A Step Two Close

by Jaimie Roberts

  Mason disappeared, but he was back by the time I had the bandaged wrapped up and was ready to leave.

  “Is everything okay?” I gathered my bag and looked at him for an answer.

  Mason smiled. “Everything’s fine. I just thought I would tell your mother I’m coming home. She gets antsy when she doesn’t hear from me for a while.”

  “I’m not going home, Mason.”

  He sighed. “I know. I don’t know why, but you have your reasons, and I will respect them. Just know I am here if you need to talk.”

  I nodded with a smile—grateful that he didn’t push it. “I can let you know Christian’s address.”

  Grabbing my good arm, we thanked the hospital staff and made our way outside. “I’m not taking you to Christian’s.”

  I stopped walking. “What? I thought you said—”

  “I know what I said, and I’ll respect that. If you want to be on your own for a while, then, fine ... But, you’re not staying at Christian’s. You can stay at my apartment for tonight. It’s just sitting there empty anyway.”

  We carried on walking to the car. “You haven’t sold it?”

  Mason shook his head. “No, it’s handy keeping it. Besides, Hunter may want to move in there once he’s finished with his degree.”

  I thought about that whilst we were getting in the car. Why isn’t Hunter living in it now? Surely he would want his own space to fill his boots? It would certainly make my life a damn sight easier if he wasn’t living with us twenty-four-seven.

  “Luckily, the apartment isn’t too far away from here.” Mason started the car and moved out of the space.

  “I’m sorry I caused all this trouble. You didn’t need to be with me. I could have done all of this myself.”

  “Will you stop apologising? It’s not your fault. You didn’t mean to cut yourself like that.”

  I smiled timidly. “I appreciate it though, Mason. I really do.” I could feel myself welling up again, so I decided to look away.

  “Hey, hey.” Mason tugged on my shoulder, but I didn’t look at him. “Ayden, look at me. Look. At. Me.”

  I turned my head, and as I did, I felt a tear fall down my face. Man, what was wrong with me tonight? I was normally so head-strong, but tonight had just pushed me over the edge. I could feel it all bubbling inside... feel all of the years of abuse at the hands of my mother.

  Mason grabbed my hand, and I let him. “There’s no need to cry, Ayden. There are people who are here for you, who want to be here for you. Don’t shut us out when we want to help. It’s what families are for.” I nodded my head, but I didn’t say any more just in case the tears kept coming. “I don’t know what it is that’s upsetting you, but I will be behind you one hundred percent if you ever need to talk. I can promise you that.”

  I sucked in a deep breath, trying hard to get my emotions in check. It was hard, though. I just wanted to be alone, so I could cry it out, pull up my big girl panties, and get on with my life.

  “Thank you, Mason.”

  He let go of my hand to change gears and looked at me for a moment. I could definitely see where Hunter got his looks from. If it wasn’t for Hunter, I think I would have had a major crush on Mr. Davenport.

  “We’re almost there.”

  Chapter Twelve

  He drove the rest of the way in silence, only briefly looking my way a couple of times. I wasn’t sure why he was doing it. Maybe he was worried I would start crying again. I was on the verge, but I was still determined to hold it all in until he left.

  He eventually pulled into a very posh apartment block. It looked familiar, but, then again, so was the area. “This is a nice complex.”

  Mason parked the car underground and shut off the engine. “It is, and the apartment is pretty special, too. That’s why I couldn’t bear to say goodbye to it.” He got out of the car and again marched over to my side. I was busy trying to get out when Mason grabbed a hold of me and pulled me up. When he did, our eyes locked, and, for a moment, neither of us moved or said a thing. It was only when he looked down at my lips that I thought I should say something. “Thank you.”

  That broke the spell, thankfully. To be honest, I wasn’t in the right frame of mind. I didn’t think I would have the strength to push him away if he had tried to kiss me. How sick did that make me? I really needed to be alone—and fast. Alone, where I couldn’t fuck up anything else for a while.

  Mason gently guided me out of the way and shut the door. “It’s just this way,” he said, clearing his throat. We walked towards the lifts, and, luckily, the doors were already open. Mason got his wallet open and pulled out a card. He put it over the scanner and punched in some kind of code. The lift immediately closed.

  “They’re very security conscious here.”

  “Only I have this. I have the penthouse, you see.”

  I raised my eyebrow. “The penthouse, huh?”

  He nodded, but looked away as though he was embarrassed. Being all shy actually quite suited him. It made him look cute, and I always thought Mason was anything but cute. Strong, athletic, ruggedly handsome, but not cute—never cute.

  Man, I needed to get into this apartment and fast.

  At that thought, the doors pinged open and I was greeted by a bright hallway with landscape paintings and vases holding fake, but very real-looking, flowers. I had to touch them just to see if they were real or not for myself. “These are amazing.”

  I looked up to Mason, and he smiled. “I ordered those online. They’re pretty good, huh?” I nodded with a smile. “How’s your arm?”

  “Starting to hurt now that the local is wearing off.”

  Mason suddenly moved, and I walked behind him into this huge living room. It was a mass of beige walls, cream sofas, and a massive television hung on the wall. “Wow, how big is that?”

  Mason came back through the door from somewhere, handing me a glass and a couple of tablets. Once I grabbed them, he looked up with a smile. “That’s a seventy inch.”

  My eyes widened. “I’ve never watched from a seventy inch before.” Why did that suddenly sound rude?

  Mason just laughed. “Well, you can tonight.”

  I just nodded and then silence fell. He really needed to leave. “I’m okay now, Mason. You really should get back to the party.”

  Mason nodded reservedly. “What shall I tell your mum and Hunter?”

  Shit, I hadn’t thought about that. I couldn’t really care about either at the moment, but I had to think of an excuse—to placate Mason more than anything. “Just tell them that Christian needed me and that I went round to see him. My mum knows I sometimes stay around there.”

  Mason’s eyebrow raised. “Who is Christian?”

  I smiled. “He’s just a friend.” I smiled wider, knowing exactly why he was asking. “A very gay friend.” Why did I feel it necessary to explain that to him?

  “Ah,” he said with a smile. “If you’re sure you’re okay?” I nodded. “There are some things in the fridge if you need anything. Hunter sometimes uses this place from time to time, so the fridge should be stocked.” He said the words “uses this place” like it was an inside secret between him and Hunter. I thought I was starting to know all too well what that secret was.

  That made me feel like even more of an idiot.

  “Okay, thank you, Mason. I think I might just go to bed. I’m feeling really tired now.”

  Mason nodded. “It’s no wonder. You’ve had quite an eventful evening tonight.” I smiled, but I didn’t say anything, so Mason took that as his cue to leave. “Stay in my room tonight. It’s the first on the left.”

  I nodded again and felt stupid. Mason probably knew that Hunter had been in here with his hoards of women dirtying up the bed sheets. As if I wanted to sleep where he once slept anyway.

  “Right. I’m going to go. I’ll call you tomorrow and see how you are.”

  I nodded. “Do I need to do anything here before I leave?”

  Mason shook his head. “No. We
have a lady who comes and cleans once a week. She’ll sort everything out. Just make yourself at home, and I’ll see you Sunday evening.”

  I smiled with a nod, and Mason made his way to the lift. “Thanks, Mason. I hope you enjoy your trip.”

  Mason got in the lift and he raised his chin as the doors closed. Thank God I was alone.

  I wanted just to go straight to bed, but another part of me needed a stiff drink after the evening I had had. It was just after eleven, but it felt as though I had been up all night. I clocked a tumbler set on our way in, and it looked as though one bottle was full of bourbon.

  I walked that way, and, sure enough, it was full. I poured myself a healthy amount, swigged it down, and poured another. I took the drink with me to Mason’s room—first door on the left.

  When I opened the door, I was surprised to see how comfy and cosy it was. I thought it would have a giant king-sized waterbed with lavish satin sheets. Instead, I was met with a big mahogany bed with dark red sheets. The walls were painted a terracotta colour, which made it look warm and inviting. The other things I noticed straight away were the pictures of Hunter when he was small. Mason was in some of them too. Wow, he was hot, but somehow Mason looked better now than he did then. Hunter on the other hand looked as cute as a button, which was rather ironic. I did notice, however, that the more grown up he was in the photos, the more that cheeky side of him began to shine through. Behind those penetrating green eyes lay the monster who had trapped me. Yeah, he had trapped me well and good.

  With that thought in my mind, I lay on Mason’s bed, wincing as I accidentally put pressure on my arm. The darkness in my mind was coming again, and it was coming fast. I hated my life. I hated what my mother made me. Most of all, I hated myself.

  The tears came, and I didn’t stop them this time. I let them flow because I could weep pathetically now that there was no one to see or hear me. I curled into a ball and let the tears just fall and fall. I felt stupid for falling for Hunter’s trap. I felt stupid for letting my guard down as far as my mother was concerned. Most of all, I felt stupid because I was actually starting to fall for Hunter. Yeah, really clever, right?

  I was so wrapped up in my own little world that I didn’t even register that Mason was there until he sat on the bed. I shot up, which resulted in a sharp pain in my arm. I winced, but couldn’t take my eyes off of Mason and his concerned expression.

  “What are you doing back here?” I wiped the tears away as best as I could.

  “I forgot my car keys, but I didn’t realise until I got to the basement.”

  He went to say something, but I put my hand up. “Please don’t.” I didn’t want the questions I knew were coming. I couldn’t handle dealing with it. I just wanted to be left alone.

  “I was just going to ask if you needed a hug.”

  Another tear came down as I nodded my head. Mason scooted over and wrapped his arms around me. He felt nice, familiar, and warm. I knew it was summer, but the apartment was icy cold with the air conditioning. In fact, I didn’t realise I was that cold until I was in his arms.

  I found myself snuggling into him as best I could. He didn’t pull away. In fact, he only tightened his grip.

  After a moment, he loosened his grip, and I thought that would be it, but instead, he started stroking my hair. His caress felt soft, tender even. It made me want to look up at him to smile my appreciation. I began to do just that, but as my head came up, Mason’s lips came down. No doubt, all he wanted was to kiss my forehead, but instead, his lips grazed mine.

  I was rooted. I couldn’t move. At first Mason pulled back—a look of shock encasing his handsome features—but when he looked me in the eyes, he must have seen something. What it was, I didn’t know, but it drove him forward again, and before I could breathe, his lips were back on mine again. He broke free... looking at me for a moment before coming in for another kiss. It was almost as if he was seeking permission. It was almost as if he knew he shouldn’t, but he just couldn’t help himself.

  And neither could I.

  After the ugliness of this evening, I needed this. I needed to feel the warmth. I needed to feel the protection. I needed to feel loved. Even though I knew full well this wasn’t love, I felt it nonetheless, and right then, I was embracing it.

  Mason pulled away again, but only long enough for each of us to catch our breath. He was breathing heavily into my mouth as he tenderly stroked my cheek. I moaned. I couldn’t help it. I wanted him to touch me like that. I wanted him to touch me in places I knew he shouldn’t.

  He still had me cradled in his arms like I was a baby. It was wrong to want to feel his comfort. After the night I had, though, I needed it.

  As he trailed his fingers lightly down from my face towards my shoulder, a gasp left my lips.

  That was all the encouragement Mason needed. He captured my lips, but this time, it wasn’t gentle. It was needy, hungry, and full of passion. When I first met Mason, he was just as nervous as I was, but now he commanded me with a grace that set my insides on fire. He knew exactly how to control me, and boy was I loving it.

  Our tongues danced for a while, but soon we broke free, and with his hand, he pulled one side of my tank top down and started kissing my neck. I moaned, loving every single second of it. He pulled it down further, ready to expose my breast, but it was at that moment that one thought hit me:

  He’s done this with my mother.

  “Mason, stop.”

  He did so straight away. Our breathing was still harsh, and my top was still exposing my bare shoulder. Mason had the grace to get up from the bed, and, at first, he couldn’t look at me.

  “I’m so sorry, Ayden. I don’t know what came over me. That’s no excuse, but right now I don’t have one.”

  I pulled my top up and tried sliding myself up the bed with my good arm. “Mason, it’s fine.”

  Mason turned to look at me. “Ayden, it’s not fine. I told you there should be no repeats of a year ago, and here I am... mauling you on my bed.” Mason gripped his hands in his hair. “I’m supposed to be marrying your mother, and I just... I just… ”

  “Mason, will you stop? Nothing happened.”

  He looked down at me. “Only because you stopped me. Only because you made me see how wrong this was. What would your mother think of me?”

  My eyes widened. “She can never know.”

  His eyes reflected my own. “I realise that, but I know.” He pointed to himself and then to me. “We know.” He sighed and then sat at the foot of the bed. “I’ve never cheated before, Ayden. Sure, I’ve had lots of no-strings-attached relationships, but whenever I’ve committed myself, I’ve never strayed. I live by that philosophy.”

  I saw how defeated he was and moved down toward him. I placed my hand on his shoulder, but he never looked up. “We’ll just forget this ever happened, okay? I can if you can. I won’t think or feel any differently about you, and I hope you can feel the same about me, too.”

  He looked up then with a smile. “I’m sorry. I’m being an arse.”

  I chuckled. “You can never be that, Mason.”

  He stared at me a moment before speaking again. “You know you have your mother’s eyes—not the colour—just the way you look. It’s just, somehow your eyes look lost whenever I look into them.”

  I knew I shouldn’t ask, but I had to know. “What do you see when you look into my mother’s eyes?”

  Mason chuckled a little. “I don’t know. I think it’s determination.”

  I laughed, too, but not because I thought it was funny. It was funny, but in a bad, ironic sense. My mother was very determined. I just didn’t think Mason realised just how much.

  As if on cue, Mason’s phone started ringing. He panicked at first, but then realised it was in his pocket. He pulled it out, looked down and said, “It’s your mother.” I nodded as he answered. “Hi, darling. Yes, sorry I’m late. I just had a call about the apartment. The alarm was going off.” He paused a moment. “Yes, all is fine, dar
ling. It must have been a freak event as nothing has moved or been taken.” Another pause. “I’m on my way now. I’m really sorry about that, Kat.” He nodded. “Yes. Love you, too.”

  God, I wanted to be sick.

  When he hung up the phone, he looked back at me and saw my expression. “Sorry.”

  I waved my hands. “Don’t be.” In fact, it just made me realise what a terrible mistake this would have been. He loves my mother. Of course he does. He’s getting bloody married to her. And yet, I sat here sticking my tongue down his throat ready to bump the midnight uglies with him. Jeez, I was seriously fucked in the head. My only excuse was that I needed to feel the comfort of another’s arms. Something I had rarely felt in life.

  “I really have to go.” He raced towards me, planted a kiss on my forehead, and looked at me as if asking for my approval.

  I smiled. “Get going, Mason. I’ll see you on Sunday. Thanks again.” Mason nodded, and, without another word, he left.

  It was only once he was gone that I wondered whether I should call Mandy or Christian. I jumped off the bed in search of my bag and saw it lying on the sofa. I took the phone out and saw I had fifteen different messages from Hunter.

  First one: AJ, where are you? I’ve been looking for you everywhere?

  Next one: Fuck, AJ, are you playing a game with me? I can’t find you anywhere and you’re not answering your phone!

  Next one: AJ, I’m seriously losing my shit here. Where. Are. You?!

  This went on and on until the last one sent about ten minutes ago. I can’t reach you and now I can’t reach my dad. Where the fuck are you, AJ? If I don’t hear back from you in the next half an hour, I’m calling the police.

  I sighed. I really didn’t want to contact him, but I guess I had to now. Besides, wasn’t he at home? Surely my mum would have told him where Mason was at least. Jeez, he was a hot head. A womanising, green-eyed hulk of a hot head!

  It was then in my anger that I changed Hunter’s name to Fuck Face. It seemed to suit him well. I hit reply and started typing.