Page 20 of Worth It All

Mason

Iwalk into The Haven, immediately looking for Davina. When I got the call from Skylar that something was wrong, I came right here. But Davina is delivering drinks and chatting with the patrons, a smile on her beautiful face. Then I see it. There’s a slight tremble in her hand. A sadness in her eyes. She spots me and her smile brightens. She returns to the bar and puts in another drink order.

“Hey, can you take a break?”

She sighs. “Give me a little bit? We’re swamped.”

I don’t argue with her. It’s busy but not that busy. Whatever is going on, she needs to deal with it herself before talking to me.

“See what I mean?” Skylar asks.

“Yeah. I’ll stick around and she’ll talk when she’s ready.”

“I hope so.”

“Congratulations on the baby. With everything we’ve had going on, I can’t remember if I told you or not.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

She prepares a couple shots for a patron at the bar, then comes back.

“So, Charlie…I thought he was your kid, but he’s your brother’s, isn’t he?”

“Yes.”

“Is that why he came back?”

I shake my head. “He doesn’t even know. He came back because of me. Because I didn’t kill him when I had the chance.”’

“I know I don’t have to tell you this, but make sure he's dead this time.”

34

Davina

Staying occupied is the only reason I haven’t broken down. I had a good cry at home after Collin left but my mind keeps imagining these horrible scenarios where Charlie wants to go live with him, or worse, where Collin takes him from me.

“Behind!” Allie says but it’s too late. I crash into her, knocking the drinks from both of our trays.

I apologize profusely and she assures me it’s fine, but I feel the tears coming.

“Hey, it’s seriously okay. Let me clean this up.”

“No. I got it. I made the mess. I’ll clean it up.”

I scoop the broken glass and as if this night can’t get any worse, I slice my hand open. Wincing, I snatch my hand back, mumbling a curse.

“Let Allie clean it up,” Mason says, helping me up.

He puts his arm around my waist and leads me to the bathroom, seating me on the counter while he gets the first aid kit from beneath the sink.

“You ready to talk?”

I shake my head, while blurting out what happened and my fears. He listens carefully, gently cleaning my cut.

“Charlie would never choose Collin.”

“What if Collin takes him? Did I fuck up telling Collin?”

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