2. Bridget

TWO

Bridget

I fiddle endlessly with my rings as Mason drives me back to the station in the firetruck. I've never been inside one before, but I can't find it in me to be impressed right now.

I'm way too fucking nervous for that.

As far as elephants in the room go, this one is huge and not going anywhere.

My brain is churning over every little thing I want to ask, to say, but I keep my mouth clamped shut. I'm not about to be the one to break the silence.

What's he been up to, though? Five years is a long time. Is he okay? Is he seeing anyone?

I have no idea what his life's been like, and it's not for lack of trying. Jai was not an understanding man, and he'd done something—likely threatening the guy—to get Mason to block me on social media.

No Facebook stalking that one.

It didn't help that Jai had made me block Mason as well. Something he could check to see if I ever undid it.

I still haven't.

It's been three years since I left Jai, and I still have Mason blocked on socials because I'm too much of a damn chicken to see what his pictures might be like.

And too afraid to answer his questions.

Because the truth is Mason was right. I made the wrong choice back then, and I've regretted it every day since.

The one that got away. Such a stupid fucking thing to say, but nothing has ever been so accurate .

Hell, I haven't even asked Hudson about him—Mason's best friend—because he would have blabbed about it to the guy.

Oh, and there's that little part about Hudson not knowing how we felt about each other back then. He'd have his own questions.

And I don't do questions. Not anymore. Not after Jai.

"So," Mason says, startling me out of my thoughts, "what are you doing back in town, Bridget? It's been a while."

I glance over, going with the truth, at least part of it. "Mom is sick. Hudson needs help paying for her medication and a surplus of bills. Plus, someone needs to help physically with Mom, and he's got a family to look after."

It's a shit situation, but Mason seems more concerned than I'd expect. His brows pinch together, and I frown back at him.

"What?"

"Your brother didn't say anything. I'm just surprised that…he didn't talk to me about it."

My heart pinches, and I curl into myself, having stuck my foot firmly in my mouth. Mason clearly notices because he laughs lightly through his nose.

"Don't worry about it, Bridget. I'm not upset. Hudson and I don't get to talk and hang out as much as we'd like. We're both busy. Has she been sick for long?"

I shake my head. "No, actually. It was pretty sudden, and yeah. Hudson and I have been talking about it over the phone for just a few days. I decided to drive home just two days ago. So it's been moving pretty fast."

Mason hums a sound of understanding.

"Well, there we go. I'm sure Hudson just hasn't had the time to talk to me about it. It's been a minute since we've seen each other."

"Completely."

But after that, silence crawls back into the cab again, and it's not any less awkward.

We reach the firehouse in the next few minutes, and Mason has me wait out front while he pulls the truck around to the back and parks it.

After a moment Mason shows me to his truck. Pulling myself up and in—cursing my short legs—I take my spot in the passenger seat and buckle up.

Mason comes around the other side of the vehicle, and then we're off to my mother's house. Explaining all this is going to suck.

It's not a long drive. Nothing in Red Lodge really is, and as we pass down the main thoroughfare, I lose myself to the familiar sights.

The main street is still lined with two-story brick buildings on either side, the warm red color glowing in the afternoon light.

They're such old, quaint buildings, and I could probably map out the entire street even after five years.

The mountains create a gorgeous looming background to the streets, and the spotty clouds dot the sky with puffs of white.

Red catches my eye, and I turn to see the Red Lodge Café sign, still the shiny color decorated with neon accents. My stomach rolls like the hills around us as my heart pinches.

I left all this behind for the glitz and glamor of LA, and pretty much everything about that experience was a total failure.

No music career. No supportive boyfriend. Just pain and tears and fear.

Getting away from Jai was by far the first wise decision I'd made in a long time, but that bandaid had hardly come off clean. My hair was a testament to that.

And the years of zero communication with my brother and mother.

It's peak summer hiking season in Red Lodge now, and as we drive slowly through the tourist-laden streets, I remember all my young summers here.

Custer Gallatin National Forest was right next to us, and being brave enough to swim in the lakes was a right of passage.

Hudson, Mason, and I had all gone together, this terrible trio of silly kids getting into trouble.

God, I miss those days so damn much.

"Well, it looks like they were waiting for you."

I look up at Mason's words, seeing Hudson standing in the lawn, and I sigh. "Jesus. Great."

"You'll be fine," Mason adds, and I look over at him.

He's not looking at me, though, just staring straight ahead through the dash. Grabbing my wallet, I reach for the handle, ready to get my suitcase from the back seat of Mason's truck.

"Thanks for the ride, Mason."

My voice is quiet, far from the perky confidence he probably remembers. But I haven't been that girl in a long while.

I lean forward, putting my weight into the door as I push it open, but then Mason's hand snags my other wrist, and I'm forced to stop.

Turning, I look back at him with my brows up to my hairline. I'm about to ask what he wants when I see his expression.

Mason's brows are down over his eyes, worried together and making a deep crease between them.

It halts my words—the look intense and focused entirely on me—and my heartbeat stutters.

He's changed so much, older with touches of silver at his temples, but he's still quite possibly the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

"I have so many questions, Bridget." His voice is low, and Mason's eyes drop to where he's holding my wrist. "You…I didn't think you were coming back."

I have to force myself to swallow, my throat tight and aching as I restrain the sob that wants to break free.

"I know. Me either."

Mason looks back up at me, his eyes so dark with confusion and worry that I can taste it.

"Why did you—no. Don't answer that. I just…yeah. I'm glad that I could give you a lift, Bridget. It's…good to see an old friend back in town."

The emphasis on the word "friend" chokes me, and I hear what he's saying without words.

His life moved on without me. It had to. No part of me is mad at Mason for that, but every fiber of my being is disappointed.

Because this is my fault.

I shouldn't have left. I never should have left him .

"You too, Mason. I, umm, I'll see you around, I guess. And really," I lower my chin so that I can meet his eyes all the more, "thank you. You're a good man."

At that, he scoffs, letting go of my wrist and shaking his head. "I'm nothing special, Songbird. Let's get your bag."

Mason jerks his chin toward the back, getting out of his truck and going for my bag in the back.

Meanwhile, I can't breathe. My entire being hurts, and I wish, like I never have before, to disappear into thin air and be blown away by the wind.

Songbird. He said…

But I can't bring myself to finish the thought. So, I just wipe under my eyes, blinking several times to keep the tears at bay.

I can't get out of the truck crying after all. Hudson is just a few yards away, waiting at the foot of the steps up to Mom's house.

Sniffling once more, I get out of the truck, closing the door firmly behind me.

"Bridget!" Hudson calls out, rushing over toward me.

I give him a smile. "Hey, bro."

His arms circle me in a huge hug, and for a second, I actually let myself enjoy it. When Hudson leans back, he makes a face down at me, gesturing with his head toward Mason's truck.

"Did I miss something? Don't you have a tiny little sedan?"

With a sigh that's half a chuckle, I roll my eyes. "I did. Until about an hour ago."

Hudson's eyes flare wide as Mason comes over with my suitcase. "What happened?"

"Boone was hitting the bottle early again. Rear-ended Bridget." Mason hands my bag to my brother, and I sigh again.

"I'm fine, though. Not the car so much."

Hudson rolls his eyes, clearly aware of this Boone guy's antics. "Jesus, that guy is the worst. Is the car?—"

"It's totaled," I reply, worrying my lips between my teeth. "Which is just great considering I'm now carless with no way to pay for a new one."

Standing between my brother and Mason doesn't feel like it used to, nervous energy crawls down my spine as Hudson holds my suitcase and Mason stands right to my side.

It's like a date without any of the promise of enjoyment. Ugh, please let this end .

"Hey," Hudson offers, his brows raising like he has an idea, which is so much worse, "Mason, do you still need a nanny?"

"What?" Mason and I say at the same time, my stomach flip-flopping like a damn pancake on a griddle.

"Oh, come on. It's Bridget. She needs a job, clearly, and I know she'd be amazing with Mia. B's great with kids. Always has been. Remember all that babysitting money?"

My heart is joining my stomach in an attempt to flee my body or cause me to pass out.

Mason has a kid? A daughter? Since when? Well, of course, he does. Who wouldn't snatch him up? Fuck, could this get any worse?

I can feel my brows up to my hairline, and Mason is doing the same. As I look at him, not willing to open my trap and ruin everything even more, Mason's hesitation is obvious.

Hudson doesn't know that we have baggage. But hell, I do need a job, and looking after kids is how I've always been able to make money. I did it in LA.

Medical bills, medication, and a new car. You have quite the expenses, Bridget. This could really fix that.

"I don't know, Hudson. I'm sure that Bridget has better things to be doing than looking after Mia."

"She came here to see our sick mother, so I assure you, she doesn't. Mom will be getting help from a nurse, and Bridget came here with nothing. Come on."

"Hey!" I interject. "I am standing right here, asshole."

Hudson smirks at me, and all I can do is sigh.

"Look," I turn to Mason, "I do need a job, and I assure you that I can be trusted with your daughter. I nannied in LA and a couple other cities during my travels. I'm good with kids. And…I want to be able to pull my weight while I'm here."

Mason studies me for a moment, and I hold his stare. This is going to be awkward. No way around that, but if I could just have the money I need to get by, I could always get another job later.

"Okay. I guess it's better than a total stranger with her. Can you start right away?"

The last bit is a total joke, and I roll my eyes. "Of course."

"Well, all right then. I guess I'll see you Monday morning? Nine?"

I nod. "I'll see you then, Mason."