"You didn't have to buy those." Jessica says to me, as I continue placing the groceries I just bought in the fridge. The paper grocery bags are scattered along the kitchen floor while Jessica sits on top of the bar stool across from me.

     "Yeah well, I'm tired of drinking Smirnoff Ices for breakfast." I say and she rolls her eyes while letting out a laugh.

     I place the last item in the fridge and close the door. Buying these groceries was the least I could do for them having me stay here. I at least want something to contribute to this house.

   Mason's words about me contributing run through my mind, and I try to push them away.

     I pick up the empty grocery bags and fold them before placing them in an empty cabinet just in case anyone wants to reuse them. I look over at Jess and see here staring down at her phone again, with a smile on her face.

     "Let me guess..." I say, sitting on the bar stool beside her. "Shawn?" She looks up and stares at me blankly.

     "What?" She asks and I shoot her a look.

    "What's going on between you two anyways?" I ask, intrigued by them suddenly rekindling flames.

     "Ugh, I don't know." He answers, placing her phone on the counter. "I have no idea what we're doing, I'm just going along with whatever it is."

     "What happened between you guys yesterday? You both just disappeared."

     "We talked about Aiden's party, and I told him the truth about what I wrote during the game. And then we just got to talking and... I don't know. I don't know what I want."

     I'm starting to know the feeling.

     Before I have a chance to reply, we're interrupted by the sound of a phone ringing. I follow my head into the direction of the sound and notice a cordless handset phone on the counter right next to us.

     "Since when have you had a house phone?" I ask Jessica, and she shrugs. I haven't seen one of these in years.

     "First time I've seen it."

     I pick it up on the third ring as Jessica eyes my actions.

    "Uhh... Hargrove residence." I look over at Jessica as she mouths 'who is it'.

    "Uh, hello. Is um, is Mason there by chance?" A female voice speaks. I can't distinguish who it is, the voice doesn't sound familiar so I know it isn't Sofia.

    "Yeah, uh, just a sec." I say and cover the mouth piece with my hand. "It's for Mason." I tell Jess and her mouth drops.

     "He's got these girls making house calls now?" She laughs, "What a fucking legend."

     Great. So now I'm here delivering calls to him. I'm sure Mason already thinks of me as pathetic, so this is the last thing I want to do. Doesn't this girl know that he's trying to ghost her? At this point I feel sorry for whoever is on the other end of the line.

    I slowly get off the bar stool and make my way up to Mason's room. Just as I'm in front of his door, I hold my hand up and knock gently before entering. When I step in I see Mason turn around to face me, his chest completely bare.

    I stop in my tracks and can't help but eye his toned body. His chiseled muscles laced with blank ink. His tousled dark hair resting on top of his head seemed a bit damp like he had just gotten out of the shower. Some water beads remained on his chest, I watched as one slid down near his happy trail.

    "Done staring?" He snapped. I rapidly blinked my eyes to snap back into focus. "Can I help you with something?"

     He quickly rubbed his towel on his hair before tossing it onto his unmade bed.

     "Uh..." I began. What was it I came in for again? "There's someone on the phone for you." I said, handing him the phone that was in my hand.

     He looked down at the phone screen, eyes scanning the number. His eyes turned dark as his hand clenched into a tight fist. A few moments pass before he looks up at me once more.

     "Leave." The anger in his voice is evident. From the look on his face I know he's not in the mood to even hear a reply from me. The only thing I can see in his eyes is fury.

     I walk out of the room and close the door behind me. I can't keep up with Mason's mood swings. I can tell he wanted to be left alone and I'm fine with that, whenever he's in his moods I try to stay as far away from him as possible.

     "Where are you going?" I ask Jessica as I return to the kitchen downstairs. She swings her hair in front of her shoulders as she slides a jacket on.

     "Shawn wants to meet, are you okay staying here alone with Mason? I mean it won't be weird or anything, right?"

      I can sense the concern in her voice and it's greatly appreciated. A part of me feels bad that she has to look out for me like this.

     "It's fine, go." I don't want to interfere with her plans, especially if they're with Shawn.

     "I can ask if you can join-"

    "No, no, go Jess, it's fine, I-" Suddenly there's a loud thud that sounds like it's coming from the upstairs, followed by another bang.

     Jessica and I go silent, eyes staring back at each other, and then towards the ceiling above us. A quick smash of glass breaking makes me jump in my bones, and I immediately know where it's coming from.

     Mason.

A.N.

Thank you for reading! This chapter is a bit short but that's only because the next one is so long!

Please don't forget to comment and lmk how you feel about the story so far! I love reading all your messages :)

See you in the next chapter!