Vicious Circles - By Leann Andrews Page 0,3

was hoping to catch you actually. Jill went MIA on me and I thought if anyone knew where she was it would be you and your dick.”

He cringed at my nonchalant tone. I suppose he’d never met anyone quite like me. “No, I haven’t seen her, sorry.”

Figured. Deep down in my gut was telling me she’d skipped town and left my ass on the east coast to rot. I groaned and yanked at my hair in frustration. Mason just stared like I was on display. I refused to carry on a conversation with him any longer and remained silent until he started to show signs of being uncomfortable. After he opened and closed his mouth a few times, probably to say something he thought should be said, he just left…no goodbye.

Chapter 2

I spent one more night in the hospital after my happy little meeting with Mason. I didn’t mind that they fed me and I watched free cable while I fell asleep. I would have to pay for it eventually but nothing was better than immediate gratification. My good mood came to a crashing halt when I signed the release papers.

“Your friend left this for you,” the nurse said in a business-like tone. She handed me a slip of paper.

“He’s not a friend of mine, just someone who was looking to upgrade his hero status.” I snatched the jagged piece of paper from her hand. “Thanks anyway.”

My head was pounding and I needed a cigarette. I began to realize just how screwed I was as I walked away from the hospital, through the parking lot. I had no clue where I was going and Mason was probably sporting an erection at the thought of being my only hope. What an asshole.

Philadelphia wasn’t such a bad city once I emerged from the scarier part. I spent at least an hour gazing at the LOVE sculpture. I spent some time, mingling with the tourists in front of Independence Hall. The whole situation with Jill and Mason was almost gone from my mind, until it started to get dark. My eyes burned as I slowly realized the darkened sky made me vulnerable and I had absolutely nowhere to go.

I would have to call him.

He knew I would have to call him.

Reluctantly, I entered the closest business and plastered on a smile. The man behind the counter obviously thought his good deed would get him laid because he handed his cell phone over, no questions. He eyed me appreciatively while I pulled the piece of paper from my pocket and dialed.

“Hello?”

I hesitated and the voice came again.

“Hello?!”

“Mason?”

“Yeah,” he answered hesitantly. “Who’s this?”

I felt absolutely sick having to ask him for help. “It’s…Fallyn, Jill’s EX friend.” I made sure to be clear about my feelings for Jill at the moment. She was going to meet my fist once or twice when I finally found her.

“I remember you,” Mason said in a sly voice. “I was sure you’d be calling. Looks like I was right.”

Ugh, how arrogant. “Listen, I’d much rather stab myself in the eye than tell you I’m in a spot here but clearly I have no other choice. I don’t make it a habit of telling strangers my life story so don’t ask me any questions and we’ll be just fine.”

He laughed on the other end. “I can agree to that.”

“What the hell do you want from me anyway? I mean, if you think I’m going anywhere near your man region you’re severely mistaken.” Just the thought made my stomach cringe.

Mason sighed softly. “I don’t know what Jill has told you about me or where you even get your information. Maybe you don’t know anything about me at all, Fallyn…but I’m a decent guy and you shouldn’t be wandering around the city alone. I’ll make sure you get back to LA safely.”

My mouth was wide open with shock. Everything he said sounded sincere and frankly, I don’t think I cared if he was bullshitting me. He took my silence as confirmation and continued with his speech.

“I’m going to give you the address of the bar we’re playing tonight. Catch a taxi and I’ll pay the driver when you get here. Okay?”

“I…well. Yeah, that’s fine.”

“Good,” he said before spouting off the address. I ripped a piece of paper off the lotto forms on the counter and wrote quickly. “See you soon.”

“Sure, see you then.” The pervert behind the counter grinned at me when I handed his cell back. I thanked him for the phone