When Its Least Expected (30 page)

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hope that their parents would abandon the light show idea altogether.

She was dying to get home. She was dying to see Mason more than anything.

Harley glanced over at her grinning brother sitting across the dining room table from
her.

The same eager and hopeful expression was in her twins eyes. It was good to know she
wasn’t alone in her hopes.

“Yeah, Mom, we’re sure,” Harley replied, ready to jump for joy like a girl high on
life.

Hell, who was she kidding? She
was
high on life.

“Alright then, we’ll get up bright and early and leave in the morning. I know that
you’ve

got a party you wanted to go to anyways, so we should get home just in time for that.”

She jumped from her seat, running around table to grab her mother into a tight bear
hug.

“That’s awesome, Mom! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you, so, so much! Eek! I’m going
to call

Mason and tell him!”

“No problem, sweetie. I know that you guys are getting too old for those lights anyways,

so it’s not a big deal if we leave a day early.” Harley nodded excitedly, staring
over at David. He was rolling his eyes, but a smile just as big was on his lips.

She made it to the spare bedroom in record time, dialing Mason’s number from memory.

One ring, two rings, three rings … Where was he?

“Hello? Mason’s phone…”

Her glee shattered, and her eyes narrowed. Her heart kicked into overdrive as that
voice

pierced her ears, and just like that, all the extra energy she had vanished as the
unfamiliar feminine voice purred at the other end of the line.

She swallowed the burn in her throat. “Yeah, uh, is Mason there? This is Harley.”

“Um, Harley? Do I know you? I don’t think I know a Harley…” The girl giggled, and
the

sound clamored down onto her stomach, creating a tightness that wouldn’t go away.

“I’m Mason’s girlfriend. Who are you?”

“Girlfriend, huh? Mason doesn’t do
girlfriends
. Anyways, he’s not available to come to the phone right now. He’s, uh, a little …
preoccupied.”

Oh this bitch, who Harley was now assuming to be Kylee, was
so
going to get her ass kicked.

“Well, honey, he
does
do the whole girlfriend thing because he does it with me and has now for over a month.”
Harley grinned. She loved it when her bravado made an appearance. She gave herself
a mental high five. This girl had gone and messed with the wrong lady.

The girl laughed, and the noise grated on Harley’s one last functioning nerve. “Are
you

going to tell me where my
boyfriend
is, or are you going to sit there and act crazy?” She had the freaking audacity to
laugh harder; even more menacingly if that was even possible. Harley dug her nails
into her skin surely drawing blood.

Huh. Maybe the girl had a speech impediment and could only say minimal words.

“Oh, well, at least I’m not a crazy stalker like you are! Mason isn’t here right now,
and I
don’t
know where he is. I do know where he will be when he comes home though.” With that
last cryptic line, the girl hung up.

Well hot freaking damn.

She was speechless as she practically crushed her cell phone between her fingers.
Her

heart wasn’t about to let her take this lying down though, so she instantly dialed
Maisy’s cell phone. She didn’t answer either.

Frustrated, Harley stood and paced the room.

Maybe Abigail would know what to do.

Like the true best friend she was, Abigail picked up on the first ring. “Oh my God,
what’s

wrong? Is it David? Is he okay?”

“Jeez, Abs, calm down!”

“Well freaking-a, Harley, you
never
call when you’re out of town unless something is wrong. Now spill it because I have
a date tonight with that junior hottie Gavin. You know how I love to get my sexy on
before a date.”

Huh. So she’d moved on again. Nice.

“Oh yeah? So you’re actually going through with the whole dating a million dudes’
thing

then, huh?” Harley asked suspiciously, lying back down on the bed with a thump. She
kicked off her ballet flats and closed her eyes, but her attempt at relaxing failed
miserably as that Kylee girl’s words continued to play on repeat in her head.

“What else
can
I do, Har? He told me he didn’t want me. I’ve got to try and get over him otherwise
I’m gonna go crazy.” Harley sighed at the defeat in her best friend’s voice. Maybe
if she ran down to her brother’s room she could use her cell phone to beat his head
into thinking clearer. Then he could finally see what an idiot he was.

“I know how it is, Abs. Really, I do.”

“How would you know,
Miss I’m hopelessly in love with a surfer boy
? You two are the most swoon-worthy couple at Hillsdale, and you know what they say
– ya gotta keep up with the Benjamins.”

Harley giggled, plucking her bottom lip with her fingers. “Whatever, you freak.

Anyways, I’ve got big issues, and I need the help of my BFF.”

“Spill it, babe. What’s up?” Harley smiled. Abigail was her go-to girl, always and

forever.

The story spilled out of Harley’s mouth like ice cream melting down a throat, smooth
but

cold. It wasn’t the most pleasant feeling, but it was necessary to get to the good
stuff.

Abigail’s silence was deafening, but then her words when finally spoken were even
more

painful. “You mean to tell me that surfer boy has only screwed seven girls? That’s
it?”

Harley gaped, her mouth wide. “What do you mean,
that’s it
?” So much for a supportive best friend. How could she not see this as a big deal?

“Well, have you looked at your boyfriend lately? I don’t mean to be crude, but the
boy is

like sex-on-a-stick. What girl
wouldn’t
want to do him?”

“Okay, Abs, enough, please,” she pressed the palm of her hand over her eyes. Maybe

Abigail was right. Maybe that wasn’t such a big number after all. Ugh, if only she
had some experience herself. “Can’t you just, like, help me out a little bit here?”
Harley sat up along the side of the bed, unable to keep still. She stabbed her toe
into plush carpet in frustration.

“Okay, fine, you want my advice? Here it is. Kick. Her. Ass. That’s exactly what I’d
do.

Oh! And I’ll even throw in a bitch slap myself for free, if you’d like any help that
is…”

Harley laughed, shaking her head as she stood. “You’re crazy, Abs. I can’t
beat
her up.

She’s Maisy’s best friend.” She gnawed on her thumbnail contemplating the thought
anyways.

“Well, you know me. I’m always up for a little ass kickin’, so if you change your
mind,

you know where to find me.”

“What would I do without that illustrious mind of yours, Abs?”

“Not much, I’m sure! I’m like the cheese to your taco, girl. You’d never feel complete

unless I was right in the center of your shell!” Harley snickered. Jeez, only Abigail
could compare their friendship to Mexican food. “Don’t worry, Harley, seriously. Mason
cares about you a lot. He wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your relationship.”

Her attempt at reassurance worked for the moment. “Thanks, Abs. You’re the best friend

a girl could ask for.”

“Hell yeah I am, Har, and don’t you ever forget it either!”

She smiled widely, genuinely that time. A brilliant idea had formed in her head. She

bounced on her heels, two seconds away from letting out a
squee
of giddiness. Her family probably thought a kangaroo had taken up shop in the room
for as much stomping and bouncing as she’d done. “I’ve got an awesome idea, Abs.”

“Oh yeah? Me likey. Spill.”

“How about we go to Ava’s party together?”

“That sounds great,” her voice trailed off. “But what about Mason? Don’t you want
to go

with him?”

“I’m gonna surprise him at the party.”

Abigail snorted, “Oh
girl
, you sure you wanna do that? Um, guys and surprises usually don’t go hand-in-hand
you know.”

She grinned, “Of course! He’ll be stoked!” Well, at least she hoped so. Her shoulders

drooped. Okay, so her plan wasn’t perfect.

Dang it...

She sure as hell hoped Mason wasn’t like
most
guys…

“Mason, do you realize this is our first real party since moving to Hillsdale? I’m
so

pumped!”

“Yep, so
super
cool, mouse.” Mason cracked his neck to the side as he turned the radio up, hoping
to drown out the girls’ squeaking in the back seat. He was irritated as hell with
the whole idea of going to this party in the first place, but his sister was queen
of coercion. He had definitely been coerced.

“Oh and Kylee, I can’t wait for you to meet Aric. He’s so sweet, and I just
know
that you’ll love him!”

Maisy’s blabbering grew muted in his ears as they drove through town. He occasionally

caught sight of Kylee in the backseat staring up at him in the rear view mirror, a
deep-seated look of need was always there in her blue eyes, but all it did was disgust
him. In the past, Mason would never have had the heart to tell his sister that her
supposed “best friend” was nothing but a conniving bitch, but he was dangerously close
to doing just that.

Mason hadn’t been able to find his phone since the night before either, and when he
tried

to call Harley with his mom’s phone, it went to straight to her voicemail. He’d left
her a

message, in hopes that she’d call him back, but she never did. He missed her like
hell. It hurt his heart and ate away at his insides that they hadn’t talked since
Friday morning. He bit the inside his cheek.

One more day. Then all would be right again. Kylee would be gone, and he’d have his

little beast in his arms once again.

His car bumped and rattled as they finally pulled down the gravel road leading to
the

house. He cringed as the rocks assaulted his car, but his sister giggled, staring
over at him in amusement. He shook his head. Little brat. She could pay for the new
paint job then.

He did a double take, blinking furiously as the house appeared in front of them. The
place

was about the size of three of their Santa Cruz houses put together, and that was
putting it mildly.

It was huge, like something out of a historical civil war movie. Giant columns and
a white wrap around porch graced the length of the front, and the enormous front yard
held acres of giant trees and a landscape job his mother would die for. Crowds of
cars littered the huge driveway and grassy areas to the side. Mason sighed in relief,
thankful that the place was so far removed from the actual town.

“Wow, Mase, look at this place. It’s gorgeous!” Mason glanced at her in the mirror
as her

eyes practically lit up the dark car as she gazed ahead. Kylee on the other hand,
just yawned seemingly unimpressed.

She was the epitome of a spoiled bitch.

“Hah, this is nothing, Maisy. Don’t you remember the houses back in the Blueville

district? This place has nothing on those. Besides, this is in the middle of a freaking
forest, or is that corn? To me that’s just … nasty.” Mason rolled his eyes at the
city brat but almost laughed too at the irony of his thoughts. Was he turning into
a country boy after all?

“Well, I like it. Don’t you, Mason? And Ava’s super nice too, not like some of the

spoiled jerk-offs who live in Blueville.” Mason stepped out of his car, grinning over
the hood at his suddenly grown up little sister.

A year ago, she would never have dreamed of standing up for herself like that. It
amazed

him how time and a place could truly change a person.

“You’re right, Mouse. This place is pretty rockin’.” Mason reached his sister in front
of

the car, placing his hand on top of her head only to ruffle her blonde curls. She
yelled at him, smacking his hand away, but overall seemed to be fighting a grin herself.
It was good to see her so happy and content. It had been way too long.

Out of practically nowhere, sheets of rain began falling on top their heads. Maisy
hollered a “woo-hoo” while Mason swept her over his shoulder, taking off like a mad
man towards the

house. Kylee, on the other hand, trailed behind them, whining about getting her heels
stuck in the muddy grass.

“Take your shoes off, Kylee,” Maisy giggled, her head bouncing against Mason’s

shoulder. “That way you don’t sink so easily.” Vaguely, Mason heard Kylee in the distance,

saying something to the effect of “wasted two hundred dollar straightening hair job.”
He grinned menacingly to himself.

Thank you, rain gods.

Then thoughts of Harley and her curls slipped into his mind, and he grinned harder.
Now

that
was a vision he’d like to see wet, preferably in a white t-shirt.

Just one more day, man. Just one more day.

They reached the front porch, and Mason muttered a warning over his shoulders towards

Maisy before they went their separate ways. Man, when had he turned into such a
dad?
Maisy gave him the stink eye in return but managed a little wave too. Then she galloped
off, most likely in search of her boyfriend. Mason on the other hand, steered clear
of everyone, finding an empty corner on a couch. It was time to be anti-all people
for a few hours.

He chuckled quietly as he sank into the cushions. He used to be the life of every
party in

Santa Cruz. The guy who did keg stands and who drank shots like water too. Now, he
was

warning his little sister away from that very same shit. He shook his head. Their
dad would have been proud.

“Mason, get me a beer, would you? I’m
soo
thirsty…” Somehow unnoticed, Kylee had