Page 93 of Coastal Rewind

I adjusted my shirt so it fell loosely around my hips and took a few steps toward my boyfriend who was crashing out over refreshments.

“Mason.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

He didn’t stop pacing.

“Mason.”

He stopped and turned toward me, a look of concern etched into his face. “When did you stand up? I’m supposed to help you. I missed it. Crap. I think I’m losing it.”

I walked up to him and placed a palm against his right cheek. He leaned into my touch and kissed my palm as he closed his eyes.

“I think you need a break,” I whispered. “You’ve been here taking care of me for a week and you need to go hit a ball with a bat or something because you’re driving me batshit crazy.”

His eyes flew open. “I’m driving you crazy? You almost died, Sunshine.”

I rolled my eyes. “That’s a tad bit dramatic.”

Mason’s jaw went slack but I leaned on my toes and kissed him before he could respond.

“What’s going on in that head of yours that’s making you spiral?” I asked against his lips.

Mason placed his hands on my hips but didn’t pull me into him. I appreciated the simple gesture since it definitely would’ve hurt but I also missed when his touch was a tad bit more possessive than protective.

“I don’t know how to handle this,” he said truthfully.

“Handle me having surgery?”

He shook his head. “No. Handle the unknown. I’m living in the moment with you. I’m trying here, but I’m going crazy not knowing if you’re leaving in a few weeks.”

Startled, I took a step back. “You think I’m leaving?”

“You never said you weren’t. We haven’t really talked about it.”

I picked up a pillow from the couch, launched it directly at his head, and keeled over laughing. It landed right in the center of his face with a thud.

“I said I love you, you big idiot. You’re unfortunately stuck with me now.”

He lunged for me and scooped me up into his arms. My head fell back as I gasped for air through my laughter.

“Say it again,” he growled into my ear.

I looked up into his eyes. “I love you.”

His smile was beaming. “I love you too, Sunshine.”

I leaned in to kiss him but paused when I heard a knock on the door. Mason didn’t bother to put me down as we walked to answer the door.

“I can walk you know.”

“You’re healing,” he said casually as he reached over to open the door.

My face fell mid-laugh when I took in my brother standing in our entryway. Mason placed me on my feet and took a step back, gesturing into the house.

“I’ll let you two talk. I have to go grab MJ from camp anyway.” He grabbed his keys and kissed my cheek as he passed to head out to his car.

I turned on my heels and stomped into the house, waving behind me so Owen followed. Once we got to the kitchen, I crossed my arms.

Owen held his hands up and looked at me with pleading eyes. “I’m sorry,” he blurted out.