Fuck. This is a far cry from how I imagined my visit would go. Mason is glaring at me, and if he could kill me, he would gladly be rid of me, and probably celebrate too.
I've hit a sensitive nerve, but he has landed a few low blows of his own in the past. We don't seem to see eye to eye no matter what.
" Says the woman who seems to think running, would solve her problems. I have news for you it solved a whole lotta of nothing. It only postponed the inevitable, " He growls, plops back in the chair, crossing one leg over the other and begins muttering to himself.
" Well aware. No need to reiterate it. It has been already pointed out on several occasions. Just for the record, I did what I thought was best for everyone," I'm slowly beginning to lose control of my temper. Mason chuckles in disbelief, scrubbing his face with both hands.
" Unbelievable," He says under his breath smiling but mirthless, but I heard him loud and clear.
" What exactly is unbelievable? The fact that you can't forgive me that I've chosen to stay away to safeguard you because I thought it was for the best. Or the fact that you're marrying Ava just to spite me? Which one is it because right now I'm struggling to understand any of it," His head whips at the mention of Ava's name and I know I'm only pouring salt over a bleeding wound.
" Can we all calm down," Graham chimes in a light tone, trying to dispel the tension. It doesn't work. My hackles rise, and I stand up to go somewhere, anywhere but I really don't know where. So I make my way to what I gathered is Graham's bedroom.
Graham heaves a dramatic sigh, " Maybe I should move to Morston. At the rate you seem to piss off women, I'll have no trouble getting on with the ladies," I can hear him chuckle but I miss the rest of the conversation because I've shut the door behind me while I take a moment to get my bearings.
I'm frustrated to no end, so I begin pacing around the room, groaning in an attempt to rid myself of the irksome feeling grating my nerves.
When I can't take anymore, I stride back into the room where I've left the two and stop in front of Mason.
" I get it. I've fucked up, " I take a deep breath because admitting that has cost me more than I'd like," But you have no right to point fingers at me, when I've asked so many times asking you what we were and the best you were able to come up with was ' I don't know', " I make a point of mimicking his voice and facial expressions," From where I stand, I owe you nothing. I don't need to explain my decisions to you or anyone else. I'm happy to suffer the consequences. And if you want to marry Ava so badly, then go ahead. I won't stand in your way. I never had any intention to do such a stupid thing anyway," That last part was a lie, and I want to kick myself for having said it but it's out now, fingers crossed he will be too angry to notice it.
" Happy now?" The simmering anger is boiling over and I'm one step away from blowing up. Quite literally.
" Delighted," He says sarcastically with a wry smile.
Graham sighs behind me and Mason stands so that we are nose to nose again, staring me straight in the eyes without saying a single word. After a few seconds, he slips past me and makes his way to the door, and disappears with a dramatic thud.
The silence that ensues after his departure is heavy and suffocating. Graham doesn't say a thing, and I'm grateful. I'm at my wits end with the men in my life, and I don't think I can take anymore. I've officially reached my quota for drama for the day, and I'm ready for a nap, because I have no energy left in me to carry on at this erratic pace.