More Than Lies (More Than #1)(25)

I’ve been working on my novel during the drive, and managed to get one chapter written, but that’s all. I have my ear buds tucked into my ears, but I’m not listening to music. I’m one of those people that need complete silence to write. I need alone time inside my own head, so to speak, without any white noise. The ear buds are solely to cut down on Shawn and Mason’s conversation, as well as the music that’s coming through the speakers in the truck.

It’s worked okay, but to be honest, Shawn’s voice is distracting. It is pure southern sexiness with a deep drawl and a rasp. What I wouldn’t give to hear that sound whispering dirty thoughts into my ear. A girl could get wet just imagining that. And trust me, I have.

Too bad that little fantasy will never be my reality.

“What’s with you and brunettes here lately?” Mason chimes in. I don’t look up; I know that question is directed at Shawn. I can feel Shawn’s eyes on me, so I’m sure he’s glanced up in the mirror to see if I’m listening. I don’t want them to think I give a damn about his response, and really, I don’t. I don’t want to hear the topic of Shawn and other women. I am slightly jealous when it comes to him. And yes, I’m perfectly aware that I shouldn’t feel that way, but it’s not like I can control my feelings. I’m not robotic.

One thing I’ll give Shawn credit for, and I’m grateful for, is that as much as I know he sleeps around, he doesn’t usually bring it around me. I don’t know if that’s for my benefit or not, but I’m still glad he doesn’t. I don’t think I could remain living in the house with him if he had women constantly going in and out. It’s going to suck when he finds “the one.”

“I didn’t realize I had to fuck a certain breed.” Did he just call women breeds? What the flyin’ eff? Mason snickers, and I continue looking down at my laptop as though I’m lost in my own fictional world. I wish I were.

“Dude, you’ve always been picky as hell.” Umm, no he’s not. Picky doesn’t have sex with tramps like Holly Torres.

Shut it off, Taralynn. Don’t go there. You’ll only ruin your day by thinking about her. She isn’t worth it. Never was and never will be.

So why the hell did he sleep with her, but won’t so much as consider me?

“What planet are you on, motherfucker?” Shawn snaps back. “Every bitch’s legs spread the same way. The only thing I’m after is the end result. As long as the package is decently wrapped, why should I care what color her hair is?” I can hear it in Shawn’s voice; Mason is grinding on his nerves. Mase has a knack for doing that.

“Yeah, okay, tell that to someone that hasn’t watched and even taken part in that same action. Because you try to fuck every little blonde, but you can only see one.”

What does that mean? Okay, I need to stop listening. It’s only causing my chest discomfort. Discomfort, I do not need or want.

“I don’t know what your fucking angle is, but drop it.” Shawn bites out the last two words as if trying to get a point across to Mason.

Mason loves dishing out advice, mainly to his roommates, but he is the last person to ever take it from others.

“She can’t hear us and I’m simply carrying on a conversation here.”

“Did you put liquor into the Styrofoam cup you’re drinking Coke out of? Shut the fuck up, Mason.” Shawn’s voice is rising, as it does when he becomes pissed off.

“Probably not going to happen. Know what I mean?” Mason doesn’t wait for Shawn’s response, and I don’t think it was meant as a rhetorical question. “You could have her instead of letting him hit it anytime he wants.”

Her?

I’m lost. I thought they were talking about me not being able to hear, but I don’t even know why that would matter except for the fact that Shawn unfortunately knows exactly how much I’m attracted to him and has mercy on me by not subjecting me to all his whorish ways.

“Last time I’m going to say this, so let me be perfectly clear . . .” Shawn breathes in deeply. I can see his shoulders rise and fall dramatically. My head is still lowered, but I can’t help glancing up, every now and again. “I don’t give a rat’s ass who Tara bangs or who she doesn’t. Jared can have her because I don’t fucking want her.”

My head snaps up, looking at Shawn’s face in the mirror. It’s unreadable with the black sun glasses he’s wearing and I can’t tell if he sees me, but when his palm connects down on his steering wheel, that tells me he knows I was listening and heard him loud and clear.

“Good, then you won’t care if I hit it either.”

What?

Oh, I’m pretty sure Mason’s going to be the one to get hit, right in his penis.

My eyes lower to see Mason reaching for his cup that is sitting in the cup holder, between him and Shawn. Shawn grasps onto his wrist before he is able to retrieve the cup. My eyes go back up to the mirror. Shawn’s jaw is locked tight.

“Touch her and I’ll break your dick, rendering it inoperable.” Shawn releases Mason’s wrist, but Mason doesn’t respond to his threat. When I look in Mason’s direction, he’s cupping his lips to hide the curve of a smirk on his face.

Men are complicated, so much more than women.

Mason isn’t interested in me; at least I don’t think he is. I mean, I haven’t thought of him that way, really, and I don’t want to.