Savor Me

“Do y’all realize your little nicknames rhyme? Did you two plan that without me?” Hunter jokes.

“We sure did, asshole. That first night, we stayed up late trying to find the most nauseating rhyming pet names possible just to leave you out. It took you long enough to notice,” Mason says sarcastically and winks over at me. Not just any wink either. It’s a sexy-as-hell, playful wink from Mason ‘stone face’ Wynn. Midnight Mason just made a daytime appearance, and I can’t hide my excitement at seeing him.

I lift my legs and stretch them across the booth, resting them in his lap. I fully expect him to push them away, but I guess the table blocking this little display of affection is enough for him, because he reaches down and gently strokes my bare legs. Something so simple, but it makes me giddy. I let out school girl giggle. Mason’s eyes flash to mine as a full-on grin sneaks across his lips. He tries to hide it by looking down and shaking his head, but I saw it. It’s now permanently etched into my memory. And that memory might just be my newest prized possession.

“I need to go to the bathroom,” I say, still laughing. “Order me that salad thingy I got last week. Oh, and I’m feeling frisky. How about a double rum and Coke tonight?” Hunter stands to let me out of the booth. Just as I hit the bathroom doors, someone gently grabs my arm.

“Lacey.”

I turn to see Sean ‘douchebag’ Lee. Of course! It seems I can’t go anywhere without running into stupid people these days.

“What the fuck!” I say under my breath. “Hey, Sean.” I paint on a fake smile, hoping desperately to avoid drama tonight. Both guys are in a good mood, and Mason flirting is enough to keep me happy for weeks. I’m determined that this piece of shit is not going to ruin this for me.

“Can we talk?”

“I’m going to say no.” I turn to walk into the women’s room.

“Lacey, please. I’m sorry. Just give me a minute. I miss Abby.” His shame-filled eyes flash to the ground. I don’t feel one bit of sympathy for him. Instead, it just pisses me off.

“Well guess what, Sean? I miss her too. I haven’t spoken to Abby in three fucking years. Or my mom or my dad. And you want to know why? Because you are a lying bastard who not only fucked my sister over by coming on to me, but you fucked me over by spewing bullshit lies to every member of my family. Sure, they are fucking idiots to have believed you, but you did this to yourself. I hope you miss Abby. I hope it eats away at you nightly. Because it sure as shit does me.” I turn and walk away back toward the guys.

Fucking shit. I’m going to cry. I haven’t cried in years, but on what started out as an amazing night, no matter how hard I try to fight it, tears spring to my eyes. I get close to the table, and hear the guys laughing together. Hunters back is toward me as I approach, but Mason’s eyes meet mine and immediately slide to concern. Hunter must read his expression, because he quickly turns around.

“Are you okay?” Hunter jumps to his feet, pulling me into a hug.

“Can we go?” Tears battle against my lids for release.

“Lacey, I’m sorry.” I hear Sean approach from behind me. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”

I turn my head into Hunter’s chest, away from Sean, I don’t want to give him the pleasure of seeing me cry. My eyes lock with Mason’s. He’s still sitting in the booth, but the look of confusion and concern lingers on his face.

“Who the hell are you?” I hear Hunter say while gently stroking my back.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset her. My name is Sean Lee.” He must have extended a hand, because Hunter’s hand briefly leaves my back.

“Sean?” Mason quietly asks me.

I nod. “Can we go?” I repeat, but I’m reasonably sure Mason didn’t hear me. He suddenly dives out of the booth, launching a fist directly into Sean’s face.

“You son of a bitch!” he yells as Sean falls over a table to the ground.

The entire restaurant explodes around us. Hunter releases me, frantically trying to grab Mason before he has a chance to punch Sean again. Waiters and customers rush over to try to break up the fight.

Hunter wraps his arms around Mason in a bear hug, shouting for him to calm down. Mason’s eyes are wild, and it takes several seconds for him to stop fighting against Hunter’s grasp.

“You good?” Hunter asks, never releasing him.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Let me go.”

“If I let you go, you’re not going to hit him again, right?”

“Fucking let me go. I’m done!” he yells.

Hunter releases him then glances around the room. A few onlookers have stepped up to help Sean, who is sitting on the floor with blood pouring from his nose.

“Take Lacey and go home. I’ll meet you there in a few.” Hunter says, gently pushing me toward the door.