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  “Sounds like a plan to me, let’s go,” Mason said, dangling the keys from his hand.

  Once we settled in, Mason took off toward the small grocery store in town. The drive was short, mainly because the island was small. They probably could have walked if it wasn’t for me.

  The parking lot was surprisingly empty for a Friday night here. This was a pretty popular resort island for the weekend crowd, plus it was the end of summer for all the families to be out and about. I was just glad that we were parked close to the door so I didn’t have to go too far.

  Elena helping me was becoming a habit, but she didn’t complain once about it. The scooters were right inside the door and I got settled into one of the monstrosities. I never thought I would need one of these. It looked easy enough to use, but driving it without hitting anyone was another story.

  The minute I hit the lever to move forward, it went faster than anticipated. As was my luck most of the time, I flattened a cashier who was walking by. The poor guy ended up face down on the gross concrete floor.

  “Oh no, I am so sorry! It was a total accident. Are you okay?” I asked him. My eyes were wide with horror and cheeks burned with humiliation.

  He got up and dusted his hands off before looking at me. The guy was about our age and was actually pretty cute. He had gorgeous silky black hair that he brushed to the side, revealing breathtaking hazel eyes.

  Noticing me ogling him, he grinned and I wanted to die right then. I was even more embarrassed that I was caught checking out the supermarket cashier and in front of Mason, no less.

  “I think I’ll be alright. It’s not every day a beautiful girl like you mows me down with a cart. I don’t suppose you would want to make it up to me and have dinner tomorrow night?”

  He looked hopeful and I did owe him. I thought about it for a nanosecond before turning him down. There would be no more men messing with my head. I was in enough trouble in that department already.

  “I can’t, I’m sorry. We’re just here for the weekend and I already have plans. I really am sorry about running you down,” I said sincerely.

  He nodded and took off. I looked over to see Elena, Tate, and even Mason snickering. “Shut up, it’s not funny! Now let’s get this over with before I get in trouble for using this dangerous contraption.”

  Elena and Tate led the way, with Mason following behind me. He probably didn’t want to get hit so he was being cautious. I couldn’t blame him.

  After fifteen minutes, everyone had filled my basket and we headed toward the checkout. A blush crept in my cheeks again as I saw it was the same cashier. Ugh, I was a danger to myself and others. I really did need that caution sign posted on me.

  Surprisingly, Mason paid for everything. Elena tried, but he insisted that since he and Tate were the guests, they would take care of the food. She didn’t argue after that.

  Once again, Elena helped me out to the car while the guys carried the groceries. We made the short trip to the beach house and I was delivered to a chair at the kitchen table. Then I watched in silence as the food was put up and Mason started cooking dinner.

  I still couldn’t help but watch him with adoration. Just because he had a girlfriend didn’t mean he wasn’t still breathtaking. I watched as he reached up for a frying pan over the island, seeing his shirt creep up, showing a portion of his tan waist.

  Being around him was proving to be more difficult than I anticipated. He still drew me to him like a moth to a flame. I shook my head and looked away before he noticed my staring.

  Elena plugged her iPod in and played her party playlist, upbeat music that helped kick my bad mood. She danced around the kitchen playfully. The guys were even laughing and Tate danced with her while Mason shook his hips at the stove while cooking.

  I really wanted to join them, but kept myself content by watching them. Elena’s chocolate hair fell around her face as she shook her head around and Tate ruffled it. The next song came on and they were dangerously close to dancing intimately, giving us an unwanted show.

  I intervened before I threw up in my mouth. “Alright, that’s enough dancing for now. You two need to cool down before you begin stripping in the middle of the kitchen with an audience.”

  Elena just threw her head back, laughing. “Alright, Lexi May. We’ll stop for now, but just wait until we start drinking and we get to loosen you up a bit. It’s going to be awesome.”

  I just rolled my eyes and eagerly waited for whatever Mason was cooking. It smelled of garlic and I hoped it was Italian. That was my favorite. I was just about to ask when he announced dinner was ready.

  Tate and Elena set the table while I helplessly watched. They also got drinks, but I opted for water, knowing that we were drinking after dinner.

  Finally, Mason set the food on the table and my stomach growled, loudly. For the first time today, Mason cracked a smile my way. I wanted to melt right there in my seat, no matter what was going on with us.

  He had made spaghetti and garlic bread, all of which was delicious. He was actually a good cook. We chatted over dinner about college and what it would be like. Tate was going to be going to college with Mason at Florida University, an hour from home.

  At least I finally got my answer. We would be across the country from each other. Even if Gina wasn’t in the picture, it would never work. That thought saddened me more than I cared to admit.

  Elena was beyond excited to be leaving next weekend. She chattered on and on about joining a sorority together and going to all kinds of crazy parties. It was typical Elena, bubbling with enthusiasm.

  Since Mason cooked, she and Tate cleaned up. I sat at the table next to Mason, unsure of what to say. The silence was growing awkward and I had to fix it if we were going to be together all weekend.

  “Thanks for getting my stuff from the house earlier. I was having trouble managing to even get ready by myself with my new injury.”

  “Yeah, it wasn’t a big deal. What happened anyways? Your house looked like a murder scene. It was pretty disturbing.”

  “Long story short, a bottle of wine fell off the fridge and shattered on my foot. I was bleeding everywhere and it was a mess. Luckily my mom is an ER nurse and was able to fix me up. This morning was another story. She was gone and I flooded the bathroom, then slipped and fell. My wounds busted open, causing me to bleed all over again.”

  A look of sympathy shone in his expression. “That sounds pretty rough. It’s always something around you. Look at it this way, you’re never boring.”

  “I’m just a hot mess most of the time.”

  “Maybe, but you’re a beautiful hot mess.”

  I blushed, not sure how to respond to his compliment. Another bout of silence descended and this time I had nothing to say to ease the tension. It was obvious that neither one of us wanted to talk about our problems.

  I was relieved when Tate and Elena finished up with the dishes and began to set up the table for tonight’s fun. Bottles of various alcohols were placed in the center of the table along with shot glasses, regular glasses, sodas, drink mixes, and straws. They were taking tonight’s drinking seriously.

  Once they were finally satisfied with the setup, they took their seats at the table again. Now, I was curious what we were going to do next.

  “Elena, what on earth are we planning to do with all of this liquor?”

  “We’re going to drink it, of course.”

  “Umm, okay, but what are we going to be doing besides drinking all of it?”

  She grinned at me with a look of mischievous sparkling in her eyes. That wasn’t a good sign. “We are going to play truth or drink. Someone starts by asking a question. If that person it was directed at doesn’t want to answer the question, they drink a shot of this citrus vodka.” She held the bottle up to show us which one we were drinking.

  “So we’re playing truth or dare mainly? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  “Trust me, Lexi May, it will be fun. Its truth or drink, not dare. There will be
no dares involved, I promise. Don’t worry so much.”

  Resigned, I sat back and waited for the game to begin. It was going to be an interesting night.

  ELENA TOOK CHARGE as usual, pouring each of us a shot and setting it down in our front of our seats. I looked at it dubiously. This whole thing was a recipe for disaster. On the flip side, no one was driving anywhere, it was our last weekend before college, and it’s not like we all hadn’t been drunk together before.

  Resigned to playing Elena’s game, I inquired as to who would start the game off. She quickly answered me without hesitation.

  “Well, of course, I plan to go first. Okay, this question is for Lexi May.”

  Oh hell no, she didn’t just put me on the spot like that. I was going to kill her for this! My fury and embarrassment only grew when I heard the question.

  “Are you a virgin?”

  There was no possible way I was going to answer that one. Let them interpret what they wanted, but I wouldn’t admit it out loud. I swiftly grabbed my shot and downed it. The vodka burned my throat, warming me as it settled.

  Elena poured me another shot. “That wasn’t hard now, was it?”

  I glared at her with an icy contempt. “I believe it would be my turn now, correct?”

  Elena pouted, knowing I would get her back. I hated when I caved and she got her way, but I had a more important question to ask. I shifted my gaze to Tate.

  “Tate, are you in love with Elena?”

  I really wanted to know if my suspicions were correct. I was sure he did love her, but Elena was just using him as a fling. I needed her to see what she had done so she would let him down easy when we left.

  Tate frowned and reached for his shot. He drank it and Elena filled it back up, her expression schooled to a neutral look. She wasn’t fooling me, though. I had shaken her.

  “Well, this is becoming a quick way to get drunk. It’s my turn and I choose to ask Mason a question.”

  I couldn’t believe Tate would throw his own best friend under the bus like that. Then again, Elena had just done the exact same thing to me. I waited with baited breath for what question would escape Tate’s mouth.

  “Are you jealous about what you saw this morning at Lexi’s?”

  He did go there. I couldn’t believe it. I wanted to sink down in my chair because it felt like I should be the size of a bug right now. I was a horrible person. Elena shot me a worried look but I could only stare at my hands because I was humiliated by what happened.

  I reluctantly looked his way. Mason didn’t say a word, or change facial expressions. He just took his shot and set the glass back down. Elena made sure we all had full shot glasses and it looked like we were going to get drunk pretty quickly. I was about to suggest we play another game when Mason said my name. My head snapped up, eyes wide.

  “Lexi, this one’s for you. I know why I’m mad at you, but why are you mad at me?”

  Cheese and rice, I didn’t want to get into the whole thing with him and Gina. I was hurt and betrayed, even if what happened this morning looked as bad as it did. I didn’t trust the tears not to fall and I wanted to maintain my dignity tonight.

  Chugging the shot, I didn’t bat an eye when I set the glass down and turned my attention to Elena. It was all in now. I wasn’t holding back.

  “Elena, is it true that you made me a bet that I would have to sleep on the top bunk against my will if I didn’t get with Mason this summer?”

  I knew that would make her look like a total bitch, but I didn’t care. I was furious that I caved and got with him. He was just like every other man I’d met. There was no such thing as a good guy.

  She glared at me and drank her own shot. I was nervous as to what was going to come out of her mouth next. Elena was unpredictable.

  “Mason, do you still like Lexi May?”

  His eyes darted from her to me and then to his glass. This game was getting ridiculous. He took the shot, and I wasn’t sure how to take that. Did that mean he didn’t like me anymore or that he did still care? My head was a jumbled mess and the two shots were already turning my brain to mush.

  Finally, I couldn’t take this passive-aggressive game any longer. Tension was thick and the only way this scenario was going was in the wrong direction. I stood up, trying not to put pressure on my injured foot by grasping the table edge.

  “That’s enough of this game; I don’t want to play anymore. If you all still want to drink, I suggest we think of something else. Otherwise, I’m out.” Then I took the shot in front of me and downed it.

  “Why don’t we all just drink another shot, toast to the weekend on the beach, and go outside for the rest of the evening. It’s beautiful outside and we could have a bonfire on the beach, or just take a walk,” Mason suggested.

  Everyone agreed and we all clanked our full shot glasses in the air and drank them down, toasting to the weekend. I was now four shots in and had probably reached my limit. I was already drunk, so it was a good thing we were done.

  Looking down at my foot, I knew there was no way I was going for a walk on the beach. “Why don’t you guys go on ahead? I think I’m going to stay here and relax a bit. Besides, I’m a little handicapped tonight.”

  Tate and Elena looked at each other, somehow speaking silently between themselves. Elena turned around and winced. “Actually, would it be alright if Tate and I took a walk alone?”

  I knew what she meant. That was code for “I want to have hot sex on an abandoned beach before leaving for college.” It was on her things and people to do list. Gr, I hated being the better person sometimes.

  “It’s all good, have fun and don’t forget the towels. Sand is a pain in the ass to get out of, well, everywhere,” I joked.

  Elena giggled and shot me a devious look. Oh yeah, sex on the beach, in the ocean, it wouldn’t matter to her. The best thing to do would be to give them a wide berth.

  They grabbed two towels and a bottle of rum before waving goodbye. In a matter of minutes, their retreating figures faded into the night.

  As soon as they were gone, I was acutely aware of my proximity to Mason. I stood at the end of the table, resting my foot on the chair, and he was standing next to me. It suddenly seemed hot in there and I felt it build in my cheeks. I wasn’t sure which had more control over me, hurt or want.

  Mason grasped my hand gently and I stilled at the contact. My eyes peered into his and I saw determination in them.

  “Let’s go sit on the couch. It’s finally quiet and we are in need of a long talk.”

  “I agree about the talking thing. There are some things we need to clear up,” I replied.

  Limping beside him, he slipped his hand from mine and wrapped it around my waist to lend support. The feel of his hand grasping my waist elicited a small groan from me. I regretted everything that went wrong with us, jerk or not. He was the closest thing to real attraction I had experienced.

  I knew he heard my groan because he squeezed just a little bit tighter, but luckily didn’t say anything. Gently, he placed me on the couch and sat down next to me.

  There were several unanswered questions between us. The thought of how this conversation would go unsettled me. I was afraid of breaking down, showing my vulnerability. He still had a hold over me in a big way, jerk or not.

  For a moment, neither of us said anything. We just sat there, looking each other in the eyes, trying to get a better read on the situation. Who would speak first? My nerves were shot to hell and I hoped to hold out until he started the conversation.

  Shifting his position on the couch, he broke the silence. “Lexi, what happened to make things change between us?”

  That was a loaded question and I was hesitant as to how I could answer it. The hurt expression told me I should just pull the Band-Aid off and be honest. Taking a deep breath, I blurted it before I could chicken out.

  “Gina happened, that’s what. I can’t believe you have a girlfriend! You’re just like every other guy. This is the reason I swore o
ff guys in the first place!”

  Mason’s reaction was completely unexpected. He busted out laughing. Not just a chuckle, but whole-hearted, full-body laughter.

  “That’s what this is about, seriously? Gina is my ex-girlfriend from high school. She’s a snotty bitch and didn’t take the breakup very well. I would never do that to someone, especially you, Lexi.”

  “If she is your ex, then why did she come to my place of employment and tell me otherwise?”

  His answer confused me. If Mason was telling the truth, then I was a gullible ass. He wouldn’t have deserved the way I was treating him. I’d acted like a petulant child around him.

  “Like I said, she wasn’t too happy about breaking up. Is that why you were with Jameson this morning? Were you trying to get back at me?”

  I didn’t like the tone or his petty implication. Then I realized that it must have looked that way, regardless. I sighed and got ready to explain the whole thing to him.

  I told Mason about how I wouldn’t return his messages because of Gina’s visit. I also explained the whole fiasco with my foot the night before and leading up to when he showed up. Then it was time to talk about Jameson. I could only tell him the truth and hope he believed me.

  By the time I finished, I realized that we unconsciously had moved toward each other, like two magnets. We were face to face and I was suddenly struggling to take a stable breath. With everything out in the open and the alcohol roaring through my veins, I was feeling hopeful again.

  Taking a chance, I grasped a handful of fabric from his shirt and pulled him closer. I nervously moistened my lips just before they softly touched his. Mason didn’t hesitate. He returned the kiss with an enthusiasm I felt all the way down to my toes. Every cell tingled in my body as our kiss grew more passionate and he split the seam of my lips to gain entry.

  I mewled softly and knew in that moment how badly I wanted him. There was a foreign desperation to have him ravish me. Breaking the kiss long enough to feel the loss, I pulled his shirt up and off of him with no argument.