First Choice, Second Chance, page 18
A part of his mind, the still sane one, knew Kyle egged him on. The reasoning for it eluded him. He'd always been the better fighter, so why would his brother put himself in this position? It didn't make a lot of sense. Then, even that part of his mind was drowned out by the rage roaring through him. He didn't know how many times he hit him, or even if his brother got any of his own hits in. Then, his father pulled him away. "That's enough, Mason." His father's voice was low but firm with the order. "I know you're upset, but he's still your brother. And I don't want to see one son up on charges for assaulting the other."
Mason dragged in a deep breath, even though it hurt his throat. He realized he must have been screaming the whole time. It was the only reason he could think for it to feel so raw. More aches came through as the fog of rage dissipated. His hands, even his face hurt. And his chest felt like it was pulling right apart. Then, another car door slammed, and he knew it was Lila even before he brought his gaze up and saw her running toward them.
His lips burned as the corners turned up, and he realized Kyle must have got in at least one blow. Lila didn't come to him. Instead she knelt next to Kyle, who still lay on the ground. She placed her hand on his shoulder, concern in her face. Her mouth moved as she spoke to him, but the ringing in his ears came back and drowned out anything she said.
No. It couldn't be true. None of those things Kyle said could be true. He could see it with his own eyes, though. She had gone to him first. She should be with him, and yet she went to Kyle first. Something twisted in his chest. Then, finally her gaze lifted to meet his. Guilt filled her eyes before anger replaced it. "What is wrong with you?" she asked, rising to her feet and striding over to him. "Are you so insecure you have to pick fights with your brother over me? We didn't do anything, Mason. We went to dinner and he took me home. That's it. He was a perfect gentleman."
"He said-." He didn't even want to think about what his brother had said and what it had made him think.
The look she sent him was sad. "You believed I would do anything to hurt you? I really thought you had more respect for me than that." Then, she turned away and knelt back down beside Kyle.
His brother smirked, and he wanted to punch it off again. His father had put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on. We'll get you cleaned up then we still have chores to do."
Mason wasn't even sure he could breathe. Kyle hadn't hit him anywhere that would affect him like this. No, this was all Lila's doing. She had taken the air right out of his lungs. He couldn't even tell her she was wrong. He hadn't trusted her. With what he'd seen last night and what he knew about his brother, what else was he supposed to do? He didn't figure there was anything else for him to do about it now. She didn't even want to look at him at the moment. He'd have to make it up to her later.
#
Lila still shook when she and Mary got Kyle out to her car. She still couldn't believe what she had seen when she'd driven up to the house to apologize to Mason. For leading him on, for letting things go so far. She still had to leave. There wasn't any choice in that. She didn't want to leave with things so broken between them. She wasn't going to choose either of them. That's what she had come to tell him.
Then she had seen Kyle on the ground with Mason over him. Something had clutched hard at her heart then. She'd never seen Mason like this before, never seen him violent, so intent on hurting someone else. What had come over him? When she had seen the blood on Kyle's face, it had appalled her even more. How could he do this to his only brother?
Her hands shook, but she managed to get the key in the ignition and drive away. "We'll get you cleaned up. It'll be all right."
Kyle let out a shudder. "I don't know what came over him. I was eating breakfast, and he attacked me."
It worried her too. This wasn't like Mason. "I don't understand it. I know he was angry, but we didn't do anything." Except for that kiss, and that big one when he had dropped her off after dinner. She had told him they couldn't do that. She wouldn't do that to Mason. Kyle had apologized for overreaching.
"He's got a problem with me and with his anger." Kyle brought his fingers to the corner of his mouth and winced. "He's always been jealous. First time he's gotten violent about it, though." He dropped his hand and reached for hers. "It's probably best you didn't go with him last night. It could have been you."
That thought chilled her. Mason had never shown any sign of being violent, of even having thoughts of hitting her. Kyle couldn't be right, could he? Mason would never raise his hand to her. Still, the thought stayed with her.
"I'll be fine," Kyle said, bringing her fingers to his lips. "He hits like a girl anyway."
God, she hated that phrase. Being a girl didn't mean being weak or incapable. Even so, she wanted to retort she couldn't imagine Mason doing anything like a girl. Her heart hurt thinking about him. How could she even be with someone who would attack his own brother like that? There wasn't any denying he had done that. She could see the evidence of it sitting right beside her. Why did her heart still feel torn about having to leave? She should be running as fast as she could and leave a man with violent tendencies far behind her. Why had she never seen it before? Why had no one else ever seen it?
"I'll take you back to my house and clean you up. It would probably be best if you stayed away from him." She shook her head. "I still don't understand what got into him."
Chapter 28
Now
Lila watched as the man rolled out from under her car. She had her hands clasped in her lap. The damn thing had shuddered and given out on her on the way home from work the night before. Thank goodness the only garage in town had quick service. The tow truck had been out there in less than twenty minutes. She'd been too ashamed to call her dad and let him know. It had been giving her problems, and he'd told her to get it checked out. She hadn't wanted to spend the money. Now, she didn't want to hear an "I told you so" speech.
The driver had given her a ride to the garage, and she walked home from there. It hadn't been until this morning she'd recognized the guy who had picked her up. When she'd known Doren Holland before, he'd been the star linebacker of their high school football team and had been a year ahead of her in school. He'd been clean-shaven and clear skinned. Now, she could see a tattoo climbing up his neck from under his shirt. Around it was the puckered skin of a scar. She'd noticed when he hooked up her car the night before he walked with a limp, too. She hadn't brought herself to ask him what happened, but it was obvious he had changed a good bit since she'd left. Probably why she hadn't recognized him.
He stood up and wiped his hands on the rag he'd had tucked in his pocket. She remembered him as an outgoing boy, although he'd always stood out from the rest of the crowd of jocks. Even now, he had the muscles of someone who worked his body hard. His red hair was cut close to his head, but his brown eyes were warm.
"What's the damage, Doren?" She hoped it wasn't too bad. She had some money saved from her paychecks, but she was trying to save it so she could get her own place soon. As much as she loved her parents, she wasn't sure she could handle living with them for much longer. She doubted Mason would ever take her back.
He shook his head. "Sorry, Lila. Lost cause."
"Shit," she cursed, and surprise flashed in his eyes. If she stuck around here, she'd certainly lose the girl next door image really quick. "You're sure you can't fix it?"
He shook his head again. "It would cost more than this beater is worth. I didn't expect you'd actually keep driving this thing. Aren't you used to driving something a little…?"
"Nicer?" she suggested. "Yes, but this is what I could afford. I still can't afford much else." She closed her eyes for a moment. She didn't want the whole town to know how broke she was.
He put a hand on her arm, and she looked up at him. "It's okay, Lila. You don't have to explain. I have some connections. I can find you a car. Don't worry about it, okay?"
Her eyes burned. It seemed everything made her cry since Mason had told her he was stepping back. She couldn't help thinking maybe he hadn't changed much after all. He'd always been kind. "Thank you, Doren. I don't know how I'll be able to repay you."
He smiled at her. "Don't even worry about it. You're one of ours. No matter how long you've been gone." He wiped his hands again before slipping the rag back into his pocket. "Give me a few days, and I should have something for you."
"Thank you," she said again and reached for the checkbook she'd brought. "How much do I owe you for looking at it?"
He waved her off. "All I did was roll around under it. You don't have to pay me for that."
She didn't know how many times she could thank him in one day without sounding like an idiot. She waved to him and left then stopped in her tracks. Kyle stood down the street. All her good feelings washed away under her rage. She trembled with it as she stalked up to him. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?"
"What? You didn't want me to know you're screwing the mechanic along with our good farmboy and your lawyer? If I knew you were so insatiable, Lila, I might have spent more time in our bed."
"You never tried to find out," she said, pushing him back a step. "I meant in this town. This is my place. You don't belong here. You've taken enough from me."
"I came to get my wife back."
She scoffed. "You never really wanted me. You cheated on me within our first year of marriage. You only wanted Mason to not have me. You need to get over whatever grudge you hold against him. You need to get out of this town."
"I don't have to do anything."
"You're not getting me back, Kyle. I'm staying here. I have a job, I have my family. I have Mason." At least she would if he'd open his damn eyes. "I'm going to get my money back, and I'm starting fresh. You need to go and do the same. Leave me alone. Leave Mason alone. Leave this town alone."
"You can't tell me what to do, Lila."
"No, but I can decide what I'm going to take. If you come near me again, I will file a restraining order. You're harassing me, and I don't have to take that. We're not married anymore. You can't treat me like this. Go, or I will find a way to make your life as miserable as mine was."
"Your life was miserable because you're such a lonely, frozen bitch. That's not my fault."
"Everything okay out here, Lila?"
Doren's voice came from behind her, but he didn't touch her. The color drained from Kyle's face. He'd always been more comfortable behind a desk and barely worked his body at all. Although she remembered he had played football in high school, too. As a receiver or something. She couldn't remember the positions. He hadn't kept in shape after that, though. Wining and dining people in the music industry didn't take those kinds of muscles.
She didn't blame him for being scared of the larger, more muscular man. She might be if she didn't know what a soft heart he had.
"Yes, Doren. Just convincing my ex-husband it's time for him to leave."
"Don't think you'll get anything else from me. It's time to drop this ridiculousness." He turned and strode away, glancing back over his shoulder at Doren more than once until he reached his car.
"Seriously, Lila, you all right?" Doren asked, reaching out to turn her toward him. "I could hear him from inside. He's a little bully."
"I wish I would have realized that the first time around."
"We all make mistakes. Doesn't mean we have to pay for them the rest of our lives. You want me to call Mason for you?"
She shook her head. "No, I can walk home."
"You know that boy would do anything you asked, except let you go again, right?" Doren told her.
"I don't think it's quite that simple," Lila said, her voice breaking.
"You'd be surprised. Take away the fear of being hurt again, and it's just that simple. That fear makes us act like idiots."
She thought she caught a shadow of pain in his eyes at that, but she didn't know what it meant. "He's not the only one afraid," she said quietly. "Thanks, Doren, for everything."
She walked home but couldn't get Doren's words out of her head. She had to find a way to let Mason know he didn't have to be afraid anymore.
Chapter 29
Before
Mason pulled up in front of the Corelli house. He'd washed all the dirt and sweat from him after a day in the barns and hauling hay into the loft. And the blood. He'd been surprised at how much Kyle had drawn. He didn't remember his brother getting in any punches, but apparently there'd been at least a few. He had bruising along his ribs, and a darkening patch along his jaw. He worked it now and still felt the ache. It was worth it to know Kyle looked even worse. He made sure to keep that satisfaction off his face as he walked up to the door.
He knocked once then waited. He almost thought no one would answer. Then, the door finally opened, just an inch, Luca Corelli filling that space. "I'd like to speak to Lila, sir."
"Oh, now it is sir, is it? You finally decide to respect me, now it is too late."
His words twisted Mason's already bruised heart. It couldn't be too late, could it? He could still win her back. "I don't know what she's told you, sir. I know I owe her an apology. I'd like to speak to her."
"You're not welcome here, not anymore."
"I've never been welcome here."
"Will you two stop it?" Lila said, stepping into the room. "I could hear you arguing from the other side of the house."
Mason saw the small suitcase she carried. His bruised heart nearly stopped beating. "You're packing. I didn't think you were leaving yet."
Something passed through her eyes. A flash of something; sadness, grief, regret, then it was gone. "We have a show down by Pittsburgh. Then, yes, we'll be going back to Nashville."
"You were coming back up here after that show. We had more time."
"I was. You didn't want to spend more time with me."
"I don't want to share you with my brother. It's me or him, Lila. Never think I want to spend less time with you, though."
"If I'm with you, you won't even let me talk to him. If I do, I suddenly can't have you, either. What kind of choice is that?"
Fear ground in his stomach. He wasn't sure if he could even get the words out. "The one I'd ask you to make. I want you, Lila. I'll stand beside you until you figure out what you want. Hell, if what you want is in Nashville, I'll come with you. If you choose him, I can't be part of it."
Tears gathered in her eyes, but he couldn't let it sway him. He needed to stay strong, no matter how much he wanted to go to her. "I can't do it, Mason. I can't make a decision like that. Not right here on the spot. Besides it's not like it's unimportant."
His mouth nearly fell open. "You hardly even know him. How can he mean anything to you?"
"He's your brother. I feel like I know him through you."
Mason shook his head. "No. Because if you did, you wouldn't want to have anything to do with him. You don't know the things he's done."
Lila sighed and cocked one hip out, her hands at her waist, a sign of impatience, of frustration, and something that usually turned him on. Right now, all he could think was she was slipping through his fingers. He was losing her and he couldn't do anything to hold on. If he tightened his hold, he feared she'd slide right through and hate him forever.
"You're exaggerating again, Mason. He's told me. He made some mistakes, but you're jealous of him. He's always been able to get the girls and attention. Just because you want that doesn't mean you have to hate him."
Mason could only stare at her. Jealous of Kyle? How could she even think that? "He stole my last girlfriend from me. Charmed her away, and when he had her, he treated her like a pile of shit. Is that really what you want, Lila? Because if it is, I guess I'll leave you to it." He took a step back toward the door. The room closed in on him, and he needed to get out.
"Mason, please," she said, stepping toward him.
He shook his head. "No, don't, Lila. Call me when you've made your choice. I can't do this right now. I love you, and you don't even care."
The color drained from her face. He was already turning away. "You never said it." The words were barely above a whisper, but they still slammed into him.
He turned back at the porch steps. "You never heard me."
He went to his truck, ignoring her when she called his name again. He slammed it into drive, spinning gravel from under his tires as he pulled away from the curb. He couldn't think about the pain in her eyes, couldn't let it make him turn back around. He had to hope she'd open her eyes and choose him.
He was afraid he'd already lost her.
#
Lila stayed where she was as Mason drove away. Peeled away was more like it. She had never seen him like this before. What had happened to the easygoing boy she had been falling for? He had changed so suddenly, had become a sullen boy who couldn't control his temper. Ever since Kyle had come back to town. What was wrong with him? How could he hate his brother so much, when she'd give just about anything to have a sibling to share things with?
The first tear rolled down her cheek, and she turned away from the door. Her father stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest. "He left."
She nodded. "I'm sure that makes you happy, Daddy. You've never wanted him here in the first place."
He took a step toward her. "Because of this. I always feared he would hurt you."
She had to swallow past the lump in her throat. "I think I hurt him, too." He had said he loved her. He couldn't really, could he? They both knew it was impossible. "He wants me to choose between them."
"It is only fair." Luca came forward and wrapped an arm around her. "You cannot take them both. If you think about it, you will know what the smart choice is."
Despite the tears, a laugh nearly bubbled up from her throat. Her father had always been about making the smart choice. It had been the smart choice to take the recording contract she'd been offered at sixteen because she didn't know if she'd get another. It had been smart to break things off with Mason then because long distance relationships didn't work. It had been smart to get out of Nashville for a couple months because it wouldn't be so smart to let the media tarnish her image of the girl next door.
