“I’ll be less pregnant then. We’ll get fucked up.”
That brought the smile back to Xeni’s face. “I can’t wait. I should go. Thank you guys for everything, really.”
She turned then and nodded for Mason to lead the way as the others said loud goodbyes.
“Don’t fuck this up, Mason,” Ginny called after them.
“Thank you, Genevieve,” Mason said, rolling his eyes. “Very helpful.”
They stepped outside into the morning sunlight and walked back over to Xeni’s car. She set her parting gifts in the back seat, then turned to him.
“You didn’t bring your mother. I thought you’d want to show her the cannery.”
“Maya, Ginny and my mom in the same room is a recipe for disaster. I know how to exit gracefully. My mom, not so much. We’d be here all day.”
“I can understand that.”
“Plus, I’m not sure introducing you guys right now is the best idea. You’re under enough pressure.”
“I appreciate the consideration.”
“You know I got you,” she teased. “How’s your dad?”
“They are discharging him Monday. He’ll stay with Silas and Liz until it’s safe for him to fly.”
“I’d offer my place, but it’s kinda far from the farm. And he’d probably hate to accept the offer.”
“I know he would. We fly to Edinburgh in two weeks. I don’t think I’m coming back,” he said.
“Ah—oh.” Mason could see the pain in her eyes as her gaze dropped to his chest. She looked up again and fought to plaster a smirk on her face. “Oh, so you’redumpingme, dumping me.”
“I wouldn’t look at it that way. More like I’m saving you from myself. I have a lot to figure out and I can’t ask you to wait around for me. And why would you want to? You’re rich!”
“Har.”
Mason swallowed and told her the rest of the truth. “This? My life? This isn’t happiness. I don’t want this for you.”
“I don’t want this for you either,” she replied.
“My mom’s leaving him. She hasn’t told him yet, but I need to be there.”
“He wouldn’t, like, hurt her, would he?”
“I don’t think so, but I have to be there.”
“I get it.”
“I think if anyone would understand how complicated this all is, it’s you.”
“No, I do. I do. Hell, my mom’s here. I mean, you know how I was feeling about her this time last week. I get it.”
They were both silent for a moment. Mason couldn’t help but wonder and hope if the same words running through his head were running through hers.We can make it work. Long distance isn’t impossible. If we love each other… if.
If might have been enough if his father hadn’t been right about one thing. It was time for Mason to grow up. He couldn’t spend forever dreaming of music stardom while flipping burgers at his cousin’s farm, and he couldn’t abandon his mother to chase whatever future he wished he and Xeni could have with each other. His soon-to-be ex-wife deserved better than what he had to offer and the fucked up package it came with. He hadn’t earned the support he’d need from her in the coming months. He had to walk away now.
“Well, I’ll make sure I talk to Mr. Barber about the divorce papers,” she said before a big smile spread over her face. “I’ll make sure they’re served to you in the most dramatic fashion. A guy in a clown suit. The works.”
“I prefer strippergram.”
