Page 134 of Stolen Moments

“Damn, that’s cold, bro. Even for you,” Cam retorts, taking the cap off the gin and taking another swig before handing the bottle to Eli.

Jace’s forehead crunches as he narrows his eyes on me, the disappointment obvious. His voice is steely. “What happened at the bachelor party?”

I can’t stand their eyes on me. I throw my head back against the chair and cover my face with my arms. Shame washes over me. “I went after her and accused her of knowing who I was. She said she didn’t know. Then I called her a bad person or some shit for lying about having a fiancé, to which she said there was more to the story and that I would know that if I had returned any of her text messages. She also mentioned leaving a voicemail, hoping I would listen to it. But I didn’t want to hear it. So, instead of listening to her, I— Fuck. Please don’t make me say it.”

“Say it,” Jace grits through his teeth.

“I fucked her in the bathroom and told her it was a mistake. Actually, I implied that we were a mistake.”

Silence fills the air as the logs crackle in the pit, the fire burning warm. A stark contrast to the frosty looks no doubt directed my way. Sure enough, when I open my eyes, my brothers are staring at me with shock and disgust.

“That’s not even the worst part,” I confess.

“That’s not the worst part?” Camerons asks, eyes bulging out of his head.

“The voice mail,” Eli says. “What did she say on the voicemail? Wait. Where’s your phone?”

“Why?”

“We need to hear this message. Assess how fucked you are. Because if you want this girl back—which I know you do, otherwiseyou wouldn’t have gone all Jace and drank a bottle of gin alone—you’re going to need our help.”

“Hey,” Jace grouses. “I take offense to that.”

“You should.” Eli stands and digs his hand into my pocket, grabbing the key to my room.

I don’t bother stopping him. It’s better if they know now, and besides, I’m too tired to fight.

“Don’t let him out of your sight.” Eli disappears into the inn as I reach over and grab the bottle of gin off Cameron’s lap, and take a swig before he can stop me. It burns my throat, and I can’t hide my revolution as my stomach flips and bile rises in my throat.Bad idea.

Cameron chuckles. “I bet that made you want to puke, didn’t it? Serves you right. Go on, puke.”

I force the vomit down. I will not give him any more ammunition.

Eli comes back with my phone in his hand. He sits on the chair’s arm between Cam and Jace, and pushes play.

“Mase, it’s me, Emery.”

I close my eyes, trying to ignore the way my chest caves in and my heart shrivels up as I listen to Emery’s voice again. The pain, the hurt, the regret. It’s all there.

When it ends, Cameron breaks the silence. “Dude, you’re an asshole.”

“I know. I already said that.”

“I just wanted to make sure you still knew.”

“Thanks for the reminder.”

“I don’t think you’re as fucked as you think you are,” Eli states calmly. His words spark the hope I thought died to life, and I sit up, giving him my full attention. “She clearly loves you. Women don’t just turn off their feelings.”

“He’s right,” Jace adds. “Rylann and I never stopped loving each other. I think when you find the right person, the person you’remeant to be with, those loving feelings remain. Question is… Do you still love her and want to fight for her?”

“I can’t. She’s moved on. She has Graham now.Graham.” I scoff. “What kind of fucking name is that anyway?” I sneer, making my three brothers chuckle at my childishness.

I stare into the fire, clenching my fists as I remember the way that douche stood next to Emery and placed his hand on her lower back, and how I wanted to rip his fucking hand off for touching her. Still do.

“Mason,” Jace calls out my name, drawing my attention back to him. “They are not together.”

“I saw them together. I’m not an idiot.”

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