CHAPTER TWELVE
Jenna
After a quick hello and an official introduction, Mason disappears, leaving me alone with Kai. I wait approximately three point five seconds before I pounce, needing details.
“So.” I spin to face him as soon as he starts driving, my brow raised in question. “This is strange, right?”
“What’s strange about it?”
“For one, Mason doesn’t strike me as the type to spend his day collecting toys for disadvantaged children, and two—”
“Wait.” Kai cuts me off, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “That’s exactly the type of guy Mase is. Nothing strange about it.”
“Okay. Fair. I guess I don’t know him. At all.” A fire wells in my chest and I almost rub at the source. Why the hell am I goddamn jealous? I shouldn’t know him. We just met.
“I don’t think that’s true.” Kai interrupts my thoughts. “Some would say you know him more than most. At least intimately.” He bounces his eyebrows, and it takes me a second to understand his meaning, making my jaw drop.
“He told you? I got the impression he was a private man.”
“Oh, he is. I got him plastered. He spilled it all. Too much if I’m being honest.”
“Jesus.” I cringe. “Then I guess you heard how it ended?”
“Yep. And you’ll be pleased to know, I told him he was a fucking idiot. Jack’s a little shit. Mason’s been taking care of him for far too long. It’s time he put himself first.”
Tension wraps around my heart. I knew Mason was looking after Jack, even when he refused to admit it. However, hearing it out loud hurts. “I agree that he needs to live a little, but it was just sex. Well, it would have been if Becca hadn’t called.”
“That’s right. He mentioned that.” Kai chuckles. “He said you stormed off when you saw the image on his screen.” His lips curl and I shake my head.
“Put that smirk away; I’m not jealous.” Of that anyway.
“Sure you’re not. He told you she was a friend, right? She saved that picture to remind him he needs to get laid. By someone that isn’t her. She claims he’s happier when he does, and she’s not entirely wrong.”
I hide a smile because that’s actually a little funny, but... “It doesn’t matter.”
Kai’s eyes flash my way as his laughter ripples through the air. “You two are a whole new level of stubborn. The spark between you was visible from here.”
“There’s no spark,” I scoff, but my creased brows give me away.
“Keep telling yourself that. You’re here, aren’t you?”
“I didn’t get a choice.”
Kai waves me off. “That’s…not what I meant. As you said yourself, Mason’s a private guy, and this event is something he holds close to his heart. It took years and a ton of physical threats before he finally let me be a part of it. Yet, here you are.”
“What? Why?”
“He’s going to punch me for saying this, but the gorgeous Harley that you undoubtedly frothed over is his dad’s.
His dad was a part of a motorcycle club—not the dangerous kind you see in the movies, but he was an enthusiast. He was always riding when the boys were kids.
The toy run was his thing. And while Mase hasn’t joined the club, he still continues the tradition.
Jack’s supposed to be here too. Though as I’m sure you’ve figured out, Jack is Jack. He lives by his own rules.”
“Not a fan of Jack, huh?”
“Actually, I love him like a brother. Maybe that’s why he’s a pain in my ass.”
“I can see it.” I giggle and Kai’s smile widens a notch. “I’m curious though...if Mason’s likely to hurt you for telling me that, why say it?”
“Simple.” We come to a stop behind a similar truck and Kai shrugs matter-of-factly, spinning to face me. “You deserve all the facts before you write him off.”
“There’s nothing to write off. I live in the US. He lives here. It was a casual hookup that never came to be.”
“Like I said, keep telling yourself that.”
“Okay, Mr. Matchmaker.” I quirk my lips, fighting my smile. “Anything else you think I should know before the toys arrive?”
Kai’s deep laughter once again fills the cabin of the truck until he pauses suddenly. “Yep.” He winces. “Except I’m a dead man if I say it.”
“Well, now I have to know.”
“I like you.” His smile returns. “Too bad you live in the US. You’d be good for him.”
“Just tell me,” I huff, blowing out a breath in mock frustration.
“He’s a musician.” He waves his hand, his expression neutral. As if to say “surprise.” And… Goddammit. “Of course he is. Because what’s better than a hot biker? A hot musician.”
“I knew you liked him.” He clicks his tongue.
“I don’t like him. I think he’s fuckable. There’s a difference.”
“If you say so.”
Ignoring his jab, my curiosity sticks on his earlier statement. “Why will he kill you for saying that? Jack said he worked at a bar. Is he in a house band or something?”
“Nope. He hasn’t picked up an instrument since his parents died.”
“What? That’s…” Heartbreaking.
“Fucked up?”
“Not exactly what I was going to say, but close enough. Why did—”
A thunderous roar interrupts my question, and I turn so fast the seat belt locks me against the seat. “Shit.” I forgot I was wearing it. “Is it time?”
“It sure is. Come on.” Kai reaches over and presses the release, letting my belt spring free. “You’re not going to want to miss a thing. Mase will be part of the second group.”
I jump out in record time, wincing when my ankle rolls a little on the landing.
Kai helps me into the bed of the truck as the first rider pulls up beside us, and my face splits into a grin. “Merry Christmas.” The gruff biker smiles, handing me a red sack full to the brim. “Have a good day.” His deep voice makes me giggle, and a joyous feeling takes over me.
Mason was right. This is going to be fun.
I'm already surrounded with toys by the time Mason comes into view, and it’s safe to say I’m having a blast. My jaw aches from constantly smiling, and it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this giddy.
There’ve been at least a hundred motorcycle riders from various clubs passing by and we’re only in the first hour. I’m in awe of how incredible this is. And well organized.
It’s blowing my mind.
“How long does the run go for?” I ask Kai as Mason approaches. “How many trucks need to be filled?”
“It ranges each year, but at least another hour.”
“It’s inspiring.”
“It sure is. Are you ready for your main man?”
I poke my tongue out and turn toward Mason. Rather than driving by, he pulls over behind us and lowers his bag to the ground, slowly dismounting off the bike. Even in his ridiculously corny Santa jacket, I’m still goddamn taken by him. Especially when he disarms me with that genuine smile of his.
Not that he realizes its power. He’d use it more often if he did.
“Jenna. Kai.” Mason nods as he lifts himself into the truck bed, his smile softening when he sees all the toys. “Jesus. This is more than last year.”
“Is it?”
“It is. I wonder if it’s because of the stunning beauty manning the truck.”
“Thank you, Mase.” Kai pops his head between us. “That’s nice of you to say.”
Mason rolls his eyes, but they remain firmly locked on mine. “Are you having fun?”
“I am. Thank you for letting me come today.” A jolt of warmth runs through me as my chest expands. I don’t think I realized how much it meant to me until this very moment, staring into Mason’s crystal-blue eyes.
Of course, he waves me off. “My pleasure. It was nothing.”
“It was something to me,” I admit, ignoring the tightness in my chest. “I’d lost sight of what Christmas was truly about. And you knew that, didn’t you?”
He shrugs, once again playing it down. “I had an idea. I’m here if you want to talk about it. I mean, I’m sure you’ve already shared it with Jack, but—”
“You’re an idiot, you know that?”
“The fuck?”
“You don’t have to make everything about him. Not everything is.”
An anguished expression flashes across his face, but he schools his features faster than I can question it. “You’re right. I’m here if you want to talk about it.”
“I don’t. Not really. However, since you went out of your way to cheer me up, I guess I can throw you a bone.”
“How very kind of you.” Mason chortles, suppressing a full laugh.
“Shut up.” I hide a smile behind my hand. “It’s not a funny story.” My eyes flash to Kai, but he’s on the phone, distracted. He moves toward the edge of the truck, taking a bag from a beautiful older lady, admiring her tattoos as he jumps down to the street.
“That was well timed.” Mason nods Kai’s way and I smile conspiratorially.
“You’d think he’d planned it. To give us some alone time.”
“Why would he do that?” Mason frowns and I can’t help but laugh.
“I don’t know. I’m not the one that got drunk and divulged all my secrets.”
“Motherfucker.” He cringes, his expression plagued with concern. “I was worried about that.”
“What do you think you said?”
“I have ideas.”
“Oh, yeah?” My eyes widen and I don’t bother hiding my intrigue.
“Uh-uh.” He bops my nose. “I believe we were talking about you.”
That’s right. Dammit. I blow out a breath, my nose scrunching.
An outward representation of the knot forming in my stomach.
“I don’t hate Christmas. As you somehow guessed, I used to love it.
It’s just I haven’t exactly had a lot to celebrate lately.
If I was home this year, I’d have my friends, but…
ah…my mom’s an only child, and my grandparents passed away a few years back.
My dad’s family…well, they disowned him when he married my mom.
I could have reached out to them after he died, but I’m kind of pissed off on his behalf.
What the hell does it matter who your kid marries? Isn’t it supposed to be about love?”
My voice rises and I pause, my eyes wide as I laugh softly.
“Sorry about that. It’s just…” I trail off when what I really want to say is “you’re really easy to talk to.
” It’s the way he looks at me, his soulful eyes boring into mine.
The subtle nods in acknowledgment. The understanding.
He listens with his entire body, and no one has ever done that for me besides Hayley and Blair.
“Anyway…” I lightly giggle, somewhat shyly when I am not a shy person. “My mom’s always been a little…preoccupied with her own life. Even when Dad was around, she was always in her head. Though, at least I had him back then. Now, it’s left to chance… Will she or won’t she be around this year?”
“I’m guessing she’s not?”
“Nope. This year she’s in France with her new boyfriend. A guy she’s known for less than a month. I’m not sure why this year was the last straw for me. But I lost a little of my light.”
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I—”
“Don’t be. I didn’t tell you so you’d feel sorry for me. I’m fine. And that’s not fine in the way people say it to make you feel bad. I’m more than fine. I’m good. Because of you.”
“I didn’t do anything special. Just invited you along for the ride. Literally.” He smiles at his joke and I suppress a grin.
“Still, I’m grateful.” And I know you’re lying. Me coming along is more special than you’d care to admit.
“I can’t help but notice that our family members have something in common.” He raises an eyebrow and I laugh.
“Selfishness and a complete lack of responsibility?”
“You got it.”
“Sucks to be us.” My laughter increases, but it slaps me in the face, giving me a reality check. Other than telling Blair and Hayley about my mom before I left for Australia, I've never shared this part of myself. Not even to Jack.
“I don’t know.” Mason’s eyes blaze as he stares into my soul, once again stripping me bare. “It doesn’t suck to be me right now.” The rasp of his voice makes me subtly quiver, and I swallow back my emotion.
“It shouldn’t. This is incredible.” I wave my hands around the truck, pretending I don’t know he’s not talking about the toy run. “How’d you get into this anyway?” I ask, changing the subject, putting him in the line of fire to shift away from my vulnerability.
Of course, he sees through my veiled attempt. “Come on.” His lips curve in a mischievous smile. “You already know the answer to that.”
“I do?”
His gaze locks on mine, sharp and assessing, pulling the answer right out of my mouth. “Okay, fine. Kai told me.”
He nods, his expression turning serious. “What else did he tell you?”
“Nothing,” I lie. I’d much rather hear him tell me about his life than have a half-answered conversation about it.
“Okay. Good.”
“Why now?” I ask curiously, wondering if he brought me because he wanted to help or if there’s more to it.
He frowns, and as if he’s unable to hide anything from me, I see the moment he decides to be honest. “It felt right. With you.”
“Why is that? And why do I feel it too?”
“I wish I knew. But—”
“Don’t say it. Don’t ruin the moment.”
“What was I going to say?”
“That I’m Jack’s?”
“Fuck, no. I was going to say I’m happy you came.”
“Oh. Sorry. Guess I ruined the moment.”
“Not possible.”
Kai calls out as he throws a huge bag over the side of the truck, and Mason rushes forward, dodging bags, catching it before it hits the other presents. “Shit. Sorry.” He cringes as he peers over the edge. “Kai’s running out of space.”
I follow his gaze to find Kai surrounded by bags, collecting them at his feet instead of interrupting our talk, and I smile in thanks.
He waves me off, reaching down and throwing us bag after bag, sending them spiraling in all directions, making us work while laughter fills the air. From both of us.
“What happens next?” I rush out, breathlessly, only pausing when we’re finally done. “Please tell me you don’t head home after this high?”
“We don’t. Though I should warn you, if you thought this was Christmassy, the next part involves Santa and carols. With all the corny stuff that comes along with it.”
“Right. Um. I don’t know…” I trail off, jokingly, as excitement builds.
“You’re coming,” he states, his heated gaze unwavering
“Fine.” I ignore my pounding heart, defiance in my eyes. “But I draw the line at sitting on Santa’s lap.”
“I know who Santa is.” Mason’s expression morphs into a confused scowl. “I wouldn’t let you if you tried.” He mumbles the last part to himself, and the jealousy in his tone sets my body on fire.
I like it. I like him. The problem is, I’m not sure I should.
In fact, I know I shouldn’t.