Page 191 of Tell Me I'm Enough

She scoffs and shakes her head, then lightly slaps my arm. “Of course I care, idiot. Don’t you ever scare me like that again. You’re not allowed to leave me.”

If only she knew how much I’ve prayed that I never have to, even if I don’t deserve being around her in the first place.

43

Simone

I annoyingly listen to Mason’s voicemail for the third time.

“Hey, it’s Mason, I’ll try to get back to ya.”

I pull the phone away from my ear, staring at the stack of folders on my desk. I’m getting pissed off at this point.

Of course he doesn’t answer.

I press end and drop my phone into my purse, pushing my chair back. These heels are killing me, and I’m ready to call it a day. I just have to upload these documents to the case management software and put the files away, then I’m out of here.

Once I finally finish up and check in with the office manager, I quickly grab my things, desperate to get out of here and get some fresh air…and figure out what the hell is going on with my friend.

“Have a good night,” I say to everyone in the office, but no one even looks up. One of the paralegals just hums in response.

That’s it. That’s how I leave every day. I feel so unnoticed, unimportant, and very much replaceable around here. But it is what it is. This is my foot in the door to my dream career, and I’ll take all the grunt jobs for now.

As soon as I walk outside, my phone is back in my hand, calling him. It goes straight to voicemail again, and I huff in frustration, just staring at my phone once I’m in the car.

It’s been three days. Three days since Mason had to go to his court hearing, and three days since I’ve heard from him. No texts, no calls, no coming by the Gamma house looking for me…nothing.

I already know from the guys that, thanks to his dad, his charges were reduced to just reckless driving, and he basically got off with a restricted license and a slap on the wrist. And where that would thrill any other kid…I know it doesn’t thrill Mason. I know how much he hates his dad’s power plays. I know how much of a stand-up guy Mason is, and how he would rather face the consequences of his actions than owe his dad anything. But his dad has always cared more about their image than any ethics or rules.

I don’t know how I’m going to help him with any of this, especially when he won’t even talk to me.

Ever since the accident, he’s been…unraveling. At first, he couldn’t stop worrying about Tank—checking on him constantly, blaming himself, and spiraling pretty badly. But once Tank was cleared to make a full recovery, it was like the adrenaline wore off and all the thoughts took back over his mind, dragging him under again.

I haven’t seen him smile in weeks since the accident, haven’t heard that easy laugh I love. The last time I saw him was at our last philanthropy mixer on campus, the one where everyone had to dress business casual and pretend to be mature adults for the night.

He’d seemed better then, not great, but present, at least. Then he went completely quiet. At first, I was mad about it, hurt even. Now I’m just…scared.

I throw my head against the back of my seat, trying to figure out what I should do.

Looking back down at my phone, I shoot off a text to Lydia and Lani that I might be spending the night at the Gamma house, so they don’t worry, then I start my car with only one option left.

I pull out of the parking lot and head back to campus, gripping the steering wheel tightly so that my frustration has some kind of outlet.

If he doesn’t want to answer my calls, fine. Let’s see how well he can ignore me in person.

* * *

The Sig house smells like the constant remains of a party—beer, sweat, and boy.

When I walk in, a couple of the guys are in the pool room, music playing low from a speaker somewhere, and then in the main living room, a bunch of guys are sitting on the couch watching a game on the TV.

I walk over and place both my hands on the back of Tank’s shoulders, leaning my head down beside his. “How are you feeling?”

He reaches his hand around to me and smiles. “Doing alright. Better now that I’ve seen your face.” He shoots me a wink, and I shake my head.

“Recovering well?”

He nods. “Yeah. I’m a pretty tough cookie. And honestly, I’m loving this. I’d get in another accident just to keep all the attention I’ve been getting from the ladies.”