Fallen Fourth Down (Fallen Crest #4)(70)

“That’s bullshit.”

Mason’s eyes narrowed. “What’s up your ass? You’ve been in a mood since you showed up.”

“Nothing.” Logan’s scowl deepened, and he moved his chair back. “I have to go to the bathroom.”

Kris spoke up, “He’s mad at me. We had a fight on the way here.”

Mason and I shared a look. I had no idea what to say to that.

Mason nodded. “Okay.”

Her forehead wrinkled and her lips were pressed together, like she couldn’t decide something. Then she nodded to herself and rested her hands on the table. She looked right at Mason. “Why don’t you like me?”

Oh, shit.

Mason lounged back in his chair. His hand had been rubbing my shoulder, but stopped. “What?” He looked at me.

I told him, “She’s not talking to me.”

He scowled, but it was gone instantly. “Excuse me?”

Kris’s throat moved up and down as she swallowed. Her hand lifted from her lap, shaking, and she laid it down on the table, spreading her fingers wide as if she could calm herself that way. “I have not done anything to you. I’ve been polite and even friendly, but you act as if I’m not here. I would like to know why you don’t like me.” She paused a beat. “Please. Is this why Logan and I are having problems? Do I need your approval to date your brother?”

“You already are dating.”

“I meant for the next level, where we’re more serious.”

He glanced at me. I shrugged. This was on him to handle. He turned back and settled all of the weight of his gaze on her. I had been on the receiving end from one of those looks from him, before I knew he loved me. When she grasped onto the tablecloth and her hands fell into her lap with a thud, I could sympathize with her.

He said, “I can give you my honest answer, but I will warn you. You won’t like it, and it will hurt your feelings.” He waited before adding, “Do you still want my answer?”

“Yes.” She raised that tiny chin again. “I do.” I could see fear lurking in the depths of her eyes. Pain flashed in there as well, but it was moved aside, and her shoulders rolled back once again.

“I don’t dislike you. I don’t like you either. I’m sorry if I come across as rude. I don’t intend to be, but I just don’t think about you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t matter to me.”

She sucked in her breath, and the blood drained from her face.

Mason added, “Your relationship with Logan won’t last. It’s only a matter of time before he decides to dump you and you know that. I can see it in you. I don’t know why you’re kidding yourself. You’re just lying to yourself and the longer you do, the more you’re allowing yourself to be hurt by him.”

“You have no idea—” she started, snarling at him.

He shook his head, stopping her. He softened his tone. “I’m not saying this to hurt you. I am sorry if that's what you think, but I know my brother.”

She began to shake her head as tears started to fall. “You don’t know this. You can’t…” Her voice trailed off and doubt clouded over her face. Her head dropped until her chin tucked against her chest. From my seat at the table, I could see tears dripping onto her hands. She never brushed them away as they fell steadily.

Mason glanced at me, a small frown on his face. He said, “I know you love my brother, but he doesn’t love you.”

Her shoulders lifted, and she inhaled a sobbing breath.

He added, “I think you know that too.”

“Excuse me,” she choked out and rushed from the table.

“Kris—”

Mason grabbed my hand and held me back. “Don’t.”

“You broke her, Mason. Let me go after her.”

“No. Let her go. It’s the best thing for her.”

“She’s hurting—”

“Yes, she is, but if you go after her, you’ll end up saying something to give her false hope, whether you mean to or not. Logan doesn’t love her. You know that. I know that. Logan knows it, and she does too. Let her deal with this on her own. She’ll be stronger because of it.”

I sat back down. Maybe he was right.

Logan came back at that moment. He scanned the table. “Where’s Kris?”

Mason never faltered. He never looked away. He spoke clearly, “She asked me why I didn’t like her.”

Logan froze. “You didn’t. Oh, god. Mase, tell me you didn’t.”

“So I told her.”

“Oh my god.” Logan’s hand flew up, and he pressed his palm to his forehead. “For real? Why? Shit, Mason. Why? That’s not on you to tell her.” He shook his head and raked his hand through his hair. “Look, I have to find Kris and see if I can do something to make this better.”

When he rushed from the restaurant, an alien feeling settled over me. This was off; Logan’s reaction wasn’t normal. I turned to Mason, still stunned at what had happened. “You basically ended his relationship, and he wasn’t even mad at you.” I shook my head. “That’s not normal. Why didn’t he get mad? Why didn’t he do anything?”