Vicious Circles - By Leann Andrews Page 0,10

device back into my bag and rested my forehead against the tops of my knees for what felt like forever. I was so tired but there would be no rest as a familiar voice sounded behind me.

“My sister paints; this one reminds me of something she would do.”

Slowly, I looked up toward the voice. He’d found me. He stopped whatever he was doing and came looking for me. Me. His eyes glistened with concern and I took him in as if he were my saving grace. Maybe he was. His strong hand was resting on my left shoulder, squeezing gently. When I felt a trail of warm tears along my cheeks I realized why.

“I didn’t mean to bother you, I’m sorry.”

Mason shrunk to my level. “You didn’t bother me at all. I’m glad you called.”

He didn’t ask any more questions. Instead his ass met the sidewalk right alongside mine.

“She’s so lost,” I said gesturing toward the painting.

“I agree but if you look hard enough, you’ll see the small bit of yellow poking through the gray in the top right corner.” Mason had an amazing grasp of the painting; it warmed my cold heart.

I wiped the embarrassing tears from my face. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

“I think,” he sighed, “that once she sees that there is always another way, she’ll be fine.”

It was no surprise that we hadn’t actually been discussing the painting at all. At least, I was referring to myself. Looking back over all the moments I’d been in Mason’s presence I saw what was actually happening. He probably felt guilty over being the wedge that drove Jill and I apart, even though he shouldn’t. Him being there actually made me think about things and reconsider the direction I was going in.

“I was at a shelter earlier…I mean, that’s where I’ve been staying at night but I was so afraid someone would steal my phone that I left.” I watched his face for disgust or anything.

“I would feel better if you stayed at my place tonight.” He didn’t dare look at me.

I couldn’t, I just really couldn’t. “Mason, I appreciate the offer…but it just seems weird.”

He stood, grabbed my bag and started to back away from me. “I’m done taking no for an answer, Fallyn. Let’s go.” His eyes were fierce with determination and my mind was made up at first notice.

“Fine, I’ll go. Where are you parked?”

Mason grinned at me and led me to his car, parked a block up at a meter he hadn’t bothered to put money in. We traveled in silence to his home, which was actually an apartment. He explained that he shared it with two other guys, his band members. Luckily, everyone was gone when we arrived.

It was a typical bachelor pad; beer bottles and empty bowls with silverware sitting along the bar that connected the kitchen to the living room.

“I have beer,” Mason announced, pulling two from the fridge before I could respond.

“Thanks.” I took a bottle, downing half right away.

“The bathroom’s at the end of the hall, you can get a shower or change…” He trailed off.

At no point in the past two years did I ever think I’d be standing in Mason Jennings’ apartment, looking like a freaking idiot. Yet, there I was. I’d nearly drained the beer he’d given me and was ready for number two. He noticed and grabbed another one, taking the empty from me and setting it on the cluttered bar.

“I’m gonna take a shower, if that’s okay.”

He smiled softly at me. “That’s fine. I’ll be here.”

I maneuvered down the narrow hall, locking the bathroom door behind me. I stripped my worn clothes, leaving them on the floor in a sad pile. I would give anything not to have to put them back on.

The shower was satisfying and I stayed in longer than I should have. The hot water ran along my naked self, leaving bright pink trails in its wake. I wanted to be touched, loved…all of the above. I’d turned everything off for so long I wasn’t sure I knew how to care anymore. Had I truly been happy before I lost my place?

No.

Bits and pieces of my true self were leaking out and I couldn’t stop them. I was crying out for help, for someone to pay attention. Maybe, Mason was that person. The bitchy words, the defensive posture I carried myself in was all to cover up the truth. Having such a revelation in such a strange place threw me off.