Page 48 of Shamed
The fact that Mase turned up at the club the other night . . . It’s like he was there to solidify that voice. Making sure Ineverforget. How could I, anyway?
My stomach had dropped to the floor like a hundred-pound weight when I saw who he was. The worst kind of blast from my past.
I could hardly breathe when he was trying to figure out if he knew me. Each pass of his eyes over my face had my shoulders inching higher. Thank goodness, he didn’t realize who I was.
It’s been—or rather,he’sbeen on my mind ever since.
Why was he even there if it wasn’t to enjoy the women?
He gave me that card and told me to tell the girls, but was that the reason for his visit?
With a shake of my head, I leave my leaky kitchen to get my bag from the bedroom, then I grab my umbrella and put a jacket on over my sweater before stepping out into the rain.
My head is tucked low as I make the walk from the bus stop toTease. The umbrella keeps my upper body dry, but the puddles threaten to soak through my shoes.
It’s not until I’m mere feet away from the front of the building that I lift my head and see none other than Mase leaning against the brick exterior, hands buried inside his black hoodie pocket.
I quickly lower my umbrella, trying to cover my face before he looks my way, but I’m not fast enough. He turns his head and sees me a second before I’m out of view.
Maybe I’m lucky and he didn’t notice I’m the same woman from the other night. There’s a strong chance that he’s not even here for me. Either way, I don’t want to draw his attention to myself.
I hear his steps and keep going, attempting to rush to the staff entrance on the side of the building, but the sound of his voice halts me.
“Jennifer.”
Shit, shit,shit.
I don’t move again. Ican’t. I’m frozen to the spot. Paralyzed by that name.
He knows who I am. He figured it out, even after all this time and with my dyed hair.
I hear him approach from behind and close my eyes, waiting for him to say whatever he needs to.
Does he know what I did?
Does he know how rotten I am?
Did he think his friend was innocent?
I’ve managed to avoid seeing anyone from my past for the last couple of years, but I guess it was only a matter of time before it happened. And what better form of punishment is there than one of Jacob’s best friends finding me?
Opening my eyes again, I watch as Mase walks around to stand in front of me, his forehead puckered. “Itisyou.”
I swallow through the dryness, my chest and throat constricting. “It’s me,” I whisper. There’s no point in denying it. Whatever he wants to do to me, I will accept.
Mase’s eyes flitter across my face, relearning, dissecting, cataloguing the differences between now and the other night. There is no makeup accompanied by fake lashes and glitter.
“You do know who I am, don’t you?”
I nod, chewing on my lip. “Yes.”
“It’s been a long time. I mean, besides the other night.” He looks me over again. “You changed your hair.”
“Oh.” Instinctively, I reach up to touch it. “Yeah. Just wanted a change, I guess.” Such an awkward conversation.
It’s only sprinkling right now, and I watch as the droplets land on his head, clinging to his wavy black strands before he runs a hand through his hair and smothers them. It’s a little longer than it used to be, and his features have all transformedfrom that of a teenager to a man, filling out to complete a handsome package.
His lips press together, head shaking as he looks to the side, considering his next words.
