Chapter 20
twenty
. . .
Violet
three years ago
chicago
I’m in line at the cafe, contemplating if a breakfast sandwich will hold me over when a group of Mason’s teammates shuffled in behind me.
“Mason’s at it again? I swear if the NHL had a record for how many girls you can sleep with in a season he’d already be in the Hall of Fame.”
The comment draws a laugh from a handful of other players and my stomach sinks a little. I know Mason’s history, but it doesn’t feel great to be grouped in with his past playthings.
“Seriously.” A different voice speaks up. “I thought I was a menace when I joined the team a few years ago, but Mason. He’s next level. Dude’s a legend no matter what he manages to do on this team.”
“Should we take bets on how long until Hayes sends this new girl packing? I say no longer than a week.”
Wow, this guy is such an asshole.
“Don’t be a dick, Kall.”
“All I’m saying is, I feel for the poor girl. She seems nice enough. It’s a shame she doesn’t realize she’s being played.”
“Perhaps he is a changed man.” More laughs.
“C’mon, we’ve all been there. All-star rookie year, flying girls out to games so we can have some extra fun…celebrating after a win. Whisper a few sweet nothings so they feel grateful to be sucking your dick.”
My jaw is on the floor. I know Mason wouldn’t treat me like that but damn…these guys just play-by-played our evening. Maybe I didn’t know the new Mason.
“I don’t know, man. Sure, he has a past, but he seems pretty serious about this one.”
Thank you, kind sir.
“And the hot little blonde I saw sneaking out of his hotel room yesterday morning? Is he serious about her too?”
What.the.actual.fuck. Mason told me last night he hadn’t been with anyone since we last kissed. If that wasn’t true, why would he feel the need to say it?
“Yeah man, she was freaking gorgeous. Had to be a lawyer or something with the fancy suit she was wearing.”
I was no longer interested in the sandwich. My chest is twinging with pain, and my heart is racing so fast I feel like I’m suffocating. Even if he did sleep with someone yesterday, that was before we had gotten together. And it didn’t change anything now. But why would he lie about not being with anyone?
Instead of standing there in the cafe and driving myself crazy with all the questions, I decide to go to the one person who could give me some answers. As I watched the numbers of the elevator tick up one by one, all I can think about is how an hour ago, my head was filled with Mason saying, “You. I want you.” And now the only voice in my head is my father’s. “No one ever wanted you.”