Mason (Trinity Academy 2)

I let out a sigh and reach over her, grabbing the fork from her hand while picking up her knife. I cut the steak into small pieces, then drop the cutlery next to the plate.

Luckily, the waiter brings my drink and taking it from him, I say, “Thanks.” Bringing the tumbler to my mouth, I take two huge sips. When the whiskey burns down my throat, I almost close my eyes from the relief it makes me feel.

Setting the glass down in front of me, Kingsley whispers, “Thank you.”

I don’t bother acknowledging her gratitude.

When Lake frowns at me, I reach over and pick a piece of chicken from the slice of pizza on his plate. Popping it into my mouth, I swallow the thing whole, then grumble, “I ate. Chill now.”

“It’s so damn hard raising kids,” Lake mutters, shaking his head. “Won’t eat when you tell them to. Won’t take their meds when you tell them to. My eldest will be the end of me one of these days. Stubborn fucker.”

Kingsley bursts out laughing from what Lake just said, and a piece of steak flies from her mouth, smacking against Falcon’s chest.

Falcon almost does a backflip to get away from the half-eaten piece of meat. Layla’s laughter explodes through the restaurant as she cracks up while pointing a finger at Falcon.

“Being hit by a flying piece of cow,” Falcon states, a serious expression on his face. “Guess there’s a first for everything.”

Kingsley tilts sideways in her chair from the laughter shaking her. Looking at her, I watch tears spill over her cheeks as she gasps for air, and the realization that she’s seriously cute right now hits.

Then she snorts.

Just a moment of insanity, buddy. Nothing to worry about.When we get back to the cabin, I walk right through to the sliding doors and opening them, I step out onto the deck. I shut the doors behind me and grabbing a chair, I pull it away from the view of the living room.

Sitting down, I lean back, and lifting my legs, I rest my feet on the banister.

It’s quickly growing dark as I stare at the bare tree a couple of yards away.

‘Don’t you think it’s amazing, Mace?’

‘What?’

‘The tree.’ Jen points at it. ‘It looks dead now, but in a couple of months it will be sprouting new leaves.’

“You didn’t get to see it,” I whisper.

I close my eyes as waves of pain roll over me.

‘Mace, are you okay with it all?’

‘With you marrying Julian?’

‘Yeah.’

‘Of course. As long as you’ll be happy, Jen. Plus, it will make Falcon my brother.’

‘Technically, Falcon will be my brother-in-law,’ she teases.

I roll my eyes at her. ‘Duh, that makes him my brother as well.’

“Are you haunting me, Jen?” I say the words softly to the night closing in around me. “Is it because I failed you?”

‘I love you, Mace.’

“I keep blaming that fucker for slamming into the back of us.” I swallow hard as just the thought of West Dayton makes rage burn through the grief. “But it’s as much my fault, as it is his.”

‘Yeah,’ Jennifer whispers.

I hear the sliding door open and glance up. Falcon and Lake step outside, and then Lake hands me a cup of coffee.

“Fuck, it’s cold out here,” Falcon says as he pulls a chair closer and sits down. He lifts his feet to the banister.

Lake does the same, and then the three of us stare out into the darkness for a little while.

“I think the last of my coffee just froze,” Lake mutters.

I let out a chuckle. “Go inside. You guys really don’t have to sit out here.”

I hear the sliding door opening again, and glancing up I see it’s Layla with an armful of blankets. “Figured you guys might need these.”

She hands Lake one, and he stands up, wrapping the thing around him before falling back into the chair. “You saved my life,” he praises her while shivering his ass off.

Layla opens a blanket and places it over Falcon before pressing a kiss to his lips.

Lovingly, he smiles at her. “Thanks, my rainbow.”

When she gets to me, I hold my hand out. “You don’t have to tuck me in.”

She grins at me and then wags her eyebrows. “You sure about that?”

“Layla,” Falcon grumbles which makes me smile.

“I’m sure. Thanks,” I say before Falcon shits himself, but then add, “Jealous much?”

“Fuck off,” he mutters, a smile pulling at his lips.

“Can I make anyone coffee?” Kingsley asks from where she’s leaning against the doorjamb.

“God, Kingsley, I’ll love you forever,” Lake exclaims.

“Please,” Falcon says, grabbing hold of Layla’s hand before she can head back inside. He pulls her down for another quick kiss, then lets her go.

Still folded, the blanket lies forgotten on my lap.

‘Love you,’ I hear Jen whisper to Julian.

He presses a kiss to her mouth before she climbs behind the steering wheel.