Page 53 of I Choose You

Truth is, I’ve bypassed this moment for a day, which is rather lucky considering Luke knows my every damn move. I thought I would be safe while doing my laundry, but here he is, breathing down my neck for answers.

He’s watching me like we’re on an African safari, and I’m his prey. I pull out the rectangular compartment on the washing machine to fill it with detergent and try to ignore him.

“You can’t ignore me forever.” I don’t bother glancing over my shoulder. I’m mindful of his expression since he’s been by my side since day one. A creak sounds from behind, and I realize it’s the old rocker that was here when we started renting the place. It squeaks when he rocks, confirming my suspicion.

“I’m not ignoring you,” I tell him. I just don’t want to hear his shit. Mackenzie told me all about it after I got back from the office after my call with Richard.

The thing is, I don’t know what’s going on with Kenzie and me, so I have no clue where to start with answers. He means well and cares about the both of us, but I don’t think I’m going to squash his worries in the way he’s hoping.

Not today, anyway.

I sigh. “I’m doing my laundry.”

“You know we need to talk,” he says nonchalantly, but he’s anything but. I sense the edge in his voice, the irritation of my stupidity and the concern he’s about to unleash.

“Technically, we don’t need to do anything.” My reply is full of disinterest. It’s so indifferent that I’m sure it only aggravates him more, but what am I supposed to say? That I want to have this talk with him? Because I don’t. As much as I like Mackenzie, I’m not necessarily ready to share my feelings about what’s going on. I’m not ready for Luke to butt his way into my damn head and put thoughts there that don’t belong. I do not want to doubt myself. Not when I’m enjoying Mackenzie in a way I didn’t think I’d ever get. “Shouldn’t you be out with Layla or something?”

“Oh, believe me, I’d rather be with her, but I was told the dare she pulled on you and Mackenzie kick-started whatever the hell I walked in on. Why don’t you tell me about that?”

I select the normal setting on the washer. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

“Your tongue was down her throat, Mason,” he snaps unapologetically. The creaking of the rocking chair halts. “That’s something to discuss.”

I swivel around and lean against the appliance with crossed arms as it rumbles to life. Why is he pushing his way into something that doesn’t concern him? “That’s an exaggeration.”

One of his eyebrows raises. “Is it?” When I don’t respond, he continues. “Then how would you describe it? Please,” he sweeps a hand in my direction, “I would fucking love to hear this one.”

I smirk. “I don’t kiss and tell, Lukey boy,” I crack with a wink. My smug look quickly sours when he stares back with a seriousness that makes me falter.

“Mason,” he warns quietly, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees.

I exhale, shifting to look at the ceiling before landing back on him. It’s better to get this over with. To crush whatever worries he might have regarding Mackenzie and me. “Get on with it, Luke. Say what you need to so we can move on.”

His hands lift to rest on the top of his head, and questions tumble out of his mouth in quick succession. “What the fuck are you doing with Mackenzie? Are you two a thing now or something? You remember that you’re leaving in a few weeks, right? What the hell are you going to do when that happens?” He unclasps his hands and sits straighter. “You going to fuck her, then what? Sweep her away to Austin with you?”

I swallow down the irritation that comes when he talks about it like I’m only here for a hookup. “I’m not fucking her.”

He scoffs, looking to the side, then back at me. “Yet. You’re not fucking her yet.”

My nostrils flare in displeasure. “Do you have to say it like that? This is Mackenzie we’re talking about. You know, the girl we’ve known since we were eight.”

His palms face me in surrender before he scrubs them along his cheeks. “You’re right. I’m sorry, but you’re throwing me for a damn loop here. What exactly are your intentions?”

What are my intentions?

She’d be mine if I had my way, but that’s easier said than done. We’ve been friends since grade school, and this is all so new to us. If she woke up tomorrow and ran in the opposite direction, I wouldn’t be surprised. I know everything there is to know about Mackenzie Jones, and that would be typical behavior for her.

“I don’t know, Luke.”

“Jesus. Do you two know anything?”

Exhaling a heavy breath, I say, “I know that we’re enjoying ourselves. No promises or commitments were made, so I can’t tell you what will happen once I leave.” I like to think that what’s going on with us will continue. Best-case scenario, she comes with me, and we live out our lives in Austin for the unforeseeable future. That very well could be a pipe dream, though.

“She’s definitely going to flip when you leave. Any woman would. How long have you felt this way about her?”

My eyes flick to the ground, and I shift on my feet. “A while.”

“What’s a while, Mase?”

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