It’s been a couple of weeks since I got back to Chicago and I’m finally feeling settled in with school and work. Craig offered me the option of working at either Velvet or his new restaurant, Hard Stop. It’s more of a laid-back bar.
I like the convenience of working on the weekend only, and the money at Velvet is great. He reassured me, if anything changed, to just let him know.
Mason and I have been spending more time together. We’ve yet to really discuss our relationship or even define what is going on between the two of us. Mason hasn’t brought it up since our date when he referred to me as his girl, although I would love to hear those words fall from his lips again.
For now, I’m just enjoying having him around and our changing relationship from friends into something more. When we are alone together, we can’t keep our hands off each other. I find myself craving him more and more every day.
I’ve kept in touch with my mom, more than I did before the summer. Last night we spent nearly forty minutes on the phone, chatting about how things are going. She’s already received an offer on the house and accepted, so things are finally happening. She is excited to move north to be closer to David, and hearing how happy she is, I am looking forward to it for her, too.
Before she let me go, she asked me if there was any chance I would be interested in coming home for the weekend. Some of our family were coming into town from out of state, and I know she would like for me to officially meet David. After spending the past three months there, I didn’t have the heart to tell her I didn’t want to so I told her I would think about it and call her tomorrow. I know how much she loved having me home during the summer and just wants me to feel included, especially after I told her how the conversation with my dad went.
Holding the curling iron up, I wrap the long strand of hair around the rod and stare at myself in the mirror. Music plays from the speaker on my phone as I hear our apartment door close.
“Lis!” I shout down the hallway.
“It’s me!” she yells. She left about thirty minutes ago to stop by the convenience store a block away to pick up a few things. She had spent time this afternoon getting ready for work so she was well ahead of me.
Velvet is expected to be busy tonight. The first football game was today, which means college students are settling into the partying scene and looking to go out for the night.
“Hey, this was on the door,” Lissa says, peeking her head into the bathroom handing me a large envelope. Based on the size, I’m going to guess it’s a card. “I’m guessing it’s from Mason by the looks of that chicken scratch on the front.” She laughs as she turns and walks into her bedroom.
Setting the iron down on the vanity, I turn the card over and stare at my name written on the envelope. I would recognize the handwriting anywhere.
Slipping my finger under the seal, I tear it open and slide the card out. My eyes flutter over the words on the front about missing someone you love. With a roll of my eyes, I ease the card open and read the message written in black ink.
B,
It was one year ago today I met you. One year since you completely stole my heart. I know I’ve lost your trust and I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m a shell of a man without you. I love you. I will always love you.
I would do anything to prove to you how sorry I am for my mistakes. Please talk to me.
Love, Kaleb
“You okay?” I hear Lissa say, catching me off guard. I hadn’t heard her approach with the music playing.
“Remember how I told you about Kaleb sending flowers when I was in Cleveland and how he texted me when I got here? This wasn’t from Mason; it’s from him.”
“Oh, shit, really? I mean, you have to admire his perseverance. Have you talked to him at all?”
“Not since our fight at Velvet.”
“Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he deserves it one bit but maybe you should talk to him. It’s clear he isn’t taking the fucking hint or he would’ve given up a long time ago.”
Rubbing my fingers over my eyes, I let out a slow breath.
“After the bull shit he pulled last time I tried talking to him, I really don’t see the point.”
“Oh, I get it completely. Like I said, he doesn’t deserve for you to give him the time of day, but he needs to get it through his head that it’s not going to happen.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll try to call him tomorrow sometime.”
I was right when I said that Velvet was going to be busy tonight. It’s a packed house. Walking out of the backroom, I saunter toward the bar to check on my drink orders. The sound of the music beats, feeling each thump pulsate through my body. Sometimes I wish I could clock out and head out to the dance floor.
“Can you make me a Jack and Coke?” I shout. Mason looks handsome dressed in his black fitted dress shirt and slacks. A white towel hanging from his waistband draws my attention to his ass. I let my eyes roam over his body as he turns toward the alcohol shelf.
He catches me staring at him when he turns to face me. I see the hint of desire in his eyes beneath the flashing lights. The look quickly changes to something I can’t quite make out, but I know it’s not good.
A hand slides around my forearm. Turning to peer over my shoulder, I’m surprised to see Kaleb standing behind me. Facing Mason, I can tell he doesn’t like the idea of him approaching me, much less trying to talk to me.
“Can we talk for a few minutes?” Kaleb asks, nodding his head toward the club patio. The solemn look on his face is new, and for a second, I feel bad before I shove those thoughts aside.
“I can’t right now, Kaleb. I’m busy,” I say harshly. I know I said I would talk to him, but I wasn’t prepared to do it now nor did I want to do it face to face.
“Please,” he begs. “I promise I’ll make it quick.”
While I don’t like the idea of being alone with him after our last conversation, I get the sense the Kaleb I saw that night is gone.
Running my hand over my forehead, I feel my resistance wearing thin.
“Um, yeah, that’s fine,” I say, nodding my head. I see Mason set the drink down on the counter. His movements are jerky, although I am not sure he heard us over the music.
“I just need to check in on my tables quick and we can head out for a few minutes. I can’t be long though,” I say. Accepting my answer, he nods his head as I pick up my tray and head toward my tables.
I make my rounds but as I do, I can’t help but feel guilty for agreeing to listen to what Kaleb has to say. A part of me knows this is my opportunity to break it to him that we really are done. The flowers, the card, the text messages…they all just need to stop. After our fight during spring break, he was like a different person. The Kaleb I knew before was gone. A part of me still wants to know what changed, what I did that led him to fall into bed with someone else the second the waters got rough.
On my way, I stop Lissa. Most nights she helps tend the West bar with Mason and Farin. Occasionally, on nights we are busy, she will float between the bar and the tables serving drinks. She likes the extra tips that come from serving some of our VIP clientele.
“Lis, will you watch my tables for me? I need to take a fifteen-minute break.”
“Yeah, I can. Everything alright?”
I nod my head. “Of course. Just want to take a break. Give me a few.”
I can tell she’s not buying it. The questions swirl behind her light green irises as she squints her eyes trying to decipher if she believes me or not.
“You’re telling me later,” she commands. Knowing I’m busted, I concede with a nod of my head just wanting to get this over with.
Rolling my eyes, I wave her off and mouth thanks. I don’t doubt for a second that she’s not watching me. I’m sure she’ll piece it together soon.
Heading toward the bar, I see Kaleb standing off to the side. He is leaning against the wall, his legs and arms crossed in front of him. I feel Mason’s eyes track my movement like a laser burning into my skin. It’s as if he is silently begging me not to go through with talking with him.
Turning my head toward him, my eyes immediately find Mason’s and I know I’m right. His nostrils flare as he works to disguise his frustration. Holding up my finger to him, I mouth I’ll be back in a few minutes. He doesn’t even let me finish when he shakes his head and walks away, tossing his hand towel against the counter as he goes.
“Let’s make it quick.”
Pressing his hand against my lower back, Kaleb ushers me through the crowd of people. I feel the heat of his body behind me as we push our way through. I don’t know if he thinks I’ll bail or what, but I can’t ignore the uneasiness that fills my stomach.
Opening the door on the side of the building, we walk onto the patio. Several groups of people are standing outside. The temperature has dropped since earlier today, leaving the September night sky cool and breezy. The wind picks up, causing my hair to whip around in front of my face.
Walking to the corner, I move away from the doorway. I don’t want anyone to overhear us, not to mention it’s hard to hear with the sound of music filtering through the air as the door opens and closes.
Turning around, I face Kaleb and cross my arms in front of me. Rubbing my hands up and down my arms, I try to bring some heat to my goose pimpled flesh.
“What’s going on? What did you want to talk about?”
“I wanted to say I’m sorry for everything, B. I made the biggest mistake of my life. Do you even remember what today is?”
Moving to stand closer to me, he wraps his fingers in mine. Immediately, I force a step back separating us. I know Mason and I haven’t defined what this is between us. I don’t even know what this is. What I do know is if I caught him holding hands with someone like Kaleb just did, I wouldn’t be too happy.
“Yes, I know what today is, Kaleb. I got your card too. What exactly are you sorry for? Is it the fact that you got pissed at me for no reason when I got back from Cleveland or that you used it as an excuse to cheat on me? Or how about when you yelled at me the last time you showed up at Velvet?”
I feel the heat rising in my cheeks. The tone in my voice is not one Kaleb has ever heard. I see it in his eyes—the shock and the guilt.
“All of it. I made a mistake, alright? I just got sick of you choosing that fucking asshole over me. I missed you, B. I still fucking do. I miss the way you used to look at me. Seeing you now, seeing how that look is gone is fucking killing me.”
“That is no excuse, Kaleb!” I fume. “You slept with someone else to get back at me. Who the hell does that?”
“Like you haven’t slept with Mason since we broke up!” he roars, taking a step closer to me, searching my face for any clues.
“This isn’t about me; we are no longer together so what I do is none of your business. This is about you and what you did.”
“You did, didn’t you? You slept with that piece of shit. I fucking knew it. I bet you were sleeping with him the whole time, weren’t you?”
“Are you kidding me? If you honestly believe I would cheat on you, you clearly weren’t paying attention at all.”
Letting out a frustrated sigh, I run my hand along my forehead, massaging the skin. I feel my head pounding beneath the surface.
“I’m done talking to you about this. The flowers, the cards, all the text messages, Kaleb,” I say, letting out a deep breath while pinching the bridge of my nose to lessen the throbbing. “They all need to stop! Do you understand? We are done.” I shoulder past him, making sure not to touch him as I do. It happens instantly. His hand wraps around my forearm, whipping me back so I’m facing him.
“No, we’re not done until I say we are! You wanted to talk about it before, so let’s talk about it.”
“I wanted to talk to you before you cheated on me. There’s no point now, so let go of me.”
I attempt to jerk my arm out of his hold in hopes he’ll let go, but instead, his hand only grows tighter as he pulls me toward him. The movement causes me to twist my ankle, nearly falling as I let out a muffled cry.
“I suggest you let go of her right now!” Mason shouts. The anger in his tone causes me to jerk my head in his direction. The hold Kaleb has on me lessens, but he doesn’t remove his hand.
“Or what?” he asks, pulling me closer to him, using me as a shield. I know Mason wouldn’t let anything happen to me, but I still don’t trust Kaleb. This isn’t a side I’ve ever seen before.
“Or if you don’t, I’m going to rip your fucking hand off and feed it to you.”
“I can’t fucking believe you chose this fucker over me. What, so he can go around getting his dick wet but I can’t? Or are you willing to turn a blind eye to him like your mother did?” Kaleb seethes.
“You mother fucker!” Mason shouts, stalking toward him. Kaleb’s grip on my arm loosens, his focus shifting to Mason. As soon as my arm is free, I rush to get out of the way.
Moving off to the side against the wood fence, I struggle to control my breathing as my heart beats rapidly beneath my chest. Forcing air into my lungs, I squeeze my eyes shut and run my hand over my arm, hoping to ease the pain.
“You’ll be a lucky son of a bitch if I let you live to see the light of day. You’re right about one thing. I’ve always wanted her before she was ever even with you, but unlike you I would never disrespect her by trying to interfere in your relationship.”
Hearing Mason’s words, my eyes widen as I watch him stalk toward me.
“Graham, will you remove this asshole from the premises before I do something I might regret?”
I spot Graham over Mason’s shoulder. He looks to me, silently asking if I’m okay. I know he would never want anything to happen to me.
I give a discreet nod, reassuring him I’m fine as he escorts Kaleb out of the bar. I hear his muttered words under his breath as he passes by, but I force my eyes up to Mason. His eyes hold a wild look, a mix of worry and anger coursing beneath the surface.
“Are you okay? How’s your arm?” he asks, rubbing it gently. Through the pain, I feel the pinpricks of desire from his touch.
I don’t say anything as tears fill the brim of my eyes, threatening to spill. Wrapping me in a protective embrace, he brings me close to him, my hands still pressed against his chest.
“I won’t let him put his hands on you again. I promise.”
Emotion seeps through each broken word. I let the power of his strong body against mine and his clean scent wash over me.
He is always the one person who is here for me through everything.
“What were you talking about?”
“He just wanted to apologize to me for what happened, and I told him it was too late. I don’t want to be with him anymore, but he still hasn’t accepted it.”
“That’s not what I’m talking about, Brea. What flowers and cards are you talking about? Text messages?”
The guilt trickles in, not because I did anything wrong but because I kept it from him. I know how this looks on his end, but that’s why I hid it from him. I wanted him to believe we had a clean break because I never talked to him since the last night he showed up at Velvet.
“When I was in Cleveland, Kaleb sent me flowers for my birthday. I got a card from him today.”
“He did what?” Mason asks. The hurt in his eyes stabs me as his eyes fall to mine, his arm going slack at his side. I know he’s not mad at me when Kaleb was the one sending them. He’s hurt I never told him.
“I’m sorry, I should’ve told you but I didn’t think it was a big deal. It wasn’t a big deal to me, hell, it meant nothing to me. I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
“Don’t you think I could get the wrong idea finding out now?”
“Yes, but I thought he would get the fucking hint when I didn’t respond. When I saw him today, I knew I had to be firm and end it with him. It’s not anything for you to be concerned or mad about.”
Mason edges away from me, sliding his hand into his pocket, pulling out his vibrating phone. Looking down at his screen, his brows furrow in concern.
“Mom?” Mason says, looking at me. It’s close to midnight and his Mom is calling him.
“Is she going to be okay? How’s Callum?”
“Yeah, I’ll talk to Craig, but either way, I’ll be there.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ll figure it out.”
“Yeah, okay. I’ll call you tomorrow. Love you, too. Bye.”
I watch as Mason holds the phone in front of him, swiping at the screen before slipping it back into his pocket.
“What’s going on? Is everything okay?”
Mason’s eyes have a far-away look, as if he’s piecing together bits of his conversation with his mom. Bringing his eyes back to mine, he gives me a puzzled look.
“Hey, talk to me. Is everything alright?”
“I guess Callum’s girlfriend, Ellie, is in the hospital. She wouldn’t say a lot. All I know is she was assaulted and is unconscious. It’s been over twenty-four hours and Callum is beside himself. I need to head back home and try to be there for him,” Mason says, running his hand through his hair.
“Of course, I’ll go with you,” I reply without any hesitation.
“I’ll be honest, I’m going to talk to Craig because I’ll probably stay the week. My dad will be in Des Moines getting things sorted on the move. You think you can swing it?”
“We’ll make it work,” I promise as Mason pulls me closer.
“Thank you,” he whispers against my ear. His words hit me hard, and I know there isn’t a thing I wouldn’t do for him.