⁽ⁿ.⁾ ⁿᵃⁱᵛᵉ ⁱⁿⁿᵒᶜᵉⁿᶜᵉ

》》》

Ｍａｓｏｎ

I had no idea what Alex wanted to talk about or where this conversation was going to go; though I can sure as hell promise that I didn't expect to see a beautiful blonde perched at the end do Alex's bed.

"Layla." Alex breathed. Of course, she had a pretty name.

She stood up and walked to us. "Uh Layla, this is Mason. Mason this is Layla, my..."

"Girlfriend." She smiled genuinely at me.

Girlfriend? Okay, let's just pretend that didn't feel like a punch to the fucking stomach. Managing the best smile I could, "It's nice to meet you. Uh, I'm, I'm gonna go and help Miles and Grayson finish decorating the tree." Without another word or waiting for a reply, I turned and walked out as fast as I could without seeming obvious.

What the hell was that? He had a girlfriend. He had a fucking girlfriend. Of course, he had a girlfriend.

"Did you and Alex talk?"

I jumped slightly, Miles' voice catching me off guard. "I met his girlfriend." I mumbled.

His eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. "His girlfriend?"

"You didn't know?"

"You honestly think I wouldn't have told you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. He's your brother, it's not like your obligated."

"Yeah and you're my best friend, besides; Alex has been ignoring me. Even then, I'd still tell you."

I gave him a soft smile and shrugged. "I mean, it's okay. I should've expected as much."

"Mason," He sighed, giving me a sad smile. "You don't have to pretend for me."

At his words, tears welled in my eyes. I bit my little in a weak attempt to keep myself from crying. Of course, it didn't work and I was instantly wrapped up in Miles' arms as he rubbed my back soothingly while his cheek rested on the top of my head. "If it makes it any better, I think she's ugly."

I snorted. "You don't even know what she looks like."

"I don't need to. I know she's not you which automatically makes her ugly."

I smiled, pulling back to look at him slightly. "She's not and she seemed really nice."

"It doesn't matter what you say, I'm always going to think you're prettier and nicer, and better in every way."

"Thank you, Mi."

He pulled me into another hug, squeezing me tight. "Anything for you, Boo boo. Now, what do you say we go get Gray and we can go get something to eat?"

"I thought Mom was making something?"

"She is but I don't mind going out, plus I don't want to have to look at a traitorous brother and his yucky girlfriend all night." He stuck his nose up in the air as his arms crossed over his chest.

I couldn't help but laugh at his antics. "Miles, you don't even know her."

"Doesn't matter. Like I said, I don't need to know her. You'll always be my number one."

"Hey, I thought I was your number one!" Grayson gasped.

Miles waved him off. "Yeah, yeah. You and I both know that I love Mason more." He teased.

Grayson's hand covered his heart. "And to think, I was going to give you a Christmas gift earlier."

Miles' eyes widened. "No, wait. Hey, hey. No need to be rash. You know I was just kidding. Of course, I love you."

"It's too late now. I'm wounded."

Rolling his eyes, Miles huffed. "Oh, whatever. Mase and I are going out to eat. You coming?"

"But I thought your mom was making dinner?"

"She is but Alex brought his new girlfriend." His lip curled in disgust as the words left his mouth.

Grayson's eyes widened in horror as he gasped, once again. "That bastard. Let me grab my shoes, go wait in the car so you don't have to see his despicable self. I'll be right there."

With that, he hurried up the stairs as Miles ushered me out the door, making sure to grab our jackets on the way out."You guys, we really don't need to leave. I'll be fine."

Miles snorted loudly. "I won't and honestly, do you want to be around when Mom finds out?"

I slid in the backseat, confused. "Uh, I mean, I don't see why not."

Miles twisted around to look at me. "No Honey, you don't."

"And why don't I?"

"Let's just say Mother isn't going to be too happy."

"Why?"

He gasped dramatically. "Because Mason, Mom loves you. Not this new hoe Alex brought."

I rolled my eyes. "Her name is Layla, Miles."

"Just as I expected, a hoe name."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Miles, her name does name make her a hoe."

"If I say it does, it does. Back to the point, Moms going to be mad and I'd rather not be there when she gets wind of it."

Grayson slid in the driver's seat just as I said. "I really don't think she's going to be upset."

"Who's not going to be upset?"

"Mom, when she finds out Alex brought a new girl home." Miles answered.

"Oh, she will." Grayson nodded in agreement. Miles gave me a look as if to say I told you so before turning around and buckling up.

"I think you two are both being idiots."

"Mom loves you, Mase."

I smiled at his words. "I love her too Miles, but that doesn't mean she's going to be upset about the fact that Alex has a new girlfriend."

"She will because by Alex having a new girlfriend hurts you and she just got you to come back home in forever. Not to mention, she wants you and Alex to be together."

I choked on my spit. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Oh please, don't act like it's anything surprising. We all saw the difference in Alex when you two were dating. She went off on Alex when you moved out."

"Why?"

"Because we were all told that you were off-limits and as usual, Alex didn't listen."

"Yeah, but it wasn't all his fault. I played a part in it too."

"Yeah, but he broke your heart."

"I broke up with him."

"Because he wasn't being a complete dick after finding out how many people you've been with."

"That's only part of the reason. You and I both know that neither of us were in the position to be in a relationship. You can't just put all of the blame on him."

"You're right, but I can blame him for the months of being mean and cruel to you. For all of the hurtful things, he said to you because he's insecure about himself. So, although we all know that neither of you were ready to be in the relationship, he still could have and should have treated you better." I bit my lip, shrugging. I didn't really know what to say to that. "Now, enough talk of that buttface, we're here and I'm hungry. So let's go."

I smiled and climbed out of the car along with the, feeling excited as I realized where we were. "I'm so glad we came here, I've really missed their food."

We slid into a booth, both of the boys sitting across from me. As soon as we finished ordering our drinks, Miles' phone rang,

"Hey, Mom."

"Yeah, Mase and Gray are with me."

"I know. Wait, hey. Don't be mad, we have a very good excuse for ditching."

"Alex brought his new girlfriend home." He smirked at whatever she said. "Yeah, she right here, Yeah, hold."

"Mom wants to talk to you." He held the phone out for me.

Gingerly taking it, I pressed it to my ear. "Hello?"

"Mason, sweetheart." She breathed, her voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Really, there's no need to make a big deal out of it. I already told Miles and Grayson that we could have stayed."

"That's where you're wrong. It is a big deal. I swear when I get my hands on that boy,"

"You really don't have to say anything."

"You bet your ass I do. That little shit has been ignoring us for months and now he brings home a new girl. Hell no, not in my book. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for my son being happy and if I thought that he was with this girl because he was genuinely happy, well then so be it. But I know Alex and I know he's only dating her because he can't have you."

Her words caused my stomach to flutter but I did my best to not think about it too much. "Maybe he does really want to be with her. I met her, she seems nice and she's very beautiful."

"Oh yes, I'm sure she is but that doesn't decipher the fact that he's using her." I sighed, not knowing what to say. "You don't worry about it, okay. You just have fun and eat a giant ass burger and enjoy yourself."

"Okay."

"And Mase?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you. I know you may not be biologically mine and you may have come to us under unfortunate circumstances but in all means necessary, you're my child and I'll forever be grateful to have you in my life."

My eyes welled with tears instantly, a smile growing on my lips. "As far as I'm concerned, you're my mom. I love you too."

She breathed out, heavily. "Okay, I'm going to go before this becomes a sob fest. But remember what I said, have fun and don't forget to get a peanut butter milkshake. I love you all, be safe and I'll see you when you get home."

"I will, we love you too. Bye."

"Did she tell you that you're her daughter?" Miles smiled, taking his phone back. I nodded, wiping away the few stray tears that had escaped. "We all love you, Mase, even if some don't show it as well as others but enough about that. Let's stuff our faces and then we can go to the mall or something."

I perked up at his words. "Oh, can we please? I need to finish my Christmas shopping."

"Me too." Grayson agreed.

"Way to be losers guys. I've been done with my Christmas shopping for weeks."

Grayson looked at him blankly. "You got everyone gift cards again, didn't you?"

Miles held his hands up in defense. "Hey, gift cards an excellent present. That way, everyone gets what they want."

"Yeah because they're picking it out themselves."

"Exactly, this way I don't buy something for someone that they don't want or need; or have to go through the hassle of returning. See, I'm just thinking of everyone else."

Grayson and I snorted but remained quiet. I mean, he wasn't really wrong.

Despite the horrendous feeling of finding out that Alex has moved on while I'm still over here, completely in whatever it is that I am, with him; I was enjoying myself. I couldn't help but be. I was entirely grateful for Miles and Grayson as well as Isabella. Despite losing my father, I had gained so much in return that I could help but be thankful.

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authors note,

*nervously waves hand*

hi

So, please don't hate me. lol

I know this isn't what any of you wanted. Hell, it's not what I wanted but I mean, would it really be that interesting if I just had them get together and live happily ever after?

Noooo.

Therefore, here we are.

So despite being disappointed in the fact that Alex has a new girlfriend, I hope you all still enjoyed the chapter.

Thank you all for reading, commenting and voting. I read each and every one of your comments even if I don't reply and I love seeing them and all of your guesses and opinions.

Love you all,

Maisie