Mason (Carter Brothers #2) - Lisa Helen Gray Page 0,57

police reports on the car crash. He told me everything and about his suspicions of your mother’s involvement. I had a detective do some investigating on the case and we got proof a few days ago that your mother caused the crash. She tampered with the brakes. It’s how they managed to get so far out of town before they went.’’

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?’’ I whisper.

“I didn’t want to hurt you, but I can see now that everything I did hurt you so much more.’’

“So all of the times you agreed with her or stayed quiet, that was all show?’’

“Of course,’’ he says snapping his head to mine. His eyes are red and sincerity clouds his eyes.

“And the baby?’’ I question, wondering if that was all for show.

His eyes soften when he looks at me, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“You my cherub made me the happiest man alive the day you announced you were pregnant. I can’t wait to be a granddaddy,’’ he gushes.

“Really?’’ I ask him choked up, reaching across the table to grab his hand. This is all I’ve ever wanted. His blessing. I never cared about my mother’s, but my dad, I always wanted him to approve. There were times when I remembered him from when I was younger, remembered how much I loved him, needed him, and connected to him. Now I understand why it all changed as suddenly as it did.

My fucking mother!

“Really, and if it’s okay with you, can I meet Mason, the father?’’

“Yes,’’ I grin, wiping my eyes, feeling excited for the first time in a long time.

“Speaking of, we should get back,’’ Harlow says disappointingly.

“What? Why? We just got here.’’

“We’ve been here nearly two hours,’’ Harlow laughs and I’m shocked. The time has gone by quickly. “Malik texted and told me and said to get our asses back, that he needs to speak to us,’’ she shrugs, not meeting my eyes.

I look at her warily and sigh. I know we need to go. Malik hates it when she ignores him and I don’t want to be on the listening end of them two making up.

“Why don’t you come with us, Charles?’’ Nan asks, gathering her things.

“I wouldn’t want to intrude.’’

“No... No come. Mason will love to meet you,’’ I lie. I don’t know how Mason is going to react to all of this. When we collected my belongings he never stopped glaring towards my dad, cursing under his breath every two minutes.

“I doubt that,’’ he chuckles, but grabs his coat anyway and follows us out to Nan’s car.

Walking up to the house the place is quiet and I look over to Harlow, raising my eyebrows questioningly. “I thought you said they were here?’’ I ask.

“That’s what they said,’’ she replies, not meeting my eyes again and I want to grab her face and demand her to tell me what the hell is up. Instead I ignore her blushing cheeks and unlock the front door. I barely make it a step inside the front room when a loud ring of ‘SURPRISE’ is shouted out from around the room.

I gasp stepping back, bumping into Harlow. Tears spring to my eyes and I look around at the people filling the front room.

Old woman Edna is here with Joan. Mark and all of the Carter brothers are here and a few other people from school. Banners and balloons are hung up around the room. Some in pink saying baby shower and some saying congratulations on the new pad. I laugh when I see them; knowing Max had some doing with the ‘new pad’ comment. Why he didn’t just write ‘new house’ is anyone’s guess; the kid really does think he’s a gangster.

Mason’s face comes into view, and instead of the smile I presumed he’d have on his face, it’s scrunched up in a fierce glare.

Before he can open his mouth and ruin the moment, I rush over to him and crush myself against him.

“Thank you. Is this why you’ve been acting so strange?’’ I ask smiling.

His face softens when he pulls away a little to look down at me.

“Yeah babe,’’ he grins. “Why is your dad here?’’ His voice has lost its earlier softness and now has a hard, rugged edge to it.

“Don’t,’’ I plead, grabbing the back of his neck and lowering his head so he’s eye level with me. “It’s a long story. Really long, but my dad... he’s a good guy, I swear to you. Please give