Chapter 13
Mason shivered, and the hair on his arms stood on end. He was about to brush off the sensation, but Bud’s expression changed. He wouldn’t have said it softened, but there was a moment when the anger dimmed.
He honestly believed Bud didn’t care about the breakup, but maybe he hadn’t been able to voice it. He was unable to voice many things until he was so annoyed about them he snapped. Another reason it was better they were over.
“What did you say?” Bud asked.
That was a sentence he never expected to hear from Bud’s lips.
He stared at his ex for several seconds before realizing there was magic in the air. He’d sensed it at the wedding. That little vibration that tickled his skin and was so easy to become lost in. This time, it wasn’t directed at him but at Bud.
Vlash had used his magic.
Fuck. He exhaled. One problem at a time, and right now, he needed to get rid of Bud before this became an argument they both regretted.
Well, he’d regret it. Bud would blame him.
And this time, there’d be no makeup sex and promises that things would change.
After five years together, the only thing that had changed was him as he chipped away at himself to fit into the mold Bud expected him to fill.
“I said, I’m not cheating. It’s over. I’m done.
I’m done with the arguments. And the separation.
” Though over the last year, he’d been grateful Bud wasn’t around all the time.
When he was home, it was a rush of emotions, and he’d become addicted to the rollercoaster highs before the lows of the argument.
The rush of the makeup sex and the loss of him leaving, and he couldn’t do it anymore.
It wasn’t what he wanted. It wasn’t what he deserved.
“I’m done with listening to your anti-mytho rants and the way you criticize my friends.
And it’s my fault for letting this go on so long because I wanted you to be the one, but you’re not.
If you were, we wouldn’t exist in only two states, fighting or fucking, and even then, it has to be your way.
I thought I had to give in and be someone else to make you happy.
But I want to be happy, and I’m not happy with you. ”
For the last month, though, he had been. And whether it was rebound sex, or something else, he didn’t care because he was having fun and re-finding himself.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were unhappy sooner?”
“Because you don’t listen. You brush it off. Because there’s always something else that’s more important. Was I convenient for you to come home to?”
Why had Bud stayed with him and proposed when it was clear that Mason wasn’t what he wanted?
Bud stared at him. This was usually where Bud kissed him and they’d end up in bed, and for a while, Mason would believe he was loved and listened to. But the opposite was true.
“I thought we were having fun. Everyone fights. It’s part of a relationship.”
“No, it’s not.” And it wasn’t the relationship he wanted. He wanted something safe and boring. He wanted to come home and put on track pants and watch TV without someone poking him in the gut and telling him he should’ve stopped at the gym first.
“I thought this was just another fight and that when you saw me, you’d want me back.” Bud actually seemed hurt. “I didn’t think you’d move on so quickly.”
Neither had he. Nor had he expected one night to become a month of one-nights.
He opened his mouth, but he didn’t have to justify himself. He didn’t owe Bud an explanation.
Mason leaned against the door. “Take your boxes and give me the key. When you’ve booked the truck, text, and I’ll make sure I’m here so you can take the sofa.”
“I don’t want the sofa. We bought it for this place. Or are you planning on moving?”
Mason shook his head. “I don’t know yet. But I hate that fucking sofa.”
“Why didn’t you tell me that when we were looking at it?”
Mason tried not to roll his eyes and failed. “I did. Several times. But it’s the one you wanted, so you got it.”
Bud pulled his keys out of his pocket and took the house key off the fob. “So, this is it?”
“Yeah, it is.” And he felt bad for both of them. “I wished I’d had the balls to say something a year ago or two years ago.”
“If you shove the boxes onto the porch, I’ll put them in the back of my truck. I’ll text you about the sofa.”
“Thank you. I wish you all the best.”
Bud stared at him. “Why would you wish your ex all the best?”
“I don’t hate you. I just don’t want to be with you.”
“Huh. So you want to remain friends?”
Mason laughed. He couldn’t imagine hanging out as friends and talking about their weeks. “No, I think our social circles are so different they don’t even touch.”
And he was done with trying to straddle both. He moved the boxes onto the porch, and Bud began carrying them to his truck.
For a few heartbeats, he stood there watching him and remembering why he’d fallen for him in the first place. He was confident, strong, and capable, and those things hadn’t changed. But he used that strength to bulldoze over everyone.
He pushed the last box out. Sitting on top was the ring box.
When he’d packed everything, putting the engagement ring away had hurt the most. He wanted to be married, and handing it back was the end of that dream.
Now, when he looked at it, there was only relief that he wasn’t marching towards signing the papers and saying vows.
Bud picked up the box, and without saying anything, he put it in his pocket. He hefted up the last packing box and walked to his truck.
With the distance between them and no more boxes, there was nothing left. Mason lifted his hand in farewell, and Bud did the same.
Mason shut the door, glad that it had gone better than expected. Then he remembered the magic and the elf in his kitchen.
He leaned against the door, knowing that he couldn’t leave that unsettled even though he didn’t want to fight with Vlash. If he said nothing, he’d be falling back into last year’s bad habits.
He peeled himself off the door and walked into the kitchen. “You used magic.”
Vlash stopped cutting the chicken he’d found in the fridge and rested the knife on the chopping board. “I did. But only so he’d listen to you, nothing more.”
Mason pressed his lips together. “How can I tell you aren’t using magic on me?”
“Because I’m not an unethical prick. I don’t want a be-spelled lover.”
Mason nodded.
But once again, he’d chosen a man who could twist his words and roll right over him. He wasn’t making different choices; he was making the same ones with a different person.
“I’ve only got your word on that.”
“Exactly. I’m an elf. My words matter. What do you want me to do? Vow that I will never use magic on you?”
“Maybe.”
Vlash shook his head. “If you need me to do that, we shouldn’t be together.” He washed his hands. “I’ll gather my things.”
“Wait.” He didn’t want Vlash to leave. But he wasn’t sure how to ask him to stay, either. He didn’t know what they were to each other or what he wanted to be to Vlash.
Vlash lifted his eyebrows and waited as if Mason had used magic to command him.
“What are we doing?” Mason finally asked.
Vlash shook his head, his long hair sliding over his shoulder and his ears peeking through. “I’ve asked myself the same question every day since New Year’s Day.”
“I feel like I’m lying to my friends, keeping you a secret. And I don’t like it. I want to say something, but I don’t know what.”
Vlash glanced away. “I do not want this to be the last time I see you. I am sure of that.”
“Same.” But did that mean they were dating?
“Then if we agree on that, perhaps it is best we take a few days to think about where this is heading. Because we should also agree on the destination.”
“By destination, you don’t mean marriage, do you?”
Vlash laughed, the one that was all razor-sharp edges. “Gods, no. Only that we need to decide if it is sex or if we are going to date openly. Because those two things lead to different places.” Vlash walked over and kissed his cheek. “Neither of us can make that choice right now.”
“Next weekend then?”
“I’ll come around after I close the shop.”
“Yeah, that sounds good.” Mason put his arms around Vlash, breathing in the rosemary sent of his shampoo.
Vlash returned the embrace. “You held your ground well with Bud, even before I used magic.”
“Is it wrong that I liked him a little more when he was listening?”
“Everyone wants to be heard.”
True. But this time, neither of them knew what to say.