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10

MASON

Anxiety gnawed at Mason and he could chalk it up to the stressful wedding he’d just finished, or the jumbled confusion about Rain being in his life, but deep down he knew the truth.

His family had been too quiet.

Driving away from The Evergreen Club, Mason headed home on autopilot, contemplating whether or not to push his lawyer again. He’d left a message after the last threatening text but Stanley had done nothing, reiterating that it was common for family to be adversarial when settling an estate, but this was more than adversarial.

For the thousandth time, he considered getting another lawyer which had begun to seem like less of a hurdle now that Rain was around. Unlike Mason, Rain blossomed around people and his social battery never seemed to drain. Maybe he could make the calls if Mason narrowed down some candidates.

But if Mason asked for help, then he’d have to come clean, not only about his spectacular avoidance when it came to basic human tasks but also about his family. Truthfully, he was ashamed. He’d worked so hard to get away from those bullies but they kept coming back, harassing him and wanting things that they didn’t deserve, and he wondered if he’d ever be rid of them. He wished that he was braver, that he was more comfortable with confrontation, but his fight or flight had been mostly set to flight, and it had infiltrated his life to the point that he couldn’t even tell Rain, a person he’d become inadvertently close to, that the house they currently lived in might be snatched out from under them.

When he’d offered Rain a place to stay, he thought that it would be like living with Ollie - they’d be on separate floors and Rain would live his own life - but those expectations couldn’t have been further from reality. While Rain still worked and slept a lot, his existence had permeated the house and Mason’s very being, making him feel more human, more connected, and more inspired.

Most of his days were spent in the studio with Mouse sleeping on the desk beside him as he edited pictures of Rain, coming up with new and interesting ways to capture that stormy beauty on camera. While it might be impossible to encapsulate Rain’s soul perfectly in a single photo, Mason continued to try, bringing his technique to newer and newer heights.

Every once in a while, when he knew Rain wouldn’t be back for hours, he would move the shelving unit in the darkroom and take down the sheet, adding his best work to the Rain Shrine when he really should’ve dismantled it. What the hell was he doing?

You’re playing with fire, Cricket.

A sharp ringtone cut through the car, ripping Mason from his thoughts, and he glanced at his phone, his jaw tensing. Rain rarely texted or called. They had a routine that included work and weekly photo shoots that they rarely deviated from; however, sometimes Rain would leave in the afternoon looking like he was going to his execution and he always came back with haunted eyes, wearing an expression that Mason recognized because he’d seen the same one in the mirror as a child.

Stopping at a light, Mason put him on speaker.

“Rain.”

“Someone broke in.” The words were hushed and anxious as if Rain were hiding somewhere. Adrenaline shot through Mason’s system.

“Where are you?” He didn’t have to think about inflecting, for concern broke through his built-in walls.

“Behind the weeping willow. I didn’t see anyone, but a window on the porch is broken and they left the front door open. I’m worried about Mouse.” Rain’s voice wobbled, causing anger to surge alongside Mason’s adrenaline, but he wasn’t just mad at his family, he was mad at himself. They’d trained him like a dog, making him too avoidant to fight back, and Rain and Mouse were suffering because of it.

Looking around, he ran the light; heading home as quickly as possible.

“Stay there. Don’t call the cops. I’ll be back in less than five minutes.” As he approached the next light, it changed to green and he turned, glad he wasn’t breaking the law too much.

“Okay. If someone’s in the house they won’t be able to see me and I also have pepper spray.” He let out a long breath. “But please hurry.”

Three excruciating minutes later, Mason parked at the end of the driveway. Grabbing a camera from his bag in the back, he put in a fresh SD card, slung it around his neck, and began recording video as he got a tire iron from the trunk.

Slowly, he crept toward the house, noting the broken window and the open front door. He saw no movement inside as he circled the property, heading toward the weeping willow, but his heart was in his throat, and it struck him that his fear wasn’t for Gran’s home or anything in it; it was for Rain and Mouse.

Hands sweating, he parted the hanging green branches, looking around under the tree. “Rain?”

Rain’s head popped out from behind the trunk. Eyes wide, he looked down at the tire iron.

“What are you doing with that?” The shakiness in his tone made Mason even angrier. “Are you going inside? What if they have a weapon too?”

He studied the back of the house, his gut telling him that this was his brother’s handiwork which meant he was already long gone.

“I don’t think anyone’s in there.” Because this wasn’t a robbery. It was intimidation, a threat.

“How do you know?” Rain leaned against him, and Mason could feel him trembling. Without thinking, he put his arm around those shaking shoulders, and Rain stilled, looking up at him.

Unable to answer Rain’s question, Mason shrugged.

“I’m going inside to look for Mouse.” All Mason could think about was that sweet kitten. She was still so small, even for her age, and foxes and hawks roamed the area. They needed to find her tonight.

“I’m coming with you.” Clutching a pink pepper spray canister in his fist, Rain followed Mason across the lawn. “Are you sure that you don’t wanna call the cops?”

Mason shook his head. He’d tried that route before, asking for a restraining order when his brother had sent a few nasty texts, and he’d been laughed out of the precinct. They wouldn’t help in this situation because he didn’t need the police; he needed a better lawyer.

Starting at the front door, Mason closed it behind them, noting the broken glass in the living room. A quick search of all three floors told him that they were alone but everything except the locked studio and darkroom had been left open for Mouse to freely explore, so she could be anywhere.

Splitting up, they began to hunt, Rain’s calls for her echoing throughout the house as Mason moved from room to room, but there was no sign of her, and nothing looked out of place. Where was his brother’s calling card?

“Oh no!” Rain’s broken tone had Mason darting into the dining room, where Gran’s painting of him had been removed from the wall, placed on the table, and slashed to ribbons.

Now Mason had full confirmation that his family was behind this. Normally, he would’ve beelined straight to the piece but he’d been so preoccupied with finding Mouse that he’d forgotten his brother was stupidly predictable.

“I’m so sorry, Mason.” Rain sniffed, with tears in his eyes for Mouse and Mason, and the emotion stunned him, strangely warming his soul.

“Don’t worry.” Even though the night had turned on its head and Mouse was still missing, Mason was able to lift the corner of his lip in a pseudo-smile because he’d won this round. “That isn’t the real one.”

“Wait, what?” Rain’s forehead wrinkled in confusion. “I don’t understand. Where’s the real one?”

“Locked in the studio.” His brother’s jokes about damaging it had started before the paint was dry and while Gran had kept a watchful eye on the piece, Mason had known that the jokes would eventually turn into promises, so he had a high-resolution photo printed up on canvas. To the layman’s eye, it looked like a painting, and Mason thanked his past self for that idea, quietly laughing at the fact that he’d tricked one of his biggest bullies.

“Mason.” Rain’s voice snapped him into the present. “What’s going on? It’s time to elaborate.”

“I will. But let’s find Mouse first.” They stared at each other for a few seconds and Mason tried to put the truth in his eyes, filling them with the promise that he’d tell Rain everything. It seemed to work because Rain gave him a nod and they went back to their search.

After going over every floor twice, they moved outside, stopping just off the porch.

“The front door was open and the internet says that if a cat gets out, they stay close to the house.” Pocketing his cell phone, Rain gestured toward the shrubs that surrounded the foundation. “We should start looking-”

“Wait.” Mason held up a finger, sure he’d heard something but a passing car had drowned it out. Stilling, they glanced around and a few seconds later a hesitant squeak rose from the juniper bushes next to Rain.

“Mousey-girl?” Rain dove right in, his hair getting caught on the green branches, and Mason fumbled for his phone, turning on the flashlight and trying to block Mouse if she ran his way. “C’mere, babygirl, it’s okay…” Calling to her with little kissy sounds, Rain shuffled forward and then lunged with a shriek. “ Got her! ”

Mouse managed to let out one plaintive mew but the rest were muffled by Rain’s chest as he stood, holding her close. She clung to him with all her might, claws in, and the sight of them together, shaking with relief, Rain’s cheek scratched and wet with tears, only intensified Mason’s shame. In trying not to get hurt, he’d hurt Rain and had almost lost Mouse. They both deserved more.

Moving them inside, Mason stopped the video and took some photos of the broken window before sweeping up the glass and boarding up the window. Looking at the space where the painting had been, Mason chided himself again. He knew what they were capable of and he’d stuck his head in the sand, but he had to protect this place now, and not just for himself or Gran.

That meant better security. Usually, he’d balk at such a task but if he had to do that to keep Rain and Mouse safe? He’d give it his best try. Double-checking the locks, he readied himself and went downstairs.

Rain had curled up in the corner of the couch, holding Mouse in his arms. She was blissfully out cold; however, Rain radiated tension and raw strain circled his eyes. The way he glowered when Mason walked in had Mason’s fingers twitching, aching to take a photo, but he resisted. That whole thing about being a real person and showing vulnerability? It had to start now, especially with his muse.

Sitting down next to Rain, he forced the words out.

“My family is angry that Gran left the house to me. They’re contesting the will and they want me to settle.”

Rain started but stayed silent, processing. “So that’s why someone broke in here?”

Nodding, Mason sighed. “It was my brother. He’s their lackey. They’re trying to scare me.”

“Your brother broke in here? And ruined your fake painting? You hinted that your family wasn’t, um, nice but…damn.” Rain studied him and the lines around his eyes changed, softening. “From what you’ve told me, you deserve this house, so fuck them.”

Mason froze, his jaw falling open a little. Aside from Stanley and Ollie, he’d never talked to anyone about this particular problem but it had been hijacking his life for ages. Hearing Rain’s affirmation that this place was meant to be his? After losing Gran’s support it was like getting a new lifeline, and he latched onto it, wanting to say more. Needing to say more.

“They didn’t visit her once in the last five years she was alive. I took care of her not because she took care of me, but because I loved her. My father, my brother, and my classmates bullied me. One of them - the worst one - called me names like Gayson, which stuck.” He tried not to shudder at exposing himself, at being this raw, but Rain had more than earned this, and the empathy on his face told Mason that he’d made the right choice.

“Mason…” Reaching out, Rain rested a hand on his shoulder. Stretching, Mouse staggered over and plopped in Mason’s lap, going right back to sleep, and Mason thanked his lucky stars that she’d been found.

“This house was my sanctuary. I heard that once my grandfather died, Gran changed and shut my father and brother up whenever we visited. But I still hid under the weeping willow in the back and she’d always come out and bring me food.”

Because his spineless mother sure wouldn’t.

“My father noticed our bond and tried to keep me from seeing her, but once I got a bike, I was always here. I moved in after high school and she paid for college. I told her that I didn’t need a degree to take pictures but she said that education was important.”

Those were some of the best times of his life. After being under the malicious tyranny of his family, living with Gran had been a dream come true. They had eaten, slept, and breathed art, and between school and his personal projects, his creativity had seemed endless. After graduating, he had managed to establish himself as a local photographer, being featured several times online, and he’d been looking forward to a long successful career.

But Gran had gotten sick.

“When did she die?” Rain asked carefully.

Mason sighed, looking up at the ceiling, at her home. “Almost two years ago.”

Rain sat up straighter. “They’ve been dragging this out for two years ?”

Hopefully, the depth of Mason’s frown told Rain everything he needed to know.

“It should be simple. Gran’s will is solid but my family is saying that I tricked her…that I abused her goodwill.” Even saying it hurt. That would be the last thing he’d ever do. He’d give the house up in a second just to have her back.

“That’s crap. Ugh, I hate them already.” Rain shook his head, his eyes rolling in exasperated anger.

“Well, they have a better lawyer than I do,” Mason muttered.

“Can you get a different one?”

“I’m going to.” At this point, Stanley couldn’t help him anymore, not after tonight.

Rain stared at Mouse, pursing his lips in thought, and after a few seconds his gaze flicked up to Mason.

“Do you think they’ll try again?”

“There is a non-zero chance,” Mason sighed, gently stroking Mouse’s forehead. “I’m going to change all the locks-”

“You need to do more than that,” Rain interrupted, sliding a bit closer. “I did a check. Changing all the locks? Yes. But you need to update them and there needs to be more. Plus, you have to get cameras - obvious ones and hidden ones. Can you afford a security system?”

Mason shook his head. He could barely afford another lawyer.

“Okay. Then I’ll just get the sign that says there’s one. It fucks with their heads. Is there a security system here?” He shrugged cutely. “Who knows?”

Even though his emotions were still jumbled, Mason managed a small huff of amusement. “The lock on the kitchen window was broken but it works now.”

“That’s because I fixed it.” This eye-roll was good-natured. “Listen, I’ve done my research. If you need to keep someone from breaking into your place, I’m your gay.”

“Guy,” Mason corrected.

“That too,” Rain smirked.

Mason ignored the joke, the twist in his stomach telling him that Rain knew a lot about security out of necessity, and it made him uneasy.

“Here, put whatever you need in the shopping cart.” He handed Rain his phone. “I apologize for not telling you about things sooner.”

Rain tilted his head, his eyes meeting Mason’s. “I understand why you didn’t.” He hesitated, letting out a sigh. “But tonight scared the hell out of me. I want to feel safe here.”

Mason tried to put another promise into his gaze because he refused to let his family hurt Rain or Mouse ever again. “You will.”

The lines around Rain’s eyes softened even more, and with a small smile, he started shopping on Mason’s phone, selecting various locks and deadbolts as Mason continued to stroke Mouse’s fur, enjoying how she purred in his lap.

“If you want, I can ask around at The Pointe and see if anyone knows a window guy.” Rain jerked his thumb up, toward the living room.

“You’d do that?” Mason blurted.

Rain nodded, eyes still on the phone. “Of course. It’s no big deal.”

“You don’t mind talking to people?” He could force himself to speak with others like he did on the job, but he rarely enjoyed it.

“I like to.” Rain tapped the screen a few times and then looked at him. “And I know you don’t, so I feel honored that you talk to me .” Stretching out his foot, he poked Mason’s thigh.

This was his chance. Gathering every scrap of bravery he could find, Mason ignored the programmed warning bells and pushed through.

“Would…” he rubbed his chin. “If I found some lawyers, would you call them for me?”

Once again, he braced for disgust, but it never came. Instead, Rain’s gaze lightened and he smiled, putting the phone aside.

“Sure. I can make any calls you need me to.”

For the first time in years, Mason felt like he could take a full breath. While difficult, it had been more than worth it to scale that wall and be vulnerable with Rain.

“Thank you.” He’d gotten somewhat used to saying those words to Rain because no one had done so much for him other than Gran.

Rain stayed quiet for a moment, staring off, and Mason could see the wheels turning. Suddenly, his gaze snapped back.

“Does your family know about your business?”

“Yes. They get to me through the public number and email.” Taking his phone from Rain’s hands, Mason scrolled his archived texts, showing Rain a few, and fury flashed in his eyes, the storm in them growing dark and threatening.

“This is bullshit. They’ve been threatening you like this? No , not anymore.” Snatching the phone from Mason, Rain went back even farther, a cold expression settling over his face. Mouse must’ve sensed something because she opened an eye, peering up at Rain. “I can screen your emails and voicemail, and I think I can reroute your texts. I have to ask the internet.”

It seemed too good to be true. All the alarm bells went off in Mason’s head but he resisted again.

“You’d do all that?”

“I want to.” Rain shifted closer, putting a hand on Mason’s leg and Mouse stretched, trilling.

“Why?” Logically, Mason should trust Rain but doubts and trauma stood in the way.

“Because I don’t like that they’re bullying you, and if you don’t have to see their shit, then you’ll feel better. And feeling better will help you in your fight to keep the house.” That was more than enough reasoning but Rain kept going, a smirk on his face. “Also, you’re letting me and my gal live here for free and all I have to do is pose? That’s a steal. Besides, your dick is so good that I should be paying you .”

Even though the night had been stressful, the result had Mason feeling freer than he had in a while, and joyful pressure built up inside of him, making him toss his head back and do something that he hadn’t done in years.

He laughed.