Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve

Ainsley

Mason left without saying goodbye.

In his defense, I fell asleep right after we began to watch Some Kind of Wonderful. It's one of my favorite romantic comedies. I don't even remember heading to my room. Maybe he just placed me on my bed and threw a blanket on top of me. If I didn't have so much to do today, I'd call him.

This morning, I put on a sundress and a pair of sandals and drive toward the school. It's almost ready. There are a few decisions I have to make today. I'm ready to order the furniture, instruments, and computer equipment. My dream is about to come true.

As if I summoned Mason with my mind, I receive a text from him just as I'm getting out of the car. I look around to make sure he isn't close, stalking me. That's his job, isn't it? Being a super ninja-stalker and saving the world?

It's a picture of Lake Washington, but it's the caption that puts a crease in my forehead. ‘Great day to go sailing. Want to join?'

Nine: It would be, but I have work to do.

Mason: Let's play hooky together.

Nine: I thought you were the responsible one of the two of us.

Mason: It's my responsibility to ensure that you're enjoying yourself while I'm teaching you to date. Work isn't the best environment for it.

I smile. Dating him might be better than I thought. Not that this is real, is it?

Nine: Let's discuss this later.

I turn off my phone and shove it inside my purse to avoid temptation. When I reach the music school, I instantly regret arriving earlier than my brothers. At six-foot tall with a lanky frame, wearing his skinny black jeans and a ratty T-shirt is Porter. Chocolate-brown eyes staring at me.

"What now, Porter?"

He has been calling nonstop since yesterday, sending texts, and leaving voicemails. I should've mentioned that to Mason, but I didn't. He'll insist that I need a bodyguard. I don't.

"You were with him last night." His accusatory voice startles me.

His knowledge about my whereabouts creeps me out.

"I don't like to share," he raves. "You're mine. I claimed you long ago. One slip and you're trying to change the game. I won't allow it, Ainsley. Not now or ever. Bradley has to stay away from you."

He takes a step forward, and I don't retreat. Instead, I raise my chin and stare at him.

"I'm not anyone's property. You have no right to… Wait… how do you know?"

Porter places most of his body weight on his left side, crosses his arms, and takes several breaths. He cocks his head as if questioning himself or maybe reconciling what he did and what he should tell me.

Typical Porter.

As he works something out inside that head of his, my own mind stays busy. We can have a final talk, can't we? We're here, might as well have a mature conversation. I can, without asking if I can punch him until I feel better. No, that's the opposite of mature. There has to be a better way to make him understand that he has to keep his distance.

He hurt me.

He abused me. It doesn't matter if he didn't use physical force. Words hurt. Lies, even the littlest of them, can hurt someone. All of them, little and big, hurt me. His presence isn't physically threatening, but it drains my soul.

"I was at Vogue with a friend."

The perfect example of irony. He's telling me I can't see anyone while he was with one of his multiple friends .

A humorless laugh blossoms from my chest, and I can't control it.

"Priceless, Porter," I say between gasps because I can't stop the amused yet bitter chortle. "You went with your latest girl to Vogue. While partying, you spotted me and came to, what? Warn me? We are no longer together. Damn, you're missing a screw."

The slight quirk to his eyebrow indicates his displeasure. In only a few seconds, Porter Kendrick will blow up and tell me what I should think or do.

"If I decide to date Mason, it's my business," I argue. "How about you leave me alone and live your own life?"

A scornfully raised eyebrow is the only response he can give me. That arrogance angers me. I quell the urge to slap him across his face and kick him in the shins.

"He's always wanted you," Porter states. "I won't let him have what's mine. I'll be around to prevent that asshole from taking away the only person I love."

"This is the last time I want to see you around," I order him. "Next time, I'll call the police. Your pursuit of me is getting close to stalking. The texts and phone calls are getting old, and I have the records that you're harassing me."

"I need your help."

He always needs my help. Ever since my parents fostered him, it's been me helping him and solving his problems. No more.

"The house in Austin," he starts. "A friend of mine is leasing it, but… it isn't enough. I have to sell it."

"Sell it, then." I give him my blessing. "I haven't lived there for years."

"You need to sign some papers so I can sell the house."

Why would I need to sign anything? He's crazy or probably high.

"Leave. If you look for me, you're going to regret it, Porter. I mean it this time."

"You have no idea what you're getting us into, Ainsley," he threatens me. "You'll regret it. As usual, you're a fucking selfish bitch."

There's the man I know and wonder why I loved for so many years. Making a getaway, I enter the school, my legs shaking, but I regain strength right before my brothers arrive.

"We saw Kendrick's car," Matt says after kissing my cheek.

"Yeah?" I have no idea what Porter drives. "He left only a few minutes ago."

"Hey, turn on your phone," Matt advises. "The parents and Mason called me to check on you because they can't get through."

I turn it on, and sure enough, several voicemails and texts appear. Damn it.

PK: You are mine.

PK: I'll recover everything: my music, status, and you.

Ainse: I'm fine, parental units. I'm having issues with my phone. I'll text you once I solve them.

Ainsley: Leave me alone, Porter.

PK: There's nothing you can do to stop me.

Ainsley: Yes, there is. This phone is no longer mine.

I race outside the school and stop a teenager who's walking by. "Do you want this phone?"

"I… no, thank you."

"It's free of charge," I tell him as I reset the phone, erasing everything on it. Pictures, numbers, emails… everything. "You're doing me a favor." I take out the SIM card and hand it to him, brushing off my hands. Problem solved. No more Porter.

"Was that necessary?" Matt questions, and I shrug.

"Want to head to the mall after this?" I ask them. "I think I need a new phone."

"She's losing her mind," Jacob says.

"Porter threatened me. I'm taking my life back and all the power he believes he has over me away."

I hope.