Page 30 of Without Judgment

“Why?”

“Because whatever he’s caught up in affects you. And since you’re my business, princess, I want to learn more.”

Add this to the list of turn-ons. Aside from my brother—who I knew would always be on my side—Mason was the first person voluntarily to go there. It could be argued he was being paid, but I chose to focus on the fact he didn’t have to do anything more than babysit me.

“He’s the oldest of three. Two younger brothers. One is at Stanford, the other accepted at Yale. It seemed to bother him that we went to a public university instead.”

“And his family? They have money, I assume? Are they opposed to your father’s campaign?”

“Yes, they have money. But his father is friends with mine. Been a supporter since day one.” But I could see the angle Mason was getting at. The one where Edward used me to smear my father’s campaign.

“Edward was stressed this last year. I figured it had to do with graduating and not getting accepted into the grad school he wanted. The short-term plan was for him to work for his dad. But that’s a lot of pressure. I think he always worried about being good enough, so once his younger brothers did better with schools, he seemed more on edge. I even offered to postpone the wedding, but he was adamant about keeping the date.”

“Was he more distant? Drinking more? Drugs?”

I thought back. “Distant. Yes. Drugs. No. He drank about the same as he always did, which wasn’t a lot. I didn’t live with him, though. Senior year, I was in the sorority house, and he was in an apartment.”

“When did you two see each other?”

“Weekends, mainly. I’d spend most of my time at his place.” Why was I blushing at the admission?

“Did he have money problems? Spend Daddy’s cash?”

“No issues. His parents have money, but he was only given a monthly allowance. Although generous, it was never enough for him to go completely crazy if he’d wanted to.”

“Can you text me a list of his friends?”

“Sure, but what will you do with it?” I waited for him to tell me it was none of my business, but he surprised me.

“Do some background checks. It’s tempting to try talking to them in person in order to glean some information, like in a casual way at some party, but I don’t think I’d fit in.”

No, he wouldn’t. Whereas Edward and his friends could be considered country-club handsome, Mason was bad-boy hot. “Thank you.”

He shrugged. “I’m not promising anything, but it may be worth looking into. Your father has some people doing the same, so we’ll see.”

“I didn’t mean for that. I meant for not talking to me like a child. For letting me still have my voice. I know you were pissed about me answering the phone.”

“It’s only because he put you in this position. But the way you explained things, I get it now.”

“You’ve had a relationship?”

“No. But if I had, I’d hope to see some redeeming quality left in someone I’d once loved. Do you still love him?”

Though I was taken aback by him asking, I answered without hesitation. “No. I care about him because of our history, but after the cheating and now this, I’m not sure he deserves even that much.”

“He doesn’t. You’re too nice.”

“Yeah, too nice, too naïve, too trusting, too spoiled, too—I don’t know—everything.” Too much of a goody two shoes, too influenced by others. The list went on. “You ready to start the movie?”

He hesitated.

I realized whatever easy conversation we’d begun had been ruined by the phone call.

“Sure. Do you have chocolate?” he asked.

I smiled, happy he wasn’t in a hurry to leave. It also meant something to me that Mason wanted to help by researching Edward and his friends.

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