“YOU GOT A MINUTE?” MASON asks, looking around my bedroom and shaking his head at the mess.
I could tell him no, explain what I really need is to be left alone, but he’d charge in anyway.
The drive from the airport to home was quiet. I sat in the back seat with Kaiden. He kept me entertained, mainly by making faces out the window at the passing cars.
Mom and Mason were quiet too, holding hands and enjoying their peace in that Amelia’s wedding is over and their happy life together will go back to normal.
I had none of that. My head was full, reliving each mistake I’d ever made in regards to not only Jaxson but my family, my life.
Dropping my ass to the edge of my bed, I close my eyes. I lie back and stretch my arms to my side, while contemplating the view of the ceiling.
Mason’s going to lecture and I’m going to hear him out. This is our way, McButterpants and me.
“I have a minute,” I tell him, giving in easier than he probably figured I would. “Seems I have all the time in the world.”
Mason enters through the door on a heavy sigh. I hear the shuffle of shoes and clothes as he’s moving, on his way to my bed. He utters a string of violent curses under his breath. When he takes a seat at my side, the bed dips with this weight. His hip presses against mine and as always, with him around, I feel less alone.
Resting his elbows to his knees, he leaves his back to me and orders, “Tell me what’s goin’ through your head.”
He knows exactly what’s going through my head. He was there. He saw what was under his nose this week. If Mason Cole is anything, it’s perceptive. Not one disappointment in all my time with him has escaped him. But this? His stepdaughter falling in love with his nephew. This may truly do him in.
“Men suck,” I give. “They’re all stupid.”
Mason’s laugh reverberates in his chest. I half-smile at the sound and continue looking at the ceiling.
“They’re all a pain in the ass,” I go on.
Reaching over, he grabs my wrist and pulls me to him. “Sit up, Averie.”
I didn’t say much when I walked in the front door. My family was all staring with expectation: my mom, Mason, and Kaiden. As if I were going to break down the moment I felt the safety of home.
I ignored their curious gazes and took in the familiar surroundings. The place I’ve lived in for years. I was sullen with heartbreak, picturing the look on Jaxson’s face as I walked out of his arms once the dance was over.
I fucked up. I jumped to conclusions, assuming the worst. I wore my doubt about him, about us, like armor. I was ready for war but without just cause.
My pride hadn’t allowed me to go to him after the reception and explain. Instead, I did as he always said I do. I ran away when, not for the first time in my entire life, I should’ve been running toward someone. Toward him.
“What do you want?” Mason questions abruptly, to my surprise.
Sitting as he is, with my elbows to my knees. I stare at my bare feet, my toenails painted in light pink, and prod, “What do you mean, what do I want?”
“If you could have anything, anyone, what would you want? Job, house, relationship. Whatever. Just tell me what you’d want.”
“Are we really having the ‘where do you see yourself five years from now’ talk?”
“You’re twenty-two years old. You still live at home with us. The time for that talk has long since passed.”
I shrug and Mason leans over, pressing his shoulder to mine. I can’t have what I really want. Maybe there was a time Jaxson would’ve considered the possibility. He so much as said so himself.
“You’re confused,” Mason observes, wrapping his arm around my back. “You’ve never been in love before.”
“You don’t know that,” I rebut, leaning my head against his shoulder.
“I know you,” he claims quickly. “I’d know if someone stole your heart from me. So, yeah, I do know some things.”
I half-laugh at his claim. He probably does know, though. Not that it matters.
“No one will ever steal my heart from you,” I tell him with a full smile.
“Don’t suck up,” he says.
“How do you and Mom feel about keeping me forever?” I joke. “I’m a pretty good roommate.”
Mason turns his face to mine. Looking down, he states, “The fuck you are.”
“Rude.”
“Stubborn shit,” he mumbles back. “You gonna answer me?”
Exhaling, I attempt to remove myself from his arms. I’m granted an inch, but only so I can say, “He’s so angry.”
“He has a right to be,” Mason defends Jaxson. “But that doesn’t mean it’s done.”
“I don’t know how to make him unangry.”
“You’ll figure it out.”
Shaking my head, I self-pity with, “I think he’s finished.”
“Do you love him?”
“Yes,” I return quickly.
“Why you sittin’ here tellin’ me about it and not him?”
“You don’t care that I’ve fallen in love with my cousin?” I query.
Mason laughs. A soul enriching, heart-pounding, echoing off the walls of my room, laugh. The wrinkles around his eyes continue to tighten as he shakes me in his arms.
“You and Jax are about as close to cousins as your mother and I are siblings.”
“Gross!”
“It’s true,” he returns. “And besides, you being with Jaxson helps your mom and me.”
“How?”
“Brayden’s a good guy,” he tells me. “I like him for Amelia. But it took me a long time to believe he could love her the way she deserves.”
“Elaborate,” I insist.
“Jaxson is exactly who I’d want for you, if I had the choice.”
Interesting.
“Really?”
“He’s sharp as hell. Successful and driven. I know with him you’d never want for anything.”
“Maybe.”
“You’re strong-willed, Averie Dyer.”
“Thanks?” I return, doubtful.
“Life may get in the way, and he may get busy but, honey, he’s not your dad.”
“I know this.”
“You’re not your mother.”
“I know this, too.”
“I cannot, for the life of me, imagine you’d ever let Jaxson get away with burying himself in anything but you.”
No, he wouldn’t get away with that. I wouldn’t stand for it.
“Probably not,” I tell Mason.
“And I can’t fathom you ever not being at the center of Jaxson’s universe.”
“He stresses me,” I admit, “with his insistence.”
Mason’s brows lift, an expression of utter shock follows. “You’re shittin’ me, right?”
“He does!” I cry out. “He’s crazy confusing. One day he likes me, the next he loves me, two days later, who knows?”
Pulling me back into his side, Mason kisses the top of my head and his body shakes with another laugh.
“Glad you find this so funny.”
“I find it ironic. That’s all. With Jaxson, you each get what you deserve.”
“Right,” I murmur.
“So, now you know where I am with this. Your mother the same. We want what you want. Decide what that is and do it.”
Mason is seemingly satisfied with himself, happy to have lectured on. However, I’m not about to let him walk out of here just yet. Not without reminding him of who he’s dealing with. The same girl he’s tried aimlessly to reel in. To leash. To tether to his side in order to control.
With nothing for it, I push, “One problem.”
Still easy about where the conversation led, which is to say his way, he prods, “What’s that?”
“I’m pregnant,” I get out and physically brace.
Mason’s eyes flip to mine, absolute fury driven in their depths.
Oh shit.
I knew news like this wouldn’t make him happy. Jax is his nephew. We’re family. I hadn’t expected him to be this pissed.
“Take that back,” he hisses in denial. I don’t. Rather I wait, speechless, until he presses, “Swear to God, Averie Marie. Take it back or I’ll kill Jaxson then I’ll strangle you.”
“Taken back.” I smile wide. “I’m not pregnant. But good to know you’re not ready to be a grandpa.”
“You’re an asshole,” he name-calls, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and bringing me to his chest. “Fuck, I think I just died a thousand deaths.”
I giggle.
Serious again, Mason looks down. “So, what’re you gonna do?”
Wiping the tears of laughter from my eyes, I hesitate to answer.
“What are you going to do?” he tests again.
“Maybe I’ll have a word with Jaxson.”
Smiling, Mason leans in and kisses my forehead.
A clearing of throats comes from my door and my eyes move in their direction. My mom and Amelia are both standing, side by side, shoulder to shoulder. Mom’s eyes are shining in tears. Amelia’s smiling so wide she looks pained.
God, my family.
Standing, I leave him sitting on the bed and turn to face him. Reaching out, he grabs my hands and I bite my lip.
“I mean what I always say,” Mason starts. “So when I tell you to keep happy, Averie, I mean hold on to that as if the very thought of losing it terrifies.”
I bend to wrap my arms around him, the same as I’ve done a thousand times before. This time though, feels so much different. As if Mason’s holding me tighter, wishing harder for something I don’t understand. Something meant for me.
Pulling me back, Mason stands. He puts both hands on my arms, squeezes gently, and says, “You’ve only just found what your life could be. Don’t stop. Keep going and make it what it should be.”
I can’t stop the tears springing to my eyes. I stand tiptoe and wrap my arms around his neck again. This time, it’s me who holds on tighter.
Releasing him, I quickly turn to avoid his eyes and rush to my mom, hugging her tightly.
“I’m so proud of you, honey,” she whispers in my ear, before kissing my temple. “And I’m happy you picked someone like Mason.”
I understand the meaning behind her unsaid words. I’ve always wondered, if somewhere in the back of her mind, she worried about Amelia and I picking men like our father. Though he’s a great dad, he wasn’t a much of husband.
“I love you, Mom,” I tell her what I haven’t said in too long. “And thank you.”
Amelia clears her throat.
Pulling away from Mom, I move to my sister, seeing her arms are already wide in wait. The two of us cling together, rocking back and forth.
“I love you, little sister,” she says as Mom did.
God, I’ve waited a lifetime to hear those words from her said exactly as she’s said them.
“All right. Not now,” I insist, pushing her back. “I need to call Jaxson before his plane takes off.”
Mom giggles. Amelia grins. I turn back to Mason to find him doing a shit job of hiding his own.
“What?”
“Nothing,” Amelia tries. “But can you give me a minute?”
“Sure,” I answer, suspicious.
Mason passes us both first, kissing the top of my head then hers. Mom next, but she stops, pulling both her girls in for a hug.
After they’ve headed out my bedroom door, Amelia lingers.
“Are you okay?” I immediately ask.
Amelia grins and shrugs. “Perfect.”
“Then what?”
“Mason’s right,” she tells me. “We’re not them.”
“I know,” I agree. Maybe if I hear this enough, say this enough, I’ll believe it enough to get Jaxson back.
“We’re never going to be them,” she goes on.
“Amelia, I know this too.”
“I know there were times before we’ve been afraid of being like her. Afraid of putting ourselves first.”
Amelia is right, but she’s also wrong. The bravery and strength our mother showed in always putting our needs before her own was also admirable.
“But right now,” Amelia states, “Is there any other person you’d rather be?”
“No.”
“Are you going to talk to him?”
“Yes.”
“Thank God.”
Once Amelia steps out of the way, I catch a glimpse down the long hallway. My heartbeat hammers in my chest.
Jaxson.
His hands are in his suit pockets as he stands in front of the bay window, staring out to the view below.
Jaxson didn’t go back to California. He came here instead.
Thank you, Jesus.