Almost Caught

The party noise faded behind us as Mason pulled me further down the wooden path that led toward the lake.

Neither of us spoke until we reached a small clearing where the trees blocked most of the light from the house. Only the moon and a few string lights hanging from branches lit the space.

Mason stopped and turned to face me. His breathing was still uneven from the almost-kiss.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I shouldn’t have done that back there. Not like that, when everything is still so messed up.”

I leaned against a tree, arms crossed, trying to steady my heart.

“You keep saying things like that,” I replied. “Big words. Then you pull away. Then you come back. I’m getting whiplash, Mason.”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated with himself.

“I know. I’m trying to figure this out too. Every time I see Kai looking at you, or Lila bringing you stuff… it fucks with my head. But it’s not just jealousy. It’s more than that.”

He took a step closer.

“I dare you to let me be your one and only. I promise I’m worthy… to hold in your arms. So come on and give me the chance… to prove I am the one.”

The words settled between us, heavy and real.

I didn’t know what to say. My chest felt tight. Part of me wanted to push him away. The other part that had been growing lately, wanted to pull him closer.

Before I could respond, a branch snapped nearby, we both turned. Kai stepped out from behind a tree, hands in his pockets, looking calm but clearly surprised.

“Well… that explains a lot,” he said, voice even.

Mason tensed instantly. “How long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough.” Kai’s eyes moved between us. “I came looking for Ezra. Didn’t expect to walk into… this.”

The air grew thick with awkwardness.

Kai gave a small, almost sad smile. “I get it now. The tension. The way you two look at each other when you think no one’s watching.” He looked at me. “Guess I really never had a chance.”

He turned to leave, but paused.

“Just be careful,” he said over his shoulder. “Not everyone at this party is going to be as understanding as me.”

Then he disappeared back toward the noise.

Mason let out a shaky breath. “Fuck.”

I stared at the spot where Kai had been.

Now someone else knew.

And the way Kai said “be careful” didn’t sound like a friendly warning.

It sounded like he knew something we didn’t.

Mason turned back to me, eyes dark with worry and something deeper.

“Ezra… what do we do now?”

I didn’t have an answer.

Now, our secret wasn’t just ours anymore. And I had a feeling the consequences were about to get a lot louder than either of us expected.

**********

Kai’s footsteps faded into the noise of the party, leaving only the sound of the lake water gently lapping against the shore and my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.

Mason stood there, breathing hard, staring at the spot where Kai had disappeared like he wanted to chase him down and shut him up. Then he turned back to me, eyes wide and full of regret.

“Fuck,” he whispered, running a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry, Ezra. I’m such an asshole. I keep doing this — pushing you, saying too much, then getting jealous when someone else looks at you. I know I’ve been messing everything up.”

He took a small step closer, voice dropping.

“I meant what I said though. All of it.” His eyes softened, almost vulnerable.”

He swallowed hard, looking nervous as hell.

 I wanted to say something, anything but my brain was a mess. 

Mason noticed. “I’m not trying to pressure you,” he said quickly, stepping back to give me space. “I know this is a lot. I know we’ve been hating each other for so long and now everything’s confusing. I just… I needed you to know how I feel. For real this time.”

I looked away toward the dark lake, biting the inside of my cheek. Lila’s face flashed in my mind — her shy smile, the way she looked at me like I was someone worth liking. Then Mason’s face — the jealousy in his eyes when Kai hugged me, the way he kissed me like he was scared I’d disappear.

I felt lost and uncomfortable like I was standing in the middle of two roads and both of them scared me.

“I… I don’t know, Mason,” I said finally, my voice coming out quieter than I wanted. “This is all happening so fast. One minute we’re fighting, the next you’re saying shit like this. And Lila… she’s been nice to me. I don’t even know what I want right now.”

Mason nodded slowly, like he was expecting that answer. He didn’t look mad. Just sad. Tired.

“Okay,” he said softly. “Take all the time you need. No pressure. I’ll wait. Even if it takes weeks… months. I’m not going anywhere.”

He gave me a small, crooked smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

“Just… don’t disappear on me again, yeah?”

I nodded, not trusting my voice.

He lingered for a second longer, like he wanted to say more, then shoved his hands in his pockets and walked back toward the party noise.

I stayed by the lake alone, arms wrapped around myself, staring at the dark water.

My mind was spinning with Mason’s words echoing.

Lila’s hopeful smile kept flashing. And I had no idea which way I was supposed to go.

Or if I was ready to choose at all.