“I’m up. Go fuck with someone else.” Sawyer said, curling up with the blanket that had ended up on the floor with him.
“Uh-uh. You’re awake but until you’re on your feet and in the shower, I’m not leaving,” replied Mason, nudging his brother’s foot, the one that wasn’t covered.
Sawyer knew his brother meant it. Rolling on his back, he stared up at Mason. “Did Mac ever tell you how important it is to wake people gently?”
Snorting, Mason replied, “Right, I think I filed that under ‘does not apply to Sawyer’.”
“You know…you got a real mean streak in you,” Sawyer grinned.
“Flattery will get you nowhere. Now, are you going to get up or do I have to drag you into the shower?”
Laughing, Sawyer sat up, leaning against the side of the bed. “There, happy? Now get out and go do something else.”
Snatching the blanket off his brother, Mason replied, “I told you…when you are in the shower.”
Groaning, Sawyer stood. When his brother made up his mind about something, he knew from past experience the best thing to do was give in, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have some fun at Mason’s expense. Facing his super uptight brother, Sawyer pushed down his briefs, letting his hard cock spring to attention. Grasping it, he tugged on it, smiling at the pleasure, then asked, “Do you mind if I take care of this first?”
Mason’s eyes narrowed. “Fuck off, asshole. Cool the crap. This trip is going to be tough enough without your juvenile shit. You know what? Do what you want because I’m finished playing the bad guy here.” Turning around, Mason stomped out of his brother’s bedroom, slamming the door behind him.
“Hey, I was just teasing you,” Sawyer yelled but heard no response. “Shit, now Hunter’s going to be pissed,” he mumbled, letting go of his cock and heading to the shower.
Trying to calm down, Mason stalked down the hall passing Quin’s room, stopping short when his brother appeared in the doorway.
“Mason, I heard yelling. Is everything all right?”
Inwardly sighing, hiding his anger, Mason responded, “Just getting Sawyer out of bed. You look great. Is that a new shade of lipstick?”
“Yes, it’s called Natural Red. I thought I’d try it today; it’s supposed to be long-lasting. I have my doubts, but we’ll see how it goes,” replied Quin.
“Well, it looks good on you. Are you ready to go?” asked Mason.
“Almost. Is breakfast ready, yet?”
“Just heading to the kitchen now. You have time so don’t worry,” smiled Mason.
Chapter 30
Rushing through his shower, Sawyer grabbed his bag, dumping it by the front door before heading to the kitchen, hoping to find Mason alone. He made a dick move this morning and he owed his brother an apology. Rounding the corner, he found him cracking eggs into a bowl and, lucky for him, Mason was alone. Stepping over to a cupboard, Sawyer grabbed some plates, setting them out on the table while thinking about what to say.That I’m a fucking asshole? Yeah, that’s true but Mason already knows that. I’m the one with no ambition or goals…so different from my other brothers who all know what they want to do. Shit, even Quin has a plan. But what’s mine? Oh yeah, travel and see the world. Fucking A. Really adult-like.
“What the fuck are you doing?” asked Mason, staring at his brother.
“Huh? I’m setting the table,” Sawyer answered.
“Then stop trying to break the dishes. You’re slamming them down so hard I’m surprised they’re still in one piece,” he snapped, before resuming whisking the eggs.
Just say it.“Uhm, Mason, I’m sorry about before.” When his brother didn’t reply, Sawyer turned and continued his self-appointed task.Fuck! It’s going to be a long trip.
Pouring the eggs into the pan, Mason watched as they cooked, kicking himself for not accepting his brother’s apology. He knew his brother was just having fun but Mason took it as a criticism of who he was and that pissed him off because he could never figure out how he became so uptight. No matter how many times he scrutinized his childhood, looking for incidents that changed him into a fucking control freak, he came up empty. Setting downthe platter of scrambled eggs on the table, Mason glanced at his brother, before turning back to finish the bacon.
Wanting to resolve the tension between them before everyone crowded into the kitchen, Mason knew his childish behavior of ignoring Sawyer would only cause Hunter more stress. Then, before he could change his mind, he said, “Apology accepted, but I’d appreciate it if you don’t pull any more stunts like that on this trip.”
Slowly letting out the breath he was holding, Sawyer muttered, “I won’t, promise.”
Looking over his shoulder at his brother, Mason asked, “Make another pot of coffee, will ya?”
“Yup.”
Quin stood in the doorway, his gaze flipping back and forth between his two brothers, unsure if he was intruding. Hating any kind of friction, he worried his bottom lip, wondering what to do, but after feeling Hunter’s hands on his shoulders, fleeing was no longer an option.
