Page 69 of The Young & the Sinner

I drove the car home, following behind Max, before I told him I wanted to take the car to Lizzie’s house. She was living in a dorm this year, unlike me, but told me she was coming home after school to pick up the rest of her things. I could surprise her.

He smiled indulgently at me as I said it and watched me pull out of the driveway when I left.

I was smiling as I cruised Margret down the familiar street.

I had been to Lizzie’s house plenty of times, but never had I been driving to her house by myself. The freedom the car afforded me was exhilarating. There was just something about knowing I could come and go as I pleased that got me all tingly. And I had the sudden urge to drive to Mason’s apartment and demand he stop ignoring me.

And I would have done it.

If I was brave enough. Or knew where he lived.

It shouldn’t be surprising that I had never been to Mason’s home before. There was never a reason for me to go there, no matter how much I wanted to.

Yet, the idea that perhaps I could be this brave for once in my life took hold and wouldn’t let go. Mason told me lived close to downtown. Was there not any means for me to find out where he lived? I could call him. Demanded that he stop ignoring me.

But was that too much? Would that make me too desperate? Too aggressive? Didn’t guys like it when girls were aggressive? I knew girls found it sexy when guys did the chasing. When they became reasonably aggressive in their pursuit. Could I not do that?

At the rate we were going, Mason wouldn’t step foot inside Max’s house until I moved out, I was sure of it.

I pulled to the side of the road and left the hazard lights on. My hands reached for my phone in the console before I even knew what I was doing, and then I was staring blankly at Mason’s contact information on my phone, my heart beating erratically in my chest. I couldn’t decide if it was a good or bad thing that I was feeling like this.

My finger hovered over the call button, and with a deep breath, I pressed it. The car’s Bluetooth connected automatically and brought the call through the car’s speaker. My heart seemed to be beating louder than the deafening ring that surrounded me.

The first ring… the second ring…

He wasn’t going to pick up.

Why would he?

He was avoiding me. Perhaps he felt guilty about the kiss. Perhaps he didn’t very much like the kiss, though I doubted it, all things considered. As inexperienced as I was, I knew when a man wanted me.

And Mason definitely wanted me that night.

Was it the age thing?

Oh, who was I kidding. It was definitely the age thing. But I didn’t see how a single birthday could change my maturity level and my ability to consent. I was eighteen. And out of high school. Surely that counted for something, didn’t it?

By the fifth ring, I was convinced he wouldn’t pick up. But then the sixth ring was cut off abruptly, and silence filled the entire car. I could hear myself breathing.

“Hello?”

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