Page 65 of Mason Wilder
“Yeah. That stuff happened a long time ago.” Mason’s voice grew stronger. Angrier. “But what about the stuff happening now? You trespassed on their property. That’s insane. And illegal. You’re stalking my girlfriend. What the hell is with the black hair? And what about the way you just threw yourself at Angel? He’s married, and his husband and wife are standing right there. Don’t you have any self-respect?”
“I do.” Kendall was adamant. “I have self-respect and self-worth. I didn’t back then, but I do now.”
“No, you don’t. You’re just as manipulative now as you were in the past. You weren’t going to stay in New York until you met Tessa. Then everything changed. I see it all clearly now. You wanted to stay here and get to know her because you thought it would bring you closer to Angel.” Disgust washed over his face, clouding his handsome features. “You’re sick.”
“No! Mason, I stayed because I wanted to get to know you. I admit I got a little carried away, but I do love you, and I do want to get to know you better.”
“Well, I already know you. And I don’t like you. Leave before I call security.”
Kendall burst into tears, but made no move to exit the apartment.
“I think it’s best you go,” Papi said, firmly. “Let’s not make a bigger scene than we have already. My daughter lives in this building, and the door has been open the entire time.” He took the knob and opened the door further. “Goodbye, Kendall.”
She stopped crying and slowly walked toward the door. “Angel.”
She took a step toward him, but he backed up and scowled. “Don’t. Just don’t.”
The tears flowed again, and Kendall ran out of the apartment.
Mason watched Kendall run out of his life. Again. He couldn’t do more than stare at the closed door. He was paralyzed in place. His chest felt like a hollow empty shell. It echoed with loss for a second time from the same woman who gave him life. Why didn’t she act like a mother? Why couldn’t she love him the way a mother is supposed to love a son? Never had he felt so betrayed and manipulated. He always saw the good in people, but never had he been more wrong. He had given Kendall every chance, even when all the people in his life had warned him otherwise. He couldn’t believe he’d been duped into believing that she had stuck around this time because she cared. A lone tear streaked down his cheek. He felt the wetness, but his arms were too heavy to wipe it away.
He heard soft sobbing, and, for a moment, he thought it was himself, but it was Tessa. He suddenly became aware that she had her arms wrapped around his waist and was crying into the center of his chest. His limbs finally regained movement, and his arms slowly rose to embrace her.
She sniffled, wiped her eyes, and looked up at him with more torment than this wonderful girl should ever know. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t instigate any of that. She just showed up here and went berserk when she saw my parents. Are you OK, Mason?”
He never blamed Tessa. She’s the one who warned him the most. She saw right through Kendall’s charade, and he had doubted the intentions of this big-hearted girl who protected those she loved with every ounce of strength in her petite little body. “I’m sorry, Tess. I should have listened to you. I was just so happy that she was here and back in my life. And that she seemed sincere. She played me for a fool.”
“I don’t think so. I think she really cares about you. I think she loves you. I think she just has a lot of unresolved issues.” Tessa turned toward her parents, who stood in a row, shell-shocked and not moving. She glared at them with a mixture of accusation and bewilderment. “What the hell was all that stuff she was talking about?”
One by one, their chins dropped into their chests without answering.
Tessa’s nostrils flared, angered that her parents weren’t forthcoming with answers. “Can you please explain what just happened? Mason deserves some answers.”
“There’s not much to say, baby,” Jessi finally said, apologetically. “Everything you heard was true. Kendall hated me. I honestly don’t know what I did to her, or why she went to such an extreme.” Jessi shrugged. “But she did. I feel awful. For the both of you. I never wanted either of you to hear any of that. No one did. It’s ugly and vile.”
“I don’t care.” Mason blurted out, harshly, causing everyone to turn in his direction. It was too much to comprehend. He couldn’t process everything they said. It was too overwhelming. Too horrible. Kendall had caused a tremendous amount oftrouble for Tessa’s family. Part of him felt at fault and embarrassed, and he didn’t want to hear any more about the war between his birth mother and Tessa’s parents. “I heard enough. Just tell me one thing. Did you give her money to stay away? I won’t hold it against any of you. I would understand if you did. I really wish she never came back. I just want to know the truth.”
Angel stepped forward so he was directly in front of Mason. “I didn’t give her money to stay away from you, Mason. I would never do that. I hope you believe me.” Angel placed his hand on Mason’s shoulder. “I gave her a few thousand dollars, out of the goodness of my heart, after we busted her bribery scam with the DVD. I told her to take it and start over. Do something with her life. This was long before you were born. She disappeared and we honestly didn’t hear from her or see her again until that day she showed up with you. And, well, I guess you know the rest.”
Mason really didn’t care about the specifics. His world was crumbling, and he just wanted to forget the last few weeks. He was suddenly filled with intense loss. Not only from the way his birth mother trampled his heart. He missed Aunt Mary. The image of her angelic face, with the hint of mischief behind her wire-rimmed glasses, and the love she had for everyone, especially him, left his heart in shreds and his gut aching. Emotions inundated him. He felt hot tears sting his cheeks before he became aware that they had fallen, and everyone in the room engulfed him in a hug. Tessa clung to him. Jessi smoothed the back of his hair with her hand and told him it was going to be OK. Tommy rubbed his arm and said he was sorry that everything was such a mess. And Angel stroked his back and told him that they all loved him.
It didn’t make the despair go away, or ease the heaviness that infiltrated his soul, but it helped. These people were his family, and they’d do anything for him. They shared his grief and tried to protect him. And he had the most amazing girl in the world to stand by his side. He patted the arms that held him. “Thanks. I think I’m OK now.”
“No. You’re not.” Jessi cupped his chin in her hand, just as she’d done hundreds of times when he was a boy. “But you will be. Do you want me to call your mom? Or your dad?”
He forced a tiny smile. “Nah. I’ll give them a call later and let them know what happened.” He took a deep breath, worried about additional drama that had yet to be disclosed. “Is there more? Did something like this happen between my parents and Kendall?”
Jessi shook her head. “No. Your mom and Aunt Kira were very protective of Angel and acted like a buffer, but that was all. It was just us. Or, me. Really. I guess she was jealous because of Angel. I’m so sorry.”
“I’msorry,” Angel hugged him again. “I feel like this entire fiasco is all my fault. She hung around the bars to be close to me. I avoided her as much as I could. I swear. I never gave her any reason to think I was interested in her.”
Mason felt as if he was the one who should be apologizing. That woman wreaked havoc on their lives. She messed with Jessi’s business and tried to ruin Tessa’s parents’ marriage. He was humiliated that this woman was his birth mother. “I don’t blame you for anything. It’s not your fault she’s the way she is. I’m sorry she did those things to you. It disgusts me. I was blinded by the idea of having a relationship with her. I wanted it so much that I believed her when she said she had changed, instead of listening to what everyone was trying to tell me.” He turned to face Tessa, who still had tears in her eyes, and cupped her cheek in his hand. “I’m sorry if she scared you or stalked you. Or made you feel uncomfortable. I should have seen it.” His heart hurt and he berated himself for not looking out for her. “I should have protected you.” His voice cracked as the emotion washed over him. “When you were a little girl, just a baby, I fell so hard for your sweet mannerisms and adorable ways. I swore I’d never let anyone hurt you. That I’d always be there to protect you. I didn’t live up to that promise. And I’ll never forgive myself for that.”
“It’s not your fault.” Tessa’s words quaked as she spoke them and her lips trembled, then she hugged him tightly as a series of sobs landed on his chest.
“It’s OK.” He stroked her long hair and planted a kiss on the top of her head. “Everything is going to be OK from now on.”
“I love you, Mason,” she said through her tears.
