Intercepted (New Hope #1)

CHAPTER FIVE

Mason

With careful guidance from Jessica, Mallory's mother, I've managed to prep the kitchen to make chicken cordon bleu.

It's a Saturday evening in the middle of October. Jessica is mixing the egg wash in a bowl, Aidan is working on his math homework at the dining table, Grace is scrolling through TikTok, and Blake is tossing olives at my face. I barely even register his pestering. I'm too focused on my own inner turmoil.

Mallory is upstairs getting ready for her first date with Daniel Higgins, Grace's choir teacher.

I pound the meat mallet into the chicken breast.

"Not so hard, Mason." Jessica pats me on the shoulder. "The bird is already dead, for goodness's sake."

While Mallory's father hates my guts for getting his little girl pregnant, Jessica Robinson is like a second mother to me. At least, she was. I moved into the Robinson home as soon as Mallory started showing. We weren't allowed to sleep in the same bedroom, but it was important I show my solidarity with her decision.

I was there for the morning sickness and the mood swings. I was there to rub her swollen feet while her dad yelled at the television whenever the Eagles lost a game, which was often in those days. I finished Mallory's homework when she was too tired to keep her eyes open.

Jessica was always watching. Much like Grace, she caught on pretty quickly to the way I felt about Mallory. She knows I've been in love with her for over half my life, but like the rest of our mixed family, she also knows I'm a fucking idiot.

When I hear footsteps on the stairs, I do a double take. My stomach erupts in flames of desire, which are quickly dampened when I remember Mallory hasn't dressed up for me.

She's wearing high-waisted, black skinny jeans and matching heels, as well as a white, sleeveless crop top and a thin scarf. It's wrapped tightly around her neck, the end disappearing between her cleavage, which is on full display. Her willowy curves leave nothing to the imagination, but I suppose that's the purpose of her outfit. She's completed it with a high ponytail and nude lip gloss.

My heart pounds with dread, jealousy like an angry dragon in my belly. I've got a migraine forming between my temples, and my hands are starting to shake. When Mallory enters the kitchen to say goodbye to Jessica and the kids, I find it impossible to bite my tongue.

"Did you raid our daughter's closet?"

Grace is the one who answers, giving Mallory a peck on the cheek. "I steal clothes from Momma, not the other way around. She has impeccable taste."

She has impeccable tits.

Jessica pulls her daughter in for a hug. "You look beautiful, honey."

Mallory thanks her, then says goodbye, carefully avoiding my glare. She assures Aidan that she'll have her phone on her and tells Grace she'll be home by eleven. I listen avidly, seething on the inside. I taste the ashes of my many mistakes in my mouth. I may as well be breathing fire.

When Mallory opens the front door, I yell, "Put on a coat!"

She pauses to answer before leaving. "It's seventy-five degrees, Mason."

She's right. It's unseasonably warm for this time of year. I've never been more upset to see a nice, sunny day in my life.

Jessica places her hand on mine. "Mason, you're mutilating the chicken again."

I push the cutting board aside, addressing Grace. "How are you okay with your mother dating your teacher?"

Grace shrugs. "Because it's obviously upsetting you, and reality television just isn't doing it for me anymore."