Settling The Score

Part 28

Hey guys, thank you so much to everyone who's still reading! It means the world to me. I just want to make a quick shoutout to juliawarsoenke , DhaleeyaM and isabella__lynn for the votes and comments. You guys are amazing!

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"You sure you packed everything, baby?" My mom asked for literally the millionth time.

"I'm sure," I chuckled, planting a big kiss on her cheek. Bella was still sniffing as she stood behind my mom. I bent down in front of her.

"I'm gonna miss you, Leelee," she whispered with a sob. I gently wiped her red eyes.

"It's only two weeks Pumpkin, before you know it, I'll be back and it'll be like I never even left."

She didn't look convinced, so I added, "Plus, I'll be bringing back presents, so there's that..."

Her face immediately lightened up. My mom shook her head. "Really, Leelee. What kind of presents?"

"Well, you'll just have to wait and see," I chuckled as I ruffled her hair.

She giggled and then gave me a pout. "Come on," I laughed.

The three of us made our way outside to where Lucy and Carlos were waiting with her parents. Their minivan was already packed to the brim. I wondered if there would even be space for my two bags.

Since I've been doing nothing but mope around for the past week, Lucy invited me to go with them on their family vacation in Miami. At first, I had my doubts, but then I decided that some sun would do me good, and the chance to get away from everything.

Lucy already wore her short shorts and a beach hat, while Carlos stood at her side, smiling down at her like a lovestruck puppy. How was I going to survive a thirteen hour car ride with those two?

David greeted us and took my two bags to carry them to the car. I quickly gave my mom another hug and Bella a kiss on the head.

When I turned around, another figure stood there, leaning lazily against the minivan.

Mason.

My heart immediately did a 360-degree turn at the sight of him. I noticed he looked thinner than before, his eyes dark-rimmed. He still looked like a Greek god, don't get me wrong, but his appearance was enough to worry me, and I doubted I looked much better.

"Mason!" Bella squealed from behind me and before I could react she ran and jumped into his arms.

He let out a smooth, genuine chuckle that made goosebumps form on my arms. I hadn't realized just how much I missed that sound.

"Hey Princess," he said, "Fight any more dragons while I was away?"

He tickled her tummy and she was overcome by a fit of giggles. "Noo, no dragons," she said when he finally set her down.

I assumed the dragons had something to do with that very over the top bedtime story he told her a few weeks ago.

He took Bella's hand and lead her back to my mom while David still frantically tried to fit everything inside the car. Miranda was over talking to Carlos and Lucy, so no one noticed the little exchange.

I stayed silent, only watching Mason as he greeted my mom. "Hey, Mrs. Carter, long time no see."

Without looking at me he mumbled something that sounded like, "Hi, Leslie."