Chapter 43
FORTY-THREE
SUMMER
A thud sounds from down the hall, followed by a loud cackle that causes my stomach to plummet. I close my eyes at the prospect of what that sound might mean.
As much as Mase has reassured me he and his wife are over, I know they have a lot of history.
History I cannot compete with. How can I possibly?
She’s the woman he fell in love with as a teenager, childhood sweethearts.
He married her and dreamed of creating a life together, a family unit.
Me, on the other hand, I’m the woman from a one-night stand, one thrust upon him, forcing him to do the right thing.
The two clearly don’t compare, nor could they ever.
I glance down at my phone. My pulse pounding as I read the words.
UNKNOWN: Tomorrow. Come alone.
Turning back to my bed, I stuff Mase’s T-shirt into my backpack, then grab my purse, throw my bag onto my shoulder, and open my bedroom door.
I slink through the door, but loud laughter brings my feet to a halt, and like someone has doused me in cold water, I freeze at the sound of a bed squeaking coming from Mase’s room.
My heart plummets, and it’s painful, so freaking painful.
Please, no.
My mouth is suddenly dry, my throat clogged with prickly emotion, and I pray the tears forming in my eyes not to fall. Not yet.
Because he wouldn’t do this to me.
He wouldn’t do this to me and our babies.
He gave me his heart.
I inch toward his bedroom door, and the only thing I can hear is the steady thud of my heart thumping against my chest, beating so loud I feel like it’s vibrating through me, causing my pulse to skitter with a furious rush of anxiety.
He wouldn’t.
“Yes, Mase!” the woman screeches, and I wince, telling myself not to open the door, to leave, but something inside me tells me to do this. To force this torment on myself, to create this reminder that my happiness is just an illusion. “More!”
Sickness rolls in my stomach, bubbling and burning, threatening to expel at any second.
Please.
My throat burns, my eyes well with tears, and I clutch at my heart when a dull ache catches my breath.
Oh, God, what’s happening?
Please no, Mase.
I push open the door and peek inside. Mase has his jeans and boxers around his ankles, and it takes everything inside me to stifle the sob clawing up my throat.
Tara grinds down on him, throwing her head back in glee, and when he slowly pushes up into her, she lets out a joyous moan.
My lungs seize as every part of me crumbles at what’s happening before my very eyes.
He grips her wrists and pulls her toward him until she falls, her lips brushing over his, and I snick the door shut, careful not to make a sound.
It’s only when my feet find the way to the neighboring house that I let my emotions out.
I pound on the front door, and when Gia opens it, I fall into her welcoming arms.
“Can you help me?” I cry out in desperation.
She clutches me to her chest. “Always. Come on, let’s get you inside, sweetheart.” Her term of endearment makes my heart twist; a bitter reminder of the sweet words whispered to me from Mase.
A bitter betrayal.