29. Mason

Mason

29

There's a knock at the door before Sage lets himself in. It doesn't matter if it's my apartment for the time being, the guys at the shop still treat it like they did when Sage lived here. Like a communal living space for them to come and go as they please.

It's one of the reasons I should probably grow up and get my own place in the city. I didn't mind the rotation of them coming and going when they needed to nap between sessions or grab something to eat. But with Reed here, I like it just being us.

I still haven't been brave enough to ask her if she'll come with me when I move, but I'm hoping I can convince her before I get to that point.

"You guys think you brought enough booze?" I ask as Crew and Jude walk past me with a bottle in each hand.

"We're celebrating." Jude almost smiles, which is really fucking rare for him, so I'm curious about what's going on.

Fel is practically glowing beside him, and Echo goes to stand next to Crew as Sage and Lyla make their way into the apartment.

"Did someone say we're celebrating?" Reed steps out of the hallway.

She's changed into leggings and a cropped green T-shirt, showing off a tease of her stomach that has me wanting to kick everyone out so I can rip her clothes off.

Reed stops beside me at the kitchen island but maintains the smallest gap of space that feels like miles. I want to reach out and wrap my arm around her waist. To hold her hand and lean in to smell her freshly washed hair. I want to hug her like all the other guys are holding their girls.

I've never been jealous of guys in relationships until now. But I'd like this girl to be mine, and she isn't ready.

"Yes, we're celebrating." Fel plants her hand on Jude's chest, and he pulls her closer. "I'm pregnant."

"What?" Lyla shrieks, and Sage almost loses his grasp on her when she starts bouncing with excitement. "We're pregnant together?"

Lyla runs over to Fel and wraps her arms around her. Tears stream down her face.

"She's a little emotional," Sage says to the rest of us as Lyla continues to cry.

Lyla narrows her eyes at Sage. "Didn't anyone warn you not to call your pregnant wife emotional?"

"I'll make it up to you later, butterfly." He winks.

Reed rolls her eyes. "You two stop being gross. Congratulations, Fel."

She walks over and hugs Fel once Lyla finally lets her go, and Echo is right behind her.

Jude watches them, but he doesn't leave Fel's side. He stares at her with the kind of light in his eyes that only his wife can draw out.

"Congrats, man." I nod.

"Thanks." He wipes his palm down his face. "It's wild. I mean, being a dad…"

"You'll be good. Don't worry." Sage nods at him.

Jude and Sage have been friends since they were teenagers. And now they're going to be fathers together. I've never had that kind of friendship. Gabe was the closest I've gotten to a brotherly bond, and he manipulated that to get to my sister.

"You guys missed it." Crew grins, knocking Jude on the shoulder. "His girl had a little fun announcing the pregnancy."

"What's he talking about?" Sage asks Jude.

Jude glances down at Fel, clenching his jaw. "Someone thought it would be funny to distract me before announcing her little surprise in case I wasn't going to take it well."

"Oh yeah?" Sage perks up at this. "What'd she do?"

"I walked the ring at his fight."

Sage bursts out laughing, but Jude doesn't look the least bit amused. "That's fucking hilarious. See, this is why I like you, Fel. Someone needs to keep this asshole on his toes."

She wraps her arms around Jude's waist, and he kisses the top of her head. "Oh, I do."

"I don't see the issue." Crew starts pouring drinks, handing one to Echo first. "Goldie, if you want to walk the ring in a bikini, have at it. Just be warned I might fuck you against the ropes in front of everyone if you do."

Echo bites her lower lip, and I think she might be considering it.

Which shouldn't surprise me given that Crew and Echo seem to enjoy getting frisky in public places.

"How have you been feeling?" Lyla asks Fel.

"Fine." Fel shrugs.

"Lucky." Lyla sighs, her gaze moving in Echo's direction.

"Don't look at me." Echo shakes her head as Crew moves to stand behind her, pinning her against the counter. "I'll be Auntie Echo, and that's it."

Crew drops his chin to whisper something in her ear, and her cheeks turn bright red.

Reed has moved beside me at the counter, and she's quiet as she watches everyone. When her eyes meet mine, I wonder if she feels it too. This burning need to close the distance. If so, she doesn't act on it.

"Drink." Echo slides something pink in Reed's direction, and there's a sliver of lime in it. "Looks like it's up to you and me, since these two are too busy growing babies to party."

"Looks like it." Reed laughs, taking a sip of the martini.

The girls make their way into the living room, while the guys stay at the counter. I'm on my third drink before I realize I'm not paying attention to anything being said. At least when Sage was single, we had something in common.

Now, all three of them are paired up and happy. And I'm in this state of suspension.

Glancing over my shoulder at Reed, I catch her gaze and she smiles before dipping her face away from me.

That all-too-familiar knot tightens in my chest.

Sliding off the barstool, I make my way to the bathroom. I just need a little space to get my head on straight when everyday things get harder to deal with.

Staring at my reflection in the mirror, I'm used to being met with the demons that reside there, but for once they're quiet.

Ever since facing my dad, something inside me has settled. I might not be able to make up for my mistakes or take back what I've done, but I need to accept it. I'd never let someone suffer at the hands of a man out of fear of the consequences.

Does that make me the villain?

I'm certainly not a hero.

I exist in the gray space where it depends on who you are and how you look at it.

What does Reed see when she looks at me?

Opening the bathroom door, I find Reed standing on the other side, swaying back and forth on her feet. She's only on drink number two, but she's a bit of a lightweight.

"Hey." Her smile is devious as she skims me.

Sage and Jude talking about babies all night should have me craving a one-night stand. Instead, I imagine what Reed would look like if she were pregnant.

I've officially lost it for this girl.

Reed pushes my chest, backing me into the bathroom and closing the door behind her.

"What do you think you're doing?" I grin as she lifts on her toes and tries to reach me.

Her hands wrap around the back of my neck as she pulls my face down to hers.

"Kissing you." Her lips press to mine, and she's so fucking sweet.

Like limes and berries. Her tongue slips into my mouth as I pick her up to sit her on the counter.

The last thing I need is to walk around with my dick hard all fucking night, but the second she moans into my mouth and grinds against me, there's no holding back. I'm rock hard and aching.

Reed's fingers trail over my shoulders and down my chest. And I'm lost in this kiss. In how perfect she feels against me.

The kind of goodness I don't deserve, but I'm selfish, so I take it anyway.

"Can't they leave already?" Reed frowns when I break the kiss. "I need you to fuck me."

She rolls her hips, and I can't contain the growl ripping free from my chest.

"Soon," I say, hoping I'm right. "Come to think of it, I don't need friends. I can kick them out right now."

She giggles, falling against my chest and hugging me.

Has she ever just hugged me?

Yes, but that was always when she was seeking comfort. Or it was when we were having sex. But she's never just hugged me because she's giddy and wants to.

My arms circle her, and the bathroom is silent. Laughing from the living room filters through the thin walls, but I barely notice. I focus on her arms wrapped around me, and I hug her back until she inevitably pulls away.

"We should get back out there before they think anything." She frowns.

"Probably."

It takes everything in me to step back and help her off the counter.

I'm a fucking gentleman, even when I wish I wasn't.

I make my way out of the bathroom first, and Reed waits a few minutes to follow. But when she comes back into the kitchen, she doesn't go back into the living room with the girls. She stays at my side instead.

My eyes connect with hers, and she lights a fire in my chest. A flame so big it eats up every part of me.

My skin is burning with her attention.

Or is it just burning?

Because something itches all of a sudden.

"Are you okay?" Reed takes my hand, her eyes widening. "You look a little red and puffy."

"I think so." I try to clear my throat. "But I'm a little itchy."

I scratch my neck.

"You're getting spots." Reed drags her fingers down my neck. "Are you having an allergic reaction?"

"Shit." I glance at the counter—at the collection of alcohol bottles and mixers. "What are you drinking?"

Her eyebrows pinch. "A strawberry lime martini."

"With real strawberry?" I glance at the drink and realize there's a sliver of strawberry that was hiding under the lime ribbons.

"Yeah." She nods, her jaw going slack. "Are you allergic to strawberries?"

My throat burns like hell as I nod.

Crew stops beside me. "Why does it matter what Reed was drinking, Mason? It's not like that affects you."

He's smirking wide like an asshole, calling me out as loud as he can just to get Sage's attention. And even if Sage already knows something is going on with his sister, the last thing I need is physical proof of exactly what we're doing.

Sage looks up from where he's talking to Lyla. "What did you just say?"

Crew juts a thumb at me. "Mason's having an allergic reaction to your sister."

I've seen Sage smile before, but what stretches his face is so big, that in comparison, he might as well have never been amused by anything before this moment.

"Is he?" Sage's eyes move from me to Reed as he laughs. "Good. Karma."

"Sage, stop it." Reed scolds him.

"Just saying." He laughs, even as Lyla tries to get him to let it go. "You're the one always talking about signs from the universe, butterfly. This is God's work right here. Smiting this asshole for touching my sister."

"Like God gives a fuck about doing shit for you, Sage." Jude shakes his head.

"Umm, guys." Reed's face gets a little pale as my entire body starts to burn. "Can we cut the shit for a second? I think he needs some Benadryl or an ambulance. Crap."

She's so worried that I should probably be panicking as well, but I can't. Watching her worry about me has all my attention. Reed rushes to the bathroom and starts ordering the room around as Crew forces me to take a seat.

Reed cares—whether she wants to or not. And her concern is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

It doesn't matter if I'm allergic to her kiss. I'd do it again and again.

This girl can kill me all she wants. She's worth it.