Page 152 of Tell Me I'm Enough

Tyler’s gaze flicks over my shoulder, and his mouth curls. “Is that why?”

I look back to see Mason leaning against the house pillar, arms crossed, watching us. I catch his eye, and he gives me the smallest nod, a silent‘You’re okay, I’m here.’

I slowly turn back to Tyler. “What does Mason have to do with this?”

“I’ve seen the way you two look at each other.”

I fight to roll my eyes.

“I saw the way he was with you over Thanksgiving. What…you just went and replaced me with him that quickly?”

My cheeks burn, humiliation and fury tangling together.

“I didn’t replace you,” I say. “I’m not with anyone.”

Tyler laughs. “Sure.”

He looks back over my shoulder and gets louder now. “What does someone like him even have to offer someone like you? He’ll never know you like I do.”

Mason takes a step off the pillar and walks closer to us now. He moves to stand beside me, close enough that his shoulder almost brushes mine.

Tyler’s eyes narrow. “Who are you supposed to be? Her bodyguard. She’s safe with me. She doesn’t need your help.”

Mason’s voice is calm. Deadly calm. “Someone telling you that you need to let it go,” he says. “She said no. So just leave with whatever dignity you have left.”

Tyler huffs in disbelief. “This is between Simone and me.”

Mason doesn’t blink. “It stopped being between you and her when you decided to bring someone else into the relationship.”

“You’re so eager to get my leftovers, huh?”

The words hit like a punch.

He’s letting his mask finally slip, letting the cruelty replace the pleas after his ego has taken enough hits.

Mason’s expression doesn’t change. But I feel it—the way his body tightens. The way his jaw locks. He steps closer, not threatening, just close enough to make Tyler understand he’s serious.

“You never deserved her to begin with,” Mason says, voice low and steady. “You’re the only trash left from that relationship.”

Tyler cocks his head at Mason. “You think you’re some kind of hero, swooping in and saving the day for her?”

Mason’s mouth twitches. “No. I just think you’re just wasting her time, and she’s way too good to—” He looks him up and down, “do this kind of charity work.”

Tyler looks back at me, like he’s still trying to pull me into whatever twisted version of the past he wants me to remember.

“Simone,” he says, softening his voice. “Come on. Don’t do this. We’re—”

“We’re nothing, Tyler,” I tell him as the tears start to sting my eyes. “Not anymore.”

“I want to fix this.”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “You just want to try to undo the consequences ofyouractions.”

Silence stretches.

Tyler’s eyes flick to Mason again. Then back to me. “You’re gonna regret this,” he mutters.

Mason steps forward just a fraction. “She won’t. Now fucking leave.”