Reputation's Bloom

Chapter 41. Silent Night

Chapter 41

Mason

The car cut through the swirling snow, Mason gripping the wheel with a practiced focus, trying to keep the vehicle steady as the tires crunched over the icy road. Outside, the storm raged, but inside, it was a different kind of chaos.

"Now he's thinking about me, every night oh, isn't that sweet—I guess so!" Wendy and Lily belted out in unison, their voices high and unrestrained, echoing in the car's cabin. Their laughter followed, bubbling up like champagne, spilling over the blaring music.

Mason winced theatrically, casting exaggeratedly pained glances their way. "You two sound like penguins being tortured with nipple clamps," he muttered, shaking his head.

Lily shot him a playful glare, and Wendy burst into another peal of laughter, her eyes bright and crinkling at the corners. The sound filled the space, warming it more effectively than the car's heater. Mason's heart did a little flip he'd never admit to; seeing Wendy like this, her guard down and her smile wide, was a rare treat.

He couldn't help the grin tugging at the corner of his lips, even as he rolled his eyes. "I'm serious," he insisted, pretending to focus intently on the road, but his gaze kept darting back to Wendy. Her laughter was like music itself, turning the dreary, snow-filled drive into something electric.

Mason carefully navigated the winding, snow-covered road, the cabin finally coming into view through the thick flurry. The headlights cast long beams over the driveway, revealing fading tire tracks in the fresh snow. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a sleek, black car parked haphazardly right in the middle of the lot. It was parked at an angle, leaving no room for anyone else.

Mason gripped the wheel tighter, his jaw clenching as he pulled up to the edge of the lot, the tires slipping slightly on the icy surface. He put the car in park and glared through the windshield.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head with a mix of annoyance. "Seriously?" he muttered under his breath.

Wendy leaned forward, her eyes squinting. "Is that Theo's?" she asked.

"Who else parks like they own the place?" Mason replied. He unbuckled his seatbelt, throwing a glance at the back seat. "I'm going to go get his keys and move the cars. Levi will bitch like a motherfucker if he comes back and there's no space for his car."

"Do you need help?" Wendy asked. "You can move Theo's car and I'll move this one."

"Perfect idea!" Lily's eyes lit up. "You two should definitely work on this together. Alone."

"And what are you going to do?" Wendy raised her brow.

"I'm going to go inside and start my skincare," Lily said. "See ya'."

"Lily!" Wendy tried but the girl was already out of the car and hurrying up the stairs to the cabin.

"Slow down!" Mason yelled, rolling down his window. "Jesus Christ!"

Wendy watched Lily dash through the snow, her hurried steps leaving a trail of scattered footprints leading up to the cabin. The door swung open and closed behind her in an instant, disappearing into the warmth inside.

Wendy shook her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. "You care about her the most, don't you?" she teased, her gaze shifting back to Mason.

Mason's eyes followed Lily's retreating figure, a soft sigh escaping him as he rolled the window back up. His expression softened, and for a moment, he didn't say anything. Then, with a small, almost reluctant smile, he muttered, "It just comes naturally."

Wendy raised a brow, leaning against the seat. "Naturally? For the guy who pretends not to care about anything?"

He shot her a dry look, his mouth twitching at the corners. "Don't read too much into it." His voice was gruff, but the warmth in his tone betrayed him. "Stay in the car. I'll go get Theo's keys."