Page 68 of A Second Chance At Forever

Mason rubbed his temples. “She will be there too. Go get ready.”

Alissaand I met up in the living room with bags in tow. “Are you sure about this?”

I shook my head. “I’m not sure about anything anymore.”

I drove to Mason’s house feeling like I was going to fall apart. I didn’t want to watch Mason with another woman. I didn’t want to be around him and not be able to touch him. But most of all, I didn’t want Chris to get his hands on me again. I knew Mason could keep me safe.

We pulled up to Mason’s house and he showed us to our rooms. It was weird being in his house and not staying in his room. I dropped my bag to the floor and threw myself on the bed. I thought about everything. Mason, Nicole, Chris, my life and what it was I wanted to do with it.

I had too many questions and not enough answers.

I had beenat Mason’s house for several hours, I hadn’t seen anyone, but knew what I needed to be able to go to sleep. I needed that bottle that got me through everything.

I left the room and walked past Mason’s. I peeked in to see him sitting on his balcony. I wanted to join him but knew I couldn’t. I pushed the thoughts down and made my way to the kitchen where Nicole was cooking dinner.

I ignored her and continued to look through the cabinets.

“Can I help you find something?” she asked sweetly.

“Not unless you can point me in the direction of a bottle of Jack.”

She smiled. “Mason has that on his balcony, but I know where a bottle is hidden.” She opened the bottom cabinet and moved several items out of the way before pulling out a brand-new bottle and handing it over.

“Thank you.” I took the bottle and pulled a glass from the cabinet.

I sat down at the island to have a drink while watching Nicole cook. Something was off about her, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

“What are you cooking? It smells amazing.” I was trying my hardest to be nice and to be honest, I felt guilty for sleeping with Mason.

“Roast beef, are you hungry?” She was obviously trying her hardest to be nice too.

“No thanks. I think I will just stick with a liquid diet tonight.” I tipped up my glass and took a long drink. As the liquor burned its way down my throat, something else burned its way up. Jealousy. “Can I ask you something?”

She turned to look at me, confusion written all over her face. “Sure.”

“How can you be so easy going about me staying here?” I tipped up my glass and took a quick drink.

She began playing with the towel in her hands. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not happy about it. I can tell how much he loves you and I know it’s more than he feels for me. But I have something you don’t, his baby,” she placed her hands on her flat stomach. “I won’t let you come between us again. There’s too much riding on this. This isn’t about who loves who, it’s about a baby who needs his parents to love and take care of him.” She turned away from me and went back to the food on the stove.

I hated that she was right. It wasn’t about Mason and me. It was about a baby, Mason’s baby. Not knowing how to process my feelings, I took the bottle and returned to my room.

As the liquor took affect, the angrier I became. I knew something had to be done or I wouldn’t ever get my life back. A life I needed to get back to. A life I was determined to make better.

When I wokeup the next morning, I made my way downstairs to find Mason pouring a cup of coffee. I took the coffee from his hands and sat down. “Thank you.”

“No problem,” he shrugged before turning to pour another cup.

Within a minute, Alissa came running down the stairs. “I can’t believe you did that.” She eyed me.

“What? What did she do?” Mason asked.

“This.” She handed him the phone and took his coffee from his hands.

He played a video that I uploaded to YouTube the night before.

“Hi, I’m Lennox Madison. I know many of you know about my engagement to Chris Meyer and now I’m coming forth to let you know why I called it off. Chis was an abusive monster. From the minute that ring was on my finger he turned into someone I didn’t know. I left to get away from him, but he has found me, forcing me to run again. I just wanted to let everyone know that all my future tours are canceled as of now. I don’t know when I will return, but I do want you all to know that I appreciate all of your love and support. Thank you.”

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Alissa sat down beside me with Mason’s coffee and took a sip.

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