Mason (Trinity Academy Book 2)

by Michelle Heard

  “What did you say?” Falcon asks, and leaning forward, he must catch sight of the look in my eyes, because he instantly kneels down in front of me. “What’s wrong?”

  I shake my head to get out of the paralyzing daze I’m caught in. “Kingsley. I couldn’t hold on to her.”

  “Oh, God,” Layla gasps, and I almost snap at her to shut up.

  I grab hold of Falcon’s shoulder and use him, so I can climb to my feet.

  How long has it been? Ten minutes? An hour?

  I struggle back to where my stuff is. Exhausted, I close my eyes.

  I take a deep breath and squaring my shoulders, I cup my hands around my mouth and shout, “Kingsley!”

  I don’t bother with the people either making their way to the ski lifts or skiing down the slope. I don’t check to see what Falcon and Lake are doing.

  I begin to search, feebly hoping she’s not buried under the snow.

  I should have held onto her.

  The second I knew of the avalanche, I should’ve grabbed her to me instead of just letting my eyes pass over.

  Another feeling of Deja Vu eerily flutters through me, yanking me back into the past.

  I could have saved her.

  She’s dead because of me.

  Chapter 2

  Kingsley

  Waking, half-covered in snow, I’m blinded by the sun reflecting off the fresh powder.

  I let out a groan then lift my head. Not seeing anything familiar, I pull my right hand from where it’s stuck beneath me and let out a painful cry when sharp pain cuts through my wrist. I suck in a couple of icy breaths before I carefully try to turn onto my back, but the movement only engulfs my right ankle in pain.

  “Crap, it hurts,” I groan, keeping still until the aching subsides a little.

  And it’s cold.

  Using my left arm, I push myself into a sitting position and shake the snow off of me. Remembering the avalanche, I hurriedly glance around me. Panic slams hard into me when I realize the snow pushed me into a lining of trees, and I have no idea where I am. I can’t see anyone. A ski sticks out of the ice a couple of feet away, and further up, I catch sight of a pole.

  Damn, I lost everything on the way down.

  I sit still for a couple of minutes, processing the situation while trying to come up with a plan.

  What do I do now?

  Looking down at my right hand, I pull my sleeve up to see if it’s bleeding. Luckily, it’s only blue and swollen. I probably sprained my wrist and ankle when I landed on it.

  “I wish I had my phone,” I mutter. “It’s the last time I go anywhere without it.”

  Making the decision to get moving, I put most of my weight on my left hand and leg and grind my teeth against the pain while I climb to my feet. Once I’m standing, I lift my right foot from the snow and glance around me again.

  “Which way do I go?”

  I look to the sides of me, and then down the mountain.

  “I suppose down is best. Getting off the mountain is all that matters.” I try to hop, but it’s a failure of epic proportions when I just sink deeper into the snow.

  “Kingsley!”

  I freeze like a deer when I hear Mason’s shout.

  Now is not the time to be picky about who saves your ass. It’s not like you can walk on your own.

  “Mason?” I call out.

  “Kingsley!”

  His voice sounds closer, and I turn to my left, this time yelling, “Mason.”

  I see a glimpse of black a little ways up, and then Mason appears from behind a line of trees.

  Sigh. The beauty of a fallen angel… with a soul as dark as night.

  He’s moving fast, sliding sideways down the steeper patches.

  I might not like him, and even though he scares the crap out of me, I have to admit I’m glad to see him.

  When he’s closer, I feel the familiar nervousness which I’ve become accustomed to whenever he’s around, and I begin to ramble, “I have no idea how I ended up out here. One minute I’m standing on the slope with you, and the next it’s like bam, I’m out in the sticks.” I glance down at my leg. “I think I sprained my ankle. Oh, and my wrist.” I hold my wrist up for him to see, and as I look up, my eyes just about pop out of my head.

  Mason slams into me, and wrapping his arms around me, he almost lifts me off the ground with a tight hug.

  Okkkkaaayyyy?

  I still have my hands up in the air, and while I try to decide whether I should hug him back, his body shudders against mine.

  “Fuck,” he whispers. “I’m so sorry I didn’t pull you toward me.” His voice is tight with emotion.

  I bring my left hand down to his arm and awkwardly pat him. “It’s okay.”

  I glance up the mountain, silently hoping Layla, or anyone else would appear, but I’m fresh out of luck.

  “Uhm… where’s the rest of the group?”

  My question has Mason pulling back. He lets go of me, and I almost lose my balance, which has him grabbing hold of my left arm.

  I wait for him to snap at me, but he doesn’t. Instead, he glances down at my right leg, which is still up in the air.

  He doesn’t say anything, and when he crouches down in front of me, turning his back to me, I blink stupidly at him.

  “Get on, Hunt. I can’t carry you and move through the snow. I need my arms free.”

  “Oh.” I place my hand on his shoulder and begin to lean forward.

  Well, this isn’t awkward at all.

  Reaching behind him, Mason takes hold of my thighs and pulls me flush against his back. I let out a surprised squeak and quickly wrap my left arm around his neck.

  I’m just about to ask who he is and what he’s done with the real Mason, but I swallow the words down when I glance at his face. Usually, Mason looks pissed. But the way his breaths explode over his lips along with the distressed frown between his eyes, it makes him look like a totally different person.

  Shit, no!

  “Did anyone get hurt?” I blurt out, fearful something bad has happened to one of my friends.

  Mason shakes his head and begins to move.

  “So, everyone is fine?”

  He nods again, then swallows hard.

  “Your face tells me something happened,” I argue, needing to know the truth.

  “Shut up, Hunt,” he mutters as if it’s taking a lot of effort for him to speak.

  A new worry begins to niggle.

  What if he hurt himself?

  “Are you okay?”

  “Kingsley!” he snaps. “Shut the fuck up.”

  Nope, he’s okay. It must be my imagination.

  When we finally make it to where the rest of the group is, I let out a relieved sigh.

  “You found her!” Layla cries, and she begins to stumble through the snow to get to us.

  “I better let the search and rescue know,” Falcon says, then turns to head over to where a group of people is gathered.

  Mason takes hold of my left arm and basically just shrugs me off of his back.

  “Oomph!” I hit the snow, and it makes the dull pain in my wrist and ankle roar back to life. “Owwww, Jerk!” I snap at Mason’s back, before mumbling, “Thank you.”

  Layla almost falls over me in her hurry to hug me. I let out a burst of laughter when her arms wrap tightly around my neck. “I was so worried. Thank, God, you’re okay.”

  Lake crouches down next to me, giving me a grateful smile.

  “I’m glad to see you’re all okay,” I say.

  Lake pats my shoulder then he gets up and walks over to Mason who seriously looks like a caged animal.

  “Are you okay?” I hear Lake ask Mason.

  Mason just stares at Lake, and I don’t know what Lake sees, but he turns toward Falcon and yells, “I’m taking Mason down. Let’s meet up at the resort.”

  “We’re heading down as well,” Falcon answers while he comes back to Layla and me. “Are you good to walk, Kingsley?”

  I
shake my head, scrunching my nose as I glare down at my foot. “I sprained my ankle.”

  Falcon bends down and gently picks me up, giving me a reassuring look.

  Yep, this is the difference between Falcon and Mason. Falcon treats you like a princess where Mason-the-damn-caveman just tosses you around.

  Layla fusses over me all the way down the slope and on the ride to the hospital. I’m surprised Mason and Lake ride with us, thinking they would’ve gone to the resort.

  When we walk into the emergency center, Lake turns to Falcon, “We’ll be back soon.”

  Falcon quickly grabs hold of Mason’s arm and glances at Layla and me. “You’ll manage, right?”

  “Oh, yeah. Sure,” Layla answers, her eyes going to Mason, who keeps himself turned away from us.

  I tilt my head and frown as the guys walk away. “I’m seriously missing something right now.”

  Layla places her arm around me, then explains, “They’re worried over Mason. I think he’s in shock.”

  I take hold of her with my left hand and begin to hop toward reception.

  When I’m all bandaged up, and I have some anti-inflammatory meds, I sit down in the waiting area while Layla goes to look for the guys.

  It doesn’t take long before I see them walk toward me. Layla and Falcon hang back, talking about something, while Lake heads toward the pharmacy to get a prescription filled out.

  Mason comes over to the waiting area and passes right by me. Glancing over my shoulder, I watch him sit down in the furthest seat from me.

  I’m not going to lie. It stings. I have no idea what I did to make him hate me so much.

  Shrugging the negativity away, I glance at Layla and Falcon. They’re still talking, so I look down at my bandaged hand.

  When Lake is done getting the medication, he comes toward me. “Let’s get going.” He glances over at Falcon and calls out, “All set. Let’s go.”

  I get up and smile gratefully at Lake when he places an arm around my waist. Leaning on him, I hop toward the exit with his help.

  As we walk outside toward the van, I notice Lake holding the medicine out to Mason. But instead of taking it, Mason shakes his head, grumbling, “I’m not taking that shit. I’ll be fine.”

  He then walks ahead of us and staring at the wide expanse of his back, I wonder what the medication is for.

  I hope he’s okay.

  Chapter 3

  Mason

  Fucking PTSD my ass.

  I’m just shaken up by the incident.

  Sitting in the back of the van, I stare blankly out of the window. I don’t have an appetite, but I know Lake must be starving, and that’s the only reason I’m not saying anything when Falcon drives to a restaurant.

  “I think I can eat an entire cow,” Kingsley says happily as if she didn’t get hit by a damn avalanche just a couple of hours ago.

  I wish I were back at Trinity.

  “Damn, you and me both,” Lake chuckles. “Ahh… I can already see the steak.” He pauses then begins to add a whole list, “And pizza. And tacos. And chicken wings.”

  I just want to lie down on my own bed and not get up again.

  “So, basically the whole menu,” Layla teases him.

  I keep smelling the fumes from the car.

  “You know me well,” Lake chuckles.

  I close my eyes, and when the image of Jen slumped over the branch flashes through my mind, suffocating sorrow wells up inside my chest.

  “I just want anything warm. It feels like I’m a block of ice,” Layla complains.

  My eyes catch Falcon’s in the rearview mirror, and I quickly lower my head. I turn my face away so he can’t see as a tear escapes. Casually, bringing my hand up, I rest my chin on my thumb and wipe the tear away with my knuckles.

  Breathe.

  Just breathe.

  I try to focus on every breath I take, but images keep flashing through my mind.

  “We’re here. Finally, food!” Lake coos.

  Jennifer cheering me on while I’m playing basketball with Falcon and Lake.

  “Lake, will you be my hero and give me a piggyback ride?” Kingsley begs.

  Jennifer tousling my hair.

  Jennifer smiling.

  “Mason?” Falcon sits down next to me, and it’s a struggle to lift my eyes. “The others have gone to the restaurant.” He places his arm behind me and leans forward. When his eyes catch mine, he brings his other arm around me and hugs me to him. “I’m here.”

  I try to nod, but the emotions leave me feeling dazed and sluggish.

  “I’m here, buddy.” I’m grateful to him for not asking how I feel.

  I wouldn’t know how to answer that.

  Fucked? Lost? Broken beyond repair?

  Falcon sits with me for a while, and it gives me time to push some of the emotions down.

  “I suppose we have to head inside,” I mutter.

  “No, we can sit here until they’re done. I don’t mind.”

  This is why I consider him my brother. He’s always been there, a silent force keeping me from giving up.

  “Let’s go eat,” I say, willing my voice to sound stronger.

  “You sure?” Falcon asks, shifting forward when I gesture for him to move.

  “I’m sure.” I force a smile to my lips.

  I follow Falcon out of the van and into the restaurant. My eyes land on Lake, who freezes with a slice of pizza inches from his mouth, and the sight brings a real smile to my face.

  Falcon goes to sit next to Layla.

  The smile quickly drops from my face, and I glare at Lake as I take the seat between him and Kingsley.

  “Fucker,” I mumble under my breath.

  “I needed more space for all the food,” Lake explains.

  I shake my head, letting out a burst of silent laughter.

  “Grab a slice,” Lake says right before he stuffs half the damn pizza into his mouth.

  A waiter comes to bring more food to the table, and I order a drink, needing something strong to help take the edge off.

  As the waiter leaves with my order, Lake grumbles, “You better eat something, or I’m going to force-feed you.”

  “Shoot,” Kingsley mumbles next to me, drawing my attention.

  Glancing at her, I watch her brow furrow as she stares longingly at the steak on her plate, gripping a fork in her left hand.

  “Clearly, I didn’t think this through,” she whispers.

  I let out a sigh and reach over her, grabbing the fork from her hand while picking up her knife. I cut the steak into small pieces, then drop the cutlery next to the plate.

  Luckily, the waiter brings my drink and taking it from him, I say, “Thanks.” Bringing the tumbler to my mouth, I take two huge sips. When the whiskey burns down my throat, I almost close my eyes from the relief it makes me feel.

  Setting the glass down in front of me, Kingsley whispers, “Thank you.”

  I don’t bother acknowledging her gratitude.

  When Lake frowns at me, I reach over and pick a piece of chicken from the slice of pizza on his plate. Popping it into my mouth, I swallow the thing whole, then grumble, “I ate. Chill now.”

  “It’s so damn hard raising kids,” Lake mutters, shaking his head. “Won’t eat when you tell them to. Won’t take their meds when you tell them to. My eldest will be the end of me one of these days. Stubborn fucker.”

  Kingsley bursts out laughing from what Lake just said, and a piece of steak flies from her mouth, smacking against Falcon’s chest.

  Falcon almost does a backflip to get away from the half-eaten piece of meat. Layla’s laughter explodes through the restaurant as she cracks up while pointing a finger at Falcon.

  “Being hit by a flying piece of cow,” Falcon states, a serious expression on his face. “Guess there’s a first for everything.”

  Kingsley tilts sideways in her chair from the laughter shaking her. Looking at her, I watch tears spill over her cheeks as she gasps for air, and the realizatio
n that she’s seriously cute right now hits.

  Then she snorts.

  Just a moment of insanity, buddy. Nothing to worry about.

  When we get back to the cabin, I walk right through to the sliding doors and opening them, I step out onto the deck. I shut the doors behind me and grabbing a chair, I pull it away from the view of the living room.

  Sitting down, I lean back, and lifting my legs, I rest my feet on the banister.

  It’s quickly growing dark as I stare at the bare tree a couple of yards away.

  ‘Don’t you think it’s amazing, Mace?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘The tree.’ Jen points at it. ‘It looks dead now, but in a couple of months it will be sprouting new leaves.’

  “You didn’t get to see it,” I whisper.

  I close my eyes as waves of pain roll over me.

  ‘Mace, are you okay with it all?’

  ‘With you marrying Julian?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Of course. As long as you’ll be happy, Jen. Plus, it will make Falcon my brother.’

  ‘Technically, Falcon will be my brother-in-law,’ she teases.

  I roll my eyes at her. ‘Duh, that makes him my brother as well.’

  “Are you haunting me, Jen?” I say the words softly to the night closing in around me. “Is it because I failed you?”

  ‘I love you, Mace.’

  “I keep blaming that fucker for slamming into the back of us.” I swallow hard as just the thought of West Dayton makes rage burn through the grief. “But it’s as much my fault, as it is his.”

  ‘Yeah,’ Jennifer whispers.

  I hear the sliding door open and glance up. Falcon and Lake step outside, and then Lake hands me a cup of coffee.

  “Fuck, it’s cold out here,” Falcon says as he pulls a chair closer and sits down. He lifts his feet to the banister.

  Lake does the same, and then the three of us stare out into the darkness for a little while.

  “I think the last of my coffee just froze,” Lake mutters.

  I let out a chuckle. “Go inside. You guys really don’t have to sit out here.”

  I hear the sliding door opening again, and glancing up I see it’s Layla with an armful of blankets. “Figured you guys might need these.”