Page 16 of Please Hate Me

This photo must have been several years old, but Mason looked exactly the same. The only differences were the marching band uniform, the length of her hair, and the smile she wore. It was wide, showcasing a gap between her front teeth.

Funny, I’d never noticed a gap before.

Lucian’s arm was wrapped around Mason, holding her close as she awkwardly clutched a purple clarinet. Both girls were smiling for the camera, but Lucian was completely focused on Mason, gazing at her like she was the only thing that existed in his world.

“See how he’s looking at her?” Sophia chirped, “Keep in mind, all three of us were dating at the time, so it was a little rude for him to be so in love with Mason, but I got used to it.”

“YouknowI love you,“ he hissed to Sophia.

“And I love you too, but we’re notinlove.“ She tapped his nose, and I watched as Lucian’s anger quietly mounted. He seethed silently beside Sophia, but she didn’t seem to care.

I swiped again to see another photo of the three. This time, it looked like they were at homecoming or prom, and again, Lucian was staring at Mason. This time, he had a smile so soft I almost didn’t believe it was him.

I had no idea Lucian even had a soft side, but I’d love to see it in person.

“She’s pretty,” I mumbled, trying to think of anything else.

“Oh, she’s absolutely beautiful,” Sophia gushed.

“I will not be part of a conversation centered on Mason Albright.” Lucian’s jaw went tight. “You two can talk about how fan-fucking-tastic she is after Cameron tells us whatever he needs to.”

Oh shit.

Sophia’s attention shifted toward me, blue eyes wide with curiosity.

“Oh yeah—what did you need to tell us?”

My heart fell from my chest to my stomach. Was there even a good way to say this? I turned my attention to the long, lazily spinning shadows cast by the ceiling fan above us. I knew what I was about to say would be a touchy subject even if Masonwasn’ttheir ex.

My gaze drifted to the wall, where Sophia had hung a photo of Lucian and his kids. The twins bore a tragic resemblance to their mother, who wanted absolutely nothing to do with them. Lucian had always said her absence didn’t bother him because Jasper and Juniper still had three parents who loved them. But I knew how much it affected him every time his ex called to bitch about child support. She didn’t want to pay, and Lucian didn’t want the money. All he wanted was for her to sign away her parental rights. But she always refused.

At first, I thought Lucian would be furious with me purely because of that situation. But now, I had no idea how either of them would react. So, instead of beating around the bush, I decided just to rip the band-aid off.

“I got Mason pregnant.”

Silence.

I held my breath for a beat, waiting for something. Anything. Anger, screaming, even tears would be better than absolutelynothing. But seconds ticked by like hours as the ceiling fan’s shadow threatened to tangle me in its vortex.

I looked back to my lovers. Sophia’s lips were parted, and Lucian seemed too stunned to speak.

“Cameron, this isn’t funny,” Sophia whispered.

“I ain’t kiddin’.”

But I wished I was. I’d never intentionally have kids of my own. Sure, I wanted them, but it just wasn’t safe for anyone involved.

“You literally won’t touch me without a condom, even though my tubes are tied. That’s how afraid you are of having kids–yet you were just having sex with random people without protection?”

I forced a strained laugh as I scratched my head, trying to think of a good way to say I only broke my condom rule with Mason. “She ain’t exactly random, is she?”

Another silence plagued the room. I placed my hands on my hips and turned my gaze upward, searching the ceiling for answers only God could provide.

All I found were cobwebs and water damage.

“I need a fucking drink,” Lucian spat.

“Ahht—no, sir.Youare sober,“ Sophia reminded him.

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