Page 29 of Hidden Resolution (Stonebrooke #2)

T he detectives and milling police were courteous, providing Shonda with the opportunity to call a lawyer and an unlimited supply of police station coffee.

Bucky claimed the inquisition was informal, and they only needed to line up all the events with the crime scene.

In a separate room at the station, Dane detailed his own account.

Detectives were also sent to question Mason, Zack, Jacob, and Erica at the hospital about whether or when they would be able to provide details for a statement.

It seemed like a lot for two psychos, but who was she to judge?

But it was over, and Shonda was exhausted. She wanted to go home, take the hottest shower known to man, crawl into bed, and sleep for a month. The last weeks had been a whirlwind of nonstop chaos.

When all was said and done, four separate officers asked to take her out for coffee or a drink sometime. Clearly, her Dirty Harriet routine was an aphrodisiac. She politely declined. Dating anyone while she felt the way she did about another man left a bad taste in her mouth.

She was headed through the lobby when it occurred to her that she had no car. Her apartment complex was a good five miles away, and she’d freeze to death before she ever made it home. The empty plastic chairs were tempting.

Deflated, she sat down.

Her phone was in her purse, which was in Mason’s car, and she had no numbers memorized.

“Need a ride, babe?”

Dane lounged against the exit, as if he owned the place. Her savior.

“God, yes. I’d sell my soul for a way home,” she said, joining him.

With a laugh, he flung an arm around her shoulders. “No pact with the devil needed for a warm car ride.”

“Have you heard any news on how everyone is faring?” she asked.

“Erica was in imaging for X-rays and a CT scan, and Jacob is on an IV for dehydration. The plan is to watch him overnight.”

A few heartbeats passed before she could summon the nerve to ask after Mason.

“He’s in surgery to remove the bullet and repair the damage to his leg.” Dane must’ve read her conflict, and he paused in opening the vehicle door. “We have time for you to shower and change if you want to head over.”

“No point. I can see Erica in the morning. I’m sure with Zack, Mary, and Pete, it will be crowded enough.”

“And my brother?” Dane asked gently. “He has no one there for him.”

“His own fault, wouldn’t you say?” The question was rhetorical. She didn’t expect an answer. “Besides, he has you and Connie to care for him.”

“Not me. I’m not looking after his cranky ass. My face still hurts.”

She laughed because it was impossible not to.

Dane was a joy to be around. She imagined long before Mason had become embittered, he’d probably been as flirty and lighthearted as his brothers. There had been glimpses during their time together and had been part of his draw.

“Okay.”

“Okay, what?”

“Okay, I’ll get a quick shower and meet you at the hospital in about an hour.”

For the next three days, Shonda took a turn caring for Mason.

Each day, his mood grew darker, and his tone a little grimmer.

And she understood why. The poor man was trapped and subject to unending drama regarding their non-existent relationship.

His mother was downright relentless, droning on about wanting to see him settle down with a nice girl.

How did Connie not realize she was doing more harm than good?

Dane, on the other hand, simply enjoyed busting his brother’s balls. At every opportunity, he’d throw an arm over Shonda’s shoulders or touch her waist. It didn’t matter if she shrugged him off or told him to knock it off. Mason would still fall into a black mood.

His retaliation was as childish as Dane’s behavior, which included flirting with the nurses as if he couldn’t care less.

And Shonda was over their stupid games. At one point, banishing Dane.

“You need to go, too,” Mason told her coldly, directly after she sent his brother packing.

“This again?” she quipped.

The immediate backlash caught her off guard.

“Jesus, Shonda! When will you take the hint? I don’t want you here. ” His eyes were darker and uncaring, as if he truly meant what he said. And perhaps he did. Mason had never asked her to visit.

Her chest ached. Literally hurt to breathe.

She’d take his “hint” and run with it, though.

The truth was, they were over before they’d started, because he’d never allow more.

Never let someone else close enough to alter any aspect of his well-organized, lonely life.

His true feelings on the matter penetrated her thick skull.

Mason, like her boyfriends before him, and her parents before them, didn’t want her around.

How long did it take a normal person to recognize the truth?

After all, he’d been hammering it home from day one.

Stupidly, she’d allowed herself to live in a pipe dream, pretending he cared. The small, seemingly loving gestures had contradicted his claim to be a free agent, allowing her optimistic nature to feel a small measure of hope.

With a jerky nod, she spun away, avoiding eye contact with Mason’s mother, who stood gaping in the doorway. Doubtless, she was equally shocked by his behavior. No mother liked to believe her son was a complete asshole in addition to being a moron.

Connie would be wrong— her son was.

“Excuse me, please,” Shonda said with a tight smile.

Of course, Connie blocked the door, and unless Shonda intended to shove her to the ground, getting around her was impossible.

“Hold it together! Hold it together,” she mentally chanted. Focusing on the refrain enabled her to hold back the tears burning behind her lids.

“Shonda, honey,” Connie Sharp tried to do what she did best: manage the situation.

“Mrs. Sharp, would you please let me by?” she asked, low and desperate.

Wasn’t it bad enough she’d been humiliated by her own actions and Mason’s words? Did she have to be trapped by a meddlesome mother, too?

“He didn’t mean?—”

“Yes, he damned well did , ” she snapped, anger bubbling to the surface. “Now, please, let me pass.”

Perhaps the desperation cut through Connie’s stubborn desire to see her eldest son settled and happy. Unfortunately for her, being settled was at direct odds with what Mason wanted. Regardless, Connie silently stepped aside, allowing Shonda a glimpse of freedom.

But as she was ready to make good her escape, Mason’s rough voice reached her.

“Shonda.”

Her treacherous heart slammed on the brakes, halting her retreat. But pride, bless it, refused to let her turn around.

“I’m sorry. If there was anyone worth changing my mind for, it would’ve been you.”

The sincerity was a baseball bat to the knees. He probably meant what he said, but it was zero consolation. Without offering a response, she walked away. But a few spasmodic steps later, the tight rein on her temper snapped. She charged back to within inches of his arrogant face.

“You know what? Fuck you! Fuck your platitudes and condescending bullshit. I don’t want or need it,” she said.

The sharp tip of her nail pounded his pec with every point she made.

“I feel sorry for you. One day, after you’ve shoved away everyone who might’ve tolerated your grumpy, narcissistic ass, you’ll be alone.

Life will have passed you by. And you’ll think of all we could’ve had. You’re going to know true loneliness.”

She breathed deeply before saying, “But me? I’m going to meet a great guy who cherishes me.

We’ll marry, maybe have a few babies. And when old age rolls around, we’ll be surrounded by our extended family.

I’ll never spare you another thought after today.

This”—she wagged a finger between them—“will have been long forgotten. So don’t sweat it, Mason. ”

As grand monologues went, hers was excellent. And had she not been crying, perhaps he would’ve believed her.

“If it helps you sleep at night, sweetheart, then that’s what you should tell yourself.” He wasn’t cold or mean when he said it, which was worse than a brutal retort.

“I should’ve saved the bullet and let Christie finish you,” she said coldly.

His shocked silence felt way too good.

When Shonda swept out, Connie made no move to stop her. Maybe she recognized Shonda would mow her right the fuck down. Perhaps she realized, like everyone who knew him, Mason really was a lost cause.

As she stalked down the hallway, Shonda had never felt so alone. There was no running to Erica with her troubles. The last thing she needed was someone else’s stupid drama.

Shonda considered seeking out Dane, but it would only cause additional strife in his family. His bruises were uncomfortable to stomach.

She stumbled.

Verity’s offer!

Just last week, an old college friend from Colorado emailed her, feeling her out about a position at her new start-up.

Why not? A scenery change might be the best solution.

Besides Erica, nothing was holding her in Stonebrooke anymore.

And as much as she’d love to remain part of her world, she couldn’t.

Her friend’s future lay with Zack, and if Shonda were in their orbit, eventually, she’d circle back around Mason’s sun.

She slid behind the wheel of her car and pulled out her tablet. Next, she found Verity’s inquiry and sent an informal acceptance. The excited response eased some of her anxiety about the spur-of-the-moment decision, and for the next few minutes, they hammered out the details.

Shonda signed off and rested her head on the steering wheel.

Wow! She was really doing this! A fresh start.

A sense of rightness filled her, giving her peace. The jaded part of her didn’t trust the feeling. After all, she’d experienced the same with Mason, and look where they went—nowhere.

Her passenger door opened.

Her shrill scream filled the small space, echoing back to her.

“Damn, woman! It’s me.”

“Dane!” She needed a few precious seconds to recover. “What the fuck, dude? You couldn’t knock on my window?”

“You were inside your head and would’ve screamed anyway,” he said with a chuckle. Sobering, he added, “Seriously, though, if you’re going to sit in a parking garage, you should lock your doors.”

“Trust me, I won’t make the same mistake again.” She punched his shoulder. “You took ten years off my life.”

He chuckled, dimple flashing. She wondered for the millionth time why her heart couldn’t have selected him.

“Why so blue, babe? I suspect I know, but humor me.”

“I’m not blue. I’m happy.”

“Uh-huh.”

“I am!” she said, forcing a grin. “I’ve taken a job in Denver.”

“And you’re already regretting it.”

“No, I’m not.”

He raised a brow.

“I’m not ,” she insisted.

Dane remained silent and skeptical.

“Okay, maybe I’m a little shocked at the speed of it all,” she said. “But I’m happy I’m still employable after the Billy fiasco.”

“Good,” he said, nodding his approval.

She stared, feeling slightly betrayed by his enthusiasm. “You think I should go?”

“Yes. And although I’m going to miss your beautiful face, I think a change of scenery is exactly what you need.”

Deflated, she asked, “You do?”

“Yep.”

His seriousness twisted her heart in knots. She bit the inside of her cheek to stem the building sobs.

“Come here.”

With a sniff, she dove into his waiting arms, giving in to her pathetic need to be held.

“My brother has made you a hot mess, hasn’t he?” he murmured.

“Can we act like you are an only child for a while?”

His chuckle warmed her. “Sure thing, babe. So does that mean we can make out?”

Shonda punched his chest lightly, laughing as he’d meant for her to do.