Page 94 of Mason's Run

ME: You haven’t even met him. How can you know he’s a hottie?

WEAVER: Um, A) He caught YOUR attention, and B) “Someone” might have sent me some pics…/whistles innocently

ME: “Someone” huh? Maybe I’ll have to dig out some naked pictures of “Someone” playing with your Barbie's in the bathtub.

WEAVER: Liar! No such pictures exist! I never played with my Barbie's in the bathtub!

ME: Who said they were photos of you? /eyes Kaine knowingly

KAINE: Hey, leave me out of this! Ken and I were just really good friends.

SONNY&HICKS: Hah! We’re closing up shop and heading home now. Had a great week, mostly thanks to Mason!

BISHOP: $$ching ching$$

KAINE: I’m fine. Leave me alone.

WEAVER: Wow. Short much, bro?

ME: I…think he has something he’s dealing with. Be nice.

WEAVER: Do I have to? /whines

MAM K: Is everything okay, mijo?

ME: I think so, yes. Everyone, just stay safe tonight, okay?

I left them to continue their usual family banter and headed back to the bedroom.

Mason was seated on the bed, a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair slicked back and looking the straightest I’d ever seen it. He had his laptop on the bed, messaging with Lizzie and Zem. He wassmiling slightly at the screen as he closed it, so it looked like they were fine.

My eyes narrowed, though, as my gaze came to rest on dark red marks on his upper arms where it looked like someone had sunk their fingers into him. His fingers were red and angry where they had dug into the glass of his smartphone.

“Shit, Mason, you said they didn’t hurt you,” I hissed, coming over to examine his arms. The marks were a dark, angry red and would probably be bruises by tomorrow.

“What? This? It’s nothing,” he said, pulling his arm gently from my grasp.

“It’s notnothing!” I exclaimed. “We need to call the police and file a report.” I said, reaching for my phone.

“No!” Mason yelled at me, his hand snapping out to grab my hand as I went to swipe my screen. “Lee, no. This is nothing, really.” He said, gesturing to his arms. “I just bruise easily. I’ve survived a lot worse.”

“So? You shouldn’t have to endure it now!” I said angrily. Just earlier today I’d vowed to make life easier on Mason, not harder. Then someone did this.

“Lee…” he sighed at me, looking thoroughly exhausted. “Just… just let it go. Nothing we do is going to change their minds. It’s who they are. Calling the cops will only give them a martyr complex. Besides, I can’t… I can’t testify against them. I don’t remember what anyone looked like…it was a crowd, you know? I don’t even know who they were.” He said. “It would be pointless. And I don’t think I could… could explain to the police… Not with my history…” His voice trailed off for a moment, then he shook himself. He looked up at me, his anxiety clear on his face. “Your family… is everyone okay?” He asked, fear stark on his face.

“The fam is fine,” I reassured him. “But we can find out who they were, Mason. Tobi knew some of them. You don’t deserve this treatment. Nobody does.” I insisted. “All we have to do—”

“Stop, Lee.” He said, his voice a whisper, resting a single finger over my lips, effectively halting my impassioned speech. “This is mydecision.Mine. I’m not calling the police or pressing charges against anyone.”

I was angry. Angry that he wasn’t standing up for himself. Angry he wouldn’t let me stand up for him. The fury that pounded through me looked for an outlet, but before I could find it, his eyes caught mine and I felt it drain away. I was angry and frustrated, but while I didn’t agree with his decision, he was right, it washisdecision to make, not mine. I sighed and wrapped my arms around him, wishing I could protect him from all the evil in the world.

His head came to rest on my chest and I felt him sigh, his body finally relaxing against me.

“You’ll stay with me tonight?” he asked, his eyes uncertain. “Can we…” he started, and I leaned back so I could hear him better. “Could we just… sleep? Tonight? I don’t think… I don’t think I could do anything… else… without hearing those voices yelling at me.”

His voice trailed off a bit, and his eyes danced around the room, not meeting mine.

“Of course, we can ‘just’ sleep,” I said, laying a gentle kiss on his head. “We can do whatever you do, or don’t, want to do.”