Filed to story: Lily Bennett and Mason Cooper Book
“Then add it to the list,” I say, relieved by the shift in conversation.
“I’ll jump with you.”
“Deal,” he says, giving me a penetrating look.
The only sound is the soft lapping of water against the pool’s edge.
Feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze, I sink into the water.
? ? ?
Two days later, I’m getting ready to meet Mason for a run when I hear a banging on my front door.
I open it to be greeted by an angry-looking Harry and Ava.
My body is instantly overcome with anxiety.
Did they find out I hung out with Mason Cooper? They love me, but sleeping with the enemy is a capital offense at Ridgewood.
“Why didn’t you tell us?” Ava demands. I’m frozen, but she continues, “I can’t believe you broke up with Olly.” She steps around me to get inside.
“Yeah, I broke up with Olly,” I say, relaxing my shoulders.
THAT secret I can deal with being out.
My house would be burning to the ground right this moment if they knew about Mason.
That’s how much Harry hates him.
Harry wraps his arms around me in one of his famous bear hugs.
“You okay, babe?” he asks, looking down at me.
“I’m fine. We just had a fight and broke up,” I lie.
I don’t want everyone knowing he cheated on me.
I’ll be the laughingstock of the school, and if I tell Ava everyone will know.
I love her, but she can’t keep a secret to save her life.
“What’d you fight about? He wouldn’t tell us.” She pouts.
“Leah’s taken his side,” she adds.
“It’s none of anyone’s business,” I snap.
“We fought. I broke up with him. End of story,” I state, breaking out of Harry’s hug and grabbing my keys and phone.
“I’m about to go for a run.”
“Lily, we care about you,” Ava says.
“I know. I just don’t want to talk about it.” I sigh, hoping they’ll drop it.
“Talking about it will help,” she says gently as she touches my shoulder.
“I’m here if you need me.”
“Want some company on your run?” Harry offers with a sad smile.
“No, thanks. I just need some alone time,” I lie.
Alone time with Mason…
“Okay, I’ll text you later,” he says softly. He seems to understand.
“And I’ll come around tonight,” Ava adds, not giving me an opening to say no.
I drive the short distance to the trail, get out, and start running.
Mason and I agreed to meet halfway down the trail, so people wouldn’t see us together from the road.
I round a corner and find him waiting where I first saw him, though this time he’s wearing clothes.
Barely. A tiny pair of shorts and no shirt.
Beads of sweat drip down his bare chest.
“Fancy meeting you here, princess,” he smirks. I catch him looking at my legs.
“Surprised you’re not skinny dipping,” I say.
“Surprised you’re not-you seemed to enjoy it the other night,” he says with that damn grin of his.
Just thinking about the other night makes me blush, so I turn away, start walking.
He falls in step with me.
“I was trying to be able to run this whole trail by the start of school,” I say, “but I don’t feel like that’s happening.”
“Another thing for the list!” he declares.
“We can get you there, we just need to come at six when it’s cooler.”
“Six a.m.? During summer vacation?” I snort.
“It’s not that bad.” He shrugs.
“Anyway, I was thinking we should climb the water tower tonight.”
“Yeah?” I ask, feeling a smile take over my face.
“Why not? But first… Race ya!” he calls out as he takes off running.
“Not fair!” I call back and break into a sprint.
I try my hardest to catch up with him, but he beats me to the parking lot by a good few yards.
“You cheated,” I pant, trying to catch my breath.
“You’re fast,” he says, his muscular chest heaving with deep breaths.
“I was going to go easy on you, but shit, princess.” He shakes his head with a laugh.
? ? ?
At nine that night, I’m looking out my living room window waiting for Mason to pull up. The second I see his headlights, I run outside and jump into the passenger seat.
“Someone’s excited,” he laughs as I put my seat belt on.
“I am.” I smile widely. It’s a short drive there, but the nerves build the whole way.
“Is this illegal?” I ask when Mason pulls up in the field surrounding the water tower.
“You’re not going to chicken out on me, are you?”
“No,” I say, biting my lip as we get out of the car.
I grab the bottom rung of the ladder and start pulling myself up. It’s a long climb and my stomach is churning the whole way.
Mason is right behind me though, which makes me feel safer. We finally make it to the top.
“Whoa,” I say, looking at the view. I can see the whole city from up here.
“Crazy, right?” Mason says, sitting down and sliding his legs through the railing.
“It’s so quiet out here,” I whisper as I sit next to him. All I can hear is our breathing and crickets. It’s like we’re the only two people in the world.
“I have to say, I’m surprised you did this,” he says.