Fallen Crest Alternative Version (Fallen Crest High #2.1)(79)

I launched myself in the air, but Mason caught me. He held me back as I lashed out, “Get out of this house!”

Miranda jerked back a step. Her whole body jumped from the movement, but she didn’t respond.

A wall slammed over Logan, and he turned to her. Then he lifted his hand in the air. “Get her out!”

Two guys lifted Miranda from underneath her arms and carried her away.

Mason had a hand under my arm and lifted me in the same manner, but we went up the stairs. As soon as the door was closed, he continued to the next level. I assumed he would take me to my room, but he bypassed it for his. The door was shut and locked before he stared at me. His eyes pierced mine, and I felt myself wanting to shrivel away from it. It was too intense at times.

Then he ground out, “What did she say to you?”

I shrugged. It was meant to look casual. It came out awkward.

“Sam.”

I shook my head.

“Sam.” He touched my should this time and turned me to face him.

I hadn’t realized that I had moved away, but I swallowed a knot in my throat and met his gaze. He looked inside of me. I didn’t know how he could do it, but it gave me the chills. Every time. Then I grimaced and sat on his bed. “It was nothing.”

“Why aren’t you telling me?”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I didn’t know why, but I knew I couldn’t say a word. There was no way that Mason could know what Miranda knew. If he did, another shiver went down my spine. I didn’t know what he would do. As I looked up, I swallowed some of the pain away. It was there, brimming on my surface. Longing, love, sadness, concern. I felt it all for him and he’d been through too much already. So I lied and my voice was hoarse from the emotion. “It was nothing. Really.”

He sighed.

“She called me a slut. She hates that you and I are still together when Logan dumped her. She’s just jealous.”

The words slipped out. The lie was too smooth, and I fought against the urge to hang my head in shame.

He didn’t answer, not for a long time. “I know you better than you know yourself.” He turned for the door. “And I know that was the biggest bullshit you’ve ever told me.”

The door slammed behind him.

I jumped from the force of it, and then vomit spewed up from my throat. I kept my mouth closed and ran for the bathroom. As soon as I got to the toilet, it went everywhere. I couldn’t believe it. I was puking my guts out. Flashes of light started to circle around me as I grew weak from the vomiting. My hand trembled cleaning a side of the toilet lid so I could rest my head. As I did, I turned to the side, and more puke came up. It didn’t stop for a while.

I didn’t know what it was from. I only had a glass of rum and Coke. Mason’s infuriated eyes flashed in my head, and more vomit came up. My stomach rolled over on itself. It growled a deep rumbling sound, and I prayed there was nothing more to come out.

“Sam?”

I groaned and ground my forehead into the toilet seat. Why now? Why him? But I choked out, “Here.”

Logan came to the doorway and stood there with a frown. He crossed his arms. “You’re sick? You didn’t drink anything.”

I managed one finger in the air.

“You didn’t finish that drink.”

I wiggled it at him. “Why are you quizzing me right now?”

He chuckled and ran hot water on some washcloths. After one was warm enough, he bent near me and pressed it to my forehead.

Oh, this was so not good. I tried to shake my head and push him away.

“Shut up. You stink and you’re a mess right now. What’s with Mason? He came downstairs and looked ready to rip someone’s head off.” The side of his mouth curved up. “I wanted to see the other guy.”

“So you came up here?”

“Yeah, well, not many can get Mason that pissed so quickly.”

“I’m talented.”

“Or he loves you.” His tone was casual, joking even, as he lifted my head from the seat. With two sure movements, he washed the rest of my face and then nodded to himself. He leaned back on his haunches. “You look better.”

Then he gave my shoulder a swift pat and stood up. “Brush your teeth. Your breath reeks.”

I shoved him away, grinning at the same time. “Shut up.”

“You shut up.”

When he stood, I asked, “Where are you going?”

“I’m going to go kick some ass.” He flashed me a smile. “Don’t you know that’s what I do?”

Shit. He couldn’t. Miranda needed to be quieted and Mason had to do that. Logan would find too much. “Stay.”

He grin softened, but he sighed. “I can’t, Sam. That bitch went after you because of me. I’ll handle her. Don’t worry.”

“But—” I reached out for him, but he left. When I heard the bedroom door close behind him, I wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear. Everything was coming out now.

“Sam?”

“Mason!” I didn’t care if he was angry or that I lied to him. Logan was going to find out. It was time to come clean about everything.

He came to the bathroom and stopped in the door. His eyes narrowed, and he grimaced before he came further in and knelt beside me. “Shit. You’re sick?”