Page 129 of Please Hate Me

For my own sake, I hoped it was the latter.

Chapter 35

Mason

Even as I sat in a beautiful dining room surrounded by a family that was not quite mine, all of us dressed in matching Halloween-themed jammies, I couldn’t shake the anxiety I felt about that missed call from my dad’s assistant. I knew my dad was on tour when I left France, and I knew he was going to be pissed when he got back and realized I was gone. Still, he had never resorted to indirect lines of communication.

Was he really so angry he couldn’t bear to speak to me?

“Masie, you’re not coloring,” Juniper chimed beside me, nudging the purple crayon in my hand.

My cheeks warmed as I looked down at her. Sophia had put the twins in bat-covered footie pajamas, complete with hoods sporting ears and fangs. Juniper opted not to cover her head, leaving her dark spiral pigtails to frame her cherub-esque cheeks. Jasper’s ebony mop was completely hidden as he intently colored the pumpkin on his page with a neon blue crayon.

“Juniper Noelle, are you buggin’ our special friend again?” Cameron called as he walked in from the kitchen, black serving tray in hand.

“No, Papa.” Juniper sighed before resuming coloring.

The scent of toasted vanilla and butter emanated from whatever he was carrying, causing me to salivate. He slid the snacks into place, but I wasn’t interested in investigating the delicious treats; I was busy staring at his body. His crimson sweatpants did a terrible job of hiding the fact that he was hung like a porn star. The universe had a funny sense of humor, giving such a massive cock to a preacher.

“My eyes are up here,” he mouthed, and a small squeak escaped my lips.

Juniper shot us a glance, but Jasper couldn’t care less. Cameron bent down, his dark tee shirt straining against his biceps as he placed a hand on my forehead. His brow deepened as he pressed his lips into a thin line.

“You alright?” he whispered, adjusting the position of his hand, flipping it back and forth like that would change anything. “You’re lookin’ a bit pale.”

My pulse leapt to my throat as I forced the surprisingly-convincing fake smile my mother had taught me all those years ago. Over the past few weeks, I’d confided in him about some of the ways I’d suffered in the name of winning my dad’s affection. I hadn’t meant to tell him about any of it, honestly, but Cam was just so easy to talk to. He was kind, a great listener, and he never judged me even if I deserved it.

After everything I had told Cameron about my dad, he pulled me aside one night and asked me not to talk to my father again. At first, I thought he was crazy, and I told him as much. But Cameron explained that he knew what it was like to have a father who did more harm than good. At the time, I didn’t push for any information Cameron didn’t willingly offer, but I almost wishedI had. Maybe he had some divine wisdom on how not to worry about someone you’re better off without, or a story about how he refrained from responding when his dad reached out. I’m sure if I asked, he’d have some anecdote to tell me, but... I didn’t feel like I deserved the comfort.

“Yeah,” was all I could manage as I snagged a still-warm cookie off the tray.

They were mostly purple, with a small waving ghost in the center. I took the tiniest bite from the corner, allowing the taste of pre-made sugar cookie to fill my senses. But my blissful break-and-bake reverie was interrupted by Cameron’s gaze, burning into mine with the intensity of an inferno. A nervous sweat beaded on the back of my neck as I shifted under the weight of his scrutiny.

He inched closer, and it felt like I couldn’t breathe.

“Are you lyin’ to me?”

My throat went dry, and I nearly choked on the crumbs of the half-chewed sweet in my mouth. I shook my head as the smoky scent of his cologne stole any coherent thought I had. Cameron closed his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

He shifted closer still. I thought he was going to kiss my cheek, but the sound of a coughing child interrupted him.

Cam stiffened, then gave my hair a light ruffle as he pulled away. My heart sank to my stomach. He, Lucian, and Sophia had been very clear that their children wouldn’t know about our relationship until they were all one hundred percent sure I’d stay. I understood their reasoning;Iwasn’t even sure if I would stay. But it always killed me when they withdrew their affection.

The creaking of the stairs cut the tension in the air. After another beat of silence, Sebastian rounded the corner. He was overdressed in a light-colored sweater and jeans, but I was glad he was here.

The warmth in Cameron’s gaze froze over as they settled on my beloved detective. Sebastian swore he and Cam had reconciled their differences several weeks ago after Seb confessed his feelings, but I had to wonder if he’d been truthful with me.

Sebastian cleared his throat as he closed the distance between us with long, confident strides. Disgust snuck into his features as he picked up a cookie, turning it over in his hand.

“These are terrible for you,” he stated, returning it to the plate. “Artificial color, preservatives, and not to mention—”

“You done?” Cameron challenged. “We’re trying to have a fun night with our family.”

Sebastian raised his brows before pulling out the chair beside Jasper.

“Uncle Bash is family,” Jasper mumbled.

“Unfortunately,” Juniper said, using a tone I’d heard many times in Lucian’s voice. I choked on my laughter. I didn’t want to add tension to the situation, but there was something so adorable about the way Juniper imitated her father.

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