At least, that’s what Sky hoped as he watched his brother-in-law and nephew sleep. He prayed that everything else was just as it seemed and that there weren’t bigger lies lurking behind the perfect father and husband facade Mason had created. For Sam and Sarina’s sake.
His eyes drifted to Mason’s shoulders and arms and Sky appreciated the way the sleeves of his gray T-shirt stretched around his biceps. Mason was wearing khaki shorts and his bare feet were crossed on the ottoman, making Sky warmer. There was a good amount of thigh meat and it was generouslydusted with soft brown hair that made Sky’s mouth water. And Mason had really, really nice feet.
He always had, bless him. They spent so much time playing on the beach or running through the grass barefoot as kids and Sky had always liked looking at Mason’s feet. Every now and then, the three of them would pile into the hammock by the pool and Sky loved when Mason’s feet were close to his face and he could accidentally brush a cheek against them.
Sky was staring too hard at Mason’s feet and jumped when his phone buzzed, alerting him to a text message from his mother. Mason’s eyes opened and he smiled as he cradled Sam against his chest and smoothly rolled, then carefully disentangled himself.
“Hey!” he whispered as he stood and gave his shirt a tug. “Are you hungry? I took some chicken out for lunch. I can make you a salad or a sandwich or some pasta.”
Sky waved him off. “I ate while I was out. Gonna take a shower, then head over to Mom’s. I’ll kill her if she’s touched my video games or comic books.”
“I was hoping we could talk. I’d like to clear the air,” Mason urged gently as he followed Sky to the stairs.
“Of course you would.” Sky leaned and looked around Mason to where Sam was sleeping. “Maybe later, okay? I don’t want to get into anything while Sam’s around.”
“Tonight? After you get back from Adele’s and Sam’s gone to bed?” Mason asked hopefully.
“Maybe. I might be late so don’t wait up for me.” Sky gave him a noncommittal nod before running up the stairs and vowed that he wouldn’t be back until really, really late.
Much later, Sky thought his plan had worked when he returned to Mason and Sarina’s and found most of the lights off. He let himself in with the key Sarina had given him and tiptoed to thestairs.
“Hey!” Mason whispered as he peeked around the kitchen wall, causing Sky to jump. “How about a beer or a glass of juice before you turn in?”
Sky groaned and looked in the direction of the guest room as he shuffled down the hall and into the kitchen. “I… Do I have to?”
“Nope.” Mason shook his head. “It’s totally up to you but I’m here and ready whenever you are. I owe you so many apologies and I want to explain as much as I can.”
“What if I’m never ready or I don’t need this?” Sky gestured between them.
Mason’s gaze lowered and he pulled in a wavering breath. “I… Don’t you ever miss us?”
“Sure,” Sky said easily and nodded. “I miss the Sina I grew up with and I wish I knew what to do with you. You’re not the Mason I loved and trusted. Heneverwould have cheated on my sister or used her to hide his big, ‘shameful’ secret.”
This time, Mason looked like a hit dog and sniffed hard as he nodded. “I guess I deserve some of that. I’mso sorryabout everything but I wouldneverlie to Sina. I’ve never cheated on her,” he said in a whispered rush and they turned when they heard a loud cough and found Sarina, glaring at them in her robe. “Sorry! Did we wake you?” Mason said apologetically but she swore as she threw up her hands, sounding extremely disgusted.
“Just tell him the truth, already!” she said loudly.
“Shhh! You’ll wake Sam up!” Mason scolded as he rushed around the kitchen, shutting doors and securing heavy objects. “This isn’t a good time.”
She let out a shaky, high-pitched laugh. “Nope. This is theperfecttime! I’m so sick of Sky treating you like the bad guy when this isall my fault.”
“It’sfine, Sina!”
“No, it’s not!” She went to him and grabbed the front of Mason’s hoodie, giving him a shake. “You don’t have to lie for me anymore. Not to Sky.”
“I don’t want to be part of your shitty soap opera. What does any of this have to do with me?” Sky complained, not liking the awful, confused queasiness that warned that the ground was about to crumble beneath his feet. “What else has he been lying about?”
“Oh! Fucking knock it off, Sky!” she groaned, ignoring Mason’s urgent shushing. “You want Mason to be the villain and the big liarso badlybut he’s not! I am!I’mthe liar.”
“Sina!” Mason objected.
She shot him a hard, warning look so he bowed his head and retreated. “Enough!” she stated firmly, taking a deep breath and raising her chin as she faced Sky. “Sam isn’t Mason’s son. I?—”
“Biologically,” Mason interrupted, his eyes shimmering as he shook his head. “Please don’t say he isn’t mine just because I wasn’t there when he was conceived,” he said in a ragged whisper and she nodded quickly.
“I know! He isyour sonin all the ways that matter and nothing will change that.”
There went the ground. “Hold on!” Sky waved wildly, struggling to make sense of what they were saying. “Youcheated on Mason?” he whispered to Sarina, as if Mason wasn’t standing next to her. “Who’s Sam’s real father?”