“Do you always have to make a spectacle?” David complained next to me.
I turned furious eyes on him and he stepped back. At least he wasn’t totally stupid. “Do you think I planned this? If I wanted attention I would get up on stage and sing. Or start dancing.”
“Maybe you did. And I think we’ve stayed long enough.” He took my arm. “Let’s go,” he commanded and pulled.
“Let her go,” Mason said and stepped in front of us.
“Not your problem, Mason. I think you made your opinion on where you stand clear,” I said. At this stage I was ready to crawl under my covers and cry myself to sleep. Going back to David’s place sounded like a great idea. And the last thing I wanted was to cause a scene at Willa’s wedding.
“You’re not going with him,” Mason said and didn’t move.
“This is none of your business,” David said, his calm voice betraying his emotions. His hand was digging into my skin, and I didn’t think he would just let this go.
“Anything to do with Stella is my business,” Mason said.
“I told you not to get involved with him. This is going to blow back on us,” David said next to me.
He liked giving me the I-told-you-so speech. This wasn’t the first one I’d received and wouldn’t be the last.
“Mason, no offence but this is none of your business.” I looked from Mason to David. “Now let go of my arm and we can go home. No scene caused and no casualties recorded. Happy endings all around,” I said and looked at the blonde that had followed Mason. “Some might be happier than others.”
David didn’t let go but tried to step around Mason instead. This wasn’t going to end well. Mason was all muscle, not an ounce of fat on him. David was all lean runner and developing a bit of a belly.
“I guess you do want to cause a scene then,” Mason said before he stepped forward and punched David, who went down without a sound.
“What the hell did you do?” I yelled at Mason and kneeled down to check if David was okay. He was holding his nose, groaning, while blood was gushing.
“This is all your fault,” David said while glaring at me, his voice muffled from holding his nose.
I ignored his comment and helped him up. “Let’s go inside, and I’ll get you some ice,” I said and led him to the back porch.
“Awesome,” Willa exclaimed, stumbling over. “Not only did I get married today, but Mason finally found his balls. Happy days.”
I groaned, feeling terrible that I was the cause for all this. “I’m so sorry, Willa. I’ll get him out of here.”
She grinned big and waved me off. “That was awesome. I saw the punch. No warning, just a well-aimed jab. Way to go, big boy,” she said and petted Mason’s arm.
I kept leading David into the house, Willa, Mason, and the blonde following.
“Where are you going, Mason?” the blonde squeaked. She was running next to us, her steps small due to the tight fit of her dress.
“What’s it look like?” Mason asked, sounding exasperated. Served him right for inviting her.
“But afterward you’ll get me a drink, right?” she whined.
“Nope. And you should go back to your date.”
I grinned and looked up at a smiling Willa. If I had my hands free, I would’ve high five her.
“This is turning into the wedding of the year, people. Give me more drama,” Willa said and pumped her hand in the air while she led the way into the kitchen.
I pushed David onto a bar stool and took the ice Willa held out.
“I’m going to sue you,” David said, glaring at Mason. His voice still sounded nasally, making me grin behind my hand.
“Now, David,” Willa said and walked over to where David was perched. “I trust that you will go home like the well-trained politician you are instead of making another scene. Because I’m sure there are a few things Stella could do to make your life uncomfortable.”
David just stared at her, but she seemed to be satisfied with what she saw and nodded. “All right, now that that’s sorted, I have a wedding to get back to. You kids behave. And David, I hope you will make the right decision tonight.”
With a swirl of her skirt she went back outside, whistling what sounded a lot like the theme song to MacGyver.
David took the ice off his nose, and I noticed that the bleeding had stopped. “Stella, get your things,” he said and put the ice on the counter and stood up.
“Get out,” Mason ground out and stepped in front of me, facing David.
“Stella,” David said, his tone louder. “You know what’s on the line.”
I did know but couldn’t get myself to move. Turned out the decision was taken out of my hands when Mason turned around and put his hands on my waist, nudging me backward. I stumbled in the direction he guided me, confused as to what he was doing.
I heard David storm out and watched him slam the font door.
My eyes wandered back to Mason, admiring his beautiful face, trying to commit it to memory. Who knew when I had a chance to see him again after I stopped working at the garage. We stopped just when the back of my feet hit the stairs.
“What are you doing?” I asked when he turned me around and led me up the stairs.
“I tried staying away. But turns out you are more than worth it, and I hope I haven’t screwed things up yet and still get a chance at saving you.”
“I don’t need saving. I told you that this isn’t as easy as telling David to go to hell.”
“And I told you to talk to me. Tell me what else is in the damn contract and we’ll find a way out of it.”
I sighed in defeat and considered his offer.
