“I can distract him,” Chloe says and when I look up, I see her looking down at my phone. “I’ll make him take a shot with me and you guys can make your swift exit. Aunt Michelle and Uncle Kev won’t think anything of it. I’ll say you weren’t feeling well. Mason isn’t going to say anything when he figures out you’re gone.”

Me: Never mind, I think I have it figured out. Can you just grab my laptop for me please? It’s in the living room.

Jacob: Of course.

Me: I’ll meet you outside in two minutes.

The idea of doing an Irish goodbye at my parent’s house isn’t exactly the best of plans. Not only did I not want them to worry, but they were going to inevitably text me later when they realized my car was still there but I was not. But I didn’t want to raise too many questions.

What the hell am I doing? I am premeditatedly deciding to go to Jacob’s house. To have sex.

Not necessarily! He said we could talk.

Yeah okay, good one.

I creep down the stairs, peeking my head over the banister and toward the foyer with each step. I can still hear the noise of the gathering and thankfully they can’t see me as I make my way toward the door. I open the door and I’m just about to take a step outside when a hand darts out and closes the door. “Where are you going?”

I spin around and see Mason staring at me. He takes a step back and crosses his arms over his chest and I can feel the judgment radiating off of him.

“Mase…” I start.

He shakes his head. “Whitney, you’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Before you jump to any conclusions—” I start.

“So, you’re not leaving with Uncle J? You’re telling me that he didn’t tell Mom and Dad that you’re not feeling well and he’s taking you home?”

What!? Who told him to do that? And so much for Chloe keeping Mason distracted.

“I…”

“Whitney, come on. Don’t do this to yourself. It’s going to blow up in your face. You know it is,” he lectures and I wince at the harsh truth.

“Can we talk outside at least?” I plead, not knowing how close my parents might be or who might overhear something.

We walk out onto the porch and he closes the door behind us. “You’re not leaving with him.”

“That is definitely not your call to make.” I hear from the other side of the porch and I am wondering how he got out here before us. Jacob has my laptop bag slung over his shoulder and a part of me melts at the idea of him carrying my things for me just like always did.