And Then What?

by D. R. Graham

  I glanced at Mason, wondering if what happened between us the summer before really had made him not want to go back home. We’d only technically gone on a few dates and more than six months had passed since. We hadn’t left things on bad terms; although it was sort of an abrupt hey-I-choose-Trevor-thanks-for-everything type of closure, it shouldn’t have left lasting scars or traumatic memories that he would want to avoid. Definitely not. His four-month stint probably had more to do with steering clear of his dad’s pressure to go back to work, or to break free from the person everyone back home assumed he was, or to escape the pain of losing his brother.

  Orrett noticed how intently I was studying Mason’s expression, so I stopped and focused on what he and Sophie were talking about instead. But I couldn’t help feeling sad that Mason still hadn’t found what made him happy. Maybe that’s how it was for most people. I was lucky that I didn’t have to search my whole life to find it. My happiness had been right next to me all along.

  When I glanced over at Mason again he was already looking at me with an intensity that made it seem like he knew what I was thinking.

  After another round of gasoline-grade drinks Sophie stood and stretched. “I’m going to get some sleep before it’s time to get up again.”

  Orrett stood and pointed at Mason. “Make sure you get some shut-eye too.”

  “I’m fine.”

  Orrett shot him a stern parental-type look before he left.

  Mason and I moved and sat on lounge chairs out on the balcony. “What was that look about?” I asked.

  “Nothing. I haven’t been feeling that well lately. He’s just bugging me so I won’t get overtired. He knows it means more work for him if I have to take a sick day. I’m fine.”

  “Are you sure? We can hang out in the morning instead.”

  “I don’t want to go to sleep. I want to talk. I miss our talks.”

  I smiled. “Me too.”

  The sky turned gold as the sun rose somewhere behind us and Mason said softly, almost as if he didn’t mean to say it out loud, “You’re even more beautiful than I remembered.”

  I wrinkled my nose, uncomfortable with the fact that he did say it out loud, and joked, “You’ve been in the Mexican wilderness too long.”

  “No.” He stared at me for another second and then focused on the view over the railing. “Trevor’s a lucky guy.”

  It was a sweet thing to say, but it felt like maybe the feelings he used to have were surfacing. I didn’t want him to get hurt, and I didn’t want there to be any confusion about my status, so I said, “Thank you. I’ll tell Trevor you said that.”

  Mason’s expression twitched subtly with an emotion that disappeared again before I had a chance to decipher it. Liam and his friends got home next door. They were being loud initially but then settled down as they either went to bed or passed out. When it was quiet again I asked Mason, “What does your dad think about you going into marine biology in the fall?”

  “He hasn’t really said anything about it. I think he’s hoping it’s just a phase.”

  “Is it just a phase? Do you think you’ll start working for him again or actually become a marine biologist?”

  He shrugged and crossed his ankles on the balcony railing. “I don’t know.”

  Seeing him in casual shorts and plain t-shirt was a stark contrast from the designer tailored suits and European runway clothes I was used to seeing him in. “It might be hard to give up your lavish lifestyle forever.”

  He frowned a bit. “No. I like it better when I have to work for things. It makes it easier for me to figure out what I really need when everything isn’t just handed to me.”

  I nodded because that did make sense. I shouldn’t have assumed how it would feel to give up the perks of his privileged life. “What have you figured out about your needs so far?”

  “It’s all in the letters I wrote you. I’ll send them. Just don’t tell Trevor. I don’t feel like getting an ass-kicking.”

  I laughed at first, but the smile faded as I thought about how he must have felt when I had told him about my feelings for Trevor. “I’m sorry if I hurt you by choosing Trevor.”

  He shrugged. “You made the right choice. I didn’t even know who I was. It was for the best. It happened for a reason.”

  “Do you really believe that?”

  He nodded. “Without a doubt.”

  Relieved that he was okay with how things turned out, I shoved his shoulder lightly to get him to look at me. “I’m glad we ran into each other. Even if it is just for the day.”

  “Me too.”

  We talked for another couple of hours. When the sun rose high enough to hit the balcony Mason stood and stretched as he said, “I’m hungry. Do you want to join me for the breakfast buffet?”

  “Definitely. Let me grab a quick shower and change my clothes. I’ll see if Sophie’s up yet.”

  When I stood, I had a vision. I was running and jumped over the edge of something very high. I fell until I hit water. Then I saw Trevor’s face.

  Mason had witnessed my visions before, so he knew what it meant when I zoned out momentarily. He stood in front of me holding my elbow. “What did you see?” he asked quietly.

  “I’m not sure. I need to contact Trevor.”

  CHAPTER 10

  It was so annoying to not have Wi-Fi in our hotel room. I sent Trevor a text, but he didn’t respond. It was early, so he was probably still asleep. Or if he was awake, he might have been out for a run. Mason left to shower in his room. I woke Sophie and hopped in the shower first because I wanted to have time to go down to the computer stations in the lobby before meeting the guys for breakfast.

  As I brushed my hair in front of the bathroom mirror, Sophie squeezed behind me “Why do we have to call him Bill?” She stepped into the shower.

  “His dad is financing the school project he’s volunteering for and he doesn’t want anyone to know he’s related.”

  “Why?” she shouted over the sound of the water.

  “Partly because he doesn’t want preferential treatment and partly because it might not be safe if the wrong people find out that he’s wealthy.”

  “What, like he’ll get kidnapped for ransom or something?”

  “I guess. It’s common in some parts of Mexico.” I applied clear lip gloss and pulled my hair into a ponytail.

  “Shit.” She towelled off as she made her way back to the bedroom. Then buttoned the fly on her jean shorts and pulled a tank top over her head. “I hope you know boyfriends aren’t an obstacle for guys like Mason. He’s smooth enough to make you slip up if you’re not careful.”

  I leaned my shoulder against the doorframe, arms crossed. “We were just talking—as friends. I made it clear I’m still with Trevor. And I love Trevor.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m warning you now.” She pointed at me in a genuinely cautionary way. “Be careful.”

  “Mason didn’t even try anything. He’s a gentleman.”

  “He’s a sex Jedi.” She slipped her feet into sandals and slid a stack of gold bangles onto her wrist. “If he uses the Force on you, you might not be able to resist.”

  “He leaves this afternoon. I can handle it.”

  She walked over to me and pinched my cheeks. “I hope so.”

  I rolled my eyes. “A little faith, please. Meet me downstairs. I need to email Trevor.”

  I had to wait for a computer. A man who was booking golf tee-times, apparently for the entire year, was using one. One of the computers wasn’t working. One was being used by a girl who was messaging someone back and forth at impressive speed per message but torturous speed per conversation. I paced around and tapped my fingers on my thigh. I think I annoyed the golf guy enough that he finally got up and left.

  I sat down and logged in to compose the email: Hi Babe. There’s no Wi-Fi in the room and it’s ridiculously slow in the lobby so I have to use a shared computer. If you need to get a hold of me you should text. I keep having a vision. I think i
t has something to do with you getting lost on a rescue. I don’t know for sure. Please don’t go on any rescues until I get back.

  I sent it and then remembered I had other things to tell him. While I was writing the second message, his response to the first one came through:

  Hey, I’m not going up to Britannia Beach. I have way too much studying to do. You don’t have to worry about me getting lost, unless I get lost between my room and the library. I didn’t know about Sophie and Doug breaking up. I called him to see how he’s doing. He’s messed up. He said she won’t return his calls or emails. He thought they were going to get married. He asked me to ask you to tell Sophie that he loves her and wants to talk to her. Are you having fun?

  I quickly finished typing the second email:

  There’s one other thing I want to tell you. Don’t freak out, because there’s no reason to freak out. We ran into Mason down here. It was a coincidence and he’s leaving this afternoon. We talked last night and Sophie and I are going to meet him and his friend for breakfast. It’s no big deal. Just thought you should know since I would want you to tell me if you ran into an ex.

  I wasn’t sure if he was still online, but I waited and bit at my fingernails. Finally, my inbox chirped.

  Thanks for telling me. Have fun.

  Relieved, I quickly typed: I love you. Please be safe.

  Always am. Love you too.

  I felt better knowing that Trevor wasn’t planning on going on rescues. I also felt better knowing that Trevor trusted me with Mason.

  Sophie and the guys were already standing together at the main entrance to the dining hall. Seeing Mason from a distance talking to her made it seem like he had never been gone from my life. He smiled at me from across the lobby as I approached them, and although there were a lot of reasons why we could never really be close friends, that’s what I wished for.

  The buffet was literally overflowing with fruits, pastries, and artisan breads. There were stations for pancakes, waffles, French toast, and any type of egg dish you could imagine. It put my little continental buffet at the Inn to shame. I went back three times to fill up on different things. My favourite was the Eggs Benny and the tropical fruit salad with cooked muesli. I was stuffed.

  “Do you ladies have plans for the morning?” Mason asked after we finished eating.

  “Not really. We were thinking about going to the spa,” Sophie said as she tipped the waiter.

  “The spa can wait. Orrett and I are taking you horseback riding.”

  Orrett shrugged as if he didn’t know that was the plan, but was fine with it. Mason pulled my chair out for me and I saw him slip the waiter another tip. As we passed the buffet, I grabbed an apple to take with us. I assumed we would be going to the horseback riding along the beach at the resort until Mason led us to the front of the hotel and hailed a cab. Well, it was actually more like a motorcycle with a passenger carriage on the back than a cab. There were no seatbelts and the driver drove like a maniac, weaving between other vehicles and pedestrians. Even if we’d been in a vehicle that was more stable than a tin can, I still would have been terrified by his driving.

  The horseback-riding ranch was outside the city on top of a rolling hill. The dinky cab could barely make it up the road with all of us weighing it down. When the hill got really steep, the cab chugged and we could have walked faster. The ranch house was a huge Spanish-style estate with a landscaped desert garden and an impressive fountain that pooled down over river rocks and streamed across the property. Mason beat Sophie to the cab driver’s tip and grinned at her competitively.

  “It’s beautiful here,” I said in awe. “Wait,” I said, then leaned in so I could whisper in his ear, “Where is your bodyguard?”

  He touched his finger to his lips and whispered, “Shh.” His mouth stretched into a smile that was intended to be reassuring as he continued, “He’s here. You’re not supposed to see him. If you see him it either means he’s not doing his job properly or we’re in trouble.”

  I frowned and glanced around nervously.

  An English-speaking Mexican in a huge cowboy hat, brown boots, and Wrangler jeans with a woven leather belt met us in front of the stables. He showed us around, then outfitted us with four gorgeous horses. My horse was auburn brown with a dark-brown mane and tail. She had a little patch of white hair in the shape of a diamond on her forehead. Her name was Tortuga.

  He showed us how to saddle the horses and checked to make sure we did it right. Mine was wrong. Apparently, the saddle would have slipped around as we rode and I would have ended up riding under Tortuga’s belly. My stirrups were too short too. I stood back to let the guide fix everything. Tortuga lifted her tail and dumped a pile of manure a foot away from me. It hit the cement floor of the stable and splattered up on my leg.

  “Nice,” I groaned.

  “You have to watch yourself behind a horse.” The guide chuckled as if he had known it was going to happen.

  After we were all saddled up he gave us a mini-lesson on riding. Sophie had ridden when she was young, so she was off and trotting immediately on her horse, named Zhara. Mason was on a tan-coloured horse, named Rey, with a blond mane and tail. I had never been on a horse in my life, and Tortuga obviously knew it because she wouldn’t even walk for me. Mason slapped her butt and she reluctantly followed the rest of them.

  The trails led up over the rolling hills and entered a forested area. My horse was doing whatever she wanted and I kind of wished I could flutter my eyelashes at her to make her do what I wanted. At one point, even though I was yanking on the reins and shouting at her, she walked off the trail and right into a bush. She just stopped and stood with her head in the branches. I didn’t know how to make her back up, so Mason had to grab her bridle and pull her sideways until she turned around and followed the trail.

  Eventually, I got a bit more confident and she started to listen to me, sort of. We rode for over an hour to the highest peak, which overlooked Acapulco and the ocean beyond. Mason manoeuvred his horse next to mine and the horses leaned into each other and put pressure on my leg. Tortuga was doing it on purpose to be a pest.

  “What do you think?” Mason asked as he gazed out at the view.

  “It’s amazing. Thank you. Do you come here a lot?”

  “No. I heard about it from some of the other volunteers, but I’ve never had a reason to come before.”

  He dismounted gracefully. I slid off awkwardly. The guide set a picnic table with nice linens and Mexican dishware. He spread out an assortment of authentic, home-made Mexican food and poured us each a wine glass of Sangria from a cooler. I gave my Sangria to Mason, but ate more than my fair share of breads, bean dips, salsa, and other goodies.

  After we finished eating, Sophie said, “This was really cool. Thanks Ma—” She stopped herself before she finished saying his name and a panicked expression flashed across her face. Mason and I pretended not to hear it. Orrett didn’t seem to notice.

  “My horse already doesn’t like me,” I said to break the silence. “She’s not going to be thrilled when she realizes I just put on ten pounds of Mexican snacks.”

  “You need to give her a good kick to make sure she knows what you want,” Mason said as he helped the guide pack everything back into the picnic basket.

  I stood to help wrap up the leftovers. “I don’t like hurting her.”

  Mason sort of scoffed and then shot me a glance that wasn’t particularly friendly. “Sometimes being too nice hurts more.”

  He was definitely talking about us and the past. The guilt made me wince. When he saw the expression on my face, his eyes closed as if he maybe regretted saying it. But he was entitled to be mad. It was fair. I deserved it. “Sorry,” I said, under my breath, before I walked over to my horse and attempted to get back on. I hopped three times before I gained enough height to throw my leg over her back. Just when I was almost mounted, she spun around and bucked. I was catapulted forward over her shoulder and flipped once before landing on my back in
the dirt.

  “Ow,” I groaned.

  Mason was already kneeling beside me when I opened my eyes. “Don’t try to move,” he said as he scanned my body for blood or sideways bones.

  The guide reined in my horse and Sophie crouched down on the other side of me. “Oh my God. Are you hurt?”

  “Um.” I closed my eyes and took a physical inventory. “My phone is broken, but I think I’m okay.” I moved to pick up my shattered phone and a sharp twinge shot through my arm from the elbow to my fingers. “Ow. Maybe not.”

  “Orrett’s a doctor,” Sophie said, and moved so Orrett could look at my wrist.

  “I’m a dentist,” he corrected her.

  She waved him over eagerly to indicate that anyone with medical knowledge would do.

  “I guess I can take a look.” He moved the joint in a couple of ways and it hurt so bad when he bent it back I started to cry. “It might be broken. You need x-rays. Do you have travel medical insurance?”

  “No.” I sucked back the pain so I could talk. “We left so quickly. I didn’t even think about it.”

  “It’s fine. I’ll cover the cost,” Mason said. “The hospital is on the way back to the hotel.”

  With help, I got to my feet, but I hadn’t even been a good rider with two hands, so the guide phoned the ranch and arranged to have someone pick me up in a Jeep. Mason insisted on riding with me. Sophie and Orrett rode back with the horses and the guide. The drive over the mountain terrain was actually bumpier in the Jeep than it had been on the horse and my wrist started to swell.

  Mason looked so concerned. “I’m sorry.”

  I glanced sideways at him while cradling my wrist against my chest. “It’s not your fault.”

  He reached over and gently touched the swelling on my wrist. “Come with us to the project. I would feel better if you were with us—to make sure your wrist is healing properly.”