Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Two months later…
Roseview’s newest resident was already on the mayor’s shit list before he had even arrived.
While it might not be fair to hold a grudge against a newborn, a cataclysmic chain of events was set in motion when Daphne Lawson’s water broke on Adele’s birthday.
Sarina had taken the day off and had planned to have dinner with her mother, but had to cancel, and rush to the clinic to help with the delivery.
For some ridiculous reason, Mason had offered to cover for Sarina and stop by Adele’s with flowers and a gift.
He had stupidly believed that Adele would be in a better mood and behave since it was her birthday and Sam would be there.
She was always civil when her grandson was around and seemed almost appreciative when Mason brought Sam to see her.
Secretly, Mason liked seeing the effect Sam had on Adele. Her smiles and laughter were almost genuine and normal and she was surprisingly gentle. She could even be slightly affectionate with him at times. He was hoping for that Adele when he and Sam stopped by the town's larger grocery store.
They picked out a bouquet of flowers then headed to the greeting cards.
Mason waved at an older couple as he came around the end of the aisle, but stopped when he spotted Sky in front of the cards.
He was sharply dressed in a lightweight gray sweater and wide leg black trousers, a tattooed hand and black fingernails dancing over the selection of birthday cards for mothers.
“Sky?” Mason let go of Sam’s hand as Sky turned, grimacing awkwardly. “Look! It’s your Uncle Sky!” Mason said as he pointed and Sam let out a gleeful yell as he ran.
“Uncle Sky!”
“Hey, Sammy!” Sky lowered and gathered Sam in his arms. “You’ve gotten so big!” He pretended to strain as he lifted Sam onto his hip and hugged him. “I’ve missed you, buddy.”
“We didn’t know you were in town,” Mason said as he joined them, receiving a guilty shrug from Sky.
“I didn’t want anyone to make a fuss. Nadine’s the only one who knew.
She picked me up at the station and we stopped here on the way home so I could get a few things for Mom.
Nadine’s around here somewhere. Probably by the deli.
” He was blushing as he set Sam down. “I just wanted to sneak in for the night. I’m leaving in the morning. ”
“You weren’t going to tell me,” Mason realized and caught Sam before he could bolt. “Stay where I can see you. Don’t leave the aisle.” He let him go, watching until Sam stopped in front of the kids’ birthday cards. “Is everything okay?” he asked quietly.
Sky nodded. “Sure. Everything’s fine. It’s Mom’s birthday, so I thought I’d surprise her.”
“That’s nice. Adele will be happy…ish?” Mason guessed, making them both laugh.
“These are for her. We’re getting a card and dropping them off on the way to my parents’.
Sam’s sleeping over.” He held up the flowers and looked around before stepping closer.
“You should have told us you were coming. Sina would be crushed if she knew you were here and she didn’t get to see you. ”
“I know.” Sky nodded as he went back to shopping for a card.
“It isn’t fair to her or Sam but I can’t handle being around you yet.
It still messes with my head too much. We mess with my head and it’s…
” he gestured at his chest, rolling his hand aggressively.
“I’m a writer but I can’t put it into words, the fizzy, itchy swirling inside of me.
I can’t explain this scary, happy, angry mess in here and that fucks with my head too!
” he explained in a hiss, glancing past Mason and waving at Sam.
“I understand and I’m sorry,” Mason said and took a step back.
He didn’t blame Sky and wanted what was best for him.
It still hurt like hell, knowing that he wasn’t going to tell Mason he was in Roseview.
“I heard that you were seeing a rugby player. I think it’s great and I hope—” He stopped when Sky shook his head.
“That ended a few months ago.”
“That’s too bad. I’m sorry about that too.”
Thank fucking God. There’s no way I could take that guy.
Mason wasn’t much of a fighter off the ice, but given his and Sky’s track record at family events, violence seemed likely.
And Mason knew himself too well. Not even a fierce flanker like Rob Taylor would be enough to keep him away from Sky.
He wouldn’t be able to stop himself from trying to get closer or stealing a moment alone.
Mason had Googled Taylor as soon as he had learned the news from Sarina.
He wanted to know how much danger he was in and if he should add in-home nursing care to his health insurance plan.
“Thanks. He was great, but I have some things I need to work on,” Sky said, then held up a card. “Don’t get this one.”
“Wait!” Mason grabbed Sky’s elbow before he could escape. “I know it’s a terrible idea, and that it’s over for you, but come by tonight,” he whispered quickly. “I’m about to drop Sam off and Sina’s working. I’ll have the place to myself.”
Sky stared at Mason and for a moment, it was as if Adele had taken his place. He looked so much like her and probably loathed Mason just as much.
“Goodbye, Mason,” he said quietly, then tilted to see around Mason and waved at Sam. “Love you, buddy!” He blew Sam a kiss before rolling his eyes at Mason and strolling off.
“It was good to see you,” Mason called after him, barely containing a forlorn sigh. He turned and whistled to get Sam’s attention. “Get over here and pick one of these for your Grandma Adele.”
They quickly chose a card and signed it in the parking lot. There was also a bottle of vodka in a tall gift bag because Mason knew the way to the empty cavern where Adele’s heart should have resided and it was on a river of chilled vodka.
“Happy Birthday,” Mason told her and obediently kissed each cheek before passing her the bag.
She checked it and her eyes lit up. “It’s exactly what I needed.
” She beamed as she lowered so Sam could hand her the card and flowers and kiss her cheek.
“Aren’t you an angel? I’ll have Nadine put these in a vase.
” She passed them off to Nadine. “See what you can do with this. Maybe add more roses. Get rid of those awful carnations.”
“That would be a shame. I think they’re lovely just the way they are,” Nadine declared as she took the flowers to the kitchen.
“Can we go now?” Sam whispered and tugged on Mason’s coat. “I don’t want to miss the pizza!”
“Go ahead.” Adele waved them off. “I’m having dinner with Skylar. Did you know he was here for the night?” she asked, tipping her chin back regally. “I think he’s still upset about this rugby player and wants his mommy. Isn’t that sweet?”
“That’s…a possibility.” Mason hoped that wasn’t it because ew and because that would be completely out of character for Sky.
He’d have to be really upset or confused if he was running to Roseview and Adele for comfort.
It was more likely that Sky had missed Nadine and was using his mother’s birthday as an excuse to visit.
For some inexplicable reason, his last conversation with Nana jabbed at Mason’s conscience. It was also possible that Mason was feeling a smidge of sympathy towards Adele… He had always suspected her selfishness and cruelty were defense mechanisms and that she had never felt truly loved.
This is probably a mistake.
“Hey. Since it’s your birthday…” Mason swore under his breath and mustered his courage.
He took a quick look around but didn’t see any sign of Sky and Sam was distracted with the stained glass window at the other end of the hall.
“You know how they say that the truth will set you free?” he said quietly.
He paused, giving her a moment to consider.
It was pointless. She blinked back at him, looking confused and impatient so he continued.
“Right. Remember how Nana told me something before she passed, about you and…” He cleared his throat and raised his brows.
Her eyes sparked and her lip curled into a snarl as she stepped closer. “Don’t you dare cross me, Mason Cartwright. I know things about you too.”
Mason drew back, shaking his head. “Calm down. I wasn’t—”
“Good. Because I will ruin you if you tell anyone, including Skylar and Sarina. Do you understand me?”
“No!” Mason held his hands up defensively. “I don’t want to either. Forget I said anything. I’m sorry I even brought it up, I was just trying to help.”
“Don’t,” she growled at him before turning and storming off with her vodka.
“Can we go now?” Sam asked when he returned, breathless from cartwheeling around the foyer.
“Yes.” Mason got the door and aimed his key fob at the Range Rover so Sam could get a head start, watching as he raced down the steps and across the lawn. He was about to follow but Sky came around the corner and froze when he spotted Mason. “Come here for a second!” Mason urged.
Sky’s nose scrunched as he hesitated. “Fine!” he spat, striding petulantly in Mason’s direction. He was so much like Adele, Mason fought the instinct to run in the other direction. “What?” he whispered, backing Mason out the front door and onto the steps.
“Did you think about what I said before, about coming over? I’ll be alone and we can talk or whatever.”
Sky pulled a face. “We both know how much talking we’ll be doing, and there’s nothing to talk about. Nothing’s changed.”
“You’re right. I know, but—” Mason was interrupted by a honk from the Range Rover and Sky smiled as he waved back at Sam, standing in the passenger seat. “I have to go. Please, think about it,” Mason begged Sky before jogging to the car and ordering Sam to get back into his booster seat.