Page 23 of Sawyer

I hesitated. Did I really want to go? Then again, if Chris and Lisa were coming...

Plus, I kind of promised Aaron I’d show up. He’d messaged me about it a few days ago, and from what I could tell, it sounded like it was just going to be a casual discussion. Nothing too serious.

So maybe I’d go—if only to see what it was all about. Still, for some reason, I wasn’t sure if I needed to tell Sawyer about it.

It wasn’t like I was hiding anything, but it felt... off. Like I was hiding something from him.

But I’d promised Aaron, and I didn’t want to back out now.

The room fell quiet, and Lisa’s voice softened. “So, you and Sawyer have been spending a lot of time together, huh?”

I made a noncommittal sound, keeping my eyes on the flyer.

I could feel her watching me, waiting for me to say something, to confirm what she was thinking. She was worried, and I knew exactly why.

One Year Ago

The sound of the front door slamming jolted me, and I knew Mason was home. Even before he said a word, I could smell the alcohol on him.

He looked exhausted—more worn out than usual.

“What is this?” Mason gestured broadly to the apartment—a few dishes on the sink, shoes scattered by the door.

We’d both let it pile up for days, but it wasn’t like it was a disaster.

“I’ve been busy,” I muttered, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’ll get to it later.”

“Busy with what, playing with dogs? You’ve got time for that, but not for this?” His tone was sharp, cutting through the space between us.

I sighed, not wanting to do this tonight. He wasn’t in any state for a real conversation.

“Come on, Mason, don’t start. It’s just some dishes?—”

“Just some dishes? It’s always ‘just something’ with you lately!” His voice was rising, each word heavier with frustration.

Tension coiled in my chest.Not tonight. Not again.

“Mason, let’s just drop it, okay? You’ve had a long day, and I don’t want to argue,” I said.

His eyes flashed gold and it was enough to send a chill down my spine. I’d seen him angry before, but this... this seemed different.

One moment he was tired and irritated, the next, it was like something darker had taken over him.

“I’m tired of dropping it, Casey!” he shouted, stepping toward me. “I’m tired of you pushing everything off like it doesn’t matter!”

My heart raced.This isn’t him, I reminded myself.This isn’t Mason.

“Mason, calm down,” I said, holding my hands up, trying to defuse the situation. “Let’s just talk?—”

Before I could finish, he swung his arm out, faster than I could react. His claws extended, slashing across my forearm as I instinctively raised it to shield myself.

Searing pain ripped through my arm, and I stumbled back, clutching the wound. Blood trickled between my fingers, staining the floor.

“Mason, stop!” I shouted, my voice shaking as much as my hands.

I’d never seen him like this—never this aggressive, this out of control.

Sure, we’d had our fights, but nothing had ever escalated like this. It was like he wasn’t even himself anymore, and I didn’t know how to reach him.

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