A smile escaped Mason. “Well, in case you didn’t realize it, I’m not that normal. And if you do stay, just so you know, it would take a lot more than what happened here to humiliate me. What I don’t understand, though, is why did you do it in the first place?”
Pryce dropped his gaze and sank into the chair. “Everything comes so easy to you. Before you came home, I heard people talk—oh, Mason, he’s so fun and gorgeous. They loved you before you set foot in the office. You didn’t have to prove yourself—every suggestion you come up with, Jude jumps on and thinks it’s a winner. You throw out ideas, and people gobble them up like M&M’s while I get the famous scowl whenever I make a pitch.”
Fun. Gorgeous.Words Mason had heard all his life and tired of long ago. “I’d rather be known for the quality of my work than the fact that I was a hard partier years ago. And none of what you said explains why you brought Hollister here. He hated me on sight. Were you trying to sabotage my job?”
Red-cheeked, Pryce averted his eyes. “Yeah. I have to admit I did it to poke the bear to see what would happen. I kind of figured out you and Jude were together.”
Mason was so stunned, his jaw fell open. “How? We were so damn careful.”
Pryce shrugged. “That flowered tie you wore. I’d given it to Jude for Secret Santa. It was a joke because I knew he’d never wear something so flashy. When you walked in wearing it, my senses tingled.”
“Dammit.” Mason paced the small space.
“Don’t beat yourself up. It’s no secret he has it bad. All anyone has to do is look at him.”
“Really?” Warmth settled in Mason’s chest.
Pryce studied him, and his eyes, no longer apprehensive and sparking with anger, lightened with amusement. “You feel the same way, don’t you? I thought it was one-sided, but your whole face changed when I mentioned Jude’s name.”
Mason shrugged. “He’s special. I’ve known him a long time, and for most of it we’ve butted heads.”
“Looks like you still are, just in a different way.”
Heat scorched his cheeks, but his lips twitched. “You did not just say what I think you did.”
“Are you insulted?” Pryce raised a blond brow.
“Insulted? No way. I can’t believe I walked right into it. It sounds like something I would say.” He laughed, but then turned serious. “So listen, where does this leave everything? Between us, I mean. I think you’re a good asset to The Company, but I can’t work with someone who’s going to stab me in the back whenever he doesn’t like what I’ve said or done. I’m here to learn. From the bottom up.” He pointed a finger at Pryce. “And do not eventhinkof making a joke about that. If we work together—and it’s not my decision, but I did tell Jude I thought he was wrong to fire you—I want to be able to trust you.”
“You’re really serious.” Confused, Pryce pushed aside the box and braced his hands on the desk. “Do you think Jude will be okay with it?” At least Pryce had the sense to look ashamed. “It was a stupid mistake, okay? I didn’t realize you two were really in love. I thought you were…”
“Fucking around and I was using him? Like Dex said I used Warren?” Mason huffed. “That’s the problem with listening to gossip. You only hear what one side wants to tell you. Warren was my friend. Still is. And Dex left out another important detail. I was never in love with Warren. I am in love with Jude.”
Pryce’s flinty stare bore into him, but Mason didn’t flinch. If this was to be his life from now on, he’d learn to stand up for himself and all past mistakes on his own and deal with them. Adulting was hard, and at thirty, it was high time he entered its realm.
“Okay.” Pryce blinked. “So I owe you an apology as well. Several in fact. First, I’m sorry I pulled that stunt by bringing Dex over. Honestly, I don’t even like the guy—I always thought he was a little weasel. I saw an opportunity and didn’t think of consequences. And I know I’m damn good at my job. So while I don’t expect you to be my friend, maybe we can try and figure out how to get past this and still work together for the clients’ sakes and The Company’s?”
Mason worked his jaw. “Am I supposed to forget that you didn’t even have the decency to think about my brother lying in a hospital bed? All you saw was a way to get back at me.”
Pale-faced, Pryce sank into the chair behind his desk. “Fuck. I didn’t even think about that. You’re right. I-I’m really sorry. And I mean it. Doug is a great guy. Maybe Jude is right. I don’t deserve a place here.”
Mason wasn’t about to make Pryce’s case for him, but he, better than most understood about fuckups and the power of forgiveness.
“Maybe you don’t, but if you want the slightest chance to try, Jude is waiting in his office. We can go see him.”
“Now?” His eyes widened.
Pryce’s nerves made the smooth-talking man more human and approachable. Someone Mason could see as a colleague instead of an adversary. They’d never be friends, but he’d learn to work with Pryce; he didn’t want The Company to suffer.
“Yes. The best way to deal with Jude is to face him, admit what you did and that you know it was wrong, and see how the chips fall.”
Pryce winced. “I’d rather have a root canal.”
Mason snickered. “You’re part of the way there. He already knows what you’ve done. Now it’s time to face the consequences.”
Pryce swallowed, and Mason almost felt sorry for him.
Almost.
