“Yes, why?” Maddie says in a mocking tone, pursing her lips together. “Let’s dissect this and figure out what Mason’s deep issues are and why he won’t fuck you again.”
“God, Maddie.” I nudge her. “Can we talk about your sex life instead? Oh wait…” I taunt, knowing that’ll get her off this subject.
“Ugh.” She groans. “I think I’m just going to sell it off. I mean, why not get paid for something so many men want to experience? Deflowering a virgin, that’s gotta be worth a few grand at least! Plus, I could use the money and maybe buy myself a damn car.”
“You are not selling your V-card!” I scold, though I’m happy that they’re done talking about my life for once.
“There are websites and apps for it! I’m so doing it!” she threatens, unlocking her phone, but I’m quick to grab it out of her hands.
“Do I need to call our parents and let them know their youngest daughter, their baby, is looking not only to have sex before marriage but also sell herself to a man? You really want to have that conversation?”
Maddie rolls her eyes and relaxes her shoulders as if she doesn’t give a shit. “Why don’t you send them a picture of my tattoo while you’re at it too? Give them a stroke for sure.”
I slam her phone down on the table in front of her. “Someone dropped you as a child, didn’t they?”
Lennon chuckles, then excuses herself for the third time to go pee.
“I’m keeping my eyes on you,” I half-threaten when the three of us walk back to the car. “I’ll hire Liam to be your personal security if I have to.”
“Oh no, don’t do that…” she deadpans. “Don’t have the big, burly, and well-endowed man follow me around at all hours of the day!” She puts her hands up in a mock prayer.
“I’m done with you,” I say, pushing her away.
“You totally had that coming,” Lennon tells me. “She’d probably climb Liam like a tree and give him a run for his money.”
“Let us all pray for his safety instead then.”
Later that night as I lie in my new bed and look around my new room, I find my mind circling with thoughts I can’t seem to sort out. Lennon’s words from earlier in the week about finding a grieving support group weigh on my shoulders. Maybe she’s right, and I should look for a way to cope with my emotions and how this really affects me.
Instead of rolling over to go to sleep, I grab my phone and search for local groups, and after a few minutes, I find a grief circle at a church that isn’t far. I read about what it is, who it’s for and how it can help, and decide to give it a chance. If it’s not for me, then at least I tried and won’t go back.
With my mind decided, I lock my phone and bury my head in my pillow to drift off to sleep.
The next morning, I’m woken up by a knock, and when I peel my eyes half open, I see Mason in the doorway with two mugs.
A girl could get used to waking up like this every day.
“Morning, sleepyhead.” He smirks, walking all the way in. My eyes scan down his body, enjoying the view as my gaze shoots back up to meet his expression with one brow arched.
“Uh, hi,” I croak, then immediately clear my throat. Sitting up, I blink a few times until my eyes adjust to the lights, then lie against the headboard. Mason sets my coffee on the nightstand before coming to sit near my feet.
“Your bookcase arrived this morning,” he states, then takes a sip. “I put it together for you, so I just need to bring it in here.”
My eyes widen in shock. “Wait, what? How?” That one-day shipping wasn’t a joke.
I grab my phone and look at the time. “It’s noon! Oh my God, why didn’t you wake me sooner? I could’ve helped you.”
“Seemed like you needed to catch up on sleep, so I let you rest.” Mason shrugs as if it wasn’t a big deal.
He’s not wrong. It’s been one of the hardest weeks of my life, and I know I wouldn’t have been able to get through it without him and my sisters.
Mason’s been going out of his way for me, and I can’t help but wonder if it’s because he’s trying to make up for pretending I didn’t exist for the past three years or because he feels guilty for what happened between us in that bar bathroom.
I sure as hell hope it’s not the latter.
“Seriously, thank you.” I reach over and place my hand over his. “I really appreciate it. Everything. I appreciate this all so much.”
“You’re welcome, Soph. I’ll do whatever I can to help. I woke up early anyway. I’m going a little stir-crazy not working.”