Behind the Bad Boy

16.

The pic on the side is Mason's little sister, Annabella.

"Mason?" Dad calls the second I walk in the door after school Friday. I walk into the kitchen where he's flipping through a cookbook. Melly said yes but she wasn't at school today because it's apparently her cousin's birthday so they were in San Francisco for her birthday party. She's so lucky her parents just let her miss school like that. My Dad won't let me miss school unless I have a fever, and even then, it's iffy.

Not like I listen to that, but still.

I have a bond with my father that most guys would envy. He's like my best friend. I am a proud Daddy's boy.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"I was thinking," He begins. "Now you've got a girlfriend..." he trails off. "Is this girl perhaps the same girl you've been crushing on since fourth grade? The same girl that you fight for?" he asks.

"Uh...yeah." I admit.

He smiles. "I'm proud of you, son. You finally got the girl you've wanted all your life."

I smile. "Yeah, why do you ask?"

He flips the page in his cookbook.

"You've been in love with this girl since you were ten years old. That's eight years. You fight for her. I want to meet her, of course."

I gulp. "You want to meet her?"

"Of course I want to meet her. Why? Is that bad?"

"I don't want to scare her off." I reply.

"Well if she's as amazing as you say she is then I'm sure you won't scare her off. Invite her over for dinner tonight."

"Alright, what time should I tell her to come over?"

"Well we want Bells home, so how about...say...five. Tell her to come over any time between three and four."

"That early?' I ask.

"Do you want to spend less time with her?" he asks.

"Good point." I say. "What should I tell her to wear? She's going to ask."

"Tell her she shouldn't have to worry about her clothes around me and your sister. Tell her I want her to come here being herself."

I laugh. "Will do, Dad." I head off to my room.

Stella must've heard my voice, because she comes barreling in from the doggy door. She launches herself at me and I catch her, heading upstairs to my bedroom.

I set Stells on my bed and grab red boxers with a gray rim that says Hanes on it; I grab a white muscle shirt, and then a pair of light wash blue jeans. I go into my bathroom and strip down, starting the shower.

I decide to tease Melly a bit and I call her.

"Hello?" she asks.

"Well hello gorgeous." I smile, even though she can't see me.

"Mason." She breathes.

"I missed you today." I say.

"I missed you too." She admits.

"Are you back home?" I ask.

"Yeah, I got home like a half hour ago." She says.

I nod to myself.

"What are you doing tonight?" I ask.

"I'm eating Nutella and watching Netflix." She says. I smile.