“No, I’m avoiding you because you’ve been downright mean to my best friend,” I answer her honestly.
“Oh, my God. And here I thought we were all adults,” she sneers, “Seems like some of us still have to grow up.”
I shrug. “It is what it is, but I’m glad you realized it’s time for you to grow up. You’d be doing us all a huge favor.” I smile at her and give her a wave.
I turn back around to head to my class, only to come face to face with Mason and Falcon.
I take a step to the left so I can pass by them, but Mason’s hand darts out, and he wraps it around the side of my neck. When he pulls me toward him, I remember how he hugged me the night before.
I’m so damn confused as I turn sideways, my eyes darting up to his face.
Keeping his hand on the side of my neck, his eyes are hard on Serena. “Are you fucking with my friends again?”
My lips part and my eyes widen as I stare at his face.
Did he just call me a friend?
“What? I can’t talk to Kingsley now?” Serena crosses her arms over her chest, her eyes narrowing on Mason.
Mason surprises me again when he answers, “I’d prefer if you didn’t.” He pulls me closer, moving his arm around my shoulders. “You see, I have an image to uphold, and you talking to my friends…” he draws his bottom lip between his teeth, then let it go before he continues, “would only taint my image.”
Holy hotness.
Please bite your bottom lip again.
Serena’s face sets into a dark look. “Mason, you’re not the only one with a powerful father. Keep pushing me and see what happens.”
A smile spreads over Mason’s face, and letting go of me, he takes two steps forward. “And that’s the difference between you and me.” He takes hold of one of her ginger curls, giving it a look of disdain before flicking it away. “You start a war you can’t handle, then you run to your daddy so he can clean up the mess.” He leans closer to her. “When I start a war, I always finish it.”
He glances at me from over his shoulder, “You’re going to be late for class.”
“Yeah, I should go.” I swing back around and rush down the hallway.
Ugh. My life is becoming a freaking drama.After my last class, I go look for Layla because I’m in serious need of some girl time.
When Layla opens her door, I make a praying gesture with my hands. “Please tell me you haven’t made any plans for tonight.”
“Nothing yet. I was just going to hang out. Why? Do you want to do something?” she asks, much to my relief.
With an excited face, I walk inside and ask, “Can we go somewhere off-campus. I need some girl time with my bestie.”
“Sure, but where would we go?” She pulls her phone out to start searching for places.
“We can go to my family home. My dad is hardly home, and if he is, the place is so huge we won’t even know he’s there.”
“And your mom?” she asks.
“My mom passed while giving birth to me. It’s just my dad and me, so no worries.”
A compassionate look softens her features. “I’m sorry, my friend.”
I wave a hand. “Even though I would’ve liked a chance to have known her, I’ve dealt with it a long time ago. And my dad made sure I didn’t feel like I was missing something while growing up.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” She smiles again, then asks, Okay, when do you want to leave?”
“How soon can you be finished with packing and kissing Falcon goodbye?”
My eagerness makes laughter bubble over her lips. “Let’s quickly shoot up to his suite so I can kiss him goodbye. Then we can stuff a couple of things in a bag and hit the road.”
“Awesome! You’re a lifesaver.” I follow her out of the suite, and when we step into the elevator, I grab her arm and I do a little excited jump while letting out a squeal, “This is going to be so much fun.”
“Can we get McDonald's for dinner?” she asks. “I’ve had a craving all week.”
“We can get some on the way to my house. Totally my treat.”
“And a milkshake,” she adds.
“Done,” I say as we stop in front of the door.
Layla knocks, and we both grin at Lake when he opens the door.
“My girls,” he smiles at us. “You look like you’ve just planned a murder and got away with it.”
“Nope, we planned a girls night out,” Layla answers. “Is Falcon here?”
Lake tips his head toward Falcon’s bedroom. “Last time I checked he was showering.”
“In that case I’ll wait in the living room,” I tease Layla, winking at her.
She chuckles as she walks to his bedroom, and quickly knocking, she lets herself in.