Chapter 19
I will hunt down anyone who goes so far as to even taste the product
I met Jules by the quad a few days later. “Here,” I said, handing her the pumpkin-spiced latte I had picked up for her. “How did it go with Shawn last night?”
We fell in step as we traipsed toward our first class of the day.
“Perfect. He made me dinner, we talked, like really talked, and then we went for a drive. He opened up about his intimacy issues a bit more. He asked me to come to therapy with him next week. He said his therapist thinks it’s a good idea for me to be there for a session.”
“Did you agree?”
“Yes. I’m a bit nervous, though. I haven’t been to therapy in years. And this time it’s not about me. I just hope Shawn finds some inner peace after what he’s been through.”
I sipped my latte. “I have a good feeling about it.”
“Me too. I’m sorry I’ve been so busy lately. The university gave us the green light for our designated drivers pilot project, so I’ll be even busier in the next few weeks.”
“It’s fine. I’m so proud of you. I have so much to do too, anyway. I may not be super available either until the end of the semester.”
She twisted a tendril of hair around a finger. “Jett asked about you on Sunday.”
I stopped in my tracks. “He did?”
“Yeah, he said he feels bad for fangirling over your friends, the football neighbors.”
“It’s okay. I’m not mad at him. It just wasn’t meant to be.”
“Have you met anyone else? Tessa said you left with some guy on Halloween night.”
“First, Tessa has a big mouth, and I can’t understand how she keeps up with everyone’s lives, and second, it wasn’t some guy. It was one of my friends from back home, and we’ve known each other for a long time. We were just catching up.”
“The football player neighbor?”
“Yep. We went to grab some food. Not that it concerns her or anyone else, for that matter.”
“I know. I was just curious because you said nothing about meeting a guy.”
“Well, now you know.” My tone was a bit harsh.
My relationship with Mason was no one’s business, and I had hoped it could escape the rumor mills this time around.
“Sorry. I just hate people gossiping about me or my whereabouts. I’ve had my share of nasty girls saying mean things about me in the past.”
Jules rubbed my arm. “I get it. It was hard after the accident. All the side-glances, whispers, and fake narratives. It hurt. Anyway, Tessa is a nosy bitch sometimes. For what it’s worth, I don’t care if you date my brother or some other guy, or no one at all, as long as you’re happy, okay?”
“Thanks.” We reached the building, and I held the door open so Jules and a few more students could breeze in. “Wanna grab lunch later?” I asked her once we entered the classroom, took our usual seats, and discarded our bags under the table.
“I can’t. We have a meeting for HADB.”
“They agreed with the name?”
“Yes. We should have a logo by the end of the week. A graphic design student offered to make one for free as part of his capstone project. It’s a win-win situation.”
The professor walked in and positioned himself on the podium in front of the class before opening his laptop. “Good morning, folks.”
A knock on the door woke me up on Friday afternoon. I rubbed the sleep off my eyes with my sleeves, adjusted the oversized hoodie I was wearing over black leggings, and tied my hair in some sort of knot. I probably looked out of it, but in my defense, I’d been napping for the last four hours.
I cleared my throat and called, “One sec” toward the door.
Cassidy would use her key, so it was probably either Donovan or Jules checking up on me. I’d sent them both text messages this morning so they wouldn’t look for me on their way to class.
On wobbly legs, I unlocked the door and opened it.
I was pretty sure my jaw hit the floor. On the other side stood Mason, dressed in a tight nurse uniform over a pair of jeans, a paper bag in one hand and his letterman jacket in the other.
I blinked twice, praying I was hallucinating, but no.
He stood on the threshold, looking ridiculous in his teddy-bear-printed scrubs.
Low chatter resonated behind him, and I spotted a few of my floormates staring and giggling at his attire.
I fisted his top and pulled him inside, shutting the door after him.
“What’s this?” I waved my hand in front of him. “Halloween was last week, Mase.”
He shrugged. “I heard you were sick.”
“And you are…” I wanted him to admit it out loud.
“I brought back Nurse Pierce. I’ve decided I should really look the part this time, though. I saw how you were ogling me the last time, so I’m trying to look like the professional that I am this time around.”
I snickered behind a closed fist. “Teddy bears? Really?”
“That’s all they had left in my size.”
“Your size? It’s at least two sizes too small.”
He flicked his wrist. “Who cares? I thought you’d appreciate a colorful uniform.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and I ended up laughing.
“You look…”
“Handsome? Attractive? Hot? Fantastic?”
“I was about to say ridiculous, but whatever pleases you.”
“Tsk-tsk, Mel. Don’t judge your caregiver too quickly. You wouldn’t want me to insert that thermometer into the wrong hole by accident, would you?”
“Ugh, Mase. You’re not sticking a thermometer in me. Never. I told you once, and I haven’t changed my mind about it.”
He smirked. “I wasn’t going to. I brought you soup, though.”
“Did you make it?”
A small shrug. “I sure did.”
I cupped my heart with a hand. “You cooked for me?”
“Yep. I had some free time after training this morning.”
“Wait. How did you find out I was sick?”
“Cassie. I bumped into her outside Hot Shot.”
Cassie? Was my roommate and Mason now friendly enough that she had told him about my catching a nasty bug? “You bumped into my roommate?”
“Yeah. We started talking, and she told me you were feeling under the weather.”
“It’s just a virus. I was feeling feverish all night, so I decided to rest today. I don’t wanna miss the meet on Sunday.”
We sat next to each other on my bed, and Mason’s hand flew to my forehead. “You don’t feel hot.” He gave me a slow once-over. His eyes rounded, and a hint of a smile graced his lips. “Shepard, are you wearing the hoodie I gave you back in high school?”
I twisted the drawstrings around my fingers. “Yeah.”
“Consider me flattered.”
“It’s mine, no?”
“Sure.” The glint in his eyes told me he was holding something back, but whatever it was, it clearly made him proud. “You do you.”
I moved to grab two bowls from the small cupboard Cassidy and I also used as a pantry and set them on my desk. Mason handed me the bag, and I poured soup into both before warming them up in the microwave set under Cassidy’s desk.
“It’s all for you,” Mason said when I offered him a bowl.
“Come on, you made it. I won’t eat alone. Have some.”
“Fine. One condition, though.”
“Name it.”
“When you want more, you let me drive you to my place. I have a full pot waiting for you there.”
“You do?” I blurted out and slapped myself mentally.
If I looked too excited about it, Mason would imagine stuff and believe we were really back to being an almost couple.
I had to tread carefully with him because the last thing I wanted was to lead him on or break his heart.
I tried to project nonchalance instead. “Cool, but I’m sure your roommates will love a home-cooked meal later. ”
“No chance. I put a note next to it saying I will hunt down anyone who goes so far as to even taste the product.”
I chuckled. “You think they’ll listen?”
“My brother knows better than to mess with my food. I’m sure he’ll warn Bailey and Rutherford to keep their hands, or rather mouths, off.”
I ate a few spoonfuls. “Mmm… I needed this. It’s really good.”
“Glad you approve.” Mason eyed me with a weird expression.
“What?”
“Are you sure you’re all right? That it’s just a virus? Perhaps I should drive you to the clinic…just to confirm it’s nothing serious.”
I rested my palm on his corded forearm. “I swear, it’s viral. Give it a day or two, and I’ll be as good as new.”
“You’d tell me if it weren’t the case, right?”
I bobbed my head. “Stop worrying, okay? It’s just a bug. Some people on the team were feeling off last week.”
“Did you call in sick to work?”
“Yes. George gave me the weekend off. My next shift is on Tuesday.”
“Good.”
We finished eating in silence and discarded our bowls on the nightstand.
“I gotta go. I have practice in twenty minutes. Any plans for the rest of the day?”
“I’ll watch a movie on my laptop…maybe. I’m not really tired anymore. I slept most of the day.”
“What if—”
“What?”
Mason averted his eyes before staring back at me. “What if I come get you after practice? We could go to my place, have more soup, and watch a movie together. I did all my readings for next week already, so I could really use a night in…with you.”
I twisted my fingers. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea.”
“We’re friends. Unless you admit, here and now, that you’re dreaming of dating a nurse and that I’m your endgame.” I could tell he was serious even though he made it sound as if he were teasing me.
I remained silent.
“That’s what I was thinking.” He looked a bit disheartened but hid it with a wink. “I’ll be here at six. Pack a bag in case you’re too tired to leave later. I will—”
The phone mounted on the wall rang.
“Hold that thought.” I lifted one finger and picked up the handset, thinking it could be my mom. I had left her a voicemail earlier, and she hadn’t called back yet. “Hello?”
The muffled sound of someone breathing filled the line, sending chills down my back. It’d been over a week since the last time I got one of these calls.
“Hello? Are you there?”
More breath sounds.
“Awesome.” Putting my most unaffected face on so Mason wouldn’t panic, I hung up.
“Who was that?” he asked, nearing me, his eyes locked on the phone.
I tried to put some pep into my words. “Wrong number. Shall we go?”
Before I could step away, he stopped me. “What are you not telling me?”
I sighed. That mind-reading thing again. “It’s nobody. There’s an unknown number that keeps calling, but when I answer, all I hear is breathing. They say nothing, and then I hang up. It’s stupid, really.”
He blinked. “How many times has it happened so far?”
“Three, maybe four times. I didn’t keep count.” It had happened eleven times so far, but I wasn’t about to alarm him any more than he already was.
“Three, maybe four? C’mon, Mel. You’re such a bad liar. How many times? I know you know.”
“Gosh. Eleven. Happy now?”
The phone rang again, and this time, Mason reached for it.
“Hello?” A pause. He clenched his jaw, his back tensing as he crushed the handset in his grip.
“Listen, dickhead. If you ever call this number again and breathe like a fucking psycho, I’ll find you.
Stop harassing girls, you freak. I hope I made myself clear.
” He ended the call, the phone base vibrating on the wall when he hung up.
Only then did he unclench his free hand.
“Mase, let it go.”
“No. Some psycho is set on scaring you. It’s official. You’re coming home with me.”
“I—”
“Don’t argue. I won’t have it.”
“Geez, don’t get all paranoid and shit.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s probably just some stupid guys having a blast making prank calls because they’re wasted and think it’s hilarious.
Or Cassie’s secret admirer, named Carl. He always shows up at Hot Shot but never talks to her because he’s too shy. See? Nothing to be afraid of.”
“I won’t let them harass you, Mel. You should get your number changed. Want me to go downstairs and ask the residence advisor?”
“Involving the RA? Are you for real? They will think it’s silly.”
“It’s not. I gotta go. Do you want me to drop you at my place before practice?”
“No. I’m a big girl, and it’s just a phone call. Carl is harmless. There is no threat.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fine. Do as you wish, but be ready at six.” He turned to leave. “Oh, and lock the door after me.” He kissed my forehead.
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Not funny, Shepard. Believe me, where you’re concerned, I’m no daddy.”
I fought back a smile. “If you say so.” My humor died down. “Mase? We’re friends. I’m not sure going to your place later is smart. I don’t want you to read more into our relationship than there is. You know, blur the lines and stuff.”
“I’m not. We’re not. We’re friends, remember?”
Why did it sound like a lie right now?