Mason (Fallen Crest High 0.5)

The adoration disappeared. He shoved my arm off and a scowl quickly formed when he scooted against the wall, putting an inch of space between us. I was half tempted to crowd him again. He liked this girl. I could see it, and I was surprised. Girls always liked Logan. He never cared about them until a year ago, but to actually like one girl. That was a new thing for him. I frowned at him. Chicks could be crazy. I hadn’t seen a lot that weren’t. If he liked this girl, I only hoped she was a good one.

He said, “I thought we had to go see Mom and do the goodbye crap.”

“We don’t have to. She’ll be around for a while.”

“She’s not going to L.A.?”

I shook my head. “The divorce is final, but I think she wanted to stick around town for a few more months. Transition away from us or something.”

He made a disgusted sound. “Why aren’t we going with her? We could go to L.A. and leave Dad. That’s what he wants, anyway. He just wants to live his own life.”

“Logan.”

He rolled his eyes, and his scowl deepened. “Yeah, yeah. I know. You want to stay because of the football team. What’s so great about the team anyways?”

“The coach knows scouts.”

“Whatever.” He stood up. “I’m not going to see Mom tonight. I’m going to call Tate and have her come over here.”

I frowned. “You better not be having sex with her.”

He had started down the stairs, but froze and turned around. He made an exasperated sound. “Mason!”

“I mean it. No sex. If I find condoms in your room, heads are going to roll.”

“Oh my god. What’s it to you?”

“I’m your brother and I’m in charge. You stick that prick in her, I will know.”

His eyes narrowed. He didn’t believe me.

“You’re a bad fucking liar. I can tell. Don’t do it. You’re way too young.”

“Fuck off.” He started to leave again.

“Logan,” I rose my voice. When he didn’t stop, I said, “I’ll tell Mom and Dad.”

He whipped around. His eyes were heated and his cheeks were flushed again. “You wouldn’t. You’d narc on me? You pansy.”

“I would about that. I mean it. Keep your prick out of her.”

“This sucks.” He threw his hands in the air. “This fucking sucks. How old were you when you started having sex? I know you’ve had girlfriends before.”

“Yes and they cheated. I’m too young to deal with that shit. No dating for me and as for the sex part, none of your damn business. But I was too young.”

“You’re only a year older than me.” He rolled his eyes and clarified, “Sorry. A year and a few months older. You’re not dad.”

That last comment was a parting shot as he stormed off. He went upstairs and slammed his door. I wasn’t his dad, and I muttered under my breath, “I’m the closest thing you got to one, though.” Then my phone buzzed. It was a text was from Nate; he wanted to go drinking tonight. I didn’t even think about it. I typed back, I’m in. Where and when.

Now. Fischer wants to take us to his cabin tonight. Meeting there now.

I looked up towards Logan’s room. I knew what he was going to do. He was going to screw her tonight, just to go against me. Decision made. I typed back to Nate, I’m bringing Logan.

He’s going to drink then.

I sighed. Rather have him do that then something else.

Ok. I don’t know what that means, but ok. Need a ride?

Nah. I’ll drive. See you at Fischer’s. I tucked my phone in my pocket and hollered, “Logan! You’re going to a party instead. Cancel your date.”

The door opened within a second. “Can I drink?”

Fuck my life. “Yes, but not too much.”

“Fine.” He slammed the door again.

I waited.

It opened again. “When are we going?”

“Now. Pack a bag.”

“Okay,” he said, his tone cool, calm. The door shut and I heard, “Hell yeah! This is going to be awesome.”

I grinned, and went to pack my own bag. I would text my mom later and let her know the plans had changed. She’d be hurt, but I didn’t care. She was gone. The responsibility for Logan landed on me. I might not be doing the best, but I was only sixteen-years-old. This was all I knew. It wasn’t until we were already in the van and heading for his cabin that I realized, I never considered letting James know.

I shrugged. He didn’t matter anyway.

5

THE CABIN

When we got to the cabin, Logan jumped out of the van and headed off with a friend. We’d been there before so he knew where to stash his bag and head off for their own fun.

Nate rounded the van from the other side and saw that I was watching Logan round the corner and disappear from eyesight. He asked, “You worried about him?”

I sighed. “Always.” Then I frowned. “Who’s that kid with him? I don’t know if I’ve seen him before.”

“I think that’s Derek Smythe. He’s in the same grade as Logan. Why?”

“Is he a punk?”

Nate laughed, scratching his head. “Aren’t they all? Aren’t we punks?”

“I need to know if he’s a punk that’s going to get Logan in trouble.”

He laughed again. “Besides the trouble we get him in?”

I shot him a dark look.

“Sorry. If you’re thinking drugs and crap like that, I don’t think so. Derek’s older brother is Jared Smythe.”

“He’s in the grade above us?”

Nate nodded, watching as another car pulled up to the cabin. “He seems like a legit guy. His ego is normal sized, like the rest of us.”

We shared a grin and leaned back to watch more and more people arrive. They were older than us, juniors and seniors. Recognizing