Reputation (Mason Family 2)

I consider saying no. I consider telling Meadow that I’ll be back on my terms, and she can deal with the fallout then. But when I put myself in that position, I think about all the work I’ve done that will have gone to waste.

Starting over at another label won’t be simple. Or quick.

The dead time factored into all of that could very easily be a career-ruining moment for me.

I walk over to the window and look at the Davenport’s house. My heart bleeds for them.

Can I risk not going?

Can I risk leaving?

I hang my head and sigh.

“Coy? Are you still there?” Meadow asks.

“Yeah.”

“Tomorrow at nine. You will be here, right?” she asks.

I cover my face with my hands and say a prayer that I’m doing the right thing.

I can go and then come right back. I’ll figure it out.

“Yeah,” I say, my voice rough. “I’ll be there.”

“Great,” she chirps in relief. “See you then. Travel safe.”

The line goes dead.

Twenty-Two

Bellamy

“Hello?” I ask, holding a hand wet from the dishes up in the air.

Water trickles down my forearm until it hits my elbow. Then it drips methodically into a pool of suds in the sink.

“Hey, Bellamy. It’s Lauren.”

“Hey,” I say, glancing at the clock. “What’s up?”

“We were on our way over, and Bree threw up in the back seat. Like, everywhere. The floorboard, down the window seal, all over the seats.” She sighs. “We won’t be seeing you today.”

On the inside, I squeal.

On the outside, I frown.

“Oh, darn it. I was looking forward to hanging out with Bree today,” I say. “Tell her I hope she feels better. Do you need me to bring anything to you? Soup? Gatorade? Vodka for you?”

She laughs. “No, thank you. I appreciate it.”

“No problem. Call me if you need anything.”

“I will. Talk to you later, Bellamy.”

“Goodbye, Lauren.”

I end the call and then double-check that it’s disconnected. Once I’m sure, I dance across the kitchen.

Water drips down my arm and onto my foot.

“Crap,” I say, laughing at myself. I rinse my hand and dry it off on a towel.

My energy went from zero to one-hundred at the sudden change of my day. It feels like a little gift from God that I’m free to be with Coy. I knew he would be dealing with his contract this week, but after the call from Meadow already this morning, I want to spend as much time with him as I can.

And, hopefully, get some kind of definitive answer on what it means for us when the contract is resolved.

I take a deep breath.

“This is going to be fine,” I tell myself. “You have nothing to worry about. Just trust the process. Manifest your future.”

I laugh at myself as I pull up my text app.

Me: Good news! Bree is sick. That sounds horrible. That’s not what I mean. Anyway, do you want to come over? *winks*

Immediately, his reply pops up.

Coy: On my way.

I look down at my shirt. It’s soaked from the dishes because I can’t seem to wash a glass without taking a bath right along with it.

I bite my lip as a crazy idea pops into my head.

It’s so … unlike me. But it might be fun.

It would definitely be fun.

I giggle.

“Screw it.”

I race to my bedroom and strip naked. The air is cold on my skin, and my nipples harden. I run a brush through my hair.

Just as I reach for my red satin robe, a knock sounds at the door.

A surge of excitement blasts through me as I slip the fabric against my skin. I start to tie it at my waist but decide to leave it open in a moment of confidence.

And leave my body on display.

“Who are you?” I ask myself as I pad down the hallway.

Well, he’s the one that promised oral reciprocation.

My body hums with anticipation. My heart fills with the comfort that being with Coy brings. It’s the only place I can find that sensation, and I never want to let it go.

I check the peephole to make sure it’s him before I open the door.

I lean against the doorframe and grin. “Hey.”

He looks me up and down, clearly not expecting me like this. He smiles appreciatively.

“Well, hello to you,” he says, stepping inside. He kicks the door closed. “Come here.”

I step in front of him. My heart thunders in my chest as he drags his gaze up and down my body.

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m usually entirely too self-conscious to stand naked in the daylight in front of a man.

But, with Coy? I feel beautiful. Confident. Like … me. The me I’m supposed to be. The me that’s buried under insecurities and fears and obligations.

The me that loves him.

I stand on my tip-toes and kiss him. He kisses me back, but there’s a hesitation that has me pulling away before I’m ready.