Page 20 of Without Judgment

CHAPTER EIGHT

Mason

As Avery climbed up into the passenger side of the SUV, she made no mention of my nightmare or the way I’d lashed out at her last night. Truth be told, I was embarrassed that she’d witnessed it. To make matters worse, I’d taken my discomfort out on her when she’d asked a perfectly nice question as to whether I wanted to talk about it.

I absolutely didn’t. I’d seen some things while in Iraq I couldn’t get out of my head. But I reasoned my problem was nothing compared to all of the guys who hadn’t returned. Or who’d made it back, but who were missing limbs or who had to deal with severe physical pain. I was lucky that I only had nightmares. This was an issue I didn’t wish to share with anyone as a label of PTSD would do nothing for my security business.

But she hadn’t deserved my temper. Though she seemed content to ignore my behavior, I couldn’t. “Look, about last night. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

That particular F-word was beginning to grate on my nerves. I knew it wasn’t ‘fine.’ “I just didn’t want to talk about my dream. Okay?”

She turned towards me. “You made that clear. Like I said, it’s fine.”

It didn’t feel that way. She was quiet, too quiet, on the drive into Houston. Maybe instead of last night being the issue, I’d hurt her feelings about refusing to show her how to shoot. But that wasn’t my job. She had an older brother and father who could show her if she was serious. If I was being perfectly honest, I didn’t want the close proximity of demonstrating should I be the one to teach her. I’d have to touch her. I’d also likely end up losing my temper with her.

Since when did I start analyzing everything? Worrying about if I’d been too hard on someone I wouldn’t be seeing a couple of weeks from now?

During the twenty minutes, she didn’t say a word, simply choosing to stare out the window. I should have been relieved. We pulled in front of the spa to which she’d given me the address. I put the car in park and unbuckled my seatbelt.

Her panicked expression matched her equally panicked words. “You can’t come in.”

“Why not?”

She sighed. “I’ll be forty-five minutes. You go in there, and everyone will think it odd.”

“What are you having done?”

Her face turned pink. “Waxing.”

“Oh.” Now I could sense my own ears heating. “Sorry, guess it wasn’t any of my business,” I mumbled, regretting I’d been suspicious.

“You sounded as if I intended to sneak out the back. I’m not.”

“Good. Keep your phone on so I can ensure your location.”

She sighed. “I forgot you can track me.”

“Precaution. You get in trouble, and I’ll know where you are.”

“Okay. It isn’t bugged, though, is it?”

I chuckled. “Afraid of me listening in on gossip?”

“Uh, more like you’d hear when the waxer asks me to get up on all fours and keep my ass cheeks spread.”

And with that parting remark, clearly to teach me a lesson about teasing her, she was out of the SUV.

Sassy brat. The thought was without heat, though, and I grinned.

***

Avery was true to her word, walking out to the passenger side of the car forty-five minutes later. Could I help it if I paid closer attention to the way she walked? Although I’d enjoyed the benefits of it over the years, women’s waxing wasn’t something I knew a lot about. It sounded extremely painful.

“Everything okay?” For some reason, she appeared dejected.

“Yep. Just peachy.”

---