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"Awesoave us a wicked grin "Hop your asses over the fence and let’s get going"

When they headed back to the house, as I cliht you weren’t being social"

"I wasn’t" As he climbed next and landed beside et" I pounded hiht Mousteff can handle Logan for oneone, and then come hunt you down I doubt your chef will have a clue you’re both gone"

"Yeah" I sighed I should go back, in case Logan woke up, but I wanted one night away I’d go back to handling everything toet that my life was a mess

4

HELEN LEAVES

"Mason"

It was aShe had returned to pack her things Her personal luggage was the last to go, but those had been taken an hour ago It was only her and a purse now I sighed deeply and pushedmy pen, I looked at her My aveonto her bag, she readjusted her sunglasses before giving me a forced smile As she spoke, her tone hitched on a sob "I’ to yell, wanting to throw shit, wanting to burn this fking house down Instead, I shoved back in"That’s the goddahed I heard the pain in her voice, but she tried to tease me back "It’s a purse"

I took it froain, but I heard the sadness in it She led the way down the hallway to the front door When we got there, she turned I handed over her bag and she placed it on the floor next to her I didn’t have to look to know she had a car waiting for her The rest of her belongings had gone the day before She sighed "Logan’s on another date?"

I nodded and looked away "I told hiain "He was here when all your shit was going I’ll bring hihed softly, "I suppose it’s for the best It ht be traumatic for a child to see one of their parents leave" She took another pause as she looked at me Then she lifted a hand and cupped the side of my face I didn’t move I didn’t flinch I didn’t look at her She rubbed a thuestures that a mom did She said, "I’m so sorry, Mason You’ll be sixteen soon and you have to deal with this"

I refused to cry I didn’t think I had the capability anyed out of her hold "Whatever As long as you and Dad are happy" I tried to smile, but fk it I couldn’t "It’da step back "I am sorry, Mason I did try, but your father…"