, letting me know she’d probably been listening in on our entire conversation. I narrowed my eyes at her, but Reese swept toward her as if the kid were her lifesaver. Neither girl glanced my way as they disappeared down the hall, chatting together.

I guess I’d just been dismissed. I didn’t bother to tell either of them goodbye as I left for work; I just fled out the back door and moodily made my way to my Jeep.

* * *

The Country Club was slammed with business the first half of the evening. They hosted a wedding rehearsal dinner that kept me busy with parking cars until about nine, when most of the people cleared out to get an early evening in before their big nuptials the next day.

Three of us valets had been on duty, so we took turns on our supper breaks. I went last. Just as I stepped inside to start my break and head toward the back hall to the employee’s lounge, a voice called, “Mason?”

I glanced over, frowning because it sounded a lot like my boss, Tyler, who should ~not~ be here on a Friday night. When I saw that it ~was~ him, after all, he beckoned me his way with a flick of his hand. “Would you come to my office, please?”

“Sure.” Not sure what was going on, I followed him down another hall that led to more offices. He seemed grim, which wasn’t like him. Dread cramped my stomach as we reached the door to his domain, and he opened it, ushering me in before him.

The first thing I saw when I entered was Ethan Riker standing next to his father. I pulled up short, wondering what the hell was going on, all the while knowing this would not end well.

“Is this the one?” Mr. Riker asked, glancing meaningfully at his son.

Dropping his face so he wouldn’t meet my gaze, Ethan nodded silently.

“Mason.” Tyler shut the door and sent me a disappointed sigh. “Did you park a car for this young man earlier tonight?”

I blinked at him. Out of all the things I thought they might possibly say, this was not even on the list. “No,” I said, frowning toward Ethan and wondering what the fuck was going on.

He still wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“He was a guest here this evening,” Tyler insisted. “He even has a receipt for the meal he bought.”

“Okay,” I said slowly, wondering why it was important if the dick had eaten here or not. “He didn’t use the valet service then, because I haven’t seen him at all.”

“He says you parked his car for him. At around seven.”

I glanced at Ethan, wondering if maybe he needed me to lie and say I had, to cover for him. I would, if that was what he needed; I felt like I owed the guy one for his mom, and Reese, and ~everything~. But he still wouldn’t look at me, so I couldn’t tell what he was trying to get at here. Since he already had proof that he’d been here, I decided he didn’t need me as an alibi, so I just stuck with the truth, shaking my head. “No,” I said slowly. “I didn’t park anything for him tonight.”

“Oh, so I guess you’re going to claim you didn’t do ~this~ to the side of his Range Rover, either?” his dad blustered, shoving his phone in my face to show me the picture of a tan Range Rover with a deep-ass gash running the entire length of the driver’s side.

“Oh, shit.” I winced in sympathy. That was going to cost a pretty penny to repaint.

Suddenly, it struck me what Mr. Riker had just said. My gaze flashed to him. “Wait. Why would ~I ~key his car?”

The older man narrowed his eyes, clearly not liking my incredulous tone. “He said you two are fighting over a girl.”

My mouth fell open as I spun toward Ethan. But the cowardly little prick refused to meet my gaze.

I guess he hadn’t been happy when Reese had canceled their date.

~Unbelievable~. I couldn’t believe I’d actually been willing to stand aside so Reese and ~this~ butt licker could be together. And I’d tried to help him deal with his mom too. What a lousy, deceptive motherfucker.

“We’re not ~fighting~ over her.”

He finally looked up, and I smirked, letting him know I was fully aware what Reese had done—which to him must’ve meant ~I’d~ won.

His eyes widened with crazed vengeance right before he snarled, “Then why did you key my car?”

“I didn’t even know what the fuck you drove until I just saw a picture of your ride, asshole.”

“Hey! Watch how you talk to him.” His dad pointed at me, his gaze stern with warning. He glanced at Tyler. “Look at how disrespectful this piece of shit is to his betters. Are you honestly going to ~allow~ this kind of uncouth behavior?”

My eyebrows rose at the word ~betters~. I turned to Tyler as well, curious how he was going to respond.

Wincing, he scratched the back of his neck, clearly not wanting to get involved. But then he sent me a regretful look. “I can’t say I’m happy to hear this, Mason.”

“Neither am I,” I growled, narrowing my eyes on my accusers. “Since it’s a lie.”

“Who do you think you’re calling a liar?” Mr. Riker stepped toward me, his face flaming an angry red. “I ought to teach you a lesson on how to treat your—”

“Whoa, whoa.” Tyler lifted his hands and stepped between us. “It’s okay, sir. I’ll take care of my employee.”

“I want him fired,” Riker demanded even as Tyler shooed him and Ethan both out of the office.

“I know, I know,” Tyler murmured obligingly as he ushered them into the hall. “And I promise to take the appropriate action.” Then he glanced at me and shut the door, muttering, “Dammit.”

I narrowed my eyes as dread pooled in my gut. But what the hell did he mean by ~appropriate action~? He wouldn’t really fire me, would he?

“Ty?” I asked.

He squeezed the bridge of his nose and muttered, “Christ, kid. What am I supposed to do? You’re a good employee: hardworking, prompt, and dependable. You rarely call in sick and you’re always willing to work late. The customers like you, your coworkers like you,~ I~ like you. You’re the model valet, and I’d hate to lose you, but dammit…” He hissed out a harassed sigh and ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t let this go unpunished.”

“Yes, you can,” I spat. “Because I didn’t do it. You at least believe me, don’t you? I didn’t see him come through the valet ~at all~. Ask Landon or Marley. And besides, I don’t do underhanded shit like that.”

Tyler sighed again. “Yeah, yeah. You’re not the type to do this. But what’s the story with the girl?”

“She’s my friend,” I admitted. “He asked her out, she said okay, but then today she reneged. He probably thought I’d influenced her into backing out, and he wanted revenge on me. I don’t know. That’s all I can think this must be about. He probably keyed his own car, knowing he could afford to fix it, just to get back at me.”

“Hmm. Maybe,” he allowed with a knowing nod. “The kid did seem like the type to do just that.” He rolled his eyes before sending me a glance. “~Did~ you influence her, though?”

“No,” I started adamantly, only to pause and lift one shoulder. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

Tyler smirked. “Good.” He glanced toward the door as if worried the Rikers were listening in on us before he more quietly added, “That douche seems like a total pansy. He needs to hear no every once in a while. Spoiled rich prick.”

I grinned suddenly. “True that.”

We shared a smile, until he cursed and ran his hand through his hair yet again, sending one more scowl toward the closed door. “This doesn’t mean I can let you off the hook though. I’m sorry, kid, but we have a ~customer’s always right~ policy. I know you don’t deserve it, but I’m going to have to reprimand you to make them happy.”

Gulping, I met his solemn stare. Dammit. “Are you firing me right now?”

What the hell was I going to do if I was fired? This was currently my only source of income. And I refused to return to the other source. I had some money saved, but I was afraid to dip into it, even though I’d probably have to until I found more work somewhere else. Sarah’s medical bills alone were in the three to four digits every month.

My skin went cold and my palms began to sweat.

“What? ~No~!” Tyler answered, making me blow out a huge breath. No firing. Thank God. “Hell, no,” he added. “But I’m going to have to at least suspend you for a week with no pay and send you home for the rest of the evening.”

Shit.

But I nodded respectfully, knowing I’d only make things worse if I argued with him. I’d seen other employees argue and try to talk their way out of being reprimanded, only to piss him off more and get a harsher punishment. I knew when to keep my mouth shut.

It was nearly impossible to remain quiet though, so I left his office without waiting to be excused.

The Rikers were nowhere to be seen when I opened the door, which was for the best, because I had a bad feeling I would’ve kicked Ethan’s scrawny ass right there in the hall. I escaped out a side door so I wouldn’t have to run into any of my coworkers and explain what had happened.

When I reached my Jeep, I crawled behind the wheel, defeated, and rested my forehead on the steering wheel after I started the engine.

What the fuck was I supposed to do now? Reese was no doubt still at my place with Sarah, where I’d told her I was going to stay away from her. And while it shouldn’t matter that she’d called things off with Riker—because of me—it actually did. A lot.

Since I’d promised myself to keep my distance, I, of course, drove straight to her. The girl just had some kind of crazy power over me. I couldn’t stay away no matter what happened.

I made it home in a strange daze, trying to decide what to say when she asked why I’d come home early. No good excuse came to mind, so by the time I pulled into my driveway, I merely sighed and slumped myself from my Jeep. When I entered the back door, I could hear her melodious voice floating down the hall. I couldn’t make out distinctive words, but from the sound of it, she was reading to my sister again.

I sat at the table and closed my eyes, just listening to her, comforted by the stability her voice brought me. It didn’t seem to matter what I went through, how bizarre or awful my day was, she always seemed to bring me back to an okay place with her laugh and optimism. With her light.

When muffled footsteps echoed down the hall, telling me Sarah was asleep and Reese was approaching, I tensed, needing to see her like I needed my next breath. I bowed my head, trying to put the moment off because I also felt I didn’t deserve any more time with her.

She entered the kitchen and immediately gasped, jerking to a halt and backing into a wall.

“Oh my God. ~Mason~,” she scolded as soon as she was able to talk. “What’re you doing home so early?”

I glanced up from the chair where I sat slouched and sent her a look of utter defeat.

I still had no idea what to say. I couldn’t tell her ~Riker~ had tried to get me fired. She’d blame herself. So, I blew out a breath and went for dramatic. “Fate hates me.”

Her brow wrinkled. “Huh?”

I laughed bitterly and shook my head. “I was sent home early and suspended for a week.”

There. At least ~that~ was the truth.

Her eyes widened. Pushing away from the wall, she approached me hesitantly, her face plastered with concern. “What happened?”

I snorted and rolled my eyes. “I was freaking distracted and backed into a valet car when I was parking another one. Dinged both of them.” Because I couldn’t look her in the eye as I lied, I dropped my forehead onto the table in front of me and groaned. “I think the only reason my boss didn’t fire me on the spot was because I’m usually a good employee.”

Add a tally to the truth column.

Her expression filled with sad compassion. Hugging her own waist, she said, “I’m so sorry.”

~Huh?~ “For what?” I hadn’t lied to her so she’d end up feeling responsible, anyway. She wasn’t allowed to put this on herself.

She waved her hand. “You know, for causing your distraction.”

“You didn’t. I…” I stood up, determined to put her at ease. “My suspension had ~nothing~ to do with you.” Another lie. Total lie. “It was all me. You…you’re not to blame for ~anything~. You’re the good part in all of this.”

~Truth~. The truths were at least outnumbering the lies, thank God.

I stepped closer, watching her earnestly, needing her to know that she was the best part of everything.

“You’re the warm sun that shines when everything else is dark.” Truth, truth, truth. “A smile and a hug in a roomful of disapproval. You’re…” I cringed knowing I shouldn’t touch her even as I pressed my brow to hers. “You’re ~everything~.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. Then she blurted out a nervous laugh. “I love you, too.”