Page 13 of The Spare

Brushing my teeth, I watch the text bubbles appear, fighting off the anxious emotions I feel when I talk to him. Butterflies erupt in my stomach just like it does every time he messages me. I spit and rinse my mouth as it comes through.

Ohhh. Lucky you. You're not at your mom's this weekend? -Mase

I shimmy out of my pajamas, kicking them to the side and wiggle my toes on the warm floor.

She's in the Bahamas for the weekend with her friends, remember? – Mel

Starting the shower, I put a playlist over the speakers and think about Mason. Though we were close the first couple years of Isobel and Hendrix's marriage, he's thrown himself head first into his business, and these last two years he's become increasingly unavailable the more successful he gets.

Except for when I see him at the infamous King family brunches their parents host every Sunday, and roughly two times a month whenI beg him for soda. I roll my eyes and bite back a goofy grin at the reminder.

I lost a bet years ago, and now, the only time I can have my favorite soda is when he sees me in person. And he always makes me get on my knees for it.

I wonder if he realizes how sexual that looks. I honestly don't think it's ever crossed his mind.

Ah. Was hoping to have some time to catch up without our family there. Is there any juicy gossip you can share? -Mase

I smirk and lean my hips on the vanity to reply. Mason loves dishing and collecting all the dirt going on in the family. It's part of what's kept us close, especially in the beginning.

So close that I developed feelings for him like an idiot.

Feelings that at one point I'd thought had been reciprocated, and I foolishly harbored hope that Mason would come for me. But my eighteenth birthday came and went, then my nineteenth. And with my twentieth birthday in two weeks, I've all but given up.

I sigh and look down at my phone, typing a reply. A harsh reply…but Mason will understand.

He always does.

Other than the fact that Isobel seems to be more overbearing with this pregnancy than she was with Mariah, and King's turned into a little Isobel worshipping pussy whipped bitch? No. -Mel

Honestly, I gave up hope a while ago, and tried my hardest to move on and forget how I feel about Mason. But every man I've involved myself with over the last almost two years winds up disappearing.

Now, I've developed a reputation at NYU as that girl that no one wants to date because you'll be doxed, like I'm cursed or something. I was freaked out for a quite a while, thinking that I was being targeted like Isobel was. But King assures me that my security has my safety in hand.

Isobel wouldn't even let me switch schools so I could have a fresh start.

So, here I am, about to turn twenty, still a fucking virgin. At a school where everyone talks about me and with no love life to speak of. It's depressing. I can't even work so that I can make my own money to leave.

I have no autonomy.

No. That all ended the day I fell into King at the running trail almost four years ago.

I'd pay you so much money to say that to their faces. -Mase

I arch a brow, snorting. I might have a chance at a getaway after all.

How much? -Mel

Fifteen grand. -Mase

My brow arches. Steam fills the bathroom, reminding me I'm supposed to be getting in the shower.

Tempting, but have you ever pissed off a pregnant woman before? It's not worth it. See you at K.C. -Mel

I put the phone down and step into the shower, rushing through as I lost precious minutes texting. When I step out, I towel off, pull on my workout gear and walk back out in the bedroom to pull on mysneakers. Putting in my headphones I stride out of the bedroom and into the hallway. Smack dab into Marianne.

"Hey, Marianne. Good mornin'!" I greet Isobel's head maid who is setting up a ladder, preparing to dust the chandeliers that illuminate the space.

I shake my head. Chandeliers in hallways. Who would have thought that'd be our lives?