Exploited
Page 71

Mason took my hand now that we were alone and kissed it. “You’re jealous,” he deduced with a grin.
I rolled my eyes. “No I’m not.”
Mason tugged me closer, our chests pressing against each other. He kissed the tip of my nose. “Yes you are.”
I shrugged but smiled. “Okay, maybe a little.”
Mason leaned down, his lips so close they brushed against mine when he spoke. “That’s really hot, Hannah.”
I chuckled and pushed him back playfully. “You’re such a guy.”
He put his arm around my shoulders. I let myself fold into his side, enjoying the feel of him. “I’m your guy,” he murmured in my ear.
I thought about the thumb drive in my purse.
I was a horrible, horrible person.
—
We drove first to a pizza place downtown and ordered two pies. One cheese—Charlotte’s favorite—and one meat lover’s supreme for Mason and me.
“Will Charlotte be able to eat this?” Mason asked. “Will the nurses allow it?”
“It’ll be fine. We can bring her treats now and then. She’ll be so excited to have pizza.” I was still unsure if bringing Mason to see Charlotte was a good idea. But it was too late to back out now.
“You said she was in a car accident with your dad?” Mason took the pizzas and carried them out to the parking lot. I unlocked the doors and we got in. Mason set the boxes on his lap, the smell of pizza filling my car.
Do I tell him? Do I lie? How much truth do I give him?
Why not try most of it?
“Yes. My family lived in Midlothian. My dad was taking Charlotte to a doctor’s appointment. It was raining heavily, from what Mom told me. I was away at college when it happened. The road had just been repaved but the materials that were used shouldn’t have been. Apparently the contractor had tried to cut costs by using a subpar tarmac. The road literally broke apart. Dad hit a bad piece of road and spun…” My words faded away.
“I’m so sorry.” Mason squeezed my hand and I appreciated it. Talking about the accident was always hard. Time didn’t change that. I knew Mason understood.
“My dad was killed instantly. Charlotte suffered severe brain and spine injuries, which is why she has to live at the Appleton Center now.” I pulled into the parking lot of the residential facility and turned off the engine. “I almost flunked out of school. It was a really dark time for me.”
Mason leaned over the center console and kissed me softly. “You’ve been through a lot, Hannah. I had no idea how much. You’re a strong woman.”
“I don’t know about that,” I scoffed, secretly pleased at the compliment.
Mason kissed me again. “I know it’s hard for you to open up. To tell me things. But I’ll take care of your stories. I can promise you that.”
“I know you will,” I said quietly, resting my forehead against his, our breath mingling.
After a few minutes I backed away. “We’d better get that pizza in to Charlotte before it gets cold.”
Cory, the night nurse on duty, looked up as we entered and gave us a wave. She noticed the pizza and smiled. “Charlotte’s in for a treat tonight.”
“I hope it’s okay,” I said, feeling a bit awkward with Mason beside me.
Cory’s eyes widened fractionally at the sight of Mason. “You’ve never brought anyone with you before. Are you going to introduce us?”
Mason and I exchanged amused looks. “Cory, this is Mason Kohler, my boyfriend.” I felt warm all over.
My boyfriend.
It was nice to say. “Mason, this is Cory, one of the nurses here.”
Mason, balancing the pizza boxes in one hand, held out the other for Cory to shake. The older woman was all silly smiles and batting eyelashes. Mason seemed to have that effect on everyone.
“You can head on back. Charlotte’s had a pretty good day. Your mother’s been here since the afternoon and was able to take her out to the garden for a little while.”
“My mother’s here?” Shit. That wasn’t good. Things were still strained between us after her impromptu visit a few weeks ago. We had spoken on the phone weekly but I hadn’t seen her.
And my mother was a talker. I knew that she would grill Mason. She’d interrogate me. I hadn’t told her I was seeing someone. This was not going to go well.
Mason gave me a strange look, picking up on my change in mood. Cory nodded. “I think they’re watching a movie.”
I sighed. It was too late to leave without looking like a jerk, so I gave Cory another smile and led Mason down the hallway toward my sister’s room.
“My mother doesn’t know I’m seeing anyone,” I told him before we went inside. I could hear the television and the low murmur of my mother’s voice.
Mason frowned. “You haven’t told her about me?”
I shook my head, putting my hand on his arm. “I told you we aren’t close. There are certain boundaries I keep with my mother that are necessary. It has nothing to do with you or our relationship,” I assured him. Mason opened his mouth to say something, then clearly thought better of it.
I kissed him quickly. “I promise you it’s about her, not you.”
Mason nodded. “I get it. Parents are tough. You don’t need to explain.”
I squeezed his hand. “Thank you.”
He made caring about him so easy.
I pushed open Charlotte’s door and walked inside. My mother, who was reclined in the chair beside my sister’s bed, looked up as I entered.
“Hannah! What a lovely surprise!” she exclaimed, getting to her feet to greet me.
I gave her a hug, bracing myself for the moment she noticed Mason.
“Who is this?” she asked immediately, indicating Mason, who stood, still holding the two pizza boxes, just inside the door.
“Mom, this is Mason Kohler.” I took a deep breath. “My boyfriend.”
Mom’s eyes widened and then she frowned. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”
“Yeah, well, I do.” I walked past her and leaned down to kiss Charlotte’s cheek. “How are you, sis? Cory says you’ve had a good day.”
Charlotte’s facial muscles spasmed as she attempted to smile. “Good. I’m happy to see you. I want to meet your boyfriend.”