by Tijan
“Yep.” She continued to beam at him. “You’re Mason Kade.”
He looked back toward the house. Court was bringing her half-naked friend over. “Do you have a staff shirt or anything behind that bar?” she called.
“Staff shirt?”
She frowned at me. “Yeah, you’re working this party, aren’t you?”
She thought I was the help.
Taylor joined us again, motioning toward Logan. “He’s done fooling with the guy. They got his name and number, so if something happens, at least we know who he is.”
Court looked at her gratefully. “Thank you for that. So much.”
“She asked for a shirt,” I told Taylor. “Want to—”
I was going to ask if she’d stand behind the bar so I could grab a shirt from my room, but Taylor held a hand up.
“I’m on it,” she said. “Half my wardrobe’s here anyway. Be right back.”
“Oh, good.” Court’s shoulders dropped, visibly relieved. She nodded to me. “Thank you for helping, you and your friend.” She grinned ruefully. “Who knew your friend would know Logan Kade personally.”
An awkward silence settled over us.
I waited for her to realize Mason was here. Then again, maybe she didn’t know who he was. After a few beats of silence, Court looked at Grace. Grace pointed at Mason, and only then did Court realize someone else stood with us at the bar. Her eyes widened as she looked up at him. The blood drained from her face, and her lips formed a small O.
This reaction wasn’t that uncommon, but the surprised looks on people’s faces when they realized who Mason was usually happened from a distance. He would be with his classmates, Logan, or me when people would notice his presence. The whispering came first, followed by a mix of reactions. Either people would respect his privacy and remain at a distance or they would come over to stare. Sometimes people would rush up for an autograph or to give him their number. It was usually girls who did the latter.
The funniest reactions were the people who looked at him like he was an alien. They’d just gawk. I once overheard a guy say to his friend, “That’s not Kade. He’s not big enough. Kade’s a fucking legend.”
His friend had shaken his head. “Huh-uh. I’m pretty sure that’s Mason Kade. And he’s not six four. Check out his stats. That’s him, dude.”
“Whatever. I could take him. He’s not that big of a deal.”
Mason might’ve overheard, but he didn’t react then, and he didn’t now. He generally ignored people.
He stared at Court. “That’s your friend?”
“Uh.” She tugged Nettie closer, almost using her for protection now. “Yeah . . . You’re Mason Kade, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” he clipped out. “How drunk is she?” He jerked his gaze to Nettie, half scowling. “How drunk are you? Was it consensual with that guy?”
It hit me like a lightning strike.
Consensual. He was worried. Girl Sexually Assaulted at Mason Kade’s Party would be the headline, and soon people would think he’d sexually assaulted the girl.
Fuck.
I felt slapped in the face.
“What?” Nettie shivered in Court’s arms. They switched positions so it was Court’s back toward Mason now. I watched as Court closed her eyes and drew in a breath. She needed a moment. I could relate.
Mason was intense, especially when he was pissed. And he was livid right now.
He cast me a look, asking for help. I stepped forward just as Taylor came outside, but I motioned for her to head back in.
“Why don’t we all go inside? We can talk in private.”
Court and Nettie nodded, looking relieved. They started for the patio doors where Taylor waited.
I followed and turned around to see Mason coming behind me. I placed a hand on his chest. “Maybe you should stay?”
“Grace!” Court yelled. “Come on.”
The third friend slid off her stool, a contented, serene look still on her face, now topped with a goofy grin. As she walked past, I saw how glazed over her eyes were. I wondered if she’d even remember this the next day. Of the three, Court was the most sober, with drenched, shivering Nettie a close second now.
They headed inside, and I looked back up at Mason. He hadn’t moved.
“Do you know the attention that could put on me?” he asked.
I did. I was cringing that I hadn’t considered it sooner. “I won’t let anything happen to you. Okay? You guys protected her. That should count for something.” I started to leave, but he caught my arm.
“Sam.” I looked back up at him. “Thanks for taking care of this.”
I hadn’t done anything yet. “Thank me later in bed.”
He relaxed, the lines around his mouth softening. He bent down for a kiss and murmured, “Trust me, I’ll be thanking you for the rest of our lives.”
A tingle shot through me.
I pressed my lips against his before heading inside. He’d watch the bar. I didn’t need to worry about that, and I felt a smile tug at my lips. A little extra sensation warmed me.
I forgot our current trouble for the moment.
I was going to be his wife. I rubbed at my bare finger. Mason had been reaching into his pocket when he first started to propose, but then his phone rang, and the whole football and fight video thing took over. He’d gotten back around to asking me after that, but then my hesitancy had put another damper on things.
Since then, I’d been waiting for him to give me the ring, but he hadn’t, and I would respect his wishes. Mason would give it to me when he decided it was time. I pushed my insecurities aside and let myself feel a little thrill at the secret we had.
No one knew. Not even Logan.
I couldn’t wait until we told, but as I stepped inside and went to Logan’s bedroom, I paused. I could hear the girls’ voices, and I took a deep breath.
I had something else to deal with first.
“What were you thinking, Nettie?” Court demanded, standing over her friend.
Nettie sat on the edge of Logan’s bed with her elbows resting on her knees and her head pressed into her hands. Her black hair was matted and still drying, but she wore one of Logan’s sweatshirts now. It hung on her, giving her a drowned-kitten look. She lifted her head and used the end of the sleeve to wipe her face.
She sniffled. “Court, don’t rail on me. Okay? I’m pissed enough.”
Grace was perched on Logan’s couch at the opposite end of the room. She sat sideways, with one foot on the floor and the other pulled up next to her. Still looking glazed, she blinked over and over again.
“Come on, Courtney,” she said, yawning. “Net met a boy.” A dreamy look settled over her, and Nettie laughed a little. Grace winked at her. “She felt those special tingles only tequila gives us, and the two fell in love . . . with exhibitionism.”
Nettie barked out a louder laugh.
Courtney folded her arms over her chest, frowning. “This isn’t funny.”
Grace rose from the couch. She gestured to Nettie with a wave. “Seriously, Courtney. Logan Freaking Kade—” She turned to Taylor, who stood just inside the door, next to me. “—Who it just clicked is probably your boyfriend. You’re Taylor Bruce?”
Taylor nodded. “Yeah.” Her hand rose in an awkward wave. “Hi.”
Grace returned the nod before continuing. “I mean, seriously, Nettie, you’re wearing Logan Kade’s sweatshirt. You’re in his bedroom. Your partner in public love got booted from the party.”
I cleared my throat. This was my opening. “About that guy . . .” I paused. They all looked at me. “Who was he?”
Nettie grimaced before plopping her head back in her hands. “Just my biggest embarrassment. Ever,” she groaned.
“He’s a guy she’s liked in our poly sci class. They hooked up at another party, and it continued here. I hope you get a bonus for helping us.”
I paused. Blinked. Then it clicked. She still thought I was the help.
Taylor frow
ned at me.
I shook my head. I was enjoying this anonymity.
Stepping toward them, I crossed my arms over my chest. “But that was consensual, right?”
Nettie stared at me, a blank expression on her face. Then understanding dawned. Her eyes widened. “Oh, of course! I was just being stupid.” She gave me a more pointed look. “Courtney said two guys were filming us? Is that true?”
Taylor spoke before I could. “Yeah, but Mason took care of it. I’m pretty sure I saw him deleting something on their phones.”
Nettie’s eyes widened even more, and a look of astonishment took over. “Mason Kade?”
“I told you. He was at the bar just now.” Courtney’s arms dropped. Her hands went into her pockets.
Grace sighed dreamily. “Now he’s someone I’d let myself be filmed with. Good Lord, the guy is from another planet.”
I fought against smiling.
Taylor bit her lip, her eyes twinkling. “Uh, so yeah. He got the videos, and all of the guys were booted from the party.” She looked over the three friends. “Do you guys need a ride somewhere?”
Grace and Nettie both gestured to Courtney with haphazard waves. Courtney ran a hand through her hair. “Yeah, I drove. I’m the sober cab tonight.”
“How’d Jonathan get home?”
I looked over at Nettie. She’d asked Taylor, but Taylor looked at me.
“That’s the guy you were making out with?” I asked.
She nodded. “He came with us. I don’t think he knew anyone here.”
This girl was concerned about the guy who’d almost put her in a bad porno? For real? I shrugged. “I don’t know how he got home, but I know he was kicked out.”
“Oh.” Her shoulders fell. “Okay.”
She was pissed about that? I didn’t know if she was being stupid or ungrateful, but she could fuck things up royally for Mason. My mouth remained shut.
“Thank you.” She looked around the room. “I mean it. I know this was a hassle.” She sounded sincere as she looked at Taylor. “You think I could thank your boyfriend and Mason?”
“Uh.” Taylor’s eyes darted to mine. I shook my head, the slightest of movement, and she looked back to Nettie. “I’ll be honest, Logan probably won’t know who you are, and Mason . . . I guarantee he’ll be surrounded by all his teammates.”
“Yeah.” Nettie’s head bobbed up and down. “You’re right. Maybe later? I can say something if I see them on campus.”
“Yeah.” Taylor’s smile relaxed at the corners. “It might just be best if you take it easy now. Go home, you know?”
Nettie stood, looking at her friends. Similar to the way Taylor and I were with Mason and Logan, the three of them moved as a unit. Grace led the way this time, and she and Court cast concerned looks at Nettie, who looked at the floor as they left the room and continued out of the house.
They all looked back at us from the sidewalk and offered a short wave before moving on to where they had parked.
Taylor stood next to me in the doorway, and as soon as they were out of eyesight, she punched me in the arm. It was a soft one, no heat to it, but she cursed. “Fuck you, Sam. They thought you were hired help. You left me to be the official Kade spokesperson.”
I laughed. “It was kinda awesome. I won’t lie.”
She groaned, and I followed her back outside to the bar.
Mason and Logan were behind it, with Nate and Matteo on the bar stools. A couple other guys were standing nearby, and everyone looked over as we approached.
“Everything okay?” Mason asked.
I nodded, slipping behind the bar and against his side. His hand came to rest on my hip, anchoring me there. “All good,” I added. “She was embarrassed, but it was consensual. They first hooked up at a different party, and he rode with them here.”
“You serious?” Logan leaned back, his hands on Taylor’s hips as she stood in front of him. “They brought that fucker here?”
“Yeah. The girl asked us how he got a ride home.”
“Wait.” Logan stood straighter, moving Taylor to the side. “You mean he didn’t have a ride?”
“According to the girl he was mauling ten feet from here, no.”
Logan looked at the two guys standing behind Nate and Matteo. “Did anyone pick him up or give him a ride somewhere?”
One shook his head. “We pointed down the street and told him to start walking.” He shrugged. “He did.”
Mason frowned at Logan. “What are you thinking?”
“She might not say anything, but he might. If he’s pissed enough, he could really say something. And we live six miles out of town. You do the math.”
I felt Mason’s hand tighten, just a little bit. His jaw clenched. “That’s a long walk to fume.”
“Exactly.” Logan looked at the guys. “We should go find him, give him a ride to his place. Then we’d know where he lives too.”
Everyone looked at Mason.
He nodded, a short clip of the head. “Do it, but don’t say anything.” He turned to Logan. “You go with them.”
Logan, the two guys, and Matteo all left.
Nate remained behind. “This can’t fall back on you,” he assured Mason. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of it.”
Mason nodded, but his hand still gripped my hip.
I lifted my hand to touch the side of his face. “It’ll be fine.”
He didn’t reply. He just rested his forehead against mine.
I wanted to run.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I was ready to go. I skipped yesterday. We spent all day Saturday cleaning up after the party, and then we spent the evening cuddling. Chef Logan had declared Saturday night to be Meat Rushmore, and he’d put together a whole display of grilled goodies—not just meat, but he made sure to point out the meat every chance he could . . . until Taylor got tired of it.
We hadn’t gone to bed too late, but it was four in the morning now. I sat up, not hearing Mason’s steady, deep breaths. He wasn’t here. His side of the bed was empty.
I stood, went to the bathroom, and got dressed as quickly as possible. I’d laced my shoes and was uncoiling my earbuds’ cord when I walked past the living room. I braked.
Mason wasn’t there either, but I saw him through the front window. He was stretching outside on the front porch.
“You okay?” I asked as I stepped out to join him.
He pulled his foot up behind him, stretching the front of his quad. “I’m going with you.”
It wasn’t that we never ran together. It was just not usually at four in the morning.
“What?”
He laughed, letting his leg back down. “I have training tomorrow. Figured I should run with you this morning.”
Uh . . .
His eyebrows furrowed. “What?”
I scratched behind my ear.
He grinned, his eyes amused. “You don’t want me to run with you? Or to run in general?”
It wasn’t that, but I lifted my shoulder, starting to walk down the driveway toward the road. Mason fell in step beside me, pulling his arm across his chest to stretch.
“I’m just— It’s just—” God. What was my problem?
“Sam.” He touched my elbow, stopping me. “What’s going on?”
I shook my head, resting a hand against his chest because I wanted to touch him. I let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m sorry. I