Tie My Heartstring's ❦

first love

Katie

We had gotten the house, days after placing an offer on it. As Hudson and I stepped into my current apartment, excitement bubbled in my chest. Alice was currently paying for the rent. I sent her money, paying her back for the month. I told her my new job helped me afford it now. Nothing more, nothing less.

Now Hudson and I were moving into a home together, It made everything seem more real. I'm sure he would bring up the proposal again, it made sense. We haven't talked about it since it happened. To be honest, I wasn't all that sure how to feel anymore. I think something was wrong with me.

The boxes piled high around us felt like promises waiting to be fulfilled. I nudged Hudson playfully, my laughter echoing in the empty space, when suddenly, a figure appeared in the doorway.

"Mason?" My heart sank as I recognized him. The last person I wanted to see here. It's been a minute since we last spoke.

"Hey," he said, his voice a mixture of surprise and something else I couldn't quite place. Hudson shifted beside me, tension radiating from him. "How's it going, man?" he asked, trying to break the awkwardness. Mason's eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the air felt thick with unspoken words. "I didn't know you were moving," he said, his smile not reaching his eyes.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his gaze. "Yeah, I'm sorry I haven't reached out. I've been so busy." My voice wavered slightly as I spoke the words that felt both exhilarating and heavy. At the sight of Hudson, Mason's smile faltered, and a flicker of hurt flashed across his face. "Oh. That's... great."

He paused, searching my expression for something, perhaps a hint of regret or nostalgia. Hudson's arm tightened around me, a protective gesture that only intensified the tension. "I'm the boyfriend," he said, going to shake Masons hand. I cringed as the words hung in the air, unwelcome.

Mason shook his hand, the sadness in his eyes deepening. "Yeah, nice to meet you properly. Really. I just... hope you're happy Katie." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving a heavy silence behind.

I felt a pang of guilt as I watched him go, memories of our time flooding back. Hudson's reassuring grip on my shoulder reminded me of the future we were building together, but doubts crept in. I glanced at Hudson, searching for reassurance in his eyes.

"This is our life now," he said softly, going to shut the door. Mason's parting words echoed in my mind, making me question everything. Hudson came striding back over to me. He digs his fingers into my arm. "Didn't know that was your type." "Maybe it is." I lift my chin.

"Is that so?" His lips curve in a smile, but it's more like a scary smile. I don't like it when he's all emotionless like this. It's a sure way to know that he's plotting something. "Yeah. I decided to keep my options open." I know I'm provoking him, but I don't mind. One moment I'm standing there and the next, he's grabbing me by the throat, his fingers pressing on the sides so that I'm unable to move.

"You need to learn when to shut the fuck up, Katie." I hit his hand and kick at his leg, but he barely allows me to move. "Let me go," I strain with the little breath I have left. "Understand this." He speaks so close to my face, his mouth almost touches my cheek. "There are no options for you other than me. If you insist there are, I will make you watch as I kill each and every one of them.

Something is definitely wrong with me. Otherwise, why the hell are his disgusting words and rough touch turning the temperature in my body up a notch? Maybe I'm as screwed up as he is. Maybe the reason I fell for him in the first place was because he speaks to the demented part of me I didn't know existed.