Page 16 of Boundaries

As I digested Mason’s words, I realised how outdated his view of a relationship was, but then I’d always known the McKenna’s were overbearing alpha-types. A breed I despised. They belonged in the books I read for escapism. I enjoyed reading about them, but that content wasn’t something I’d want in real life. Funny really, as I hadn’t really thought about that until lately.

Batting away his attempt to ‘little woman’ me, I said, “Put me in my place, you’re from the dark ages, Mason. I’m not like the women you associate with. I have a mind of my own.”

Annoyance flashed across his features. “At least let the boy answer one fucking question by himself.”

“Alex is too much of a pussy obviously,” Seth McKenna suddenly chimed in and Boyd barked out a laugh. They were all bullies.

His words did push Alex to reply. He now looked quite annoyed, an expression he rarely wore.

“I can speak for myself. As Amy said. We’re in a proper relationship; give and take, as it should be.” Alex then leaned his head toward me and added, “I need to get my wallet from the car.”

There was a beat of silence as everyone concentrated on their drinks and awaited Mason’s comeback.

“That’s the way it is with me lad, although I give and she takes.”

His smug look sent a slither of annoyance to snake up my spine and I sat up straight in my seat.

“I think you’ve just sunk even lower in my estimations Mason. Did you take lessons in how to be insulting?” A crack unfortunately split my voice, making my words sound weak.

He quirked his head and rolled his shoulders again before necking his beer. Seth and Boyd were doing a looking back and forth thing between us, and I knew it was time to leave. The atmosphere crackled with awkwardness.

Drat, I had to wait for Alex to fetch money, as I’d left my cash card in my other purse by mistake. I was a modern girl; I didn’t expect the boy to get the bill all the time.

Alex finished his drink and stood up. I could see from his body language that he was upset, extremely so.

“Will you be, OK?” he whispered down, shooting the McKenna boys a wary look.

I smiled warmly, “Of course. I can handle it.”

He looked relieved, “I’ll go and pay the bill and then we can head back to mine if you want?” he declared, before negotiating his way cagily around the McKenna boys. He didn’t give them any attention, and I attempted to do the same as I dragged my bag onto my lap. Preparing to follow him.

“What the fuck for?” Seth chuckled as Alex passed him.

The McKenna lads all glanced at each other, sharing a silent message. They obviously didn’t like Alex either, but so what.

I wore an adoring smile as I watched my boyfriend walk away. I could feel Mason watching me. What the hell was his problem? Oh yes, me!

I was now alone with the three of them. It was like the stuff nightmares were made from.

I cleared my throat and rested my hands on the table, suddenly feeling unable to stand. Mason was staring at me over the rim of his bottle of beer. His expression was intense. It was unnerving. He didn’t usually stare so much. It made me feel like I had something on my face. His jaw was so solid, a man could break his fist on it.

I’d wait until I saw Alex come back into the pub before I moved. I didn’t want them thinking they had won anything by us leaving early. However, I still needed to fill the silence until he came back, either that or should I have high-tailed it out of there?

“So, not as if I care, but when is the prodigal son home?” I asked, now eyeballing Mason.

“Why do you ask, if you don’t care?” he responded dryly.

“So, I can hide Jenna.” This I said with a fair amount of force.

Seth dropped his hands from their position behind his head and Boyd snickered and muttered under his breath, “Good luck with that.”

Seth looked down and concentrated on his drink.

Mason cradled the beer against his chest and hooked his chin at me. “If Nixon wants Jenna back, you won’t be able to hide her Amy. He’s a resourceful man. He’ll tear your house apart. The guy gets off on conflict, you know that.”

I wrinkled my nose and turned in my seat to face him. “Exactly, he’s obviously twisted, which is why I don’t want him anywhere near my family.”

Mason scratched his jaw with the hand that held his beer and shot me a thoughtful look.

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