I look over my shoulder and back to him. “Kiki’s little boy is napping, so do you mind sitting out back? It’s nice and shady out there?”
“I’d like that.” His voice is quiet now as he steps in and follows me toward the back. “I’ve had my share of small ones under the roof, so I get it.”
When we reach the kitchen, I side step to the fridge. “How about a water or soda?”
“Water’s great.”
I grab two bottles and hand him one before stepping past him and sliding the door open. “The patio set is a bit rusty and covered in dust, but the cushions are clean and still in one piece.”
“I’m not picky.” He takes a seat across from me, not even taking in his surroundings, his attention solely on me.
My heart racing, I ask the first question that comes to my mind. “Is Mason all right?”
“He’s fine…but I’m sure you can imagine that’s why I’m here.”
“It’s quite a ways to drive for a chat and some water.”
He smiles widely, the first one since greeting me. “Ari, if I didn’t have a reason for being here, it would still be worth seeing you.”
“That’s really nice. Thank you. And it’s good to see you too.” My genuine smile fades the moment I recall the last time I saw Ed Bridges. The look of pity from his eyes at hearing Megan say I was homeless still burns in my memory.
Ed takes a drink of his water and sets it in front of him. “First, I want to say something I should have said a while ago. I’m sorry. I don’t give a damn what Megan said or what your circumstances were.” He grips the metal arms of the chair and scoots up straighter. “Ari, I liked you the instant I met you. And the changes I’ve seen in my eldest son tell me all I need to know.”
Those honest, beautiful words cause the corner of my mouth to turn up, and I allow myself a moment to enjoy it before I come down to reality. “Thank you for telling me…but he and I are two very different people.”
He tilts his head. “So were me and my wife Nina. Mason’s stepmother and I couldn’t have been more different. That’s just what made us work.”
“I’ve caused Mason too much trouble. He’s better—”
“Ari, that’s not for you to decide. Let me ask you this. Do you care about my son?”
Our gazes catch each other, and I can tell he knows the answer. My eyes flood with liquid. “Very much, Mr. Bridges.”
“Come on now. Call me Ed. You know, when my first wife, Mason and Logan’s mother, died…it was hard on all of us. Then when Nina died, my boys stepped up. Mason took more control of the business. They taught me a lot. Hell, maybe more than I taught them.”
I reach over and put my hand on his when I see him getting emotional. “Your boys love you and from the way Mason talks, he respects you very much.”
“Thank you. They were there for me and the family. And now I want to do the same. Mason needs you in his life.”
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“I am. You’ve changed my son. Since he met you, he’s been a new man. You haven’t known him long so maybe you can’t see it, but I sure as hell do. And it’s because of you. But he’s either too stubborn to come get you or he thinks you don’t feel the same.” He pauses, looking hesitant. “You did leave with your ex after all. I have to tell you, that hurt him.”
The tears I’d been trying to hold back surge forward and I swipe at my eye. But I quickly gain control because this isn’t only about my feelings, and Ed didn’t come all this way for me to cry on his shoulder. I lean forward and rest on my folded arms on the table. “For the record, there’s nothing going on with my ex. He was just a ride here. I never wanted to hurt Mason. I… I love him.” A burst of air frees from my lungs at finally getting to say that.
Ed hits the table and stands. “Well, all right then. Let’s get you packed up to go.”
I stand. “It’s not that simple—”
“It is when two people love each other.”
“I don’t want to hurt Mason more than I already have and maybe that means staying away. At least for a while.”
His face drops. “I understand…I think.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to come back. It’s just…sometimes you need to be right with yourself before you can be right with someone else.”
He nods and says, “I understand that too, but I hope you’ll think about what I said…and please know, Mason is a patient man, but I think he’d much rather have you by his side while you’re getting right with yourself.” He smiles and winks.
“You’ve definitely given me a lot to think about. I’ll walk you to the door.”
We head back inside and straight to the front door. Ed stops on the porch when I lead him out. “Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me and I’m sure Mason would appreciate it as well.”
His brows rise and he pulls something from his back pocket. “Oh, I have this to give you as well.” He holds up an envelope.
“What is it?”
“Not sure. It came to the house for you. I tried giving it to Mason, but he asked me if I could mail it to you. He doesn’t know I’m here, by the way.”
I take the envelope from his hand and give him a hug before watching him walk away. I can’t imagine what this is; I don’t recognize the name on the return address: Helen Brandt. Underneath reads The Brandt Foundation. I open it and skim the contents of the letter. This has to be a mistake. I read it once again, trying to understand what this is. Why it went to Mason’s family’s house, and how it came to be. Excitement bubbles inside at the possibility but I keep myself in check, not wanting to get my hopes up.
I go to the couch and sit, grab Drew’s stuffed dog, and read the letter once more. If what this says is true, I’m being offered a scholarship to go to art school. A swirl of emotions flood through me before I go back to the mystery before me. Only one thing is clear to me and that’s the person behind this. Mason.
Chapter 25
Mason
I walk into our family home in jeans, a T-shirt, and carrying a twelve pack of pale ale. After the last barbecue, I made sure I gave them no ammunition to give me crap this time. I place the beer in the fridge and head out back, assuming Dad has already fired up the barbecue.
I’ve been grateful for the extra time I’ve been spending with my family, especially working on the house with my brothers on weekends and some nights. But this get-together brings me back to the time I brought Ari here to meet the family. Even then, when we weren’t together, I’d felt a sense of pride—and comfort—having her with me.
Together.
I don’t know if that’s what we ever were in her mind but in mine we were. If I’m being honest, in my heart we are still together. I just need to find a way to convince Ari of that. These last couple of weeks I’ve told myself that as soon as the house is done, I’m going to get my woman. It’s not about the house being a priority. It’s more about me giving her time and that time is almost up.
Dad greets me with a wave from the middle of the grass where he’s kneeling down, a clump of grass and mud in front of him, a screwdriver in hand.
“Broken sprinkler?”
“Yep.”
“Need help?”
He smiles. “I’m good. Why don’t you help Gramps with his phone?”
I glance to my right to see him sitting at the patio bench, scowling at the device. I briefly consider trying to help Dad just to prove to him I would. Instead, I take a seat next to Gramps. “What’s the problem?”
“Rebel Ryder talked me into this damn online banking and I can’t make heads or tails of it.”
“I use this app. It’s easy once you get the hang of it.” I show him a few shortcuts, give him some general tips for using his phone more efficiently. Then I say, “I want to thank you again, Gramps. For connecting me with Helen. She’s so great.”
“You should have seen her back in the day when she was on the back of my bike, wearing tight black leather.”
My l
ips twitch, not just because of the joke but from the genuine nostalgic look in Gramps’s eyes. “She really seemed to think Ari’s work showed promise.”
“Well I spoke to her after you sent her those images you showed me, and she used the words ‘brilliant’ and ‘gifted.’”
I let the big beaming grin take over, but I’m also anxious to hear what Ari thinks. She was upset when I overstepped looking for her dad, but I have to think this would be a positive thing for her. I cut my reflection short to wonder why it’s so quiet here. I’m usually the last one at these things. “Where is everyone and why are we having a celebratory barbecue anyway. The house isn’t even done yet?”
“It’s not about the house,” Dad calls from the yard and then stands. I look at Gramps who shrugs just before I spot Logan and Mollie coming through the back door.
“We’re having a baby!” Logan shouts and raises a bottle of Champagne.
The three of us jump up and greet them. I’m stunned and so caught off guard I freeze a moment and just stare at them. A baby. There’s no jealousy for my brother’s life. I’m thrilled. It just makes me see all the more what I want with Ari.
I take the large bowl from Mollie’s hand and hug her and then slap my brother on the back. “This is the best news. Congratulations, you two.”
“Thank you. We’re really excited.” Mollie glows and puts her head on Logan’s shoulder.
“Can you believe it, Gramps? You’re going to be a great grandpa,” Logan says.
“Hells bells. What are you doing to me?”
“You’re used to it, Dad. What about me?” My dad points to himself with exaggeration. “I’m going to be a grandpa.”
“And I’m going to be an uncle. That’s crazy.”
“Hey, where’s Ryder and is Justice coming?”
“They’ll be here,” my dad chimes in. “I’ll fire up the barbecue. Dad, can you get the platter?” he says to Gramps.
Mollie takes the bowl back from me. “I forgot dressing so I’m going to see what you have in the fridge.” She follows Gramps inside and Logan’s gaze follows her before we sit.
I nod when he turns back around. “That’s really awesome, little brother. You guys are going to be great parents.”
“I know, right?”
We laugh and then he turns serious.
“Listen, bro. Mollie and I have it all worked out. Don’t worry.”
“What?”
“Don’t think this baby means the end for me working with you. I’ve already put notice in at the gym so I’ll have more time on sites or in the office…or if our flipping houses thing grows like we both think it will, then I’ll have more time for that. And it won’t take away from being with Mollie and helping with the baby.”
“Wow. I’m impressed.”
He shakes his head, looking oddly awkward. I think he thought I’d give him crap instead of a compliment. “Come on, man. Don’t start getting all proud and shit.”
“This marriage thing suits you. And fatherhood will too. I am proud of you.” I truly mean that. But as much as that pride makes me happy, it’s laced with a bit of sadness because the one person I want to share this news with, these feelings with, is not here.
“And you’re going to be a great uncle.”
“What the hell! You’re going to be an uncle?”
We both turn to find Justice standing next to the open sliding glass door with his mouth wide open. “Wait, that means I’m going to be an uncle!”
Mason and I stand, both of us laughing at our slow on the uptake brother. “That college degree is really paying off,” Logan says, moving forward to greet him.
Justice ignores the comment, pride and excitement emanating from him. “Holy crap, I can’t believe you’re having a baby.”
My brothers embrace, Justice’s face pinning mine over Logan’s shoulder, and my heart warms my whole body from the inside out. I can’t think of another thing that would bring our family closer. Seems like it’s been only tragedies that have done that for so long. And though, a small part of me can’t help but feel sad that our mother and Nina won’t meet their grandkids, we are healing now…and growing.
Feeling sentimental, I approach them to congratulate Justice. “Got one of those for me, little bro?”
He turns from Logan and gives me the quick, tap-on-the-back bro hug. Then he grabs my bicep and pulls me toward him to say in a low tone, “Got something better than that for you.”
“What are you talking about?”
He turns back to the door and gestures with his head. “Brought someone home for you.”
Ari steps into the doorway and my chest tightens. Time freezes as I lock eyes with her, ensuring she is, indeed, standing before me, gorgeous with a sweet, inviting smile. A dream. My dream. If I thought my heart skipped a beat a moment ago, it’s now leaping over the highest mountains.
She takes one hesitant step onto the patio and waits while I gawk in shock.
Until I hear the quiet voice of my dad behind me. “What are you waiting for, son?”
I stride the few steps it takes to stop in front of her and immediately take her hand. “Ari…” I whisper. It’s only been a few weeks but it feels like I’m seeing her for the first time, struck by her presence and beauty. “Thank you for coming. You can’t believe how much I missed you.”
Her eyelashes glisten in the bright sunlight as she squints up at me. “I think I have a pretty good idea.”
We continue to stand and stare at each other, smiling, my heart racing with both excitement and fear of the unknown. I pray she’s here to stay and that this isn’t some sort of closure on her part. I’m afraid to ask, to break the moment of once again having her so close to me.
“Mason,” I hear from behind me. I can’t turn away from Ari but his voice comes again. “We’ve got some time before this is ready, so why don’t you two go inside and talk?”
Still connected, we both show toothy grins, and she nods before I lead her into the living room. We sit side by side on the couch, her hand still firmly laced with mine. I’m not letting her go.
I barely register the voices in the kitchen and the movement through the window in the backyard. Turning my body toward Ari, I tune it all out and focus on us. “I can’t believe you’re here. How…”
“I called Justice.”
I furrow my brow and try to keep the jealous feelings at bay. “I would have come in a heartbeat, Ari.”
She nods. “I know. But the drive gave me time to think, to…prepare, and I didn’t want you to make that drive worried about anything. Plus, I wanted to surprise you.” Her cheeks peak up under her eyes and I’m so tempted to place a kiss on them.
I blink out of the haze she put me in and take in her words. “I want to know everything. But, Ari, what did you need to prepare for?” My pulse quickens in anticipation. “Please don’t tell me you came all this way just to say—”
She places her palm against my cheek. “I love you, Mason.” Her eyes sparkle with a fine sheen draped over them. “I should have said it back on that day and I’m sorry I didn’t.”
I clasp her wrist that holds my face. “Don’t be sorry. You’re saying it now.”
“I didn’t realize what those words meant until I met you. And for the longest time I felt like…I wasn’t good enough for you. That I would only continue to cause you and your life and your family harm.” I shake my head, ready to protest, but she continues. “But then I realized I had the power to change that. To change my life. To be worthy…”
I lean in and press my lips to hers. Not only to stop the words that hurt my heart, but because I need the contact. We both do. “Ari, you don’t have to change a thing. Dammit, I love you just the way you are. I fell in love with the woman you are…chaos and all.”
We both laugh and I brush a tear from her cheek.
“Thank you for saying that. But I let my circumstances lead my destiny. Losing my mother, dealing with Alex, all my thoughts and actions…”
&
nbsp; “Hey, you were surviving as best you could.”
“I’m tired of surviving. You showed me that I could take control of my life, want more, do more. I’m so proud of you, Mason.”
“I’m proud of you. You’re the strongest woman I know, and you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”
“But I want to prove something to myself.” She grabs me by my shirt at the chest and with a scowl pulls me in. “And you…mister…I can’t believe what you did.” She pauses and puddles form beneath her eyes. “I should be mad at you for butting in, because as soon as I read that letter, I knew it was you behind it. I just don’t understand how you made it happen. Why would they do this for me just because you asked?”
My breathing finally calmed, I let out a deep sigh. “I didn’t just ask. They happily wanted to help because of you, Ari. Your talent. Your paintings.” I pause and revel in her confusion before I make the rest clear. “I took pictures of all the work I’ve seen you do. Starting with that masterpiece you painted of your mother.”
Her mouth falls open and she shakes her head. “You have a picture of that? Oh, my God.”
“I do. I’m actually having a print made for you as well. Should arrive at the house this week. And once we get you moved back in, we can check out the art schools so you can pick one.” I hold my breath, hoping for nothing but agreement. We both have to be all in now and I won’t settle for anything less.
She throws her arms around my neck and I pull her in at the waist. “Mason, I can’t believe this. Thank you so much.”
“Don’t thank me. This was all you. I just made the connections…with the help of my Gramps. Of course, he has more connections than me.”
She giggles but then pulls back and pins me with a serious gaze. “I really do appreciate this so much, and I can’t tell you how excited I am for the possibility of going to art school and becoming a painter…” She lifts a brow.
“But…”
“This has to be it with you trying to take control and fix my life. Fix me.”
I answer with a kiss, deep and slow, something that conveys more than words. Then I pin her with the same gaze. “And don’t you ever tell me again you need fixing. You’re the absolute perfect woman for me, Ari Mendez. And I’m never letting you go again.”
Broken Bridges (Bridges Brothers Book 2) Page 19
