Chapter 24 Mason
Mason
Two weeks after returning from London, the media finally came calling for our story.
Axel’s post had allowed the world to draw their own conclusions from his five words declaring our father’s secret.
I thought it would garner more attention for him, not me.
I didn’t really have a following. But I was wrong.
The IG posts blew up like wildfire, and this time it wasn’t Axel tagging the Storm. The guys wouldn’t share my personal information with anyone without my permission, but social media was a different story.
The first one to jump on it was my agent, Roger White.
It didn’t take long for me to figure out I needed to replace him after reading his email.
As if he knew I needed to talk, my phone rang with a video call from Axel.
Swiping to accept it, I looked into the camera.
“Do you have telepathic powers I don’t know about? ”
He chuckled. “I don’t think so, but what’s up, little brother? You look pissed off.”
I snorted and ran my hands through my hair. “I am. And I might have to fire my agent. But I’ll handle that.”
Axel frowned as he looked into the phone. “What’s going on? Give it to me.”
Nodding, I tried to calm down. “He wants to capitalize on our story and involve you. Interviews and sponsorships, if he can find them. I’m not sure he has his head on straight.”
He shrugged. “I’m not surprised. Just wait until we both show up at the wedding next month.”
That lifted my mood. “Were you able to get the time off?”
He smirked. “It won’t be a problem. I’ve already told my coach. But you’re going right?”
“I am. We have to decide if we want to stay at the resort or in a house. Thomas is good with either one, but I think I’m leaning toward the house for some separation.”
Axel shrugged. “Why would we want to do that? We did nothing wrong. They should be the ones staying somewhere else.”
“I don’t want to complicate things for Madison and Zane. They deserve a perfect wedding day. And we have the baby to think about.”
“Yeah, I didn’t think about that. I’ll do whatever you want to do.”
I smiled. “Did she tell you she wants us to walk Makenna down the aisle?”
Axel found that hilarious. “That should make your step-monster’s head blow off.”
“Maybe. But it’s kinda cool that she only wants her siblings standing up with her. I think Zane is going to have his dad and brothers.”
He nodded, but his expression changed. “I want to confront her with you, Mason.”
My stomach immediately started to churn. “We can’t make a scene at Madison’s wedding.”
Axel clenched his jaw. “I don’t intend to do anything that will disrupt or cause our sister any anxiety. But I do intend to have a conversation and let her know exactly how I feel about her.”
“Oh god,” I said, my breakfast threatening to return.
“Hey.” My eyes moved from the floor to the screen. “I will never do anything to intentionally cause you any suffering. All I’m saying is I need to do it for me. Her behavior affected me, too. And she needs to know it.”
Axel was right. He had every right to tell Melinda how he felt. I just hoped he could control his temper. Not that I had on our father. “Okay. But can we talk it out before then? You know, take some of the edge off?”
He smiled. “Of course. Whatever you need.”
We talked a while and were making plans to see each other when Thomas came through the front door after walking the dogs. His eyes went wide when I turned the phone around for him to see Axel. “Hey, hockey guy.”
Axel laughed. “Hey G-man. How’s it going?”
“Can’t complain,” Thomas said, coming over to kiss me. It was our first PDA in front of my brother. “I’m going to take a shower.” I recognized the suggestion, then nodded as he glanced at the phone. “Good to see ya, Axel.”
“You too, Thomas.” I could hear the smirk in his tone, and when I looked at the screen, it was on his face too. “Well, that didn’t take long, now did it?”
I ran a hand over my mouth, trying to hide my smile. “No.”
Axel smiled. “I’m happy for you.”
A call alert came through on the screen. “Hey, the PR lady is calling me. I need to take it.”
“Do what you need to do, Mason. I’m down for anything that causes a stir for our sperm donor.”
I laughed. “Yeah, I know. I’ll call you later.”
“Love you, little brother.”
I grinned. “Love you too.”
Ending our call, I accepted hers right before she hung up. “Oh, there you are,” Laura said. “Am I catching you at a bad time?”
“No. I was just talking to my brother.”
She gave an uncharacteristic squeal in my ear. “I’m sorry. That was unprofessional, but I’m so happy for you. I can’t believe he’s your twin. And you didn’t know?”
I chuckled. “No. It was concealed from both of us.” I told her the story of how it all happened, listening to her go through every emotion. “I’m sorry I haven’t called to tell you about it. It’s been crazy.”
“It’s okay, Mason. You don’t owe your personal business to anyone. Not even me. With that said, a couple of contacts from the networks have reached out to me to request an interview. Is that something you’re interested in doing?”
“No, but I also understand it won’t go away.”
“We will respect and protect your privacy. The only way I knew you were out of the country was the post your brother made before you came back.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, he doesn’t care how much crap he stirs up. Just the opposite of me.”
She laughed. “I think it’s great, and I’m so happy you found him.”
I rubbed the back of my neck again. “Me too. We’re both going to our sister’s wedding in Connecticut the week after training camp. If you want to set up an interview with both of us, then we’ll do it together.”
“I think that sounds very appealing to any journalist worth their salt. Let me see what I can work out with my friend at the Sports Network. Maybe we can use the footage here for our team broadcast.”
“That would be good,” I replied, relieved that I didn’t have to do it now. “By the way, I need to tell you something else.”
“Okay,” she said, warily. “I’m listening.”
“I’m, uh…” I paused a moment. Why was I hesitating? I wasn’t embarrassed. It was just the opposite. I was proud to be with Thomas, but it ticked me off that I had to announce my private life. “I’m in a relationship with someone. And I love him.”
Imagining her face, I waited for her reply. “I’m so happy for you, Mason. You deserve all the good things. Is it anyone I know? Wait. That’s none of my business. I’m just happy for you. My dad has a husband, and I think it’s great.”
“Lennox mentioned that. And thank you, Laura. I appreciate your support. I’m sure that will be another story when it gets out.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Hetero players don’t make announcements about their relationships unless they’re involved with a celebrity, so why should our queer players? Unless you’re telling me he’s a celebrity.”
I laughed, thinking about how Tommy was the opposite. “No, ma’am. No celebrity.”
“Either way, excuse my French, but fuck that notion. Storm Management is behind you, no matter what you want to do. If you want to announce it, we’ll handle it. Any bullshit will have to get by me. I was raised by a former Navy SEAL, so I can take the heat.”
My eyes widened at how protective she was. She’d become more of a friend than a PR person to me. Laughing, I thanked her again. “You’re the best, Laura. You should have been an agent.”
She chuckled. “Maybe, but I like controlling the narrative and the limelight. Someone else can deal with contracts. I’m here to protect you under the Storm family umbrella. You’re important to us, Mason.”
I needed to hear that. “Then let’s get this over with. I trust you, and Axel will too.”
“Okay, then I’ll get started on it.”
“Let me know if they’re interested and I’ll confirm a date with Axel.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Just as I went to say goodbye, she stopped me. “While I have you on the line, I have some news I’m sure will not devastate you.”
“Oh yeah, what’s that?”
She sighed. “Due to a lack of willing participation, we’ve cancelled the Bachelor Auction.”
I grinned from ear to ear. “Thank the… oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.”
She laughed at my response. “Sure you are. We’re going to ask the players to donate to a silent auction for fans, and we’ll work it into our PR plan for the season.”
“I really like that idea, Laura.”
“I figured you would,” she said. “I’ll be back in touch when I hear back from the Sports Network.”
I ended the call, lighter than when I started. Stripping off my clothes, I went to tell Thomas the good news.