Mason (Carter Brothers #2) - Lisa Helen Gray Page 0,1

door. I’d braved it and gone to speak to Mason, but he was occupying some other woman, so I didn’t want to embarrass myself any further. It’s not like I haven’t done enough of that when it comes to him.

“Malik?’’ I grin and she nods her head with an eye roll.

I listen to their conversation in envy. I wish I had that. Malik, Harlow’s boyfriend, has stood by her side since the whole Davis thing happened. I’m jealous she has him. He hasn’t left her side until tonight which is something I’m so desperate to have. I want someone to hold me in their arms and tell me it’s okay, to tell me that they’re there for me and that they love me.

I catch the last part of their conversation and my ears pick up. I know I can’t put off saying anything any longer. My Nan texted me not long ago saying no more than an hour because we had a three hour drive to make.

“What are we doing?’’

“I need to go meet Malik, are you coming? He wants to show me something. Mr. Gunner said he’s found a way to help me move on,’’ she says sheepishly.

“Well I’m intrigued. I can only stay for a little bit, but I have to leave in...’’ I frown pretending to look at my watch, hoping that miraculously I’ll get more time. “in less than an hour.’’

“Is everything okay, Denny? You said you needed to talk, but you’ve avoided any conversation since you got here.’’

“Yeah I do, but can I tell you after?’’ I plead, hoping she doesn’t notice my eyes watering.

“Okay,’’ she agrees reluctantly.

We pull up to where Malik stands waiting at the edge of the lane, his face sporting the biggest grin ever. Whatever it is he needs to show is obviously important. The lad hardly smiles. The once when he did I thought his face was going to crack.

“This better be good,’’ Harlow warns him nervously.

“You’ll be fine, babe. I wouldn’t bring you out here if I didn’t think this may do you some good,’’ he grins.

“Is that smoke?’’ I gasp from behind them, the smell of smoke strong in the air. I walk towards the old house and grin. They’re burning down the old Gunner house. I can hear Harlow asking Malik if he did this when a man I recognise as Chris’s dad marches over looking grim.

Uh-oh.

As soon as I hear that this wasn’t all Malik and that Chris’s dad is the one who decided to burn the house down, I take a step back, wanting to get out of the way. One, I’m pretty sure inhaling all this smoke isn’t good for me or the... see? I can’t even say it.

Another texted message flashes on my phone asking me where I am. I reply with the address and where to wait for me. When I look back up from my phone Hannah is talking to Harlow. The bitch really has a nerve. I’m about to step in and give her another punch to the face like I did a few weeks back, when I notice Mason over by the fence talking to the rest of the Carter brothers, a girl hanging off his arm. It’s not even the same girl I saw him with earlier when I went to try and talk to him.

Fucking typical.

His eyes reach mine, and I swear he can reach inside my soul with just one look. His eyes are a chocolate brown colour, but when he’s turned on or angry they mould into the darkest brown you’ll ever see.

Shivers rake through my body, his stare captivating me, making it hard for me to look away. The spell is soon broken when the girl he’s with steps in front of him, rubbing her boobs up his chest. My eyes start to water and I have to look away, but giving him one last glance I see him giving me those soft puppy dog eyes, the same eyes that got me into bed.

I don’t think my feelings for him will ever change. All I know is that I’ll never let another boy like Mason walk all over me.

Time is passing too quickly and before I know it, my Nan has texted telling me she’s here and to say goodbye.

My eyes water, tears spilling down my cheeks as I walk over to where Harlow is, cuddled in Malik’s arms. Half of me doesn’t want to interrupt them, they look so peaceful together. I could