Mason (Trinity Academy 2)

How could West be so cruel?

I never knew the details of the accident, only that Mason’s sister died in it.

“I’m so sorry,” I whisper, finally understanding why he’s so upset.

My apology only seems to anger him more, because he stalks away from me, then turns back, and settles a hard glare on my face.

“She was alive. Even after we crashed into the tree, she didn’t have a scratch on her.” There’s so much heartache on Mason’s face, it makes unbelievable sadness swamp my heart.

I wish I could hug him right now.

“Then West bumped into us.” He lets out a painfilled chuckle, and it makes tears well in my throat. “That’s all it took for the branch to stab right through my arm and into her chest.” Pain shudders through him as he whispers, “Just a fucking bump.”

I feel so badly for him; it makes a tear slips over my cheek.

Now I understand why you’ve been so angry.

“I’m sorry, Mason,” I say, meaning the words with all my heart.

He stares at me for a while, then asks, “Why are you crying?”

“Because I…” I don’t know how to put into words that my heart is breaking for him.

He tilts his head, and I watch as the anger washes the pain from his face. “Do you pity me, Hunt?”

I do. So much.

“No,” I lie because it’s what he needs to hear.

He lets out a cynical burst of laughter. “You’re a fucking bad liar.”

“What do you want me to say?”

“Usually you’re quite good with your comebacks.”

“This isn’t the time for me to hit you with my sarcastic line of the day,” I reply.

He’s hurting so much.

“Say it,” he hisses.

He begins to shake from all the emotions that must be destroying him from the inside out.

I wish I could make your pain go away.

“Say it,” he shouts.

I give in, hoping if he loses his temper at me, it will help him feel better. “I can’t even begin to imagine how traumatizing it must’ve been.”

He stalks closer to me, his eyes never leaving mine.

It’s okay, Mason. You can get angry at me. Just let it out.

I continue to whisper, “It’s awful, and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”

When he gets close, he tilts his head and asks, “Is that what I am, Hunt? Your enemy?”

I shake my head.

“Do you feel sorry for me because you think we’re friends?”

I don’t care what you say. Just purge yourself.

“My heart hurts for you, Mason, because no one should have to suffer through that.”

“You have an answer for everything,” he marvels, anger etched in hard lines over his face. “Do you ever shut up?”

Do you really want me to?

“I was scared of you, but after tonight I’m not anymore,” I admit to him. “I think underneath all your assholishness, you’re actually a good guy who –”

He steps right up to me and slams his hands against the wall on either side of my head.

The sudden action makes me flinch, but I lift my eyes to his, and I finish my sentence, “Who doesn’t know how to deal with all the pain he mu –”

“Let me repeat myself since you’re clearly deaf, Hunt. Do you ever shut the fuck up?”

Does he want me to take his mind off the pain by bickering with him?

My lips curve into a smile, as I answer, “Sure, I do.” Bringing my hands up between us, I tick off on my fingers, as I say, “When I’m having chocolate cupcakes, chocolate donuts, oh and my favorite, cho –”

Mason grabs hold of my hands and shoves them back against the wall, and then his mouth crashes down on mine.

My heart almost jumps out of my chest as it begins to race.

Holy crap.

I didn’t see this coming.

I can feel his breath on my face, and when his lips move against mine, my eyes drift closed. I wasn’t lying when I said I loved his aftershave, and right now it’s all I can smell.

I never thought there would be a moment like this in my life. A moment where you need somebody to help you escape.

His tongue swipes over my bottom lip, and I open my mouth to him.

I’m not his enemy.

I’m not his friend.

But I can be a safe haven he can escape to.MasonI ignore all reason, and I have no excuses.

None of this makes sense, but I can’t stop myself from kissing her.

She has challenged me every step of the way. She’s never backed down from a fight, no matter how I tried to intimidate her. I realized all of this tonight while she was telling me how sorry she felt for me. I hated hearing those words from her. I wanted my Kingsley back, the one who never missed a beat when it came to telling me to go to hell.

Us arguing has become like a drug to me, helping me cope, helping me to forget for a moment.