I chuckled. “How do you lock yourself out on the roof?”
“You climb out of the window and close it behind you. That’s how you lock yourself out on the roof. The damn thing gets jammed all the time. Now was there a reason why you called, or can I get back to hiding out in my yard?”
I stifled the urge to laugh. “Hide away. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later,” she rushed out and hung up.
I didn’t want to call Nora. Willa was still away, and I didn’t have any other friends. Guess I had to stay for at least one night. But I could try to get someone to at least help me make sense of my situation. And Willa was the one who knew Mason the best, so I called her.
“My favorite Stella. How is the job going?” she answered.
I smiled when I heard her voice. She had only been gone a little over a week, but I missed her desperately. “Hey Wills. How’s the trip?”
“Amazing. It’s everything I ever wanted and more. I still can’t believe this isn’t a dream. Jameson is the easiest person to travel with. It helps that I’m a little in love with him too. And he asked me to move in with him when we get back home.” She let out a little squeal on the last part.
I was over-the-moon happy that she had found someone who loved her more than anything. And after everything her dad had put her through, she deserved it more than anyone.
“You are basically living together already, might as well make it official.”
“True.” She sighed and I knew I was about to lose her. Thoughts of Jameson tended to get her off track, and then she would just hang up, so I had to make this quick.
“I didn’t want you to find out from someone else; I thought I’d call and let you know that I had an accident.”
“You what? Are you okay? Where are you? Who’s with you? Do you want me to come home? What a stupid question.” There was some rustling and a bump before she was back. “Of course I’ll come home.”
“Willa, stop. It’s not that bad. And I’m okay. I’m staying with Mason.”
The phone went silent, and I held it away from my ear to check if I still had connection. Full bars.
“Wills? Are you still there?”
“You’re staying with Mason?”
“I know it’s weird but he kind of insisted. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Do I mind?” She scoffed. “What a stupid question. Take it back.”
I smiled. “Consider the question removed from our conversation. I guess you’re fine with me staying with him, then.”
“Fine would be putting it mildly. I’m ecstatic. Delighted. Overjoyed.”
“Okay, okay, I think I get the point. It’s only for a night.”
“Whoa, stop, no. If Mason offered, you should take him up on it for longer than that.”
“I’m just fine by myself.”
“Stella.”
“Willa.”
She sighed and I responded with a grunt.
“You need to stay at least for two nights, or I won’t be able to sleep,” Willa said, using her best mom voice. “You don’t want to be the reason for dark circles under my eyes, do you?”
I looked out the back window at the beautiful purple flowers and sighed. “I guess I can stay for two nights. But no more. I’m fine on my own.”
“Fine. But only if you’ll let my aunt Rayna check in on you every day for a week once you’re back at the apartment.”
“What about Nora? She needs me to babysit.”
Willa cursed and then covered the phone. I heard muffled voices before she came back. “I’ll figure something out.”
I trusted her and knew she’d find a solution. Didn’t mean I didn’t still feel shitty for not being there for my friend. “All right. But let me know if you can’t find anyone to help. I’m more than capable of taking care of the kids.”
“I will. Gotta run, we have a dinner reservation. Love you. Try not to scare me like that again. No more accidents.”
I opened my mouth, ready to tell her that it was nothing when she kept talking.
“Shut up and don’t even try to tell me this has nothing to do with your mom. I’ve met the woman. She’s a control freak on steroids. And I need to know you’re safe, or I’ll come back to make sure myself.”
“I already said I’d stay with Mason. Stop worrying.”
“Good. Now tell me you love me and promise to call soon.”
“I love you and will call you soon.”
“Love you too, Estrella.”
We hung up and I slumped down on the kitchen island, wondering how in the span of two days my life had managed to unravel.
My phone pinged with an incoming messaged, and I opened it to find a selfie from Willa. The bottom half of her face was cut off and all I could see of Jameson was his left ear and a bit of hair. The background was blurry, but I thought I could make out the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
The photo was so typically Willa that I missed her even more. Never could take a photo that was in focus.
“This is your room,” Mason said and walked to the last door on the right. He walked a few steps inside and turned back. “The bed is made and towels are in the bathroom.”
It was still early, but I was exhausted and just wanted the day to end. When Mason came back in, he had ordered pizza and we ate it on the couch while watching TV. I had no idea what we watched. My mind was full of toned arms, soft words, and gentle touches. Because I was living in an alternate universe where Mason was easygoing and cared about my well-being.
He almost made me forgot what a jackoff he typically was. This new version of him was hard to resist. He was attentive and nice. He joked around. He didn’t insult me. Not once.
“Do you need me to get you
