Broken

Chapter 4: Two for One

LILY

When he comes back with our sundaes, Ava digs in excitedly and exclaims, “I can’t wait for school to start, you guys!”

“Ew. Why?” Harry asks, screwing his face up.

“Because we’re seniors!” she says with an eye roll.

“I can’t wait for school to be over,” I mutter, making Harry laugh.

“I seriously wonder why I’m friends with you two sometimes.” Ava sighs dramatically.

“Because we’re awesome,” he replies in a “duh” tone.

“By the way—I have a date tonight.”

“Oh my god, who with?” I ask, holding in my squeal.

“Jonah.”

“That’s amazing! You have to tell me everything!” I say, letting the squeal out.

“Sure, babe.”

He laughs and wraps his arm around my shoulders.

My phone vibrates in my pocket.

I’m dying to check, but don’t want to do it in front of them.

“Babe, your phone’s buzzed like three times,” he says, nudging me.

“Huh?” I frown, pulling my phone out of my pocket and pretending to be surprised to have messages.

They’re all from Mason.

“Who’s M?” he asks, peering at my phone.

“No one,” I answer quickly, placing my phone facedown on the table as it vibrates again.

“Must be important,” he singsongs as Ava tries to grab my phone.

I quickly snatch it before she can.

“Just answer them, babe,” Harry smirks.

M

What food do you like to eat? Other than pizza

M

I mean like snacks

M

Chips? Candy? Carrot sticks?

M

Princess. I’m literally standing in the grocery store like an i***t right now…

I smile as I read his texts, imagining him having a meltdown in the snack aisle.

Lily

I eat pretty much everything…why??

Before I can put my phone down, he texts back.

M

For tonight

Lily

Tonight?

M

You’ll see Princess x

“This M person must be pretty great if they’re making you smile like that,” Ava says, smirking at me.

When I just shrug and shove a big spoonful of ice cream in my mouth, she gasps and slams the table.

“Oh my God, have you met someone?”

I swallow.

“No,” I say, hoping they don’t see through my lie.

“How would I have met someone in the last few days?”

“What about you, Ava? You seeing anyone?” Harry asks, changing the subject for me and sending me a knowing look.

“I wish. All the boys at Ridgewood suck,” she replies sadly.

“Except you, but it’s not like that’s an option.”

“Oh, I know,” he commiserates with a sigh.

“I’ve already been through all the boys at Ridgewood. I guess there’s always Greendale.”

Neither of them can keep a straight face for more than a few seconds.

They both burst out laughing, and I shovel more ice cream into my mouth.

· · ·

“Okay, so tell me why you have all this food?” I ask Mason as he drops two grocery bags onto my coffee table.

“Because tonight, princess, you and I are getting high.” He smirks.

I gasp.

“We are?”

“You get so excited about the smallest things,” he chuckles.

“Like a puppy,” he adds, and I whack his shoulder softly.

“I’m kidding.” He laughs, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a lighter and what looks like a hand-rolled cigarette.

“We should probably go outside,” he says.

“We can go out by the pool.” I lead the way and sit cross-legged on one of the recliners, waiting.

Mason sits down across from me. He lifts the joint up and gently places it between my lips.

“I’m going to light it for you. Just breathe in a little—you’re going to cough,” he explains, and I nod along.

He flicks the lighter and lifts the flame slowly to the end of the joint.

“Start sucking,” he says, and I do.

I’m instantly hit with a weird taste and smell.

“Now inhale,” he says, putting the lighter down next to him.

I inhale a little, my lungs burning a bit, so I inhale more and start coughing.

“Not too bad,” he says with an impressed look.

I watch as Mason takes two puffs of the joint before blowing out the smoke.

“You didn’t cough,” I point out as he hands it back to me.

“Not my first time smoking, princess,” he winks.

“Do you even remember my name?” I question.

“Lily.” He smiles, showing off his perfect teeth, and my stomach starts doing strange flips.

“Then why do you call me princess?” I ask, leaning back in my seat waiting for the high to hit me.

“Because you reminded me of that princess running in the forest with the hair and lizard,” he chuckles, leaning back too.

“Rapunzel?” I giggle.

“That’s the one,” he confirms, closing his eyes.

“You’ve seen Tangled?” I ask, laughing.

“I have two little sisters who are obsessed with Disney,” he answers, sitting up again.

“Want to watch it?” he asks with a goofy grin.

“Let’s go,” I agree.

Three hours, two movies, and a shitload of junk food later, Mason is passed out on my sofa and I’m struggling to keep my eyes open.

“Mason,” I mumble, nudging his foot with mine.

“Mason.”

“Hmm?” he hums, lifting his head up but not opening his eyes.

“Do you want a pillow?” I yawn.

“Come here,” he mutters, holding his arms out.

I slowly stand up and shuffle down to stand in front of him.

“No, I mean come here,” he says, scooting back and patting the space in front of him.

“I want to cuddle,” he mutters sleepily.

“Are you sure?” I whisper.

“Stop overthinking, princess,” he says, opening one eye.

When I don’t move, he reaches his hand out to grab my wrist and gently pulls me down to him.

He pulls my body against his, my back to his front.

He wraps his arm around my waist, grabbing hold of my hand, while his other arm slides underneath my head.

“Your hair smells good,” he mumbles as I push my feet in between his legs.

“Stop smelling my hair,” I giggle, snuggling into him some more.

“Shh. I’m sleeping,” he chuckles into my hair.

“Hey, Lily?” he says, suddenly sounding serious.

“Yeah?” I whisper, rubbing circles on his hand with my thumb.

“Kingsley really messed up,” he mutters, burying his face into the side of my neck.

· · ·

I wake up really hot. I’m sweating and the bright sun pouring in through the glass door is blinding.

It must be late in the morning.

Mason is still spooning me, except now his leg is thrown over me and his d**k is pressing against my back.

Even through the rough texture of his jeans, I can tell he’s not lacking in that department.

“Mason,” I groan, trying to free myself from his grasp.

“Shh, I’m still sleepy,” he whines, pulling me closer to him.

“I’m hot,” I say.

“Very.” I can hear the teasing in his voice.

I turn toward him and he hugs me—I feel so small in his big arms.

Our eyes meet and his gaze is intense yet soft. I glance at his lips, feeling a magnetic pull.

He catches me looking and his lips curve into a knowing smile.

The air between us feels charged, heavy with desire.

His fingers shift slightly on my hip, the faintest movement, but it’s enough to make my pulse race.

My body has never reacted to a man like this before.

Am I about to hook up with Mason Cooper?

Mason’s eyes stay locked on mine, like he’s daring me to make the first move. It would be so easy. Just a few inches closer, and I’d know what his lips feel like against mine.

But a small voice in the back of my mind reminds me of the possible fallout—the rumors, the stares, the hate from my friends. A kiss would feel so good, but it would really complicate my life when it’s already complicated enough. Get it together, Lily. Not the time.

I slip out from under his arm and stand up.

“I’m hungry,” I say.

“Do you want some eggs?”

“Are you offering to bring me breakfast in bed? Well, breakfast on the couch?” He smirks, sitting up and stretching so that his T-shirt rides up over those magazine cover abs. It’s enough to make me almost reconsider.

No, stay strong.

I head to the kitchen, get out the pan. He follows, leans against the counter. His bedhead is so cute.

“Do you have any plans today?” he asks.

“None,” I reply, pulling out the frying pan and cracking some eggs.

“Do you want to go get your nose pierced?”

An excited smile spreads across my face.

“Why not?”

· · ·

“Why are we going all the way to Stokes Junction?” I ask Mason as he drives his car to the smaller city an hour away.

“I figured you wouldn’t want to be seen in the mall with me,” he mutters, gripping the steering wheel tightly.

“Right. Enemies,” I mumble, picking at the hem of my dress.

“So, what side are you going to get done?” he asks, changing the subject.

“I’m thinking my right,” I answer, pulling down the sun visor and looking at my nose in the mirror.

“I still think you should get yours done too,” I tease, flicking the visor back into place.

“Absolutely not.” He shakes his head.

“It’ll make you look badass.” I laugh as he screws his face up.

“It’ll make me look like a b***h. I don’t have the face for piercings.”

“Hmm, I guess you’re right.” I giggle. His face is perfect as it is.

“You ready for this?” Mason asks as we walk around the mall.

“So ready!” I exclaim excitedly as I spot the shop we’ve been looking for.

As we walk in, I try to tone down my excitement, but when I see a small sign on the counter it rushes back. I nudge Mason and point to the sign.

“Two for One Body Piercings.”

“Not happening.” He chuckles, shaking his head.

“What can I do for ya?” A large, bald, heavily tattooed and pierced man asks from behind the counter.

“Can I please get my nose pierced?” I ask.

“And n****e,” I add. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mason’s head snap to me.

“Sure thing. Fill this out.” The man smirks, looking between me and Mason. I quickly fill out the piece of paper and hand it back to the man, who scans it and nods to himself.

“All righty, let’s go, Lily.” He says, gesturing to the back of the shop.

“Can he come too? To hold my hand?” I ask, gesturing to Mason.