Page 42 of Shameless

Her shoulders sagged with relief the second Mason walked away though, so I know I mustn’t be too far off the truth. “Jumps,” I say softly. “Was that…?”

I don’t need to finish the sentence, Lula nods.

“That was Mason. The guy who was protecting me from Evan.”

What she doesn’t say is that she was selling Mason’s drugs in exchange for that protection and that he’s the reason why she ended up in juvie.

“What is he doing here?” Is my next question.

The answer couldn’t be more shocking.

At first Lula seems hesitant, but once she starts telling me about her reunion with Mason, I wish I had followed my instincts. If I had, now we’d have a body to dispose of.

“Jumps.” I don’t even know how I feel about it all. Different, equally intense emotions are battling in my chest.

“I’m so sorry, Stef. I?—”

I turn her around in my arms, coaxing her eyes to mine by lifting her chin as gently as I can. “Why are you sorry? I’m sorry you went through all of that alone. Why didn’t you tell me?”

The tears that well in her eyes don’t stop me wanting to kill Mason any less.

“I was so scared. He threatened you. You, Jules and Crew. He said if I failed to pay him back, or if I told anyone, he’d kill you. I would have rather died than risk one of you being hurt because of me.”

I tighten my arms around her, pulling her to my chest. “My sweet, brave Jumps.” I murmur. “You should have told me. I can’t believe you risked being caught stealing and you almost died trying to repay a debt that didn’t really exist.”

She exhales a shuddering breath. “It did. Arianna destroyed all the drugs I took with me from New York. That stuff was worth five figures.”

Thank fuck that scumbag has walked away or I would turn him into fish chum. “It doesn’t matter, Lula. If Mason was your friend like he wanted you to believe, he would have never threatened you. Besides, he would have protected you without asking you to do anything in return. Especially something illegal.”

She lowers her gaze. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

Lula doesn’t get it. “I’m not mad at you, Jumps. I’m mad that another person you trusted let you down. Can you make me a promise?”

Her voice has a cautious edge and I can’t really blame her. “It depends on what it is.”

Life has taught Lula that she can’t really trust anyone. I’m willing to work on showing her that she can trust me and that nothing will ever come between us again.

“Promise me that if anything like that ever happens again, you’ll come to me. I know you wanted to protect me, but we protect each other. We would have talked about it and found a solution together. Preferably something that wouldn’t put your life and your freedom at risk.”

There’s a glint of amusement in her eyes.

“What?” I ask.

The corners of her lips quirk up in the beginning of a smile. “Nothing.”

“Jumps.” I try to sound stern, but her smile is contagious and I can never hide my emotions from her. She knows me better than anyone.

“I just think it’s a little funny that you think we would talk about something like that.”

I can’t help but feel confused. “Why not?”

“Are you telling me that you would have listened to me calmly and not charged into Mason’s house fists first?”

Fuck. She does know me. “You aren’t the only one who’s changed, Lula.” I argue. “I know I’m impulsive, but I’m learning to slow my roll.”

She nods. “Good to know, Stef. Because I promise. No more secrets, no matter how scary things can get.”

My heart almost bursts with love for her, when she pushes on the tips of her toes to touch my lips with hers.

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