Mason: Coming at me hard with the sassy clap-backs tonight.
I can’t help myself. He left the door wide open with that one.
Me: No, that was you in the shower this morning, HANDsome.
He sends me a slew of animated GIFs in reply that have laughter bubbling out of me. I can always count on him to make me smile.
I met Mason through Harper and Bennett. He, Bennett, and their other friend, Carter, lived in the dorm apartment next to Harper’s at CU. They also played for the CU baseball team; however, Bennett was the only one to get signed to the majors.
Mason and I are what I would call kindred spirits. The darkness that lurks inside us and our shared trauma are what made us fast friends. That friendship turned into something more over the years. Not a relationship or love, but more like he helped sew me back together again. He helped show me the beauty in life, the beauty in living. Two things I’d given up on.
Mason was also the first person I slept with since that night with Jordan. He let me use his body to rediscover my sexuality. Friends with benefits, perhaps? But I hate that godforsaken euphemism, so instead, I say Mason is my person.
Mason: How’re ya doing, beautiful?
Me: Not so good.
Mason: Hold on. I bet my thirst trap can put a smile on your face.
He attaches an image and when I open it, I’m met with a shirtless Mason and his chiseled six-pack.
Me: Thanks for the ab porn. Made my night. You around for a video call tomorrow?
Mason: Anytime.
Me: Thanks, Mason.
Mason: You sure you’re OK? I’m available now to video. Haven’t seen your gorgeous face in two days, so I’m going through Douglass withdrawal.
I highly doubt that, but it’s nice to hear.
Me: I’m good. Talk to you tomorrow.
I send him a good night kiss GIF and slide my phone into my back pocket.
“Was that Mason?” Harper asks, and I jump at the sudden intrusion when I see her standing a few feet away. I didn’t hear her come in.
“How could you tell?”
She points at my grin. “He’s the only person who can make that appear on your face.”
My grin recedes a little at her observation. There hasn’t been much in my life to smile about.
Crossing over to me, Harper uses both hands to push my hair behind my shoulders, then she cups my face.
“It’s him, isn’t it? Jordan isthatguy, isn’t he?”
Dread coils in my belly. Harper is a smart woman. I knew it wouldn’t take long for her to figure out her brother was the man I spent countless drunken nights crying on her shoulder about. The one who broke me. I’d spilled enough crumbs over the years for her to follow, even though she never knew his name.
I nod slowly.
She sighs. “Well, shit. No wonder you acted like you detested the sight of him.” Then she folds me in her arms and hugs me. “It changes nothing between you and me, understand?” she says against my ear. “So don’t you dare throw up walls. Jorey may be my brother, but you’re my dearest friend. And you’re not getting rid of me.”
I sag against her, her hair smelling like her favorite honeysuckle shampoo. “I don’t want to cause any problems between you two. You just found your family.”
Harper learned several years ago that she had a gaggle of half brothers and sisters she never knew about; Jordan, I now discovered minutes ago, being one of them.
Harper leans back, her countenance steely and determined. “You’remy family, too.”
