Page 83 of House of Payne

“Not only that, but, if you don’t come back, I will disown you.”

More tears burn my eyes, and it takes everything in me to swallow them back.

I will not beg, no matter how much it hurts.

My heart is breaking into a million pieces.

What are you doing? You can make this right. Go home, and you can all figure it out together. In less than an hour, you can be in your comfortable PJs, with Noah’s arms around you and your dad’s familiar voice in the background.

“Think about this, London,” Noah pleads in a strange voice. “Don’t throw your life away. Whatever this is, we’ll help you through it.”

I clutch the phone with both hands. “Noah, please. I…”

I don’t know what to tell them or how to make any of this better.

All I know is that Noah’s friend has ruined everything, and I can’t even be mad at him for it.

He did me a favor by revealing my secret. I’m relieved, but I also know there’s no turning back now.

Noah’s voice cuts through my heart when he speaks again. “I’m sorry, London, but if you don’t come back then you and I…I can’t be with someone who lies like that.”

Something else in me breaks open at his words.

“You’re both fucking idiots,” Mason says into the phone, his eyes narrowing. “London deserves better.”

“I don’t know who you think you are, but this is none of your concern,” my dad replies, his voice dripping with fury. “Noah and I are her family. We want what’s best for her.”

Mason holds the phone tighter. “I was under the impression that family is meant to be supportive and understanding, especially when people need it most. In any case, neither of you know what’s best for her, so I’d suggest you keep your fucking opinions to yourselves.”

Without waiting for a response, he hangs up and hands me the phone.

I’m too stunned to say anything for a long time.

Of all the scenarios I imagined, Mason coming to my defense wasn’t one of them.

I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this. Withhim.

It reminds me of the man at the diner who wanted to help me with my knee.

I tilt my head, left wondering if I’ve just imagined everything. Swallowing, I withdraw my hand and let it fall to my side.

I have no idea what I’m supposed to do now, but I do know I want Mason to leave.

He’s done enough for the day.

“I’ll send someone to come and get you in an hour,” Mason says before taking a few steps back and reaching for the phone in his pocket. “That should be enough time for you to get yourself together.”

My head snaps up sharply “For what?”

“Dinner,” Mason replies. “In my residence. Dress appropriately.”

I don’t want to have dinner with him.

I don’t want to be anywhere near him.

Why? Don’t you trust yourself now that Noah is no longer in the picture, or is it possible that Mason has been right all along?

My stomach twists, and I ignore it. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t—”