Evening The Odds

Mason

I glanced over my shoulder and up the stairs to the still open door. I could see sunlight streaming out of it and could picture Laina still sleeping in my bed. “I don’t know yet,” I said.

“Bullshit. You’re into her.”

“Of course, I’m into her. I wouldn’t be doing this if I wasn’t. She’s the first girl since—” I stopped talking and shook my head. No sense in going there right now.

“Since Evelyn?”

I nodded.

Rick sighed. “Well, you’ve got good taste. I’ll give you that much. She’s a good girl, Mason. Try not to fuck it up, huh?”

“I’ll do my best,” I said.

“Speaking of Laina,” he said under his breath.

I twisted slowly around to look up the stairs. Laina was descending. Her thick mane of hair was curled wildly and tangled from sleeping. Her eyes were still a bit heavy, and her cheeks were flushed. She had on the same black jeans and black button-up she’d been wearing when she s