He nods, “That’s good to hear.” A couple of seconds later, he murmurs, “You should come by the house this Sunday. It will be nice to sit down for a meal with you.”
I know if I decline it will only deteriorate our relationship further. “What time?”
“You’re not a goddamned visitor, and you have keys to let yourself in.”
Meaning he wants me to spend the day there.
“Okay,” I agree before I really try to focus on the proposal.It’s already dark out as I drive back to campus. My mind is still with the two deals, and it turned out the old file was a proposal my father wrongly invested in, which led to a huge loss.
I definitely learned a lot today, and it feels like a small part of me healed after the short talk with my father.
Piece by piece, right?
Deep in thought, I steer the car into the parking area. As I turn into the parking spot I always use, something crashes into my car. My body’s thrown forward, and when I slam back against the seat, shock rushes through me with one hell of a force.
“Fuck.”
In absolute terror, I turn my head toward Jennifer.
My breaths begin to come faster as my heart pounds in my chest. I open the door and get out of the car. Feeling dazed, I somehow manage to walk to the driver’s side of the other car.
Fuck, please don’t let anyone be hurt.
Seeing Kingsley behind the steering wheel sends another wave of shock through me. I yank the door open and grabbing hold of her arm, I pull her out of the seat.
“Oh my gosh! I’m so sorry, Mason. I really looked before I started reversing, and the next second, bam, there you were.”
I stand paralyzed, my eyes wide on Kingsley.
Slowly, the cold creeps into my bones and I gasp for a breath of icy air.
“Mason?” she asks, her voice trembling.
The daze lifts only to be replaced by anger surging through me.
“An accident?” I hiss.
“Yes, I’m really sorry.” She walks to the back of her car and looks at the damage. “Luckily, it’s only a small dent.”
“Small dent?” I repeat her words again.
Shaking my head, I bring my arms up and link my fingers behind my neck. I close my eyes and take a couple of breaths, but it doesn’t help shit to calm me down.
Letting my arms fall to my sides, I stalk to where she’s still looking at the damage, and then she mumbles, “It’s just a slight bump, nothing serious.”
“Slight bump?” I suck in a breath of air, then shout, “A slight fucking bump? What the fuck are you talking about?”
She swings around with wide eyes. “Don’t yell at me!” She darts past me, and with stunned amazement, I watch her get back in her car. She proceeds to park the damn thing before she gets out again.
“Hunt, w-what?” I’m so fucking upset I actually begin to stammer, “What, are you doing? You parked your piece of shit car?”
“Mason, I’m sorry I bumped your car,” she says again. “I’ll get my insurance to take care of it. Move your car. You’re blocking the parking area.”
Speechless, I watch her walk away from me.
I take a couple of steps after her, then remember the damn car. I quickly jog to the driver’s side and park it, and getting out, I run so I can catch up with Kingsley.
I rush into her building as she swipes her keycard, opening the door to her suite. She walks inside, and before she can shut the door, I slam my hand against wood.
She lets out another annoying shriek and takes a couple of steps away from me.
I stalk inside, and slam the door shut, while anger pours off of me in waves.
“What’s the problem?” she asks, giving me an incredulous look.
“It’s not just a fucking bump!” I shout, unable to control the tone of my voice.
She shakes her head at me, arguing, “What do you call it? I practically nudged your car. My insurance will cover the costs.”
Having zero patience left, I close my eyes, because God help me, I might do something stupid tonight.Chapter 10-
KingsleyMason opens his eyes, and they shimmer like smoldering coals in the dark as he stares at me.
Letting out a breath, I walk to the wall and switch on the light. Turning back to him, I ask, “What more do you want me to say? I’ve apologized, and I’ll pay for the damage.”
I can see he’s struggling to stay calm and it makes me worry whether I’ve triggered his memories from the past with this accident.
“It was a fucking bump that killed my sister,” he grinds the words out.
Oh, my God. I did.
‘There must’ve been a lot of blood when the branch skewered your arm to her.’ I remember what West said to Mason, and it makes my stomach churn.