Page 38 of Hidden Resolution

“Idiot,” Dane growled before stalking out.

Head high and heart dead in her chest, Shonda walked woodenly to the chair she’d occupied earlier. “Excuse the interruption, fellas. I left my jacket here. Please, carry on.”

At least her voice was smooth and cool. Thank God for small favors.

“Shonda, please let me explain.” Mason shifted to block her exit. Right when he would’ve invaded her personal space, she stopped him with an outstretched arm.

“No need. I’m ‘an adult who knew the score,’” she said evenly, amazed at the calmness settling over her. “I promise you, I’m not reading our last two weeks as anything but your casual fuck. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be leaving.”

Zack, who Shonda considered the wiser of the brothers, left Mason to face the music. And Mason, who was as sharp as a pebble, didn’t know when to quit. “No. Please, you don’t understand.”

“Oh, I think I understand perfectly well. You’ve gone out of your way to tell me, and anyone who will listen, howcasualourfuckwas.” Yes, she was repeating herself, but who really gave a damn? Not her, and certainly not him. He’d have to possess a human heart to care. “Goodbye, Mason.”

He grabbed her arm as she passed. “Shonda, don’t.”

“If you don’t let go of my arm right this instant, I will scream this goddamn hospital down around your ears,” she threatened. “Let. Go.”

“Love, if you would just list?—”

“Don’t you ever call me ‘love’ again. It makes mesick.” She peeled his fingers from her arm and flung his hand away.

She held it together all the way home, but once the door was shut and locked, Shonda broke. What was it about her that was so damn unlovable? Her mother had never truly cared if she was alive, other than as a tool to control her father. Her father cared about her to some degree. Although for him, it would have been better had she been a boy. Stupidly, she always dreamed of the day Luigi would storm her mother’s five-thousand-square-foot mansion and snatch her away to live with him.

He never did.

And Nolan only ever considered her a nuisance.

Over the years, not a single boyfriend had ever uttered the words “I love you.” Nope, she was the moron who always poured out her feelings, only to have guys run for the door before the final word left her mouth.

Erica was different, but now their relationship was tainted for Shonda, too. If she stayed with Zack—and it sure looked like she would—Shonda would constantly be reminded of this horrible time.

What a piss-poor judge of character she was! Her good-guy radar needed new parts. Perhaps she should do research on “How to pick the proper guy for your unlovable personality type.”

Her smartphone dinged.

Erica.

Of course, Zack must’ve tattled to her about what went down with Mason, and being the incredible friend she was, Erica was required to check on her. Girl code.

“Are you okay?”

“It’s all good. You concentrate on getting better. I’m fine.”

Shonda hoped her reply was convincing.

“Liar.”

Well, Erica wasn’t wrong, but she didn’t want it to get back to Mason that she was upset in the least.

“LOL. You only want something to take your mind off your boredom. I’ll bring more donuts tomorrow. Love ya. TTYS.”

“Love you, too. Remember, I like the lemon.”

Shonda snort-sobbed.

As if Erica would ever let her forget.

“I think I can remember after twenty-something years of friendship.”