Page 19 of Mason

I narrow my eyes, not buying it. “Carlie, come on. I can tell something’s bothering you.”

She sighs, fidgeting with the edge of her napkin. “It’s just… it’s my ex. Todd.”

I frown, already not liking where this is going. “What about him?”

She hesitates, her voice soft as she finally explains. “He always made me feel bad about being hungry. Or, like, eating stuff like this.” She gestures to the diner. “He’d get on me about eating unhealthy. Said I needed to ‘take better care of myself.’ But it always felt like he was trying to change me, like he didn’t like me the way I was.”

My chest tightens, anger bubbling up. “He really said that to you? Made you feel bad for just… being yourself?”

She shrugs, trying to play it off, but I can see how much it hurt her. “Yeah, but it’s whatever. I didn’t realize how much it bothered me until after we broke up.”

I shake my head, my jaw clenching. “That’s messed up, Carlie. He didn’t deserve you.”

Her blush deepens, and she gives me a shy smile. “I know that now. It’s just… sometimes I still feel weird about it. Like, I shouldn’t be so hungry, or I shouldn’t eat what I want.”

I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. “Hey, listen to me. You don’t ever have to feel bad about that. Not with me. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

Her eyes meet mine, and I can see the relief wash over her, the tension easing from her shoulders. She squeezes my hand, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Thanks, Mason. I don’t know why I was so nervous to tell you.”

I shrug, grinning. “Well, for the record, I love that you’re always starving. Means more food to share.”

She laughs, the sound light and easy again, and just like that, the weight of her past starts to fade.

The clubhouse smells like leather and gasoline, like home. Carlie steps in beside me, her face lighting up like she belongs here. And she does. She fits right in, like she was always meant to be part of this life.

“Hey, Carlie!” Mae calls out, pulling her into a hug, already chatting about something. I can’t help but smile. Carlie’s got this way about her, making everyone feel like they’ve known her forever. She’s got a light in her that makes this rough world seem a little softer.

“Pres!” a brother calls out. We talk business, but my eyes keep drifting back to her, making sure she’s good, that she’s still smiling.

My phone vibrates again, but this time, I text her. “Everything cool?”

Her phone dings, and she looks up, catching my eye. A quick thumbs-up emoji and a heart pop up on my screen. I grin, slipping my phone back in my pocket. No need for more words. We’re good.

Carlie

The rumble of conversations and clinking glasses is comforting. Here, within these walls, everyone's got your back. Mason's presence lingers even when he's across the room, his occasional glances like a warm blanket on a chilly night.

"Girl, you've got him wrapped around your finger," Mae teases, nudging me as we sit on the worn couch, sipping a beer.

"Seems more like he's got me wrapped around his waist," I quip, picturing our ride together, the way the world narrows down to just us and the endless road.

"Either way, it's good to see him happy," she says, her voice sincere. "And it's good to have you here, Carlie."

"Thanks, Mae. That means a lot." I mean it. This club, these people—they're becoming family, and it feels right, like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Mason catches my eye from across the room, a silent question in his gaze. I nod, letting him know I'm more than okay—I'm home.

Mason

I'm leaning against the bar, watching Carlie laugh with some of the old ladies. She's a damn ray of sunshine in this place, brightening up the darkest corners of our clubhouse—and my life. I check my phone, see no messages, and slide it back into my pocket. Don't need to check in, she's right here, making friends, fitting in better than I'd ever hoped.

"Hey, Mason," Tank calls out, slapping my back as he passes by, "watching over your girl?"

"Just keeping an eye out," I grunt, but there's pride swelling in my chest. Yeah, she's mine, and she's holding her own.

CARLIE

"Have you heard about the charity ride we're doing next weekend?" Sarah's voice cuts through the hum of conversations, her hand gently resting on my arm.

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