Chapter 30
Thomas
Kneeling in front of Mason, I’d never been so scared in my life. When Lennox called and told me to get to the locker room, I feared Mason had been injured. But whatever this was was a thousand times worse. The kind of pain that can only be inflicted by people you love.
Prying the facemask from his hand, I put his helmet in his locker. My eyes found the splintered wood, but it was the least of my concerns. I got on the floor where Colin held him and took his face in my hands. My heart ached for him as a fiery rage streaked through me. “Tell me what happened.”
Bloodshot eyes I loved stared at me, exhausted as the adrenaline faded. He slumped in Colin’s arms, but the safety didn’t release him. “Melinda sent a text. She told me not to come to the wedding. She could have sent that weeks ago, but no, she waited until I went back to work. Why does she fucking hate me so much, Tommy? I was a baby.”
Stroking his cheek with my thumbs, I tried to reassure him. “You didn’t do anything. She knows how close you and Maddie are. I guarantee you that your sister has no idea that the message was sent.”
He swallowed. “I shouldn’t have let her get to me. I’m a grown man.”
“Don’t do that. Your age has nothing to do with it. You’ve been traumatized by someone you trusted. Who was supposed to love you. Pain and hurt have no expiration date. She gets some perverse pleasure in putting you in your place when she wants to hurt your father. He probably did something to piss her off, and the only way she can get back at him is to hurt you.”
“She was supposed to be my mother.”
“She’s a fucking cunt,” Colin murmured under his breath. Mason’s eyes widened as the Aussie’s words filled the room. “Sorry mate, but it’s true. Fuck that bitch. We should all go to the fucking wedding. We’ll stand around you like a pack of dingoes, daring the cunt to make a move.”
I held Mason’s stare, trying not to laugh, but it was impossible where Colin was concerned. But he was right. She was exactly as he described. Mason inhaled deeply and burst out laughing. Colin leaned forward and put his chin on Mason’s shoulder to speak. “If I let go of you, you’re not gonna wail on my head for saying that, are you, mate?”
Mason picked up his hand and patted Colin’s arm. “No, man. But I might hug you.”
“That I’ll take.”
Colin released him, then got to his feet. Holding his hand out to Mason, my boyfriend took it as his friend pulled him to his feet. I thought he was going to cry again as he hugged his friend. “Thank you. I love you, buddy.”
Clapping him on the back, he smiled up at Mason. “I love you too, mate. We all do. Just don’t forget that, okay?”
Mason nodded. “Yeah, I won’t.”
Colin took him by the shoulders and met his eyes. “You know my story. I pushed a lot of shit down for a long time, until Carson talked me into seeing someone. That’s why I can say you needto get some help, my friend. You shouldn’t carry her bullshit around on your back. You deserve to be happy now that you know how good dick can be.”
I snorted and shook my head as I sat on the floor, watching the two of them. Mason turned to look at me, then held out his hand. I didn’t need help getting up, but I’d never say no to holding him.
“I’ll leave you in good hands,” Colin said. “I’ll tell coach you’re under the weather. Take the rest of the day off.” Colin winked as he strode back toward the field, cleats clicking in the quiet room.
Mason turned, and I took him in my arms. I’d been itching to hold him, but he needed the comfort of his friend more. He had to realize how much they cared about him.
“Did you see any of that out there?” he asked.
“No,” I sighed. “I was meeting with the new security director when Lennox called.”
He nodded. “I’m sorry I interrupted your meeting. But I’m really fucking glad you’re here.”
I pulled him back into my arms as the melancholy set in. “Me too, sweetheart. And I never plan to leave your side.”
He breathed deeply then pulled back. “I should go apologize to the team. Especially Lennox.”
“There’s no apology needed for the field. What happened was my fault,” the quarterback said, walking into the room. I stepped to the side as Lennox walked over and stood in front of Mason, but kept his hand in mine. It was a lifeline for him, even though he didn’t need one with his friend.
Mason’s brows drew together as he hung his head. “I’m ashamed of how I handled myself out there.”
“Know what I’m ashamed of?” Lennox replied. “That I didn’t do my job. I knew something was wrong, and I should have stepped in.”
“It’s not your job to fix my issues, Lennox. It’s your job to run the team.”
He huffed an aggravated breath. “It’s my job as yourfriendto be there when you need me. I’ve got your back, just like you’ve got mine, on and off the field. We are a family, Mason Kennerly. We are a family out there and in here.” He placed his hand over Mason’s heart. “You people are the only goddamn family I have, and you will no longer hold us at arm’s length, do you hear me? Because that shit hurts, and it doesn’t have to.”
