“Those are big words coming from you.” A low growl emanated from the back of her throat.
“No, she’s right.” Mason moved his collar down from his neck so the faint scar of my bite marks were on display. “But good luck finding someone.”
Meredith took in a quick breath along with a few steps back.
Mason wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against his body. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Even though life seemed to be going well, all of these little bumps in the road kept popping up. Mason and I would get through all of them, but sometimes ripples happen when something bigger is on the horizon. I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to find any peace.
Chapter Seventeen
After my last class was over, I found Mason waiting for me outside the classroom. When his eyes landed on me, a huge grin filled his face. “Hey, you.”
I hurried over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Hey.”
“You ready to head home?” He leaned over and brushed his lips against mine.
“Yeah, but I can’t stay long.” I pulled my phone out from my pocket. “Brad asked if I could come in tonight. Apparently, one of the kitchen aides quit and he needs me.”
“Weren’t you supposed to be quitting?” Mason arched his eyebrow and frowned. “I distinctly remember us having a conversation a few days ago.”
“I’ll turn in my notice tonight.” I hated to leave him more stranded than he already was. “That way he has a notice and isn’t down two employees at the same time.”
“Fine, but I’m going to hang out there.” Mason’s hand cupped my face and brushed along my cheek. “I’ll stay out of the way, but if that vampire comes back, I don’t want you dealing with him alone.”
I didn’t like the thought of being babysat, but if he was in my position, I’d be worried too. “Fine, but this doesn’t become a common theme.”
“When are you supposed to be there?” He took my backpack and threw it over his shoulder.
“As soon as possible, apparently.” I took his hand in mine and we headed toward the parking lot. “So I need to hurry home and change.”
“All right. I’ll meet you there in a second.” He kissed my cheek and ran in the direction of his car.
When I reached Flying Monkey, I felt a chill run down my spine. Something seemed off though I wasn’t quite sure why.
“Is everything okay?” Mason rounded the car and narrowed his eyes at me.
“Yeah.” I had to be overreacting. “What are you going to do with all your downtime while you wait?”
“Homework.” He winked at me as he opened the trunk and took out his backpack. “I figured I’d put my time to good use.”
“Look at you.” At least he didn’t plan on hovering near me and breathing too hard whenever a stranger needed something. “Being all mature and stuff.”
“Don’t get used to it.” He grabbed my hand, and both of us entered the bar.
“Thank God you’re here.” Brad walked over to me and glanced at Mason. “Who the hell is he?”
“He’s my…” Shit. What the hell was I supposed to call him to a human?
“Your?” Brad lifted his eyebrows and turned his head.
“Boyfriend.” Mason laughed and held out his left hand. “Sorry, we just recently made it official, and she wasn’t quite sure what I’d want her to say. Like I would have a problem with her claiming me like that. I’m damn lucky she’s mine.”
“Wow. I didn’t see that one coming.” Brad took a step back and shrugged. “She was always the hostile loner kind.”
He didn’t paint a pretty picture of me, but I couldn’t blame him. That was the air I always tried to give off, so at least, I knew it worked.
“I’m just going to hang out over here if you don’t mind.” Mason pointed to a corner booth near the backdoors and right next to the kitchen.
“That should be fine.” Brad nodded his head. “As long as we don’t get busy. It’s a Monday night, so it shouldn't be an issue.
“Okay, great.” I smiled and tugged his hand toward the kitchen.
When he got to his table, he laid his stuff on one of the empty chairs beside him and leaned over to give me a kiss. “I’ll be right here.” I’ll let you know if I see anything.
I nodded and turned toward the kitchen, hoping that I was working the dirty dishes as usual. Even though Ella and Mason had broken through my walls, it didn’t mean I wouldn’t continue being a loner. I still didn’t want to let anyone else into my small circle.
“You’ll be on dish duty.” Brad pointed over to the sink. “We got behind because Suzy walked out on us yesterday.”
“No worries.” I headed over to the sink and began working.
It’d been a few hours, and I hadn’t heard anything from Mason. Hey, you still doing okay out there? I waited for a few seconds with no answer. Mason?
I put the dish I’d been cleaning back into the sink and washed my hands. This wasn’t like him.
Within seconds, I hurried out of the kitchen and found his backpack and books still at the table. I glanced around the room, but there was no sign of him. Mason? If this is some kind of joke, it’s not funny.
Going over to his backpack, I dug through, finding his cell phone and car keys. Something had to be wrong.
With shaky hands, I picked up his phone and went to his recent call log. Once I found Ella’s number, I hit send.
She picked up on the first ring. “Oh, you finally found some time to call me back? Listen, don’t give me the details of why you can’t answer. I love Elena too much to think of her in those ways.”
“It’s me.” I wasn’t sure how to tell her so I just went with my gut. “Have you talked to or seen
