Beautiful One by Mary Cope Page B

walked through the door. I didn’t have time to respond. My eyes focused on a wide-eyed Melissa, and when I glanced at Mason, his stunned expression was locked on our clasped hands.
    â€œWhat’s going on? What are you doing here, Aidan?” Mason’s troubled tone was starting to sound annoyed.
    Aidan’s chair screeched as he got up. I felt the warmth of his hand leave mine as he pulled away.
    â€œI heard Liz was hurt, and I needed to talk to her.”
    Mason ran a hand through his hair as Melissa left his side to stand by me.
    â€œAbout what?” Mason’s unblinking eyes were locked on Aidan.
    Aidan approached him. “This doesn’t have anything to do with you, Mason.”
    Melissa and I both watched the tension build between them. Mason took a step forward.
    â€œYeah, I think it does. When I walk in here and see you holding hands with my sister? It has a lot to do with me.”
    â€œI care about her.” Aidan glanced at me then back to Mason.
    â€œSure ya do.” Mason smirked.
    â€œYou can be such a jerk sometimes.” Aidan bit back.
    â€œMe? I’m not the one who sleeps with anything with a pulse. And if you think my sister is going to be the next…”
    â€œStop it!” I cried. All eyes focused on me. “I can’t listen to this right now. Please, just stop,” I begged.
    The room was silent. Melissa had to move out of the way when Aidan walked boldly to my bedside. He leaned down, the warmth of his breath against my ear then whispered, “Just think about what I’ve said.”
    The words lingered through my mind as Aidan gently kissed my head. He brushed past my scowling brother and exited the room.
    Mason took a few calming breaths before he approached me. “What the… Liz. I don’t want you with Aidan… you know how he is. He treats girls like crap.”
    Melissa stroked his arm and told him to calm down. Mason didn’t seem to hear her.
    â€œTell me what’s going on.”
    My eyes welled with tears. I was in no mood to fight with Mason, especially since I knew he was right.
    Melissa grabbed Mason’s arm harder. “Mason! Leave her alone. You can talk about this later.”
    â€œI need some air.”
    Melissa and I watched as Mason stalked from the room. She turned back to me and gave my hand a firm squeeze.
    â€œAre you okay?” Melissa asked as she comforted me with a sympathetic smile. “What happened?”
    Unsure if she was asking about the dogfight or Aidan, I again retold my experience of earlier that day. An awkward silence was between us, but knowing how inquisitive Melissa was, I started in before she had time to ask me any questions.
    â€œI wanted to tell you about Aidan, but knowing how you felt about him, I just couldn’t. I was trying to figure things out on my own. I was doing pretty good with everything, until now.” I sighed. “Now I don’t know what to do.”
    Melissa was absorbed in my words. I filled her in on every detail leading up to that day. She leaned back in her chair and exhaled.
    â€œI’m just worried about you, Liz. What if you decide to give Aidan a chance and he hurts you? Do you think he can change?”
    â€œI don’t know, Melissa. I still need to talk to him.”
    My parents walked in the room. Dad was holding a bunch of balloons, and Mom was holding a bag. Melissa got up, but I reached for her arm, and she leaned in close.
    â€œCould you fill Mason in on everything? He might take it better coming from you.”
    â€œI’m not so sure about that, but I’ll do my best.” She said goodbye to my parents and me then left the room.
    A few minutes later Mason came back and approached my bed. My dad was tying the balloons to a table and my mom was pulling out clothes and toiletries from the overnight bag.
    â€œI’m sorry I lost my temper. I just want the best for you, and I don’t think Aidan is