Hearing that is a tough pill to swallow. Mason was like the son I never had and it kills me that I destroyed my relationship with not only Whitney but with him as well. “It’s not what you think, Mason.”

“No, J, it’s exactly what I think. You were too much of a pussy to come clean to my parents, and then you just up and left. Broke her heart and then took off for three years.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about and I would advise you not to speak on things you don’t. It wasn’t that black and white. It wasn’t just sex; I wasn’t using her. I fell in love with her.”

“But then you left.” He repeats.

“She wasn’t the only person who got hurt, Mason. But you’re right, I’ll give you one thing. As much as I don’t want to admit it, I was scared to tell your parents. Scared to lose them. Lose you. Lose a group of people that mean the world to me. I handled it all wrong.” I cross my arms and look out onto the land behind their house. “I fucked up and now she’s getting married.”

“Exactly, so don’t fuck with her head. Haven’t you put her through enough?”

“She deserves to know the truth so she can make an informed decision.”

He looks at me and shakes his head. “That’s the most selfish thing I’ve ever heard, J. Wow. What happened to not wanting to ruin our family? Nothing’s changed. Her parents are still your best friends. They’ll still be mad. Only now there will be the added bonus of you keeping it from them for this long. And another person who believes he’s going to marry the love of his life.”

“I’ll deal with them. I’ll tell them. Now.” I want to add that I don’t give a fuck about this other guy and there’s no way she can be the love of his life while she’s still the love of mine and if my instincts are correct, that I’m still the love of hers.

He grabs my arm as I prepare to walk away. “Fuck no, are you insane? Now? Here?”

“Yes, Mason. I am insane. I let the woman I love slip right through my fingers. I want her back and I want her back now.” I don’t wait for his response, I just start moving toward the house. I’m not actually going to tell them now with a house full of people. But I did want to talk to Whitney alone and I was tired of Mason’s big brother spiel. It was nothing I didn’t know or suspect and I wanted to talk to Whitney before she got more intoxicated. I find Chloe and Whitney in the kitchen in the middle of taking a shot and I wonder if they took one with Michelle as well.

“How many of those have you had?” I ask Whitney just as she pulls the glass away from her lips.