Sooo a lengthier chapter to makeup for how short last chapter was!
GUYS WE MADE #31!!!! I ACTUALLY CANT BELIEVE IT!!
Thank you so much to all of you, everyone who reads, votes, comments and supports me, it really is a massive game changer for me.
I would love to hear from everyone, if possible, what your fave moments are from this book. I read every single comment everyone posts and so far that has been over 700.
Another note, my next chapter will be up Wednesday 31st AEDT (that is, Australian Eastern Daylight Time) so if you need to figure out when that is just hop into google and it'll tell you :) xxx
Enjoy!
"Any news on your pending expulsion?" I asked Mason, as I traced patterns on his bare chest early in the morning. He was staring out the window at the sun that had made its appearance as of yesterday. The weather was starting to get a little warmer during the day, a sure fire sign that spring was on its way, however in saying that, it was still freezing at night and I'd complained to Mason that he'd get sick again if he didn't start wearing more clothes to bed. But, somehow he was still stifling hot every time I touched him in the night.
Yeah, that's cause he's as hot as fire that sexy human bei-
"No not yet, although I did get a text from Ross telling me to 'be careful and watch my back'" he rolled his eyes.
He played it cool but I could see the strain it put on him at the thought of being expelled. In his eyes, and truthfully so, if he lost his place at this uni it would be unlikely that any other unis would accept him and he wouldn't be able to achieve his degree nor get the job he wants.
I snuggled into his side and his arms wound a bit tighter around me.
"Care to take my mind off it?" He smirked down at me and wiggled his brows causing me to restrain a giggle.
I pressed my lips to his and he attempted to deepen the kiss but I pulled away, getting out of bed and pulling a jumper over my head.
"Your sister is in the next room probably awake and wanting breakfast." I smiled at him, walking out the room towards the kitchen before skidding across the floor boards to poke my head through the door and wink at him.
"Later."
Frying up a load of bacon and a few eggs for the three of us along with some toast and tomatoes I plated everything up and poked my head in to see Mason asleep again.
Smiling, I moved to the next bedroom and knocked before entering.
"Morning Ashley," said Claire softly, a smile adorning her face.
"Morning Claire, how are you?" I asked, going over and sitting beside her.
"I'm tired," she giggled, "I haven't had as much fun as last night in a long time." There was a hit of sadness in her voice and I looked at my hands, understanding that she didn't only mean since her accident.
"I've made bacon and eggs for breakfast, are you hungry?"
"Starving." She grinned and I laughed, standing to go wake Mason but she stopped me when I reached the door.
"Ashley before you go, I wanted to say thank you for making Mason so happy. I know he doesn't always wear a smile on his face but I can tell he's changed and you've helped do that." She said sincerely. I smiled back at her. "He's happy." She whispered.
Her words recited themselves in my head as I crawled on top of Mason and brushed his hair from his forehead.
I pressed my lips to his and waited for him to stir.
"Breakfast is ready." I whispered when he groaned sleepily. He shocked me by gripping the back of my neck forcefully and pulling me into a passionate kiss.
When he pulled away, I was hot and bothered and very light headed.
He pulled himself out of bed, pulling on a pair of tracksuit pants and smirked at me.
"That's exactly how I feel in the morning." He nodded at my flushed state and left to get Claire.
Breakfast was spent playfully arguing with each other - Well, Mason and Claire argued while I sat and watched, thoroughly entertained.
Mason cleaned up breakfast and mentioned something about going to the store to get milk, so Claire and I sat on the couch to watch a movie while we awaited Mason's return.
Roughly half way through dad called me, so I excused myself to answer him.
"Hey dad, what's up?"
"Hello, Ashley bear, I just thought I'd remind o of the family get together is next weekend to celebrate everyone's birthdays."
Each year, rather than get together with everyone every birthday we did one massive get together that was very much like Christmas. Everyone would be assigned a person, much like secret Santa only we actually knew who was giving us our gifts. It was efficient but tricky as hell and we had a hundred pound spending limit making it even harder.
"You've got me, and your cousin Daniel has you. This year it's at our house so don't be late! Perhaps you could come and stay a few days earlier if you can get it off for uni?"
"Yeah that sounds like a great idea, thanks dad." I said, picking at the edge of my nail after writing down all the important details.
"Perhaps you could bring Mason as well?" I sat straighter in my chair. He almost sounded hopeful, could this be the end of the boyfriend interrogation period? I think so.
"Maybe... actually speaking of Mason, thank you so much for helping him out, dad." I said, lowering my voice and peering through my open door to make sure Claire couldn't hear me.
"I know you didn't have to give him the job but I really am grateful. It's going to make things a lot easier with his... home life."
"It was nothing, dear, listen I've got to get going but I'll talk to you soon." He hung up and I returned to Claire who was intently watching 27 Dresses with a smile.
Mason returned soon after and rolled his eyes at the screen.
"Don't you guys ever watch anything real? Like something with guns and cars?" He asked, as Claire and I blubbered at the screen.
"How can you say that?" I questioned, wiping under my eyes as Jane finally got the man she deserves.
"Yeah Mason, just because you've always said you don't want to get married." Stated Claire whom I don't think understood that her proclamation made the air tense between Mason and I.
"Uh... what? I've never said that." Denied Mason, avoiding my gaze and gawking mouth.
"Yes you have, you used to say it all the time." Argued Claire, still unaware of the tightening of my chest and lack of air in the room.
"Yeah well, that was before, you know, before I -" he mumbled something that not even a lip reader could understand.
"What?" Questioned Claire almost as demanding as Mason.
"That was before I fell in love and actually understood the meaning of marriage." He fiddled with the cutlery drawer and I could see his cheeks and ears turning pink with embarrassment.
An involuntary smile adorned my face and Claire simply snorted at Mason's response.
I tried to hide my smile but couldn't stop it from forming on my face. I was grinning like a small child and felt like an idiot.
Later on in the day, Mason received a letter from the university that was requesting him to meet for a hearing with the dean and the person in question - Dr Ross.
"I'm not going." Said Mason flatly, throwing the letter on the desk. I picked it up and read over it again.
"Are you trying to make everything worse for yourself?" I crossed my arms. Why did he have to be so macho and impossible. "If you don't go there's a 100% chance that you will be expelled. You can't afford to have that happen, Mason."
"You don't think I know that?" He gestured towards me in frustration and began his traditional pacing.
"Well obviously you don't if you think you can not rock up to this hearing."
"Don't talk to me like that." He balled his fists up by his sides and sat down angrily on our bed, glaring at me.
"You know, you can have this bad boy facade in public but not with me. I won't tolerate it so cut it out." I sat down next to him and his eyes softened at my words, fully opening himself up to me and bringing his wall down.
It was times like these where I could really see who he was, where I could see the Mason that was within. I saw that he was scared and vulnerable and I wanted to be able to fix it.
"I'm a failure aren't I? I let my temper get the better of me and it always ends up like this."
He hung his head defeatedly and I scooted closer to put my arms around his neck, pulling him in close.
"We'll get through this, I'll help you and when you turn up to this hearing," I waved the paper in front of him, "you're not going to be a total ass and you're not going to smart mouth anyone because they'll see that you're a good person who was frustrated at the time and made the mistake of taking it out on an undeserving person."
"He did deserve it though." He countered like a child and I laughed, pulling back to kiss his cheek.
"Yes but to them, you're a smart boy who was struggling... I think we should buy you an outfit for this."
His face dropped in surprise, but like a flash he had me pinned underneath him.
"What? Why?" He questioned pressing his lips to my neck . "You don't like me this way?"
He whispered in my ear. I chuckled and put my fingers through the belt loops of his jeans
"No, I do. They won't. Let's get you a dress shirt and some pants." He scoffed at me, so I pulled him closer by his jeans and he grunted as he was pressed against me.
"I love your leather jacket, black jeans and shirt... but you need to look presentable and trustworthy." I whispered, grazing my teeth against his ear. "That way you can be sexy and smart, and sexy and badass."
With Claire staying with us the days went so quickly. I think it was good to spend some girl time as well for me, and for her she and Mason it was great for them to actually spend quality time with one another.
"Oh I completely forgot," she chirped in the middle of dinner. "I meant to thank you Ashley," she said and I looked at her confused.
"Thank me for what?" I asked politely.
"For asking your dad to give Mason a job so he could earn more money," she said, clearly not understanding the implications of what she just said.
Dun dun duuuuuuuuuuun!!!!!
Can't wait to hear from you! Love you guys so much xxxx