Page 83 of Without Judgment

CHAPTER THIRTY

Mason

I sat in a hotel room outside of Mobile, Alabama, three days after Wade Knopff was arrested on a litany of charges. I’d worked with my friend at the FBI and Mr. Newhall’s team to follow up on Edward’s lead. We discovered Knopff had at least one city official in his back pocket, someone who allowed him to cut corners on his inspections and permits. This official also gave Knopff an unfair inside track on government contracts. Wade Knopff knew Charles Newhall wouldn’t have turned a blind eye the way the last mayor had, so he’d bought Edward’s debt with the goal of forcing Newhall out of the race.

According to Trevor, Edward had cooperated fully with the authorities. In exchange for immunity, he’d given statements which would most likely add to the charges against Mr. Knopff. I’d watched the press briefings in which Mr. Newhall had told the public he’d been about to give up the bid, but his daughter had urged him not to let the bad guys win. He’d seemed sincere when he’d told the cameras he was imperfect but would do everything he could to fight the type of corruption Wade Knopff had been bringing to Houston for years.

I told myself I hadn’t been watching just to see if I could catch a glimpse of Avery—who I hadn’t seen now in over a week. That was lie number one.

Like a stalker, I checked her whereabouts via my phone app which tracked hers, convincing myself it was for her benefit. Lie number two.

She’d been in Dallas, but her phone now showed she was back in Houston. I should remove the tracking, but I reasoned I was still trying to keep her safe. Maybe it was lie number three, but I’d file it as item b under number two.

The truth was I fucking missed her. Me. The guy who normally preferred solitude and nobody poking around asking me questions or prying into my life. Avery would probably say I felt that way because I had to reject everyone before they had a chance to reject me. Maybe she was right. Maybe I didn’t know how to open myself up to love and the vulnerability that went along with it. I wasn’t sure what to believe. I just knew I missed the girl who still wished on stars, who was done being told what to do, and who, most of all, in addition to sharing my bed had offered me friendship and comfort.

I’d seen how confused she’d looked at finding me at the hospital. I’d been telling the truth when I’d told her I needed to go to Austin. But the urgency behind my need to return had been exaggerated. I’d used the signing of a new contract—which technically could’ve waited—as an excuse to end our time together. I convinced myself it was for the best.

But when I’d received the call about Edward from Mr. Newhall, I’d headed to Houston instantly, telling myself I wanted to help with the investigation. My change of direction had nothing to do with the overwhelming desire to see Avery again.

Of course, that was another lie to add to the list. I knew because the moment I witnessed her take her ex’s hand, it had taken everything in me not to pull her away and whisk her back to my cabin. Failing the ability to do that, I’d settled for offering up a couple more weeks of security, but she’d turned me down.

I should’ve been relieved. Should’ve been happy to get back to Austin and my routine there, but I wasn’t. Not only did I find myself thinking about her constantly, but also my nightmares had returned—the very first night without her. One was so vivid, so real I’d woken up shaking and unable to function. Perhaps what Avery had said was right. I needed closure by speaking with Mick’s family. That’s why I was here, wasn’t it? Twenty miles away from his family home. To face that fear.

I’d sent an email two days ago asking his mom if they were home. I’d received a response immediately telling me they’d be around all week and were anxious to see me. Guilt gnawed at me every time I thought of the fact I should’ve done this sooner.

But now that I was here, I was paralyzed. I knew what I needed to do but not how to do it. Not even the whiskey I was currently sipping was numbing me tonight.

I wanted to call Avery in order to hear her voice. I knew that wasn’t what we’d agreed. No strings meant a clean break. But then I remembered her offer to be here as a friend. And selfishly, I realized how much I needed her for this. Before I could overthink it, I dialed and let the phone ring. The instant I heard her voice, I felt better.

“Hello.”

“Hi, princess. It’s me.”

“Mason. You okay?”

Shit. I glanced towards the clock on the bedside table. It was after ten o’clock in the evening. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you. You know what? I’ll, um, call you back tomorrow.”

“No. Wait. You called now. What’s going on?”

“I’m in Mobile, Alabama.”

“To see Mick’s family?”

It did something to me to know she remembered. “Yeah.”

I could hear some rustling and pictured her in bed. “Did you see them yet?”

“No. I should go tomorrow, but I’m not sure if I can.” Because I was a fucking chicken.

“I’m getting dressed and will start driving now. Where are you staying?”

“Avery, do you know how far it is to Mobile from anywhere in Texas? Probably six or seven hours, minimum. And I don’t want you driving in the dark.” But what I wouldn’t give to have her here with me.

“I didn’t realize it was so far away. What time are you heading over there tomorrow?”

“I don’t have a set time. His mom indicated they’d be around all week.”

“I’ll take a flight in the morning into Mobile. We’ll have breakfast or lunch and then go over there.”

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