by Holly Jaymes
Next time I saw her, I should probably apologize. As I made my way back home, I wondered if she would be there. Had I scared her off?
I put my foot on the gas, wanting to get home sooner rather than later to see if I could fix things with us. When Wyatt’s lights started flashing behind me, I swore and pulled over. That guy was getting in between Willa and me again.
Chapter 15: Stuck in the Middle
Willa
I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised that Mason and I would end up quarreling. Some might say it was in our DNA. McLeans and Haynesvilles had been going to war for nearly two centuries. Before that, though, Jeb and Henry had been friends. I remembered when Mason and I had that epiphany on a sunny afternoon while hiding at the waterfall when we were eleven or twelve. They’d not just been friends, but good friends who trusted each other enough to come out west to seek their fortune in a joint venture. Of course, Henry turned out to be untrustworthy, and there started generation after generation of hatred between our families. Not just hatred, but often oppression or retaliation.
When Mason told me about my father calling his father’s loan to be paid right when his father was having a tough time, my heart sank. I suspected it was less about sticking it to a McLean and more about being able to invest the money in something more profitable. The pushing a McLean down was just icing on the cake.
The thing about Tucker, though, that sounded low even for my dad. I couldn’t say if there were rules of engagement in this feud, but I’d have thought the kids would be off-limits. Apparently, I was wrong. With Tucker’s success, I suspect my father was unsuccessful.
Had I known those incidents, maybe I wouldn’t have pushed Mason so hard. Then again, I knew the McLean’s had a history of being picked on and double-crossed by my family. It was insensitive of me not to remember that. Like ten years ago, I was acting like the injured party, when in fact, I didn’t know what injury was really like.
I needed to apologize the next time I saw him, although who knew when that would be. One thing that was clear in our argument was that I shouldn’t stay with him. While I felt terrible for what happened this morning, my parents were my parents. I loved them and would stand by them as they dealt with the house. Yes, they hadn’t been home for ten years. The place was just an investment now. But that didn’t mean it wouldn’t be hard for them to think of all of our memories now gone up in smoke.
I figured Mason was braver than I was, too, or maybe just more willing to deal with hassles from the parents. But I didn’t want to deal with my parents knowing about Mason and me on top of everything else. What purpose would it serve except to put a rift between us? Before long, I’d be back east, and having them get all upset about a short-term fling wasn’t worth it.
At this time, though, I needed to drive out to Eden Meadows Park to meet my parents. Because I wasn’t sure if I’d be back, I packed my bag and tossed it in my car. I didn’t want to leave town without fixing things with Mason first, but for the next day or two, my focus had to be on my parents.
I drove west along the lake and then turned into the resort and parked in the lodge parking lot. Mason said he’d leave the key with the front desk. I hoped I could pick it up before my parents got there. The more I could avoid having Mason brought up in the conversation, the less likely my parents would find out about him and me. That was my goal.
Unfortunately, the Gods weren’t with me. As I walked in, my parents saw me and rushed over. My parents look like they stepped out of a Nantucket fashion catalog. My father wore khaki shorts with a blue button shirt and leather docksiders. My mother wore white capris with a blue and white striped shirt with a red scarf and red docksiders. Not that it wasn’t nice, but Eden Lake in the summer was all about outdoor roughing it, not rich beach house parties.
“There’s my girl,” my father said, giving me a hug.
“You’ve gained a little weight,” my mother said.
“I have?” My size four skinny jeans didn’t feel any tighter. Of course, my mother always gave me more compliments when I was a size two, but at size two, I had no hips. I felt like I looked like a boy, and I preferred to look like a woman.
“You look great to me. Where’s this condo?” my father said.
“Let me get the key.” I started toward the front desk hoping they would stay behind, but no luck. Crossing my fingers that the desk clerk wouldn’t say, “McLean,” I asked the man who looked familiar, but I couldn’t place, about a reservation for Haynesville.
“Oh yes, Mason said you’d be by.”
I winced. Didn’t Mason tell him not to reveal who owned the place?
“Mason? Who’s Mason?” my father asked.
“Mr. Mason,” I blurted, hoping the guy behind the desk didn’t correct me.
He made an “oops” expression as if he realized his mistake. “Right. Mr. Mason. He hasn’t been in town long.”
“Oh. Well, please tell him how much we appreciate his generosity,” my father said.
“Not that we need it, of course.” Mom waved her hand dismissively.
“Mom.” I groaned inwardly.
The man’s eyes narrowed at my mother. He was definitely a long-time local who sided with the McLeans.
“We’re having a special picnic in the park this Friday,” he said, handing me a flyer. “It’s to say thank you to and raise money for the firefighters.”
“Thank you?” my mother said. “So many people lost their homes.”
The man looked at my mother with judgment in his eyes. “They also saved lives and contained the fire, so it didn’t come across the valley. Without them, this lodge could be gone too.”
“I’m not sure we’ll still be here then, but thank you.” My father took the flyer.
“Let’s go to the room.” I grabbed the key and walked with my mother through the resort to the building with Mason’s condo. We took the elevator up and went to the room.
“I thought places had electronic keys now,” my mother said.
“Many of these are owned year-round, I think,” I told my mom. “This isn’t a regular hotel.” I opened the door to a bright open room that on the other end, had a sliding door to a balcony.
“I wonder what the view is,” my father said, making his way back. “The lake. It’s very nice.”
“Oh, look at the hill, honey.” My mother gasped as she looked over at Haynesville Ridge. “Our house is gone.” She started to cry.
My father put an arm around her. “Now, honey, it will be alright. We’ve got insurance.”
“But what about our memories? Remember when we brought Willa home from the hospital?”
“We’ve got photos.” My father kissed my mother’s head. For two shallow people, there did seem to be affection between them.
“Look here. The owner left wine, cheese, crackers, and chocolate.” I looked at the note, which simply said compliments of the owner.
“And these flowers are nice,” my mother said, looking at the arrangement on the table. I wondered if Mason did that himself or if he paid someone to do it. Either way, it was kind of him, especially considering our fight this morning.
“I think if we’re going to see the house, we should do it now,” my father said. “The insurance adjuster said he’d be out tomorrow, but I’d like to look at it first.”
We rode in my car out to Haynesville Ridge. As we got closer, my mother’s weeping increased. I couldn’t blame her. It was quite sad to see all the destruction. Using Mason’s method of determining the streets, I got us back to our home.
“Oh God…look…it’s completely gone.” My mother stepped out of the car, leaning against the door as she took it in.
My father got out of the backseat and stood next to her, taking her hand. “Anticipating what you’ll find and seeing it in actuality are two different things.” He sighed. “Remember when we built it, honey? It was the grandest home in all of Eden Ridge. It sat up here like a jewel in a crown until other people started building.”
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“I did love this house. I hated leaving it.” She wiped a tear with a dainty hanky she pulled from her purse.
“I’m sorry we had to go,” my father said. I could hear in his voice that his business mistakes still bothered him.
“Well, maybe it was just as well. I mean, look at it now. If we still lived here, all our prized possessions would be gone.” Atta girl, mom, I thought. Look at the bright side.
“Do you think anything is salvageable under that ash?” my father asked.
“I doubt it.” I didn’t tell them about the charm. They never knew it existed in the first place.
“Why didn’t their homes burn?” My mother pointed to the two homes, not far from theirs. “It doesn’t seem right that ours should get destroyed, and theirs are untouched.”
“Most homes up here burned, not just yours,” I pointed out.
“Why not those? What’s so special about them?”
“I don’t think fire takes into consideration who owns the home, mom.” Still, it was strange that the fire seemed to bypass two homes on its way to burning my parents’ house.
“I’d be curious to learn what people plan to do up here,” my father said, walking to the perimeter of the foundation. “Have you heard anyone planning to rebuild, Willa?”
“No. I did hear they’re not sure if it will be financially realistic if the infrastructure was damaged. The fire was pretty hot and might have ruined underground pipes or something.”
“Well, it’s a damn shame.” My father returned to the car. “I’ve seen enough, how about you, honey?”
My mother sniffed and nodded.
“If you don’t want to come out again tomorrow, I can meet with the insurance guy alone.” He rubbed her back.
“No. I want to be a part of it all.”
We all got into the car, and I drove them back to the condo.
“Where should we go for dinner?” my mother asked as I let them in the apartment.
“Is Giovani’s still here?” my father asked.
“It is, but why don’t I pick up some groceries and we can eat in tonight? You’ve had a long drive and emotional experience. You should have some time to recuperate.”
“You’re probably right. People might keep interrupting our dinner, asking about us if we go out,” my mother said.
I rolled my eyes, even though I wondered if that was true. Most people didn’t recognize me, but my parents hadn’t changed at all. And unlike me, they had been extremely visible in all aspects of life here in Eden Lake.
“You two rest. I have a few errands, and then I’ll be back with dinner. Do you have a request?”
“Since you said Giovanni’s, something Italian sounds good,” my mother said.
“I’ll get items for spaghetti and garlic bread.”
“And salad too, honey. Too many carbs gives too many curves.”
I avoided the eye roll, but just barely. I left my parents to rest and drove back to Mason’s. I loved my parents, but the truth was, it was more fun at Mason’s, even when I wasn’t sleeping with him. Staying in that small apartment with my parents would likely make me crazy.
I parked on the street outside of Mason’s, noting that his truck was in the driveway. I grabbed my bag from the trunk and walked up the steps toward the front door.
Movement in the window caught my eye. Mason was sitting on the couch with a pretty brunette. She said something, and he let out a loud laugh, his hand touching her shoulder as he did.
Everything inside me went cold, even though my rational mind told me that I shouldn’t be angry. Mason made no promises, and neither did I. In fact, we both knew I was planning on leaving. So what did I care that he was entertaining another woman?
Was I the other woman? Was he in a relationship already?
I started to move back, and hit a flower pot, sending it with a loud topple down the steps.
They both turned to see me. I couldn’t very well, just run off now. I left my bag on the porch. By the time I reached to knock on the door, Mason was opening it.
“Hi. Sorry, I didn’t realize you had company,” I said, trying to smile like I wasn’t upset that the day after I’d slept with him, he was already replacing me. Or maybe I had replaced her for a night. Geez.
“Come in.” He held the door open.
The woman stood. “I’ll be heading out, Mason.” Then she looked at me and extended her hand. “I’m Allie.”
“Willa,” I said with the same straining smile and a shake of her hand.
“Let’s get together next week,” Mason told her.
“It’s a date.” Allie headed out the door while Mason picked up the glasses they’d been drinking from and started for the kitchen. “I wasn’t sure you’d be back.”
“I wasn’t either. I wasn’t sure you’d want me here.”
He set the glasses in the sink, turned, and leaned back against the counter with his arms crossed. “You’re pissed.”
“I’m not pissed.” I was adamant that I wasn’t going to be one of those women who went hysterical over a man. After all, it’s not like there were any expectations that this would last.
He quirked a brow. “Why would you think I didn’t want you here? I don’t remember asking you to leave, and yet I see you packed up and took all your things.”
“Maybe you’re the one that’s pissed.”
His jaw tightened. “Maybe I am.”
“Why?” It occurred to me that I was supposed to be apologizing, and instead, I was making things worse.
“Because after a very lovely couple of days, you accuse me of being an insensitive oaf. Then you run off with apparently no plan to return, and when you do return, you look at me like I’m cheating on you.”
I wanted to deny it, but couldn’t because he was right.
“This is my house, Willa.” He held out his hands to indicate the space. “So is that condo your folks are staying in, but you don’t want them to know is mine. I have a life without you, and when you run off to New York or wherever, I’ll have a life after you.”
I looked down, feeling both ashamed and hurt. When I looked up again, I knew I had to come clean. “You’re right. I actually came back to apologize for this morning. You’ve been wonderful to me, better than I could have asked.”
He simply stared like he was waiting for more.
“It has been a lovely couple of days, although if you’re already with someone, I’m uncomfortable being the other woman.”
He rolled his eyes. “You’re terrible at this.”
“What?”
“Apologizing. You have a way of doing it that insults me again.”
I could only stare at him because I wasn’t sure what I’d said to offend him.
“You think I’m a man who would cheat or carry on with two women at a time.”
“Ah…no.”
“Yes, you are. You just accused me of that. Allie owns a yoga/pilates studio and has approached me about helping her offer a wellness retreat at Eden Lake next summer. She’s also already seeing someone.”
“So, if she weren’t seeing someone you’d be interested in—”
“Seriously, Willa? She’s seeing Wyatt’s brother, Josh. If you think so little of me, maybe you could go see Wyatt. The four of you could double date.”
He moved away from the counter and stared past me.
“Mason.” I reached out and took his arm. “I’m sorry. You’re right, I’m terrible at this. I do think you’re a good person. I always have. I appreciate all you’ve done for me, and as far as my parents, I know they’re shallow and entitled, but they’re my parents.”
He gave me a curt nod and then continued walking out of the kitchen.
Chapter 16: Making Up
Mason
I was probably a jerk to poke at her like I was, but yes, I was annoyed. First, she gets upset at me after I give her and then her parents a place to stay, and when I come home to apologize for the fight, I find all her stuff packed and gone. Then
she has the gall to look at me like I’m cheating on her by simply talking with another woman. Seriously?
On the other hand, her being jealous means she likes me, right?
I walked past her out of the kitchen and toward the front door.
“Mason. Where are you going? Look, I’m sorry.” She followed me.
I stepped out on the porch, where I knew she’d dropped her bag as I’d seen it in her hand when she walked up the steps.
I picked it up. “I’m getting your bag. Unless you still want to leave.”
She huffed out a breath. “Why do I feel like you’re enjoying all this?”
I stepped back into the house and into her space. “Enjoy it? Not so much. There are other things I enjoy doing with you more than fighting.”
Her smile turned flirty. “Really?”
“Yes. Really. Now, do I put this in the guest room or my room?” I asked, holding up the bag.
“Doesn’t matter.”
My dick stood at attention. I used my free hand to pull her to me. “My room then.” I looked into her eyes and kissed her.
She slid her arms over my shoulders. “I am sorry, Mason.”
“I am too,” I murmured against her neck. I hadn’t thought we’d have make-up sex right then, but her warm body against mine built my need. I began to maneuver her to my room.
“For what?” She jumped up, wrapping her arms around my hips.
Since she said she didn’t need her bag, I dropped it and used both hands under her ass to hold her against me. “I should be more sensitive to your family’s loss, I’m sorry for hurting you and putting the feud between us.”
“They haven’t changed much, but it was difficult for them to see the house.”
“Willa?” I walked us into my room and kicked the door shut.
“Yes, Mason.”
“Don’t talk about your parents when I’m about to get naked with you.”
She smiled wide and real, reminding me again of the sun. “Sorry.”
“Make it up to me.”
It’s true what they say about make-up sex. There’s something about it that makes it more intense. Probably because until I was inside her, it didn’t feel I really had her back.
