Grey and I take a few shots and spend most of the night dancing with each other. Jake arrives a few minutes into our dance, and I meet a few more of Grey’s fighter friends. They are all blowing off steam and relaxing before going to the tournament that’s in forty-five minutes. I want Grey to leave now and get focused for the big fights, but he says he’d rather have my ass grind on him than beat up some guy. I have never felt so giddy in my life. What a compliment from a hardcore fighter.
My phone nearly buzzes the entire time, messages from Mason and missed calls. It became so annoying that I had to text him that I’d talk to him later and shut my phone off. I don’t mean to be rude, but my man just did the sweetest thing ever for me and is about to have the biggest fights of his career. I want to be here for him, and that’s it. Nothing or anyone matters more in this moment.
“I’m going to go get some water,” I scream over the music, pushing from Grey’s sweaty chest.
“Hurry back.” He smiles as he leans down and kisses me on my open mouth. I grip his shirt and deepen the kiss. I finally step back after I’ve had my fill and turn around. I gasp when he smacks me on my butt. I hide half of my face behind his leather collar. He gave it to me a while back when I admitted I was cold. Such a gentleman.
“I won’t take long,” I promise and wink at him. He bites his lip sensually, but I have to turn around and zig-zag through the crowd before I am tempted. I reach the cooler and search for a bottled water. I down about half of it, parched from all the shots I’ve been taking.
As I turn back, I bump into someone.
“Oh, sorry—” I giggle, sweeping my hair out of my face.
“Liv? Oh, thank God I found you,” the person says, and I finally adjust my blurry vision on the person. “Mateo told me about this party and I just had to find you—”
“Mason?” What is he doing here?
He takes a deep breath and stutters, “Liv, i-it’s Rose…” His voice is panicked, and I widen my eyes in worry.
I feel my heart drop to my feet, and I blink rapidly as I try to find access to my tongue. I am so drunk, I don’t believe I heard him right. “What’s wrong with Rose?” My tongue feels incredibly heavy, my words slurred. I’m seeing fuzzy lights around his head. I need to clear my head to pay attention to him. This seems very important. I should really listen…to how amazing this song is. I begin dancing, and he sighs.
He licks his lips. “There’s nothing wrong with her, per se…”
“Then why’d you act like something was wrong?” I mumble before I take a large swig of water. “Drama queen…”
“You’re not listening to me.” He grabs the bottled water from me.
“Hey, give it back!” I whine, tears bubbling in my eyes. “Why’d you come here if you were just going to ruin all the fun?”
He sighs and grabs my hand, tugging me to his side. “I have to tell you something, and I don’t want you to get mad at me,” he says, and I raise a questioning eyebrow. “It’s too loud back here.” He pulls me out of the back, through the tattoo shop, and outside by the huge green trees, away from the party. Sorry, they’re called bamboo. I think I’ve had a little bit too much to drink.
“What do you have to tell me?” I ask him and gasp, pointing a finger at him. “Are you pregnant?” I hunch over on my knees and jab a finger at his tummy. “Hello, little Mason. How you doing in there, hmm? Having fun swimming?” I coo and scratch his stomach.
“Stop that.” He pulls me up, face stoic and ultra-serious. “Rose is trying to—”
“Your mouth looks, like, really funny.” I poke at them, and he groans.
“Liv, I’m trying to tell you something,” he groans, squeezing my shoulders.
“Fine, go on and tell your life story. I am all ears.” I grin from ear to ear and hold onto his shoulders, giving them a nice squeeze. Hmmm…they are so soft, strong too. Has he been working out? Is this facial hair I see growing on his chin? His lips are moving, but I don’t hear a word he’s saying because I’m busy playing with his scratchy cheeks.
“Olivia, please, listen to me.” He grabs my wrists and holds my hands up. “I am begging you now…”
His serious tone finally makes my brain click in the right places, and I nod.
“I am listening, I promise,” I manage to say with minimum slurring.
He nods and sucks in such a large breath, I am afraid he’s taken all of the air in the world. “Rose is trying to sabotage you and Grey,” he blurts out.