Page 50 of The Spare

"Melody, calm down-"

"No!" I snap. "Fuck you, Mason! I've been feeling like I've been going crazy for years because ofyou!My emotions all over the place, up and down. Does he like me? Does he not like me?" I throw my handsto the side and give him a pointed look. "I was so fucking confused that I actually convinced myself I was losing my mind. And then every time I tried to move on, every boyfriend I tried to involve myself with went missing!" I shout, my eyes going wide.

A guilty look clouds his features as he flushes, and I know without him saying anything that it was him. He did this.

"Was it you?" I half whisper, taking a hesitant step forward my anger deepening at the trapped look on his face. "Answer me."

His eyes are equal parts angry and guilty, his hands come to rest on his hips, and a muscle ticks in his jaw. He searches the ground for a minute, but still he doesn't say anything.

"Tell me the truth. Was it you?" My eyes narrow. "Did you make all those men disappear?" When he takes a deep breath, I step forward and gesture an arm at him."Dammit, Mason, tell me the fucking truth- for once!"

"Yes! Okay?" he yells, bring his hands up to grip his hair. "It was me. I paid them off to leave you alone." His hands drop, and he scoffs, turning away from me and beginning to pace.

"Why?"

"I didn't want them touching you.Obviously."

"Why?!" I shout, my hands trembling as my irritation sparks.

He throws me an irritated look before turning away, continuing to pace. "I was waiting for you because Hendrix made me promise. Because he wanted me to prove to him that I was serious about you." He turns imploring eyes on me. Eyes that are angry but also filled with sadness.

I clench my teeth, my breath shooting hard and fast through my nose. "Why, Mason?"

"Because I fucking love you!"he shouts, his voice cracking causing my heart to skip a beat. I take a fast step back, shocked at the raw furyin his eyes. "But he was worried that you were just a plaything to me, and that I was going to use you up and toss you aside."

Tears fill my eyes and my jaw drops because the MasonIknow would never do that to me. And it causes my wrath at Hendrix to burn even hotter.

He and my sister deserve each other.

My heart flutters for more than just the anger I have at Hendrix and my sister. Mason just confessed to loving me. Words I'd daydreamed about hearing more times than I care to admit. I become quickly overwhelmed at the riot of sensations crashing over me, and I know I have to leave. I need to get some space.

I hold up a hand, just over it.

"Say what you want; I'm not interested in hearing any more. Thank you for the truth, but I'm done. I didn't even want this dinner party. I'm out."

I walk towards the door, gasping as I'm spun around hard to face him. His fingers tighten hard on my elbow, pulling at my skin.

"Melody,I just told you I loved you."His voice is hoarse as his eyes search mine, pleading.

Wanting something I'm too scared to give him. It's too fresh.

Narrowing my eyes at him, I struggle against him."And I said I'm leaving."

"You're not going anywhere," he snarls. His brow is furrowed and a muscle clenches in his jaw betraying how on edge he is.

I rip my elbow from his grip and look him up and down."Sayswho?The man who let his brother dictate to him how to go about his business? And then I'm supposed to just sit idly by and wait for someone to tellmewhat to do withmylife?" Ignoring the hurt that flashes across his face, I take a step into him. "I'm a grown woman, and I'm done letting people make decisions for me. So," I tilt my head as hiseyes harden. "I'm going out there, I'm telling our parents thank you, and I'm leaving to go bar-hopping with my friends. I'm done with this, and I'm done withyou!"

I turn and run to the door, hearing him close on my heels.

"Mel," he bites out, but I walk even faster through the hallway, evading his hands as I cross the foyer and into the den where everyone is mingling.

They all turn their heads to look at me in shock as I bust through the threshold with Mason two feet behind me, slapping his hands away.

I don't acknowledge any of them.

I mean it. I'm done.

"Melody? Are you okay?" Isobel says, struggling to get off the couch with a concerned expression on her face.