Page 20 of You're To Blame 2

“Your dad was behind you to go pro. I guess you didn’t know that important detail. Do you know how much your family misses you?”

His brow wrinkled. “They don’t miss me.”

“Yes, they do. Come on.” We joined our families in the living room.

“Tate, honey light your candle.” His mom nodded him over.

He hesitated.

“Go on, Tate.” I pushed him toward the oversized mantel.

Brian kissed Melissa on the forehead and gripped his son’s shoulder.

I stood in dad’s arms. Mom clutched my hand, and the twins fidgeted in front of us.

“Mason, we will never forget you, son,” Brian’s voice wavered.

“We miss you so much. There isn’t a day that goes by we don’t think about you,” Melissa sniffled.

She peeked at her son. “It’s all right. Go on, Tate.”

“Mason, I miss hanging out with you. You were my best friend. I love you,” his voice cracked.

They each lit a candle, honoring Mason.

Maybe the annual holiday remembrance would soften the beast’s heart.

Mason turned and reached for my hand.

Melissa swiped at the tears and cranked up the holiday music. The twins jumped around. Our parents huddled together sipping spiked eggnog.

Mason wrapped his arms around me. “That was a cute bonding moment with my family.”

“You needed to know how they felt.”

His blue eyes glinted. “I’m a lucky guy. I’m engaged to the perfect woman.” His nose slipped across my neck. “I could never give you up, Chelsea.”

Fuck, my plan backfired.The evil prince still had to have me for himself. He was determined to make his brother suffer. I shook in his arms.

“No need to fret, princess.” He stood to his full height, staring down at me. “You’re in good hands.”

Our families were oblivious to my torture. He wanted me no matter what it cost him. I was the prize he had to win.

PULLING MYSELF TOGETHERbecame excruciating the longer this farce went on. The day after Thanksgiving, I laid in bed all day. Mom and dad checked on me. I lied, telling my mother, I wasn’t feeling good without any sign of a fever. The next best reason for a girl to remain in bed all day. Cramps.

She hovered over me. “Chelsea, I’ll grab a bottle of aspirin. I thought your cycle happened at the beginning of the month?” See this was why having a doctor for a mother could be problematic.

“Mom, it switched. Twice a year my cycle changes to the end of the month.”

“Oh, yeah. I remember.” She stood and clapped her hands. “I’ll return with chamomile tea, aspirin, and a heating pad.”

“Mom, you’re the best.”

She winked and scurried out of the room.

I needed the break from Mason. I’d milk this alone time for all it was worth.

Monday morning, I was on the prowl. Where was little Miss Priss? I spotted her a few minutes later. She strutted down the hall in her black Jimmy Choo’s. I followed at a distance. She slipped into the restroom. Strolling in a few seconds later, I gazed in the mirror pretending to freshen up my makeup.

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