Page 46 of Please Hate Me

I moseyed through the massive second floor of the house, eventually coming face to face with the large white door that separated Sebastian’s apartment from the rest of the house. Instinctively I reached for the knob and twisted, but the metal didn’t budge.

Real nice move there, Cameron. What would I have even done if it opened? Apologize for barging into her apartment and leave?

I took a deep breath before threading my fingers into my hair. Nothing about what I was doing was wrong, and I needed to remind myself nothing bad would come out of simply making sure Mason was okay.

With my thoughts collected, I rapped on the door three times. And when I got silence, I knocked again.

“Une petite seconde!“ Mason called.

Just a second.

The tension in my shoulders dropped as I exhaled. It shouldn’t have shocked me that Mason spoke French—wemetin France, after all—but it was the first time I had ever heard it.

There was a subtle shuffling from behind the door, followed by the sliding of a lock. When it finally opened, Mason stood in front of me, looking like she was about ten minutes past her bedtime. Her hair was in a messy bun, and she had lilac circles under her eyes.

“Cameron.” She swayed from one foot to the other before leaning against the door frame. “Can I help you?”

I swallowed hard as I met her gaze. There was something hypnotic about her eyes, and I soon found myself lost between the bluest skies and the darkest night. My face went hot as I realized she was studying me just like I was her.

“They’re uh… Luce and Soph are hollerin’ at each other, and I wasn’t in the mood to deal with them.” My lie seemed plausible, thanks to the fact that we could hear their far-off argument.

Mason’s shoulder slumped slightly as she rubbed her neck. “They’re not fighting about me, are they?”

How the hell did she know that?

“Uh, not exactly. They’re just like this.” I forced a laugh.

The corners of Mason’s lips twitched into a small frown, one that vanished as quickly as it started.

“Can I come in?” I asked, “Just for a bit.”

“I’m not doing anything interesting. But... if you want to watch me read until I eventually fall asleep on the couch, you’re welcome to join me.”

I tried to keep the confusion off my face.

“Is this what you do every night?”

She nodded. “Either books, video games, or horror movies. I don’t like to sleep in a bed when I don’t have a partner… it feels lonely.”

That was kinda cute, especially for someone who seemed as tough as Mason. Seeing as how we met at a rock concert, I assumed she was more into loud music, sex, and alcohol.

“I ain’t much better,” I admitted. “I have a stockpile of Stephen King books on my nightstand… Man’s a literary genius.”

Mason nodded as she shifted from one foot to the other.

“Here, let’s get you off your feet.” I was trying to be helpful, but Mason swatted me away.

“I’m pregnant, not disabled,” she curtly reminded me before walking herself into the apartment.

I followed at her heels, trying not to trip over Sebastian’s dining table. He had it right up against the front door, almost. Looking around, I realized there was really no other place for it. Was this place even big enough to bring a baby home?

I tried to push the thought from my mind as Mason settled into the couch and cocooned herself in a fuzzy navy blanket. Just the sight of that thing had me sweating. It was too damn hot in this apartment for her to be cuddling up under covers.

“You get cold easy?” I asked as I sat on the other end of the couch.

She nodded. Not surprising, considering she was about five pounds away from being skin and bone.

Mason stretched out a little, letting her toes poke out of the blanket as she took up a little more of the middle cushion and grabbed her book. I had proof that she was fine; it was time for me to go.

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