Fallen Crest Home (Fallen Crest High #6)(69)

“Everything will be fine.”

She hugged me back, and as those words left me, she sagged in relief.

“Thank you, Sam.”

The door to the basement opened, and Malinda called down, “Everyone’s starting to arrive. Becky, are you down there?”

She took a deep breath as she pulled away from me.

“I’m here.” Smoothing her dress and fluffing her hair, she flashed Heather and me a smile. “Thank you, guys.” She squeezed my hand. “I mean it. I’m coming, Malinda!”

Heather stood next to me, watching her go up the stairs.

“Samantha? Heather?” Malinda called back down.

Heather asked softly, “Why do you look like you just killed her puppy?”

“Do you really want to know?” I kept my voice low so Malinda couldn’t hear.

“Do you have to ask?”

“Girls?”

“I know who has the copy of those emails.”

“Who?” Heather stopped me.

Malinda watched us, a slight frown marring her face. “Just come up when you’re ready.” She moved back, shutting the door.

“Sam,” Heather prompted me. “Who has that copy?”

“Mason.”

I went upstairs. He just might not realize what he had a copy of.

Heather was right behind me, and she took my arm and pulled me out to the back porch. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

I could see through the window. Becky’s smile was more relaxed. She had a fresh glow to her, and she tipped her head up so Adam could drop a light kiss on her lips. She looked happy, and I was going to be the reason it was taken away.

I nodded. “It’s her or Mason. I’ll always pick Mason.” I studied her. “Are you with me?”

She gave me a look. “You know I am. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were doing. You recently decided to become friends with her again, and now you’re going to do something I know you loathe.”

“I know. I’m going to stab her in the back.”

And with those words, I went back inside. Heather was right behind me. There was no confusion. I knew exactly what I’d just become, and so did she.

I was the bad guy now.





I was sitting on the back porch at Helen’s house when the doors slid open behind me. I didn’t look up from my position on one of the couches. I continued surveying the pool, pool house, and the second lower deck and veranda. None of it seemed impressive or surprising anymore to me. It was like the other mansions, and I couldn’t remember the day when I had been impressed.

I was so far from that person now.

“Logan said you were out here.”

Mason sat next to me. He lifted my legs and placed them in his lap, starting to knead my calves. “You okay?”

“I was just thinking about the beginning.”

“That seems to be the theme this summer.”

I looked over and felt my breath catch. The moonlight shone on him, casting him in a romantic, hazy glow. He was gorgeous.

“Sam?”

I gave him a quick half-grin. “What do you mean by that?”

“About the theme?”

“Yeah.”

He shrugged. “Just that you’re friends with Becky Sullivan again. Adam Quinn is in our lives. We’re dealing with my dad and your mom. I know a lot has changed, but in some ways, nothing’s changed.”

“Well, I have.”

He quieted. I knew he was waiting for me to say what I’d come out here to get the nerve to tell him. I laughed, and winced at how bitter it sounded.

“I have to tell you something, and I’m questioning whether I really want to. And then I’m questioning why I’m even questioning it in the first place.”

“Sam.”

I calmed, hearing his voice grow stronger, more authoritative. “Whatever it is, nothing is your fault. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

That wasn’t true, but I said, “You know that illegal thing you’re supposed to get on Steven Quinn?”

Mason’s eyes sharpened, and I continued. After I told him what Becky had said earlier, he didn’t comment for a moment.

“They know someone has a copy?” he finally asked.

“That’s what she said.”

“Okay.”

“That’s it? Just ‘okay’? That’s all you’re going to say?”

“I don’t want to put you in the middle any more. I’ll handle it from here.”

“Meaning you’ll give the copy to your dad and tell him what transactions to look for?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “After I make a second copy for myself. I don’t trust my dad either.”

“So this might not even come out on us?”

He shook his head. “I don’t know. It could, but more than likely my dad will use it as leverage to have Steven step out of some decisions. It may never come out.”

“Isn’t that illegal?”

A ghost of a smile teased across Mason’s face. He continued rubbing up and down my leg. “Doing something illegal isn’t exactly outside our wheelhouse.”

I flushed, leaning back against the cushions. “I know. I just… I’m feeling bad. That’s all.”