CHAPTER 11

 

Joel stared at Lucas, not sure what to say. His blood was pounding in his ears, making it difficult to think. If he opened his mouth now, there was a great risk he’d say something he’d regret later. He was just that angry. Lucas’ expression had gone from vicious to devastated within fractions of a second, but when he opened his mouth as if to say something, Joel put his hand up, pointing it at Lucas.

“Just shut up!” Joel spoke through gritted teeth, shaking his head. He could hardly stand to look at Lucas right now. “I’m so mad at you right now. Don’t think we’re done here, but Mason needed someone tonight and he chose me. Me! I’m going after him. Alone!” He turned and walked towards the door to leave.

“Joel, please don’t go. I’m sorry… I didn’t mean it…” Lucas pleaded with him, but it only served to make Joel angrier. Without another word, he grabbed his coat, put on his shoes and walked out of the apartment.

“Joel! Please, Joel. We should talk…”

Lucas’ desperate plea followed Joel out the door. He couldn’t believe what Lucas had just said. Or at least implied. What the fuck had just happened? Inside, he was in an uproar, but he pushed his feelings down. The focus now had to be to find Mason.

As he stepping out onto the street, the cold wind hit his face. Despite the street lights, it was too dark to see anything clearly at a distance. Looking up and down the street searching for Mason proved fruitless. The boy was nowhere in sight. In frustration, Joel began walking in one direction, just on a hunch. It felt better to do something instead of nothing. Soon he realized he was headed towards the ice rink. It was as good a guess as any. In times of stress, many people and kids, in particular, sought out a place they knew well and considered a refuge. Joel couldn’t think of any place Mason would feel more secure in than at the rink.

As he walked, his phone kept buzzing in his pocket and he knew Lucas was trying to reach him. Since he was in no mood to talk to him, he turned the phone off without answering. To think Lucas doubted him was unbelievable and it hurt something fierce. Didn’t he know him better than that? Was this what they had become? Two distant strangers out of touch? Out of love? The stinging in his eyes made it even more difficult to see anything and he forced himself to stop the painful thoughts in his mind. He had to focus on finding Mason.

When he got to the rink, he stopped and tried to figure out where Mason could be. The rink was locked at night and there was no way to get in as far as he knew. He didn’t have his key, either, so he couldn’t let himself in to look around. After giving it some thought, he decided simply to walk around the building hoping some opportunity would present itself. As he came round to the side not visible from the street, he noticed a window slightly ajar. Deciding to take a chance, he approached the window. It would be a tight fit, but he would try it anyway. After a slight jump and some awkward climbing, resulting in scraped knees against the concrete wall, he got most of his upper body inside, but he still had trouble getting his arms through. He felt silly hanging there and prayed he wouldn’t get stuck until morning. To be found in this position by the janitor would be humiliating beyond words.

To do something other than dangling, he started to wriggle his body from side to side and noticed he was indeed progressing. Inch by inch, he moved farther inside. There was a bit of a drop, and he might get a few scrapes on his face if he couldn’t get his arms up fast enough when he tipped over, but if he could find Mason it would be worth it. He just hoped he didn’t knock out a tooth. He had done that enough during his hockey career and didn’t feel like doing it again. Just as he started to tip over, he managed to get his arms and hands free to catch himself. He still landed pretty hard, but without any serious injuries.

As he got up he brushed off his clothes. Then he stood quietly and just listened to try to figure out where to go. His instinct told him to go to the locker room, so he headed that way. At the far end of the corridor leading up to the locker room, he saw a light. It came from under the locker room door and seeing it made Joel realize he just might have been right. When he stood outside the door, he took a few moments to gather his thoughts. He wondered what would be the best way to approach Mason. Being honest and just being there for the boy had worked so far, so he opted for that tonight as well. After knocking on the door softly twice, he entered the room. Even though he was hoping that he was right about his guess, seeing Mason in the locker room was still an immense relief. Mason was OK.

The boy sat curled up in a corner with his arms around his legs. When he heard Joel enter, he looked up at him, appearing both startled and relieved to see him. They remained quiet for a while, looking at each other. Neither seemed to know what to say, but Joel figured he had to be the adult tonight and approached Mason.

“Hey…” Joel sat down beside him. “You left. I was worried.”

“I…” Dipping his head again, Mason spoke into his knees. “I heard you fight. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause any trouble...”

“Don’t say that. You’re no trouble. It’s just Lucas was a bit surprised to find you there.” Joel tried to downplay his fight with Lucas, making it seem less terrible than it really was. He hoped Mason hadn’t understood what Lucas had been hinting at.

“But he thought we… He thought we were…” Mason’s sad eyes met his for a moment before dropping again.

So Mason figured it out. Clever boy. Joel felt a flare of anger towards Lucas surge through him. It was one thing to accuse him. To let Mason hear his crazy, jealous fabulations was inexcusable. 

“He knows what he said isn’t true.” Joel was surprised to find he somehow just knew Lucas had lashed out in anger without actually believing his own accusation. He looked down at his own knees, preparing to confide in Mason something he had barely said to anyone. ”Lucas and I… We’ve had some issues lately. It’s not so bad, but we need to work some things out. Tonight, it sort of got out of hand. It’s got nothing to do with you.” Joel put his arm around Mason’s shoulders giving him a half hug, pulling him close. “He works a lot and we don’t see each other enough at the moment. It’s been hard on us…” Hearing him say the words out loud made it so clear he was having this conversation with the wrong person. He shouldn’t have it with Mason but with Lucas. Again. And not give up until they had reached a resolution. The only problem was when to find the time.

“I should just go home.” Mason was back to hiding behind his knees.

“No, you don’t have to do that. I’m not sure I want to go home though. I’m too angry with him.” In a flash of clarity, a solution to their problem was suddenly clear to him. “We’ll go to my in-laws. They have a guest room.”

“It’s the middle of the night…” Mason looked at him with an uneasy expression. Going to a couple of strangers’ house at this hour was clearly not something he looked forward to. “I don’t want to be a bother…” Those few words told Joel the real reason for his reluctance. Mason was afraid to cause trouble for anyone. It saddened Joel that Mason would feel like a burden and not a kid worth caring for. Was he really so used to fending for himself? 

“They won’t mind.” Joel hoped he was telling the truth, and he was fairly confident that Stephen and particularly Janet would be OK with him showing up. He just hoped that their hospitality extended to Mason. “Come on.”

Together they left the rink, through a door this time. Joel had no desire to risk a face plant again. He hailed a cab and before long they were standing outside the Berg residence. As he pushed the intercom, Joel thought about what to say. It did seem a bit strange for him to show up with a kid in tow in the middle of the night, but he really didn’t know what else to do or where else to go. It took a few calls for a sleepy voice to be heard.

“Yeah…?” It was Janet and Joel breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow, of the two he had always felt closer to her.

“It’s Joel. Can I come up?”

“Joel? What on earth…! Of course, come on in!” He could tell from her voice that Janet was starting to worry right away, so he hurried up the stairs in order to tell her there was nothing wrong with Lucas. At least nothing physical. His state of mind was another thing altogether. Joel thought about his phone and knew he had to turn it on eventually to let Lucas know where he was. Not yet though. He needed a little more time.

When he came up to the third floor, Janet was already standing in the hallway with her robe tightly wrapped around her, held together by a tight grip of her hand just below her chin. Her brow was scrunched tightly together and it was clear she was concerned.

“Joel! What is going on? It’s the middle of the night!” She reached out and grabbed his upper arm. “Is Lucas…?”

“He’s fine. I’m fine.” Seeing her confusion, Joel knew he had to explain himself. Just then, Mason stepped up from behind him and nodded shyly at Janet.

“Hi…” His voice was barely audible.

“Hello…” She turned to Joel one more, with a somewhat bewildered look on her face. “Joel, sweetie, who is this?” She gave Mason a hesitant smile.

“Do you think we could step inside?” Joel was in no mood to have this kind of conversation out in the hall.

“Of course. Sorry, I was just so surprised to see you here at this hour. And with company…” After another puzzled glance at Mason, she ushered them inside. Once there, she watched them in silence as they took off their coats and shoes. When Joel was done, she raised her eyebrows questioningly and it was clear she wanted that explanation.

“Janet, this is Mason. He’s on the hockey team I coach. I don’t know if you remember…”

“Of course I do.” Janet looked at him as if he had said something silly. “Your whole face lights up when you talk about your coaching. It sounds like such fun when you talk about your boys.” She smiled at him.

If he hadn’t been so upset, he would have laughed at the fact Janet had noted his joy of coaching but not Lucas.

“So, what is Mason doing here?” Janet continued, getting back to the heart of the matter.

Joel told her a shortened version of the events of the evening. She listened so intently and with such apparent concern, that when he came to his fight with Lucas, he found he almost started crying right there in the vestibule. When she noticed, Janet patted him on the cheek and then went into action. She turned to the boy, putting a hand on his shoulder.

“Well, Mason. I think you can sleep in the guest room and Joel can take the couch tonight. It’s a school night tomorrow, so you really should be in bed and asleep by now.” When she noticed Mason was looking a little confused and unsure, she gently tugged him with her down the hall. “Come on! I’ll show you the bathroom and set you up with a towel. I think we have some old pajamas somewhere around here.” As she swiftly led Mason towards the guest room, she turned her head and spoke to Joel over her shoulder. “Go to the kitchen and make yourself some tea. I’ll be out shortly. Just need to get this young man settled. I think we need to talk…” Raising her eyebrows, she gave Joel a meaningful look.

As cliché as it seemed, Joel felt a cup of hot tea actually would calm him down at least a little. It would also give him something to do, something to occupy his hands while they were talking. The prospect of confiding in Janet was daunting, but he knew he had to tell her the truth. Things had spiraled completely out of control tonight and he needed someone to help him. Someone to give him some advice. Was this it? Was it time to go home? Alone? The stabbing ache in his chest and his throat constricting at the mere thought of leaving told him that wasn’t something he was prepared to do. Something had to change, though.

He had just gotten the mugs out and the water boiling when Janet came into the kitchen. She quickly got some teabags in the pot and milk in a jug. After carefully pouring the boiling water into the pot, she set the tea brewing on the kitchen table. Joel hesitantly sat down and let his fingers trace the contours of the pot, ending up fiddling with the string of a tea bag hanging over the rim of the pot.

“Joel, what is going on?” The concern in her voice made his throat constrict again and he had to swallow hard to keep from breaking down. He didn’t want to cry in front of her. After all, she was Lucas’ mother, not his. 

“I’m sorry for showing up like this. I didn’t want to disturb you and Stephen…” He shook his head. “I just didn’t know where to go.” The last words came out almost as a whisper and he had to bite his lip to keep from sobbing.

“Stephen’s not home tonight. He’s in DC on business.” She took his right hand in hers and gently caressed the back of it with her thumbs. “Now, tell me the whole story.”

Without stopping to think if he should perhaps talk about this with Lucas first, all of his bottled up frustration and sadness over the past months came pouring out of him. Once he got started, he couldn’t seem to shut up. Even if it made him feel desperate and needy, he told her about how Lucas hardly even noticed him and how his work got all his focus. He couldn’t keep quiet about his jealousy and insecurity when it came to Pierce. Despite having eavesdropped, he even told her about overhearing Stephen trying to convince Lucas to stay and his suspicion that was exactly what Lucas really wanted to do, no matter what he had told Joel. When he was finished, Janet quietly watched him for a few moments. Then she sighed deeply.

“Oh, Joel, it makes me so sad to hear you’ve been this miserable. Things between you two really have to change and soon. I can’t believe Lucas would behave like this!” As if sensing Joel wanted to protest, she went on. “Don’t try to deny it, sweetheart. It sounds to me as if this entire stay has been solely on Lucas’ terms so far. I need to have a serious talk with that boy.” She shook her head. “And Stephen is so proud of his son, the promising young lawyer. He always wanted someone to follow in his footsteps. Silly really, but it’s so important to him for some reason. It runs in the family on his side. Stupid tradition. Lawyers everywhere…” Janet rolled her eyes. Before continuing, she topped up their mugs.

“When Lucas’ brother Eric flat out refused to do as Stephen wanted, my darling husband moped around the apartment for weeks until he eventually got over it. Then Lucas went into law and began to build his career, making him ridiculously proud. I guess he was more disappointed than I thought when he realized Lucas perhaps wouldn’t continue after all. When Stephen realized how much Lucas needs you in his life to be happy, the solution seemed so easy. You move here. Case closed.” She chuckled at her joke.

“But Lucas didn’t even ask me. We could’ve talked about it if he wanted to stay…” Joel rubbed his face with his hands. He was getting so tired. Still, he didn’t think he would be able to sleep if he tried right now.

“I don’t think Lucas knows what he wants right now.” Squeezing his hand, Janet looked Joel straight in the eye looking somewhat stern. “You have to understand that working a case like that is like a rollercoaster. For Lucas, it’s a matter of holding on for the entire ride or getting thrown off. Sure, Lucas should have prepared you for his hours, but it seems to me it took him by surprise as well. Not many lawyers his age get to experience anything like it. It’s not his usual workload.”

“We did talk about it, but it’s so much worse than what he said.” It was so hard to admit how much he missed Lucas since it made him sound like a teenager with no life except for his boyfriend. “Some days I don’t see him at all…”

“Unfortunately, it’s not realistic to expect him home much more than he is right now. And he can’t pull out now. That would be a disaster. The trial will be over soon, though. Do you think you can figure something out until then?” Janet tilted her head, making her look like Lars, although Lars with big, bushy hair. Joel had to smile at his sleep-deprived thought.

“I guess…”

“No, no guessing! You two have to set some ground rules for your relationship. Find a solution.”

“OK…” Joel didn’t know how to respond. It would have to be the two of them finding a solution. At the moment, he wasn’t even sure there was a solution he would be happy with.

“And as for that ex of his at the firm, I can’t imagine you have any reason whatsoever to be jealous. Pierce may be a brilliant lawyer and actually quite decent once you get past his acerbic sense of humor, but he’s all wrong for Lucas.” Janet snorted as if the very idea of Lucas and Pierce together was completely ridiculous. “They broke it off for a reason well before Lucas met you. They aren’t just waiting to pick up where they left off.” Since she sounded so sure of herself, Joel wanted to believe her.

“But what should I do? I can’t seem to get through to him. He keeps saying he’ll make time for me, for us, but it never happens.” Joel didn’t like his whining, but he was at the end of his rope.

“Sounds to me you need some time together and preferably time where you can show him what he stands to lose if he doesn’t include you more. You know, you need to show him yourself again. Just show him you won’t sit at home and wait forever. I’m thinking this hockey coaching is a good first step.”

Looking over her shoulder towards the guest room, Janet changed the topic. 

“Now, about this young man, Mason. What are you planning to do with him?” When Joel opened his mouth to protest her wording she interrupted him. “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I know you have no interest in that boy. I just mean this situation is rather unusual. Have you even spoken to his dad?”

“Stepdad. And no. Not yet, anyway. This whole thing happened tonight. Well, sort of. We’ve been hanging out, but I’m more like a big brother. It was just nice to have someone who needed me too. I didn’t see this happening.” Joel sighed, feeling down since everyone acted as if he had somehow screwed up by being friends with Mason. Maybe Mike had been right all along. Maybe it had been a very bad idea.

“Well, it needs to be sorted. Can’t have a minor just move in with you like that. Even if his stepdad is away.” Janet gave him a stern look. “You need to talk it out with him. And Mason. And Lucas. I guess you’ll be busy tomorrow. So we’d better get some sleep now, don’t you think?” She got up and put the mugs away in the sink.

After saying good night, they went to bed. Joel turned his phone on, ignored the staggering amount of messages left by Lucas and instead sent him a brief text telling him where he had gone and that they needed to talk in the morning. After that, he turned off his phone again, not wanting to talk just yet.

As predicted, he had trouble falling asleep, with so many thoughts going round and round in his head. How would Derek react to Mason practically running away? Even if he wasn’t there to notice himself… What would Lucas say when they talked? What if he actually was tired of him? That thought almost made Joel physically ill. Eventually, sheer exhaustion dragged him under, but it was a fitful sleep filled with weird and unsettling dreams. In the morning, he felt like he hadn’t slept at all. The fact that the couch was too short for him to stretch out didn’t help. He helped to get Mason ready for school and after sending him off, he said goodbye to Janet, thanked her for everything she had done and headed home.

The walk back home had his stomach in knots. He didn’t know what he expected, so he tried to prepare for the worst, which would be his suitcases packed on the floor just inside the door. One thing he hadn’t expected was to see Lucas sitting at the kitchen table, but there he was. All red-eyed and looking haggard, cradling a cup of coffee. When Lucas saw him, he shot up from the chair and almost bowled Joel over as he threw himself at him.

“Oh, god, Joel! I’m so sorry. I’m so very sorry.” Lucas fell silent for a moment and just clung to him. “I can’t believe I said those terrible things. I didn’t mean it! I know it’s not true…”

Joel stood still, not knowing what to say or do. He didn’t want a fight, but he had to let Lucas know how he felt.

“You really hurt me, Lucas.” He let his arms hang at his sides, not ready to return the hug.

He could feel Lucas stiffen. 

“I don’t know what to do. I’m sorry… I’ve screwed everything up. I miss you so much, but I can’t let everyone down by not doing my best. And then I let you down. I’m so sorry. Please don’t leave me…” As Lucas started to cry, he repeated those last words over and over again.

Upon hearing those words, Joel put his arms around his sobbing boyfriend. He tried to let him know things were OK, that he was still there and wasn’t going anywhere just yet. They stood like that, fused together for a long time, neither wanting to let go. Joel buried his nose in Lucas’ hair, breathing in his scent. Despite everything, it still made him feel so good. Eventually, Lucas calmed down enough to start talking again.

“What’s happening to us? We can’t live like this.” Lucas hugged Joel even tighter, his voice very quiet. “It’s not working.”

“No, I agree.” Pulling back a little, Joel met his eyes. “You hurt me, Lucas.” They weren’t done talking about that. Seeing his boyfriend flinch at his words almost made Joel regret having said anything. He knew it had to come out, though. “You doubt me like that? I can’t believe you…”

Lucas looked down, trying to blink away the tears that despite his efforts escaped and rolled down his cheeks.

“I don’t know why I even said that. I don’t know what happened last night. I must have been way too tired. Please, Joel, I never meant to doubt you or hurt you. It’s this damn case! It’s eating me alive… I hate it!” The resentment in Lucas’ voice made Joel want to wrap him in his arms again.

“But there’s nothing we can do… You have to finish the case and before that, we won’t have more time together.” Joel shook his head.

“I’ll quit!” Lucas grabbed his arms and stared at him wild-eyed. “I’ll do it tomorrow! Just don’t leave me!”

“Lucas, that’s not realistic. You can’t do that to Ander, the client… Or Pierce.” Joel could hardly believe his own words. Here he was given a way out and what did he do? Tried to talk Lucas out of it! Somehow, it didn’t seem right to have others suffer for their own failures. Not even Pierce. “You wouldn’t be happy if you did that.”

“Then I’ll make more time. They’re not reasonable, the hours Pierce keeps. He can’t expect me to sacrifice everything…” Lucas was shaking his head as if trying to emphasize his resolve.

“Is that even a possibility? Don’t make me promises you can’t keep. I spoke to your mother last night, and from what she told me I guess I won’t be seeing you all that much for a while. No matter what you want.”

They fell silent and looked at each other. Was this a stalemate? Joel knew he didn’t want this to be the end. They only had to find a way to survive until the trial was over. So he made a decision. They would get through this.

“Lucas, I don’t think I really need you to work less. I just need you here with me at least once in a while. I know your work is important to you and the firm, so I can deal with that. Just don’t work when you’re home, OK? And when you’re home, be here and talk to me instead of thinking about some legal issue… Or Pierce…” The last bit slipped out before he could stop himself. Lucas blinked.

“Pierce...?” The bewildered look on Lucas' face told him Lucas didn’t understand.

“Yes, I don’t think he likes me. Perhaps he wants you for himself.” There, he had said it.

Lucas frowned and then started chuckling.

“He definitely doesn’t want me. He’s still looking for Mr. Right Now, not planning on settling down at all. We had our thing… And please don’t take anything he says seriously. He was raised by sharks with politicians for parents and grew up around vipers. Private schools.” A hint of sadness passed over Lucas’ face, telling Joel there was more to this story than Lucas wanted to go into right now. “He doesn’t know how to be any other way and he takes a little getting used to. I hope when you get to know him, you’ll see him in a different light. He is actually a good friend.”

“Maybe…” Joel wasn’t holding his breath for that. 

“I guess we have to talk about that kid?” When Joel flinched, Lucas grabbed his hands. “I was totally out of line. I wasn’t thinking and completely went too far. Much too far…”

“That was the worst, you know…” To his dismay, Joel’s eyes started to sting. “You not trusting me for no reason at all.”

“I just couldn’t stand the thought of you with someone else. You have to believe me!” Lucas’ desperate pleading made it very difficult to stay angry and distant. Joel rested his head on top of Lucas’ head and took a deep breath.

“Just don’t doubt me again. Not like that. I would never do that to you.”

“I know. That’s why it was so stupid.” They were silent for a few moments. “But why was he here?” Lucas apparently couldn’t contain his curiosity any longer. So for the second time since last night, Joel told the story about Mason’s stepdad and the moving plans. Lucas nodded and seemed to think it over, a serious look on his face.

“You need to talk to his stepdad ASAP. It doesn’t look good to have him staying here without his knowledge.”

“Yeah, your mom said that too. I’ll call him today. I just don’t know what to do. Mason really doesn’t want to move.”

“Well, he’s a kid. He’ll get over it and make new friends quickly.” Lucas tried to put a positive spin on things, but Joel shook his head.

“But he’s not like that. Off the ice, he’s shy and doesn’t have many friends. Why do you think he wanted to hang out with me? In his eyes, I’m an old man…”

“Don’t say that!” Lucas shook his head. “Ok, just talk to the stepdad as soon as possible. I don’t want you under investigation for withholding a minor.”

With that settled, they once more grew quiet. Lucas placed his palm on Joel’s cheek, caressing him softly. When Joel didn’t pull back, he seemed to grow confident and reached up to kiss him. Joel met him halfway and it was as if the sharpest edge of the resentment and anger between them dissolved and vanished into thin air. Joel knew they had to do more talking and compromising, but for now, he decided simply to enjoy their newfound closeness. When the kiss ended, neither of them wanted to move. Lucas leaned in and snuggled against Joel.

“So what about us? I still have to work a lot and that means me spending time with Pierce. A lot of time. I don’t want you worrying about him and me…” Lucas sighed as if thinking and then looked up at Joel with a slight smile on his face. “I have an idea. It’s been ages since we were out dancing.” When he saw Joel’s hesitation, Lucas pressed on. “Please, Joel! I know it sounds weird, but I think this is just what we need! Some fun! We haven’t been young and stupid together for ages! And it’ll give you another chance to get to know Pierce. You’ll see he’s not so bad once you know him better. It’s just his weird sense of humor…” He was practically begging now. “Pierce can get us in to some amazing places. He knows just about everyone. What do you say?”

Joel snorted, not terribly pleased at the idea of spending more time with Pierce. For some reason, seeing Lucas’ hopeful expression made him soften inside. Then he thought Lucas could be right. Having a fun night out could be just what they needed. Maybe it was exactly what he needed to get over this jealousy thing.

“Ok, it could be fun. Not tonight though. I’ll probably be completely wiped out tonight. And you will too.” He caressed Lucas’ cheek with his thumb. “We should stay in.” He pressed his lips to Lucas’, giving him a brief kiss.

“I’d better head to the office now, before we get too mushy.” Despite his words, Lucas hugged him again. “I really have missed you so much, even though we live under the same roof. I don’t like that feeling.”

“Me neither…”

Finally, Lucas broke off their embrace and left for the office. Joel wondered what good he would be today, considering he had hardly slept the night before. Then again, Lucas at half speed was more than most people at full speed. Maybe Pierce wouldn’t notice. Not too much at least.

He decided he might as well get the possibly ugly conversation with Derek out of the way. He had no idea how Mason’s stepdad would react to what he had to tell him. He didn’t even know if Derek had any clue as to how Mason was feeling. Given the withdrawn nature of the boy, Joel wouldn’t be surprised if this all came as a complete surprise straight out of the blue.

Going through his emails regarding hockey practice, he found a phone number. He checked the time. It was almost 9:30 am. That would mean 6:30 am in San Diego. A bit early to call, perhaps, but he didn’t want to risk missing the guy if he spent his day in meetings. His own nerves would never let him relax. He noticed a slight shake to his hands as he dialed the number. Why was he so nervous? Could it be because he knew how upset Mason had been and how much he resented the idea of moving? And because he had become attached to the kid? He had described himself as a big brother. Maybe he really liked having a kid brother.

“Hello?” The sleepy voice on the other side of the country made him snap to and focus. “Who’s this?”

“Hello, Mr. Finlay. This is Joel Laska, the assistant coach for Mason’s team. We met a while back…” Joel hoped the man would remember him. Knowing the face of the man your kid ran to in the middle of the night would perhaps make things less upsetting.

“Oh, hello!” The confusion was clear in the man’s voice. “Is everything all right?” A hint of concern crept into his tone.

“I’m sorry to call you this early, but I wanted to catch you before you left for the day. Everything is ok with Mason, so don’t worry.” Joel bit his lip. “Or well… There is nothing physically wrong with him…”

“Oh, God, what has he done now?” There was a sigh on the other end of the line. “I swear sometimes that boy just drives me up the wall…”

“No, Mr. Finlay. What I meant to say was this. Mason showed up at my home last night, very upset.”

Joel went on to tell him about what had happened the night before, the only interruptions small noises of concern. It was obvious the man was listening intently. When Joel had finished, he fell silent and waited for the reaction.

“So he ran away because he doesn’t want to move? Well, that’s too bad, but I can’t keep traveling the country every other week. I’m never home and he’s left alone far too much. Don’t think I’m not aware of that. I’m so grateful for you for being there for him lately, but it’s not a viable long-term plan.” A deep sigh on the other end told Joel just how upset the man was. “He was so angry last night… I tried to call him, but he turned off his phone. I thought he was just mad at me. I had no idea.” The sadness in his voice was heartbreaking. “I just don’t know what to do. This promotion will give us a much better chance at a good life, for Mason too. I’ll be able to pay for a good college and he won’t be dependent on a scholarship. I took this job for him, so I could be there for him now that he’s lost his mom and his dad. And now this happens…” 

“I’m not sure he sees that right now. All he sees is him being pulled away from everything and everyone he loves. The team mainly. And you know Mason isn’t exactly…“ Joel thought about how to phrase the wording. “He isn’t the most outgoing kid. I guess he’s afraid he’ll be all alone without his teammates during his last one and a half years in high school.”  

“I know. I’ve tried to encourage him, but he only ever lights up when he’s heading to practice or playing those games.” The man sighed. “But what should I do then? My travel schedule isn’t going to change anytime soon if I stay in New York. Of course, I don’t want to make him unhappy and I certainly don’t want him running away and ending up God knows where…”

Suddenly, Joel had a crazy idea and he blurted it out before he could stop himself.

“What if he stayed with me?” When he realized what he had said, he held his breath. Where did that come from? What would Lucas think?

“With you? In New York?” Derek sounded as if he doubted that he had heard Joel correctly.

“Yes, then he could finish high school and stay with the team. Could make it easier for him to get a scholarship or get into a good college.” The suggestion made so much sense to Joel now. If not for the little detail of Lucas.

“But I couldn’t ask you to do that. It would be way too much for you to take care of Mason. He’s my responsibility, not yours.” Joel could almost hear Derek shaking his head.

“Well, technically he would be our responsibility. My boyfriend Lucas lives here too…” Joel found himself bracing for the man’s reaction.

“Oh… Have I met him?” The question was asked with nothing but casual curiosity and Joel could breathe again.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“Then I should probably do that before we discuss this further.”

“And we need to talk to Mason.” Joel felt a need to clarify this was his idea so far. Mason might be of a completely different mind.

“Of course.”

They ended their conversation by agreeing that Mason would stay with Joel and Lucas during the coming week and then they would all get together sometime on Saturday to talk things over, provided neither party had second thoughts or discovered some hindrance to their plan. Joel informed him Lucas was a lawyer and although he didn’t specialize in family law, he could probably let them know if there were any legal issues to consider. After they hung up, Joel remained seated at the table thinking things over. Where had that crazy idea come from? Had he really offered to take Mason in? But they were leaving sometime after the trial ended, which according to the court date schedule was at the end of March. Even if they stayed for a few more weeks, Mason still faced the possibility of a move during his final year of high school.

Unless…