Moon God Mates

Awkward

IRIS' POV:

What the actual f**k? I take the stairs two at a time running from the house's second story in utter shock at what I had just walked in on. How dare he be with someone else; how dare he look at me like that!? Wait, what the hell am I thinking? How dare I feel like this!? I have no right to feel this way.

Then why the hell do I!?

I scramble through crowds of people, out of the house, and into the backyard. My eyes scan the area for Ana, anger, and embarrassment still creeping in when I spot her. She is in the backyard standing by a guy with shiny black hair and beautiful caramel skin, his bright green eyes shine as I weave through the crowds and approach them. I give him a once over with the politest smile I can muster given my internal crisis. Did all the guys at this party have to be built like swim models?

“Hey, you alright?” Ana’s face scrunches with concern, “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I’m fine.” I lie, I think I would have rather seen a ghost than Mason's di-

“Did you find the bathroom?”

Right, the bathroom. That’s what I went into the house- scratch that- mansion for in the first place. We had only just gotten here when Ana started mingling and I excused myself in search of the restroom because I felt out of place; only the restroom is not what I found.

“Iris?” Ana pokes my arm bringing me back to reality.

“Yeah, um I did thanks.” another lie, can we just go home?

“Okay” I can tell Ana knows something is wrong but she doesn't probe me.

“This is Ravi, we met on campus he lives here with a few of his friends.”

What is this, a frat house? “Hi, Ravi. I’m Iris”, I take his hand and shake it, faking a small smile. I still feel awkward from my previous encounter. I look around nervously. Ana nudges my shoulder pushing me closer to Ravi.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” I whisper yell to my good-for-nothing friend and it doesn’t go unnoticed by our third wheel.

“Uh, how about I go grab us some drinks?” Ravi says awkwardly as he starts toward the house.

Once he's out of earshot Ana nudges me in the shoulder again, “What? He’s cute, just talk to him, live a little.”

“Ana, no. I don’t have time for a guy in my life. Also, I don’t have the best track record with men, they seem to all get scared away.” I hint at a reminder of James's father who left and never looked back.

After my father left I ran into a few assholes until Luke. James's father, Luke, and I were good friends; the best of friends. I finally thought my luck with men was changing. Then I got pregnant with James and out of nowhere, like men do, Luke disappeared, no note or anything. He was just gone. It might have been the fears of fatherhood finally catching up to him. I never looked for him, never wanting to sound desperate or weak. I let it go and have been raising James alone ever since. It’s easier this way, no men, no problems.

“Iris, you can’t let your past haunt you forever.”

I glare at her in response.

“You know what, never mind, let’s just have a good time tonight.” Ana hugs me. Just as she releases me I get hit with that familiar, addicting scent.

What the hell is…shit… I can feel the heat rush up my neck to my face. No doubt my cheeks are painted red.

I look toward the house to find Mason staring at me with his usual dull expression from the back porch. I avoid his gaze and stare down at my feet when something clicks.

He is the familiar scent drawing me in. But how?

Oh, god this is not happening right now. I should just make a run for it, into the woods where I won’t have to see him, ever, ever, EVER again.

I peek up through my eyelashes to see Mason and Ravi walking in our direction. My conscience tells me to run but my body is stuck in place.

Well, here goes avoiding that conversation.