Page 54 of Sweetheart

“Sorry.” Levi ran his thumb over Mason’s lower lip. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I never want to hurt you.”

“I will never be sorry for you kissing me.”

“Stay here and stay safe. The guys have everyone we think is here in town, but Jason has told them that there might be others. Please don’t leave the house.”

Mason scoffed. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“I’ll be back.” Levi kissed him one more time before he rose.

Mason waited until he was alone before he pushed down the blanket that Levi had covered him with. Other than his wrists and face, most of Mason’s injuries were hidden under his clothes. The ache in his ribs was manageable so at least those weren’t broken. Although Mason knew from experience that he was going to be sore for a long time. Which pissed him the hell off. He did not want to be too sore for everything he wanted to do with and to Levi.

A soft knock on the door served as a warning and Mason yanked the comforter back up.

“Come in,” he called.

The door opened before Bryce stuck his head around the frame. “Can we come in?”

“Please do.”

“Yay!” Bryce pushed the door open and entered the room. Then more people followed him. A lot of people.

“Hey,” Lawson said. “I don’t think you met Anton in his human form. And this is Sam and Ansley.”

“Hi, guys,” Mason greeted while struggling to sit up.

“Let me help you,” the cutie with floppy brown hair, adorable dimples, and wearing a bowtie said. He hurried over to slip an arm around Mason’s waist. “I’m Sam.”

“Thanks, Sam,” Mason said. His sides hurt but he didn’t want to lie flat on his back with everyone else in the room.

“I brought my notes!” Bryce held up a spiral notebook.

“I have pizza,” Ansley said.

“And Cokes,” Lawson added.

“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate you all spending time with me.”

“It’s our pleasure.” Sam sat next to Mason, leaning against the headboard. “We’re so happy to meet you. Levi has waited so long for you. I knew you would be cute.”

“Plus, we can help explain things while the other guys are busy,” Ansley said. “It can get pretty overwhelming.”

“Yeah?” Should he tell them? “But—”

“But what?” Anton leaned forward. “It’s okay to ask questions. I had to learn that myself, but we don’t judge here.”

“I don’t know how much you all know about my family?”

“Not much.” Bryce shrugged. “Axel and the others probably know more.”

“We’re…we’re not a good family,” Mason confessed.

River snorted. Mason liked the spunky guy. He didn’t seem to hold much back. “Being from a family made up of assholes is not your fault.”

“My family is full of very bad people.”

“That’s why everyone is so worried,” Bryce said.

“Yeah. He came here to kill me. And maybe my brother,” Mason said.

---