Chapter 44 #2
“Some people aren’t meant to be parents.
They have kids because they think they should, not because they actually want them.
” Mason shrugged. “Although, with your parents, I think it’s more that they don’t see anyone outside of themselves as ‘real’.
You’re more like dolls, and dolls are supposed to do what you tell them to. ”
David grunted.
Chop. Crack.
“That’s a little too accurate for comfort, man. And you never even met them.”
“Well, I’ve gotten to hear a little about your mom. Nothing from your dad, though Audrey seems to lump him in with whatever your mom does.”
“She’s not wrong to. Our father would have probably dropped both of us when we didn’t turn out the way we wanted. Mom at least cared enough to try to manipulate us.” David scowled.
Chop. Crack.
“What did Audrey do that your dad objects to?” From what Mason could see, she was hardly confrontational, unlike David. Not until she’d been pushed to the end of her limits.
“She’s not thin.”
Up until that moment, Mason hadn’t been holding that much against Audrey’s father. After all, it was her mother she was continually interacting with. He wasn’t even sure she realized that she constantly talked about her parents as a unit, while never actually talking to her father.
If he ever met the man, punching him in the face would be well worth whatever charges were brought forward.
Mason let out a long, slow breath.
“That’s it? Seriously?”
“As far as I can tell.” David handed the axe over to Mason and stepped back so Mason could take his place.
Chop. Crack.
It was very cathartic.
Chop. Crack.
Chop. Crack.
Chop. Crack.
“I keep thinking your parents can’t suck any more than they already do, but somehow they keep slithering beneath the bar,” Mason said, reaching up to wipe a bead of sweat from his forehead. It was liable to turn to ice on his face otherwise.
“Tell me about it.” David shook his head. “Okay. Let’s get back inside. Who knows what advice my grandmother is giving Audrey now?”
“Good point.”
They gathered up the firewood and headed to the back door.
“You know if you hurt her, I’ll have to kill you.”
“That was assumed.”
“Good.”
They came through the door cautiously, not really certain what they would be walking back into, but both immediately relaxed as the first sound they heard was all three women laughing. That was a good sign.
The three were gathered around Brenda’s kitchen table, holding mugs of steaming liquid. Cassidy looked up and smiled.
“All done?” she asked, her gaze immediately going to David, checking him over. Despite her smile, there was worry on her face.
David grunted.
“He’ll be fine,” Mason said, moving over to drop a kiss on the top of Audrey’s head and then sliding into the chair next to her.
“Hot cocoa?” she asked, pushing her mug toward him.
“Yes, please.” He smiled at her over the mug, their gazes connecting, and he enjoyed watching a pink blush spread across her cheeks.
“So, Mason, Audrey tells me she’s meeting your parents next weekend?”
“Yes.” Mason put the cocoa back down, the chocolate lingering on his tongue. It was damn good cocoa. “They’re looking forward to it.”
Warily on his dad’s part, hopeful on his mom’s.
She was still disappointed about his and Yasmine’s breakup, but thrilled to hear that he wanted to bring home someone new.
His dad had apparently been on his best behavior since Yasmine’s comment to him, and he was a bit more reserved, but still supportive.
Especially because his mom was so excited.
“Obviously, I won’t be introducing him to mine,” Audrey quipped, making everyone choke, then laugh. She was giggling, too.
“Sorry,” Cassidy said, shaking her head. “I shouldn’t be laughing, but…”
“No, no, I meant you to. Gotta laugh so you don’t cry, right?” Audrey smiled, taking a sip of her cocoa, placing her lips on the mug in exactly the spot where Mason had put his. “I swear, it’s okay.”
It did seem to be. She’d started seeing a therapist Mason had recommended, and the fact that she was surrounded by an entire group of people who loved her definitely helped. Especially since two of them were family members who were in the same position.
Charges had not been pressed against her parents, but their deal had fallen apart. He doubted Cash was going to get more than a slap on the wrist, but at least it was having some long-term effects on his life. That was about the best they could hope for.
“Well, I, for one, am very happy you two found each other.” Brenda beamed at them. “Mason has almost as much fat dick spirit as Mick. I just hope he knows how to use it, for your sake.”
David groaned, falling forward and banging his head on the table.
“Grandma, why?”
“Because you still need to work on removing your butt stick,” she answered with ruthless matter-of-factness.
Mason chuckled and leaned over to wrap his arm around Audrey.
“She doesn’t have any complaints that I know of,” he said.
“Mason!” Audrey hissed, elbowing him in the side.
Worth it, just to watch David try not to completely melt down as steam practically came out of his ears. Mason grinned.
She had no complaints, and he had no regrets.