Page 120 of Word to the Wise

“Well, I better get back to the club. Shit to take care of.” Sage pulls Lyla closer.

“Dinner tomorrow night, right?” I ask.

Lyla nods. “Yes. We’re going to do a whole big thing with Blaze and Candy as well.”

“Perfect.”

We wave goodbye as they head out, and Mason turns to face me.

“So, how was your appointment?” He tips my chin up, brushing his thumb over my cheek.

“Good. I feel like I’m finally getting comfortable so that’s helping.”

After everything that happened with Carter on the roof of Twisted Roses, there was a lot to explain. But just like I refused to let Mason take the fall for Gabe’s sins, I convinced him not to do it for Carter either.

Carter had been emailing me and threatening me for months. He was sending suicidal messages, and his business was going bankrupt.

When all was said and done, it was easier than it should have been to convince the cops that Carter killed himself when I refused to go back with him.

Carter would probably call it poetic—even if that wasn’t how he saw any of it happening.

Dealing with the logistical clean-up was nothing compared to the flood of emotions that came in waves in the weeks after. Trauma from my six years spent with Carter hit me full force. The secrets, the lies, the pain. It all flooded out at once. And it wasn’t much better for Mason.

Him learning the truth about what really happened to Sienna hit him deeply, and in new ways. Especially once he realized his father had hidden the real events all along. Not only that, but he also helped Gabe and Carter cover it up so it wouldn’t fall back onhis business.

Mason cut all remaining ties with his family and told Steel that if his club needs any help taking his father down in the future, not to hesitate to reach out.

Now it’s just Mason and me. Sitting in the eye of the storm and watching it settle around us. Carter is no longer a threat, and the world is moving on.

But it’s not that simple for us.

I still wake up crying, seeing Carter fall over that ledge. Or imagining the look in Mason’s eyes when Carter admitted the horrible things he did to Sienna.

There’s more guilt than I can fill an ocean with, and both Mason and I are still sorting through that.

Mason urged me to go to therapy, and I told him I would as long as he went as well. We both have wounds to close and trauma to work past. Our sessions are separate, but we’re healing beside each other. Supporting each other while allowing each other the space to resolve what we need to.

I’m not used to having a true partner. Someone who sees my journey as equal to his. Who values me in their life as my own individual person.

My therapist has been helping me accept love again.

Slowly we’ve been breaking down the walls I started building when I was young. A barrier I put up without realizing it, from growing up in the environment I did without a mother. Only to then lose my father years later to violence.

My therapist has also been helping me see my self-worth. Especially on days when I can’t understand why Mason is with me. I loved the man who killed hissister, and it’s hard to separate my guilt when it comes to that.

If only I’d known what Carter was up to.

If only I’d seen the truth sooner and done something more to stop him. Maybe then Sienna would still be here.

Mason swears it’s not my fault, and some days I believe him.

Some days are harder than others. It’s a roller coaster I’m working through.

But as I stand in Mason’s arms now, months later and on a better path, I’m thankful that I have him.

“It’s helping,” I admit. “Thank you for supporting me through it.”

“Anything for you, Sticks.” Mason leans in and kisses my forehead. “You’re picking ‘em all up one at a time.”