Ember by K.T. Fisher

right?” he asks. “But you were about to lay me down for even thinking about making her mine.”
    My jaw tenses as I realize I fell for his trick.
    Booker laughs. “She’s still yours, Mason, everyone fucking knows it, and if you were honest with yourself, you would as well.”
    Cole and Tate move away when they realize what Booker is actually doing.
    “You still love her,” Booker carries on.
    “That doesn’t solve everything,” I spit out.
    “It’s a start,” Tate offers.
    “Why is everyone so interested in my love life?” I ask them.
    “Come on, Mase!” Cole shouts. “Since she left, you haven’t been yourself!”
    “You really think I can just forget everything?” I shout back.
    Tate shakes his head, a sad look on his face. “You might not see it, but we all do.”
    “See what?” I ask.
    “Have you not looked at her properly?” Booker asks.
    “What are you talking about? Of course I’ve looked at her!” I shout.
    “No.” Cole shakes his head. “ Really looked at her? If you did, you would be able to tell she regrets everything she has done. She carries the weight of that around with her. It’s fucking obvious to see.”
    “So why haven’t I seen it?” I ask.
    They don’t say anything, and as they avoid looking at me, I realize why. I have seen it. From the first time I saw Roxie in Cole’s living room window, I saw that she was sorry and feeling guilt. I just probably chose not to acknowledge it.
    “You need to man up,” Cole demands.
    I nod my head and sit back down on the sofa. The guys are right. I don’t know what’s going to happen between Roxie and me in the future, but what I do know is that I’m not going to upset her again. I will do my best by her. Of course I still love her, I just don’t know where we stand. Loving her isn’t the answer to everything in this situation. I will watch over her. Make sure she doesn’t fall back into the same old dark path.
    With a new set of balls, I come to my senses. I might not be certain if we are still a couple, but she needs me right now, and I will be here for her.

Chapter Thirteen
    Roxie
     
    I can tell I am not alone and pretend to still be asleep. Last night I slept really badly. I kept wishing I could fall back to sleep, but with the weight of guilt troubling me, I was finding it a little hard.
    “I know you’re awake,” I hear Crystal giggle from beside me.
    “No I’m not,” I grumble, which only makes her laugh again.
    I roll over and crack my eyes open to see Crystal smiling down at me. God, why does she have to look so pretty first thing in the morning when I feel like crap? I’ve never been the girl who would wake up and immediately look presentable, however Crystal is just like that. Which is probably the reason why she doesn’t wear a lot of make-up: she doesn’t need it. But it’s completely different for me: I have to make sure I have concealer on to hide my dark circles and my trusty mascara. I do not like people seeing me without mascara and maybe some blusher too. Fuck it, I do not like people seeing me without my full face of make-up on, period.
    “How’re you doing?” she asks.
    “That’s a dumb question.” Ria says, appearing in the doorway.
    “Shit, it is. I’m sorry.” Crystal’s face scrunches up with worry.
    “No, it’s fine,” I reassure her. I look between the both of them. “Look, I don’t mean to be rude, but can I have some privacy?”
    I feel a little bad by asking for some alone time as they look let down, but I need it. Especially first thing in the morning.
    “Sure.” Crystal climbs off the bed and slowly makes her way out. Ria gives me a small smile before she turns around and joins her in leaving.
    I shut the door behind them and breathe in a deep and calming breath. My skin feels itchy and sweaty from the craving for alcohol. I just want to drown my worries away by drinking them far from me, but when I look down at my stomach the feeling lessons and together with my