Sarina was working overnight, and Sam was spending the night at his parents’, meaning it would be just him and Sky. Mason made a note to leave a few of the chicken breasts plain and to add a regular Russet potato for Sky. Brussels sprouts and most green vegetables, aside from cucumbers and lettuce, repulsed Sky, so Mason would pick up more baby carrots and mini bell peppers. Sky loved those as long as they were raw.
His disturbing encounter with Adele and the impending earful from the governor were suddenly eclipsed by his anticipation. There was a good chance that Adele would monopolize Sky’s entire day, through dinner. But there was also a chance that they might have a few drinks and maybe spend a little time alone together after Sky returned. Mason refused to imagine what else might happen when he was facing two hours at his desk, trapped in a video conference with the governor. Or get his hopes up.
Not when Mason had no business fantasizing about Sky like that anymore and had promised to keep a respectable distance.
I can do that. We can hang out and have a few drinks without me making a pass at Sky or making an ass out of myself.
“I’ll definitely make an ass out of myself,” he predicted, but Mason smiled all the way to the office.
Chapter Fourteen
Was it possible to give oneself whiplash while standing on solid ground?
Sky’s neck actually hurt as he stomped back to Sarina and Mason’s and glared at his phone. Out of nowhere, his mother had decided that he should stay with her and that it was inconsiderate of Sarina and Mason to monopolize so much of his time. He told her he wasn’t packing his things and relocating if Nadine wasn’t there and an argument had ensued.
Heneededto have sex.
It was way too late and overcast for a long, hard run and he didn’t want to use the treadmill at his sister’s. Running indoors while not moving felt unnatural, and he was too aware of the bouncing of the belt and the machine. The only other way Sky would be able to fully relax and rest was if someone—or something—fucked him hard enough to make him forget his own name and stamp out the anxious, twitchy vibration in his nervous system. Thanks to his mother’s name-calling and histrionics, Sky felt like a fuse that was about to blow.
There would be alcohol at Mason and Sarina’s, butdrinking made Sky moodier and much more self-destructive. It distorted his senses, and he got disoriented around his fourth or fifth drink. His ability to gauge time was completely gone when he was drunk. A night partying would feel like a days’ long bender, and he would be legitimately confused about what day it was when he recovered. Other people thought it was funny, but for Sky it was like waking up in another dimension. He always panicked until he found his phone or talked to someone.
Not wanting more pity or to look like even more of a freak, Sky never made a big deal about the other side-effects and “drank” socially. Plus, having a glass to hold or a bottle to fidget with and casually sip from gave Sky something to do with his hands instead of flapping them when he felt overstimulated or overwhelmed.
Mason and Sarina’s house was quiet when Sky let himself in and checked the kitchen. The lights were turned low and Mason was seated at his usual spot at the island, reading a book and drinking a beer.
“Where is everyone?” Sky asked quietly and checked his watch. It was 7:32. “Are they in bed already?”
Mason laughed softly as he shut the book and stood. “Sam’s at my parents’ and Sina’s working tonight so it’s just us. They usually keep him when she works nights, in case there’s an emergency in town and I have to run out.” He notched his chin at the fridge. “I just packed up the leftovers and put them away but I can make you a plate before everything gets cold.”
Sky shook his head. “Not really hungry.”
“Are you sure? It’s no problem,” Mason insisted as he opened the fridge and reached for one of the glass containers. A plate was waiting for Sarina on the top shelf, neatly wrapped in foil with a Post-It note. He often left dinner or a sweet treat in the fridge for her and there was always a note that said something like “You’re such a baddie!” or “So proud of you!”
“I promise, I’m good, Mase. Mom ordered dinner. It wasn’t anything I wanted, but I ate part of a salad and some breadsticks and I found some vanilla ice cream in the freezer.”
Those notes were gross before, when Sky thought Mason was fooling Sarina. Now that he knew the truth and that Mason’s love for her was genuine, just not at all romantic, Sky felt like a dick. He might even be a touch envious because Mason was too good at being the perfect husband and father. Because he wasn’t faking it, and he loved everything about his life.
Good for them. They deserve to be happy after all that Mom and this family put them through.
“How about some juice, or a beer, or a glass of wine, then?” Mason offered and Sky nodded, not wanting to be rude.
“Whatever you’re drinking is fine,” He pointed at the bottle of beer on the counter next to Mason.
“Coming right up.”
Mason opened the fridge again and ducked to retrieve another beer from the bottom shelf. The cap was twisted off and Mason slid the bottle across the island, cheering softly when Sky caught it and took a long drink. They were quiet for several moments, and Sky started to feel awkward.
“I don’t drink a lot of beer but this isn’t bad.”
Jesus, kill me.
Mason humphed as he examined his bottle. “It’s from a local brewery. I don’t like anything too hoppy, and this already has citrus in it.”
“Right.” Sky nodded along. He had no idea if he liked “hoppy” beers. They all tasted the same to him. “The citrus part is nice.”Probably. He couldn’t taste anything but bitterness and it made his mouth tickle.
There was another long, awkward pause. Sky was about toexcuse himself but Mason coughed and stepped into the breach again.
“So… How was your day with Adele?”
