Page 18 of Shattered

Me: Smart woman. But I think you’re the cure.

Sunflower: You’re too sweet.

Me: Maybe, but right now, I’m dirty and have to go get this cleaned up. I made a bit of a mess.

Sunflower: Lol. I should be going to sleep anyway, so I’ll say goodnight now xoxo.

Me: Okay. Goodnight, Sunflower. Thank you for being there for me.

Sunflower: Any time . . .

...

Sunflower: I have some more pictures for you . . .

CHAPTER SIX

Neilix

I’ve spoken to Mase only a couple of times since school ended. As much as he’s obnoxious and outspoken, he’s always been a little more closed off than the rest of us. He covers the fact he has actual feelings by being crude and talking shit, but I suspect there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface than he lets on.

I’m concerned about him, just as I have been about Campbell and Jason, turning to vices to help them cope. It’s unhealthy.

I guess you could call Sunflower my vice, but that’s completely different. She’s been a distraction from all the shit. A comfort and an ear when I need to get things off my chest. As much as I talk to her, she talks to me, and I love that she gives me the trust she does. Where would I be without her?

Since Mase hardly replies, I figured I’d come to see him in person. That way, he can’t exactly avoid me. One of the front window curtains shifts in my peripheral after I ring his doorbell, and it takes another moment before the front door opens. Mase seems surprised, his brows drawn together over his dark eyes and his black hair messy.

“What are you doing here?”

I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve been to Mase’s house over the years, and not once was it the five of us guys at the same time. He was always . . . twitchy, I guess is the best way to describe it, just like he’s being now.

“Well, if you weren’t being a dick and avoiding everyone, I wouldn’t be. I just came to see how you’re doing.”

He glances over his shoulder as if looking at something behind him and then steps outside, closing the door with a soft click.

“Well, there haven’t been any hate messages today, so I guess I’m good.”

My insides pull tight, and I absently look over at his neighbors. Besides the stuff at school, we’ve each been dealing with some misplaced anger and accusations by people in our community. For me, it’s mainly been the not-so-quiet comments from people nearby, and then there was my dad . . .

"And you?"

“My dad was fired.”

Mase blows out a breath. “I’m guessing it was Jacob-related?”

“We’re pretty sure.”

“This shit is so fucked up.” Folding his arms, he leans against the front door. “I don’t like that I’m associated with that guy.”

That guy. He says it as if we haven’t all been friends—best friends—for years. As if we didn’t spend summers camping in each other’s yards or hanging out in the treehouse at Jacob’s house.

It was a cold statement, but the more I look at Mase, the more I can see a hint of a pained expression buried beneath his scowl. Maybe he cares more than he admits?

“You’re still certain he’s guilty?”

Mase scoffs, the sound of disgust leaving his throat. Okay, maybe it’s not that he cares. “You’re telling me the cops just had it all wrong? That he’s liked her for years, and the fact he made the threat that night meant nothing?”

I would hardly call what Jacob said a threat, but still, a little seed of doubt tries to worm its way inside, attempting to plant itself deep and choke out any thoughts that he’s innocent. But I don’t want to think that of my friend. I refuse to.

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