Huge thanks to 2brown—eyes!


Where Do Broken Hearts Go—Whitney Houston

"What's up with you tonight?" Mase asks, his lips at my ear as we sit on a log that's just on the edge of where the firelight reaches. Usually, I'm dancing my ass off with my girls, but I'm not feeling it. At all. "Are you still upset about the other night?"

I wish I could tell him that I'm not, but I am. The other night was an eye-opener, and I don't know if I can go back and pretend. Mase is amazing. When his gaze is turned to me, it's hard not to just smile and be happy, but it's only temporary. When I'm alone, my heart aches for another.

With Alice's words from earlier ringing in my head, it's hard to think about anything else. Even with sexy Mase aiming his sea-green eyes my way.

"I don't know what's wrong with me." It's the least hurtful thing I can say. "I might be coming down with something."

"Do you want me to take you home?" He's so thoughtful and nice; there's nothing but genuine sincerity in his tone.

I meet his eyes. "Maybe? I don't know. Let's give it a bit longer, and if I'm still feeling off, I'll get you to run me home."

"Works for me." He holds up his can of Coke. "I've stayed sober just in case."

"Mase." My voice breaks a little at the thought of him being so intuitive. "You didn't have to do that. I could've found a ride."

"I wanted to," he says, bumping my shoulder with his. "In my country, it's what a bloke does when he likes a girl."

I smile because I can't help it. He's so cute and sweet and a fucking catch for the ages. "I like you too."

He stares at me for a long few seconds. "Just not enough, eh?"

My eyes fall, trailing to the fire like it's the most fascinating thing in the world. "Does it matter? We both know this isn't meant to last too much longer anyway."

"Is it gonna make it 'til the end of summer?" His tone is low and soft.

My stomach drops, and tears prick my eyes. "I don't know, Mase." I meet his patient gaze. "Is that okay?"

He leans in and presses a kiss to my lips, then he smiles as he pulls back. "I'll be happy with whatever time I get."

I brush his cheek. "You're too sweet."

"Yo," Emmett calls, interrupting our moment. He holds up a blunt. "You two puffing or what?"

Mase looks at me to decide.

I shrug. "I could smoke."

"Cool." He stands and holds out a hand to help me up.

I take it with a smile.

After I'm on my feet, Mase turns to lead the way.

And that's when it happens.

I catch Edward's glare.

It stops me cold.

My heart drops to my stomach.

He's perched on a log on the other side of the fire. Bree is nowhere to be seen. His fingers are wrapped around the neck of a bottle of Smirnoff.

Despair rockets through me.

He looks exactly like I feel.

This isn't what I want.

I don't look away.

I can't.

Until Mase blocks the view.

I shake off the funk, and my eyes trail from his bare chest up to his inquisitive eyes. "Uh. Sorry."

"Is everything okay?" His brows are puckered when he turns to see what the problem is, but they've smoothed out when he faces back toward me. "I see."

"I'm … sorry," I say, unsure if an apology is even worth it at this point. "I think I am ready for that ride home."

"Let me get Jasper's keys," he says, bobbing his head. "Are you gonna be all right here?"

I draw my arms around my stomach and nod. "I'm good."

"Be right back." He's gone in a blink.

In the background, Whitney sings about broken hearts finding their way home, and my chest clenches at the true-to-life lyrics. It takes me another twenty seconds before I allow my eyes to trail back to where Edward is settled.

He's still there.

Where do broken hearts go?

Can they find their way home?

Only Bree's in his lap.

And he's smiling at her.

But when she leans close whisper something in his ear.

His eyes trail to me.

Back to the open arms

Of a love that's waiting there

And if somebody loves you

Won't they always love you?

I look in your eyes

And I know that you still care, for me (ooh baby)

And he smirks.

It's not a cocky smirk, though.

It's cold.

Resentful.

And it hurts.


So, I read this chapter this morning and thought, damn, perf chapter for the title song, which forced me to check through to see if I'd used it yet in this fic. Looks like no, so here it is.

But mannnn, I had to skim coming chapters and I love when I read stuff and be like, oh damn, girl, that's good in my head, so I hope you all feel the same!

See you tmr :)