Mason (Carter Brothers #2) - Lisa Helen Gray Page 0,61

his eyes looking weary and uncertain before locking with mine and softening, his eyes avoiding Mason’s behind me. I give him a gentle smile and nod my head to follow me into the kitchen so we can have some privacy. Mason follows and because I’m going to tell him whatever my dad wants to say, I don’t bother telling him to give us some privacy.

I actually feel bad that I invited dad to the party, not that I knew there was going to be one, and left him alone all evening to defend for himself in a house full of escaped crazies.

Honestly, read tomorrow’s headlines... Warning: Crazies on the loose. A mental hospital gets investigated when patients escape from the facility. These patients are unpredictable, but can be tamed with food and sex

“What’s up?’’ I ask my dad once we step inside the kitchen.

“I need to get going. The estate agent called when you were... um... upstairs.’’

“Estate agent? You’re selling the house? Why? Where are you going to go? Why would you make up with me then leave me? I don’t understand,’’ I tell him, feeling tears fall from my cheeks and Mason’s hard chest at my back supporting me, his hands holding me at the waist.

“Calm down, baby. I think you should go,’’ Mason demands in a hard voice; one that sends shivers down my spine. It’s deadly, quiet and holds so much warning.

“You’ve got it wrong baby girl, I promise. I’m selling the house, but not moving away,’’ he tells me, pleading with me, his eyes holding so much pain and fear, my chest hurts. I jumped to conclusions. This could have been bad. Mason could have kicked him out and not let him have a chance to finish what he wanted to tell me. I’m such a hormonal idiot.

“You’re not?’’ I whisper.

“I’m not. I hate that house. Who needs an eight bedroom house when there was only ever three used really. We never needed that much space. So I’m going to buy one closer to town and a lot smaller. Maybe a two or a three bedroom house. Maybe we can make up the spare bedroom just for the baby,’’ he tells me, his eyes hopeful.

The music in the front room grows louder and I give a look to Mason that isn’t happy. The adults are getting out of control and I need to put a stop to it before something gets broken. What has gotten into them God only knows. I’d think they were drunk, but we don’t have any beer in the house.

“Yeah dad, that would be nice,’’ I smile then look to Mason. “Wouldn’t it?’’

“Yeah,’’ Mason replies, but his voice doesn’t match the tight smile on his face, instead it’s dry and sarcastic. I shake my head, not wanting to get into it with him and look back over to my father. His face has slipped and he nods his head as if he can read Mason’s thoughts and is agreeing to them.

I’m not losing him again. Not a chance. I haven’t fully had a chance to explain everything to Mason, so when I do, I’m hoping he’ll understand and back off from my dad. I might be quick enough to forgive, but the way I see it I could hold a grudge and lose out on having a father for another nineteen years.

“Do you want to go to dinner in the week or something, when you don’t have to work?’’

“I’d love to,’’ he says sounding both pleased and excited. “I have Thursday off from noon onwards, so give me a call when you know when or where. Or I can arrange something and text you the details?’’

“No, that’s fine. I’ll arrange something then get back to you,’’ I smile, leaning up and kissing him on the cheek. Before I could pull back his arms wrap around me. I’m taken off guard at first so it takes me a few minutes to hug him back, but when I do he tightens his hold on me, like he doesn’t want to let go. It feels like I’ve died and come back to life, and he’s afraid if he lets go I’ll disappear, the thought has me fighting back tears. “I know I’ll never deserve your forgiveness. I’ll never forgive myself, but thank you. Thank you for giving me the chance and letting me be in your life.’’

My eyes water and I hug my dad back tighter before pulling away. The second I leave his arms,