“What’s wrong?” he quirked a brow as he studied me. “I thought. I mean the way you look at me. I thought…” he shook his head trying to clear it. “I don’t understand you, Dani.”
My head spun with his confession and all the feelings that he’d evoked in me with one simple kiss, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to be what I knew he wanted. He didn’t want me, he wanted to get laid and I just happened to be the one who was here. “I’m not sleeping with you,” I panted as I turned away so I wouldn’t have to look at him.
He chuckled humorlessly, “I know.”
I looked back over my shoulder and glared at him, “Don’t be an ass.”
“Listen,” he ran his palms down his face. “I like you. I don’t understand it, but I do. I thought you liked me too. I mean, you’re here,” he motioned around the room. “Tell me I’m wrong, and I’ll take you home and never bother you again.”
I twisted my fingers in my lap as I slowly turned in his direction. I didn’t know how to handle him. Could I be around him, and still keep my morals intact? Mason made me want things that I’d told myself I wouldn’t give in to. He was challenging me to open up, to be someone that I only dreamed of being…popular. Could I be in the spotlight that I knew would be cast on me if I was with him? Would he even want me there? “I do like you,” I whispered as I looked up at him through my lashes. “I just,” I paused as I watched him. “You’re different with me. I don’t like the other you very much. How am I supposed to know which Mason I’m with?”
“I didn’t know there were two of me?” he laughed as he gripped the back of his neck with his hand. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, be honest. Can you be this Mason all the time?” I reached over and grabbed his hand, entwining our fingers.
“I can try,” he sighed. “You have to go easy on me. I’m not used to girls like you,” he glanced over at me before tugging on my arm, causing me to lean into his side.
“Girls like me?” I scrunched up my nose in confusion.
“Nice girls,” he clarified. “Come on. I’ll take you home.”
“You don’t have to,” I stared at him.
“Yeah I do. If I don’t, I might not be able to keep my promise. My body and brain aren’t on the same wavelength when you’re around,” he snickered and I felt my cheeks heat. “Come on,” he stood and offered his hand to lead me out to his car. What the hell did I just agree to? Were Mason and I dating now? What would Amber say to this, or more importantly, what are Brad and Chris gonna do to me now?
Chapter 7
Danielle
Present Day…
“Honey, are you sure you don’t need my help?” my father called from the living room. After four days of searching and checking things out, I’d finally found a place. I was moving into the same building that Sam lived in. According to her, I’d purchased Dev’s old place. He’d rented it, but I was fortunate enough to convince the owners to sell it to me.
“No, Dad. You relax. Amber and I’ve got it,” I called as I jogged out the door that led into the garage. Amber had come over this morning and we were slowly packing the U-Haul that I’d rented. Her boyfriend, Mark, was supposed to be coming to help with the heavy stuff and driving the truck. My dad had had a heart attack a few years back, and I didn’t want him hurting himself.
“Well, you just let me know,” he called out just as the door slammed shut behind me. I laughed as I shook my head. My parents had always been there for me even when things with Mason fell apart. They didn’t know the extent of what happened, and I had no intention of telling them, but they’d always been supportive by letting me come and go through their house.
“What’s that all about?” Amber placed her hands on her hips as she stared at me.
“Dad still thinks he’s forty,” I giggled. “So, where’s this man of yours? I wanna meet him.”
“Working. He’ll be here in a couple of hours, I think,” Amber smiled a goofy smile and I knew right then how much she loved this guy.
“On a Saturday,” I crinkled my nose.
“He’s a cop,” she shrugged. They don’t get weekends off.”
“Right,” I nodded. “So, how did you two meet?”
“At the gym,” she snorted. “Can you believe it?”
“You. The gym. Where’s the Amber I knew back in the day?” I laughed even harder as she stomped up to me and shoved my shoulder.
“I could say the same about you,” she motioned in front of me. “If I was out somewhere, I wouldn’t even know it was you.”
“I haven’t changed that much,” I rolled my eyes.
“Yes you have. No glasses, no braces, no curly hair, you went all model on me,” she giggled as she pushed me again. “You move away for eight years, and come back looking like the girls we used to make fun of.”
“I grew up. There’s a difference,” I sighed as I shook my head. “Are you gonna help me or not,” I motioned to where the storage room sat open and full of boxes.
I turned and began walking over to grab the first box when I tripped over a small crack in the driveway. I stumbled slightly, but caught myself before falling flat on my face. “There you are!” Amber laughed. “Good to know part of the old you is still in there.”
“Shut up,” I grumbled as I stepped into the storage room, lifted a box, and began carrying it to the truck.
We both made several trips carrying my stuff before Mark showed up with some buddies to help. As the guys climbed out of an SUV that they parked by the sidewalk, I couldn’t help but stare. Dev and Jase along with someone that I didn’t recognize stepped around the Explorer, causing my mouth to drop open. It was like a hot cop convention. There they all stood in shorts and tight t-shirts with their muscles bulging. I swallowed as they moved closer and Mark introduced us.
“You don’t even know her,” Amber slugged him in the stomach playfully.
“But I know you, and you’re the only other one here. She has to be Dani,” he motioned to me before winking.
“Hi,” I stuttered as I reach my hand out to shake his. “Thanks for the help.”
“You’re welcome. Brought some friends,” his chin tipped in the direction of the eye candy currently filling my driveway. “This is Jase, Dev, and Jeff. They work in the same precinct as me.”
“Thanks. We’ve gotten most of the boxes, but there’s a couch and a few other pieces of furniture in there if you guys want to grab those,” I motioned to the open doorway that Amber and I had been dragging stuff through for the past few hours. “I’m gonna grab a drink real quick and then I’ll be back out.” I turned to head toward the door right as the guys filled the garage. “Hey,” I turned and furrowed my brow as Jase walked by. “I thought you guys had to work at the bar today. Sam said you were finishing up.”
“Drywall people were late. Mark asked for a favor,” Jase shrugged and chuckled as he walked away. It didn’t go unnoticed that the entire group of guys from the Rusty Nail were here without Mason. I wondered if he even knew they were here or if Jase and Dev didn’t mention it.
oooooooooo
Mason
I’d spent most of the morning at the bar helping stock the liquor room. A delivery truck had been late last week, and it threw everything off. Sam had closed down two days ago so the renovations could be finished, and if I hadn’t come by to pick up my check, I wouldn’t have even been here. “Can you give me a ride home,” Sam sighed as she handed my check over. “Dev drove me here this morning, and isn’t answering his phone,” she waved it in the air as I stared blankly at her.
“Sure, I guess,” I shrugged.
“You don’t have to,” she huffed as she looked at her cell again as if she were willing it to ring. “I can call my mom.”
“No really. I’ll do it, it’s just in the opposite direction from where I live, that’s all,” I stepped back and waited to see what she wanted to do.
“Thanks,” she grabbed her purse. “Not much I can do around here. Dry Wallers we
re late today, and the contractor had to push the flooring back to tomorrow. I’m so tired. This baby is wearing me out more than Mara ever did.”
“Must be a boy then,” I chuckled.
“Why do you say that?” she smiled as she locked her office door.
“Don’t women blame all of their problems on men?” I shrugged as I began walking towards the back door of the bar. I was parked out back and Sam was turning off lights and locking doors as we passed by them.
“Not all our problems, and some of the blame is deserved. Men can be pigheaded and stubborn, and they don’t know how to express themselves verbally,” she tugged the sunglasses that were on top of her head down over her eyes before turning to glare at me as we stepped outside into the afternoon sunlight. I couldn’t see them, but I could feel her stare.
“Um, pot meet kettle,” I pointed at her before shaking my head. “You have to be the most stubborn person I know.”
“Come on, Mason. You’ve never done something stupid and then not apologized to the girl for being an ass just because you think you’re right? I’m telling you you’re not, and telling her you were a stupid asshole while begging for forgiveness is the only way you’ll get a second chance. Women like to know that they were right and their man is man enough to admit it.”
“What are you talking about?” I shook my head as I climbed in the driver’s seat.
“I’m talking about Dani,” she pinned me with a glare as she pulled the glasses down on her nose to stare at me.
Where the hell did this come from? I swallowed, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. How did men in general turn into Mason?”
“I don’t know either, but I know you fucked up. She still cares. I’ve seen the way she argues with you. She cares, and it makes her mad, so whatever you did… fix it,” she stabbed her finger into my shoulder as I started the car. “I like her.”
“I’m lost, Sam,” I sighed.
“Well,” she flopped back in her seat as I pulled into traffic. “I was trying to be subtle, but you men don’t seem to get it unless it’s spelled out for you. I know you and Dani had a thing at some point. She pretty much told me that. I know you screwed it up, and from what I’ve seen, it seemed to be epic. I don’t know how you feel now, but if you feel even a sliver of what she does, then you have a chance. So, what did you do?” her head flopped to the side as she stared at me, waiting.
“God, Sam. I was an ass. I don’t think I can even tell you. I mean, take everything that would make a guy an asshole and wrap it up, and that was me in high school. I was the guy every girl wanted, and I knew it. I took one of the nicest girls that ever showed interest in me, and screwed her in more ways than one,” I sucked in a breath waiting for her to react. I’d only told one other girl about this, my sister. If Sam reacted the way Jen did, I be nursing some fierce wounds tonight. Jen slapped me so hard across the face that her fingernails drew blood when I’d confessed to her.
“Wow,” Sam shook her head and let her chin drop. “I don’t even know how to respond to that.”
“Tell me I’m a jerk,” I shrugged. “Hit me. I deserve it.”
“Hitting you isn’t going to make it better,” she pushed her glasses up on top of her head, “but I want tickets to see your apology; that I’m dying for.”
“I’m sure there will be multiple showings of that if I ever get her to talk to me,” I mumbled.
“Here’s your chance,” she grinned as she climbed out of my car.
“What are you talking about?” I cut the engine and followed after her toward her building.
“Dani bought a place here,” she pointed to her building. “Dev and Jase are helping her move, along with some other friends,” she smiled wider as she stared at me. “Go help, big guy,” she patted my chest before turning to skip up to the door.
“Wait! Was this a set up?” I called after her.
“You’re welcome!” she shouted over her shoulder.
Well I’ll be damned; Sam was playing matchmaker. How the hell did this happen?
oooooooooo
Danielle
We’d been moving things for most of the afternoon, and even though the sun was still high, evening was fast approaching. The men had moved my furniture upstairs using the lift at the end of the hallway. It was neat, really. This building was an old warehouse that had been renovated. Inside each condo were all the latest modern technologies, but the hallways and outside still looked original. Other than the exposed duct work inside, you’d never know it was a warehouse.
My place was on the fifth floor, and only a few doors down from the lift. There was a stairwell at the opposite end of the hallway, and while the guys had been putting heavy things in the lift, Amber and I had been using the stairs to carry smaller items.
“I think I’ve got one more box, and then we’re finished,” I smiled as I looked around the space. Jase and Jeff had placed my couch along one wall, and Dev was with Mark in the other room setting up my bedroom furniture. “I can order takeout to thank you guys if you give me a few minutes to find where I packed the charger for my phone.”
“I can’t stay,” Dev yelled out. “Sam wanted to have a family night tonight with Mara but thanks.”
“I need to get back to work,” Jase lifted his hand and waved as he moved toward the door.
“Yeah, he’s my ride so…” Jeff’s voice trailed off.
“Please tell me you’ll stay,” I looked over at Amber. “I feel like we need a week to catch up.”
“I can stay as long as you take me home tomorrow,” she grinned. “I live about twenty minutes from here.”
“Are you serious?” I placed my hands on my hips and tipped my head to the side.
“Yeah,” she giggled as her head bobbed. “Mark works in this district so I moved out here to be near him. It’ll be like old times,” she clapped her hands together giddily.
“Sweet!” I clapped right along with her.
“I can pick you up tomorrow after my shift,” Mark came over and kissed her on the cheek. “Just call me.”
“Ok. Thanks Baby,” she kissed him back, and then he swatted her butt before giving us a wave and disappearing.
“So you’ve got quite the mess here,” Amber sighed as she looked around.
“I do, but I’m glad we got it all in here. I’m going to go grab that last box, and then I’ll get us some food,” I waved before stepping through the door. “See if you can find some dishes in one of these boxes.” I laughed as I walked down the hall.
It didn’t take me long to get downstairs, and after grabbing the last box from the truck I locked it up, and headed for the stairs. I was tired, but I wanted the exercise. I’d been off my workout schedule since moving home, and if I was going to eat fast-food as much as I had been, I needed the stairs.
If I had been paying attention better I would have seen him and made sure he didn’t get into the building, but I wasn’t. Just after making it up the first three flights of stairs, he called out to me, causing me to lose my footing and slip.
“Dani!” his voice echoed in the stairwell and as I lifted my foot to step on the next stair, I missed completely. I leaned back trying to counteract the weight of my body so I wouldn’t crash into the stairs, but I over compensated and began to topple backwards. “Shit!” Mason hissed just as his arms reached out to catch me.
“Don’t touch me!” I twisted in his grip trying to get away, but he wasn’t having it.
“I just want to talk to you,” he slowly loosened his arms and righted me on the stairs, but didn’t back away.
“Well I don’t want to talk to you,” I snapped as I shifted the box in my arms. “Go away.”
“Please. Just listen,” he continued to beg as I turned and began stomping up the remaining stairs. I knew Mason was persistent, but I figured he’d back off, not follow me all the way to my door. “Dani,” he huffed agitatedly. “Just give me five minutes, please?”
I let my shoulders sag before opening
the door just far enough to set the box inside. I was not letting Mason into my space ever again. I spun, and pressed my back to the door as I glared up at him. His hair was messy like he’d been running his fingers through it all day, but the rest of him looked the same. The same bright eyes, and crooked smile. The same strong jaw and muscular chest, only now he had the body of a man, not a boy. “What?” I barked.
“I’m sorry,” his head dropped as he stared at the ground. “That’s all I’ve wanted to say for years now. I’m sorry. You’ll never know how sorry.” He paused as if he were waiting for my reply.
“Sorry?” I scoffed. “You mean you didn’t have fun,” I lifted my hands in the air and made quotes with my fingers. “I thought it was fun for you,” I barreled on. I was pissed, and this was the closest I’d gotten to him since that night in the bar.
“It wasn’t fun,” he slowly shook his head as a self-deprecating laugh bubbled out. “It was anything but,” he muttered under his breath.
“Nice to know I suck in bed,” I rolled my eyes.
His head snapped up as his eyes flashed wide, “That’s not what I meant at all.” His voice lowered to a whisper as he mumbled, “God damn Brad and his stupid bets.”
“What?” I shoved at his chest. “I was a bet? But I thought.” I couldn’t even process what he was saying, and right at that moment all I wanted to do was get away from him. I twisted the knob behind me, and before he could force his way in, I slipped inside, slamming the door in his face.
Just as I turned the lock and heard it click, I heard him in the hallway, “Fuuuuuuuuuck!”
“What was that all about?” Amber came out of the kitchen holding a liquor bottle.
“Nothing,” I shook my head as I marched over to her and grabbed it from her hand. “Let’s celebrate my new place, and finding me a man. After seeing what your boyfriend works with every day, I might just change professions.”
“You and me both sister,” Amber giggled as I unscrewed the top and took a swig right from the bottle. “To hot cops,” I laughed as I held it out to her.
Say You Remember: book 4 in The Witness Series Page 6