It made him feel whole, like a missing piece of him—the piece that Chase walked off with—was slowly returning.
Mason moved toward him out of instinct. He couldn’t help himself, but as he noticed Chase flinch, he hesitated.
“I think I’m gonna get this started off on the right hoof,” Chase teased as he grabbed three of the shoes from Mason.
He stepped toward the stake and drew a line in the dust covering the cement floor with his shoe. He glanced over his shoulder. “No cheating,” he said with a whimsical smile before turning back to the stake. He leaned forward and pulled his arm back before offering his signature throw.
Mason’s gaze fixed on that hot ass of his. He craved it. He wanted to grip it the way he’d once been free to. A quick slap couldn’t do any harm, but he knew better. That wasn’t his right, not anymore. Such a simple gesture could have been the difference between them talking and Chase refusing to speak to him for the rest of his trip, and the thought of that killed him.
Chase’s horseshoe landed close to the stake.
Mason scoffed. “You’re out of practice. Watch a pro.”
“Yeah. Why don’t you show me how it’s done?” Chase said with a broad smile as he stepped aside to let Mason approach the line.
Mason confidently tossed and nailed one right around the stake. “Ringer!” he exclaimed.
Chase shook his head. “Braggy much?”
“Don’t be jealous,” Mason said with a wink.
Chase rolled his eyes, but Mason could tell by his smirk that he was enjoying Mason’s old victory showmanship.
“I’ve gotta cut you back down to size.” Chase turned back to the stake, positioning himself for his turn. He threw and scored his own ringer before glancing at Mason, one eyebrow high as he displayed his own cockiness.
“You little prick,” Mason teased.
“That’s what happens when you challenge the best.”
Mason appreciated how at ease he felt. They hadn’t shared a moment like that in a long time. Every weekend visit Chase had made had never given them much time to interact, and they had both been so guarded and cautious around each other that neither had let down their defenses.
“Thank you for coming,” Mason said. “Emery really appreciates it. She really needed you here, and I know she’s glad to share this special time with you. Jasper’s an incredible guy.”
“I know how important a time like this is. Did you think I would have missed it?”
“It’s been so many years. A lot’s changed around here… and in our lives.”
“Yes, it has.”
“You sound disappointed,” Mason said.
“Life’s harder than I thought it would be.”
“What? Your job?”
“Oh, no. I love my job. I mean, yeah, it can be frustrating as fuck sometimes, but I feel like I’m one of the luckiest guys in the world in that department.”
“It wasn’t luck, Chase. You’ve earned everything you ever got in life. But if you didn’t mean your job, what did you mean?”
“Just… I don’t know. The world’s a little different than I figured it would be. People are just real dicks, you know?”
Mason gripped on to the horseshoe he held, his hand trembling. “What do you mean by that? Did Tristan do something to hurt you?” Mason couldn’t hide his anger at the thought that Tristan had done anything to his Chase.
What right did that bastard even have to lay a hand on his man?
No, nothisman.
Mason warred with those thoughts that forced their way into his mind, but he couldn’t help the protectiveness he felt over Chase.
